Justified – Fire in the Hole

U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens is transferred back to his home state Kentucky after he justifiably shoots a suspect who pulled a gun on him first. When he gets home he finds a friend who is on the other side of the law and a woman who wants him.

Terrific! Not since True Blood have I seen such a show with promise deliver above its expectations. Justified is one helluva ride and Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens is the conductor.

Olyphant plays the character like he was born too. Here is a revival of the old Western Marshall fighting outlaws in the badlands. One on one or one against many doesn't seem to make a difference. Olyphant is confident, cocky, and truly the definition of a man on a mission. He tells it like it is and then backs the talk up. It seems that he doesn't ever make a promise he can't keep as he follows through even when it may be going a little beyond the law. The supporting cast is strong with Nick Searcy as Chief Deputy Art Mullen, Raylan's boss and former partner at as an instructor. There's Erica Tazel as Deputy Marshal Rachel Brooks. On the other side of the law there is Walton Goggins as Raylan's former partner in the coal mine Boyd Crowder. Crowder has become a White Supremest and uses his position to reek havoc on the countryside blowing things up and killing people. That is coming to a very quick end now that Raylan is back in town. Finally we have Joelle Carter as Ava Crowder, Boyd's sister-in-law who is being tried for justifiable manslaughter for killing Boyd's brother who was beating her regularly. She's cute and has had a thing for Raylan since she was a little girl. There are a few other characters like Raylan's former wife we meet for a fleeting moment, but I'm sure we'll get to know her better as time goes by.

Truly one of the best premieres in a long time and a rock solid program. If you like lawmen and shoot'em ups then this is the show for you. Action packed and always moving. You're just waiting to see what Raylan does next. I'll be watching for sure. Thanks for reading...

Jeffery Yarter
The Lizardman