Man, I love Justified. For those of you who know me well, this is old news. For those of you who don't, it's probably hard to grasp. I'm not really a big TV guy unless it's football season, and then I'm mostly there for the NFL. On average, I follow maybe 2 or 3 shows, and there have been numerous points in my life when I didn't follow any. I love movies and I read like it's something I'm paid to do, but television has always been the red-headed stepchild of my entertainment family.
And then there's Justified. I'm a big Elmore Leonard fan, I love Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins, and this show has thrilled me from the very start. Picking my favorite season would be like trying to pick a favorite child. In some way, shape, or form, each one is my favorite, and thus far the fifth season has been no different.
As we head toward next week's finale, I've never been more excited to see what comes next. Justified has mastered the art of wrapping each season around one big story and telling a multitude of little stories along the way. The way the characters and their relationships have evolved and the way the show has managed to add great talent to the mix each and every year is nothing short of remarkable. I think the series is positively golden, and I can't recommend it enough.
Much of this is old news, I've praised the show frequently before on a number of platforms, and this isn't the first time I worked to spread the Harlan Gospel with my blog. I just want to make sure everyone understands that this love story is really no different from my marriage to the most wonderful woman on the planet; I'm still head over heels in love, I'm still being surprised and thrilled every step of the way, and I'm always eager to tell someone about my joy.
Justified, where the good guys aren't all good, the bad guys aren't all bad, the outcome is never predictable, and the dialogue is impeccable. I firmly believe this is the best show ever, and I can't wait for next week's season finale. Forgive me, however, if I'm trying really hard not to dwell on the fact that the next season will be the last season.
Showing posts with label Walton Goggins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walton Goggins. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Could this be the best season of Justified yet?
Last night, FX gave us another thrilling episode of Justified, and I think this fourth season has been a joy to watch thus far. Is it possible that we're watching the best season yet of perhaps the finest show on television?
There are a number of things that make Justified special. The show's ability to tap into Elmore Leonard's world and deliver the riveting characters, the thrilling plots, and all the action and humor that make Leonard the foremost crime writer on the planet are a major asset to the program. Star Timothy Olyphant was made for the role of Raylan Givens, and Walton Goggins is also a perfect match for his part, that of Raylan's old pal/nemesis Boyd Crowder. Crowder was originally slated to perish in the series premiere (the character did meet his end in Leonard's short story "Fire in the Hole", which served as both the inspiration and the pilot for the series) and the decision to keep him around has paid dividends for FX. The way these characters relate to one another and the situations the show puts them in have cemented Justified as top-tier entertainment, but there's more to it than that.
The setting is critical, the supporting cast is outstanding, and the various guest stars (many of whom starred alongside Olyphant in HBO's supreme western series, Deadwood) always bring a lot to the equation. The show has the look of a feature film, the soundtrack is on point, and each season has done a splendid job of focusing on one big story while telling a multitude of smaller ones. In truth, each season has been a terrific success, and I don't know how I would rank them. Yet, at present, I'm tempted to say that this fourth season has been the finest. Where will it take us, and how it will measure up to its predecessors when all is said and done? Well, that remains to be seen, but I'll be sure to weigh in when we get there.
What I do know is this: Justified may just be the best show on TV, and this fourth season may be the best. If you're not watching it, you should be.
There are a number of things that make Justified special. The show's ability to tap into Elmore Leonard's world and deliver the riveting characters, the thrilling plots, and all the action and humor that make Leonard the foremost crime writer on the planet are a major asset to the program. Star Timothy Olyphant was made for the role of Raylan Givens, and Walton Goggins is also a perfect match for his part, that of Raylan's old pal/nemesis Boyd Crowder. Crowder was originally slated to perish in the series premiere (the character did meet his end in Leonard's short story "Fire in the Hole", which served as both the inspiration and the pilot for the series) and the decision to keep him around has paid dividends for FX. The way these characters relate to one another and the situations the show puts them in have cemented Justified as top-tier entertainment, but there's more to it than that.
The setting is critical, the supporting cast is outstanding, and the various guest stars (many of whom starred alongside Olyphant in HBO's supreme western series, Deadwood) always bring a lot to the equation. The show has the look of a feature film, the soundtrack is on point, and each season has done a splendid job of focusing on one big story while telling a multitude of smaller ones. In truth, each season has been a terrific success, and I don't know how I would rank them. Yet, at present, I'm tempted to say that this fourth season has been the finest. Where will it take us, and how it will measure up to its predecessors when all is said and done? Well, that remains to be seen, but I'll be sure to weigh in when we get there.
What I do know is this: Justified may just be the best show on TV, and this fourth season may be the best. If you're not watching it, you should be.
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