What Did You Think of "Justified?"

[Benjamin Sobieck]

"Justified," the new FX series based on crime novelist Elmore Leonard's character U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, premiered last night.

I really enjoyed it. The show felt stiff in the first half of the episode, but more than made up for it in the second.

Don't bother comparing the TV Givens to the book Givens. Outside of the cowboy hat, spaghetti Western code of ethics and general kick-ass/take-names paradigm, TV Givens is a far cry from book Givens. The fact the FX version is a series and not a direct screen interpretation of Leonard's work has something to do with it.

In case you're wondering, the name "Justified" is different from what the show was originally titled, "Lawman." Steven Segal messed that up with his "reality" show of the same name. "Justified" is OK, but "Lawman" has more of a crime novel feel to it. It's forgiveable though.

But that doesn't mean it isn't worth a watch. FX has a history of cranking out quality grit ("The Shield," "Rescue Me," etc.), and "Justified" should be another.

What did you think of the show?

[Benjamin Sobieck]

"Do you know where I'm from? Harlan County, and we know the difference between dynamite and road flares."

 

The episode from this week was one of the best.

[Dana King]

That was one of the great lines of all time. That whole scene was classic, and perfectly in character.

[Benjamin Sobieck]

Most definitely. The seething rage just beneath Oliphant's Givens is in perfect pitch.

[John McFetridge]

It was set up so well in the first episode of the first season (I'm finally getting it on Netflix in Canada), Raylan telling his ex-wife, "I'm not an angry person," and she tells him he hides it well and most people don't see it, "But you're the angriest man I've ever met."

 

Sets Raylan off on a journey of self-discovery.

 

 

[Benjamin Sobieck]

You may be disappointed in the first half of the first season. It's mainly episodic. But the second half picks up the pace.

 

The second season trumps the first in spades, though. I've got most of the that season on OnDemand right now, but it expires in a few weeks. That will be a sad day for me indeed.

[Jon Paske]

Great show well written, acted, directed. Season 2 is excellent too. Not up to "deadwood" standards as the magic of Olyphant & McShane was just wonderful to watch. The writers of that show were literary gods. 

[Tim Scanlon]

I heard the series was renewed for a third season. Great news for fans of decent TV. This season has just gotten better and better, I'll be suffering withdrawals when it finishes in two weeks.

[Dana King]

This week's episode, with Dickie and Boyd ready to square off, was another high point. Margo Martindale is brilliant.

[King James]

I love Justified. The Shield was one of my favorites and I also like Sons of Anarchy. Very cool shows. Is it just me or does Oliphant remind you of a young Clint Eastwood.

[Dana King]

The Beloved Spouse and I had that discussion the other day. Watch a Dirty Harry movie and see how Eastwood walks: arms straight down, not moving, especially when he's about to kick some ass.

[Benjamin Sobieck]

Anyone watch the season closer? I thought it was smokin'.

[Joyce Ann Fugit]

Fell asleep.  Spouse watched it, but is keeping MUM. Will wait until it is up on On Demand next week.  Have loved it all season.  What GREAT characters, HUH?  

Y'all go ahead and discuss.  I won't read here until I have seen the episode.