Justified -- The Next Great Leonard Adaptation?

[Reece Hirsch]

I've only seen the first two episodes, so I'm trying to keep my expectations in check, but "Justified" on the FX channel just might turn out to be one of the handful of great Elmore Leonard adaptations.  And there aren't nearly as many of those as there should be (I'd rank Out of Sight, Jackie Brown and Get Shorty as the best of a very mixed lot).  Based on a Leonard short story, "Fire in the Hole," Justified has that trademark Leonard mix of sneaky-funny dialogue, a cool protagonist in U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, and a vivid cast of violent and believably dim-witted lowlifes.  There's also a great nemesis played by Walton Goggins, who was so great in The Shield.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Justified lives up to its pedigree -- Leonard is listed as a producer.

[Jack Getze]

We've been discussing this series to no end over at Spinetingler.

I am a big fan.

[Reece Hirsch]

I've never checked out Spinetingler before. Nice website!