What I’m Watching: Justified

Justified: Season 1, Episode 11 “Veterans” (B+)

As if Raylan and Boyd weren’t volatile enough characters, their fathers take it to the extreme. It’s extremely fascinating to see all of the different personalities interact on this show. Art talking to both Boyd and Arlo for the first time is very entertaining, and his parting threat of “we’re taking down the Crowders; you can either go with them or not” was powerful. Helen waiting behind the door with a gun when Bo comes by to see Arlo made that scene fairly disconcerting, and her response of “I should have shot him, or you” after he left was great. Arlo had a good point when he told Bo that the only reason his son comes to Harlan is because of Bo’s son, but I doubt that’s something he’ll soon wish he had said. The notion that Ava might have been involved in running the Crowder protection is quite a twist, but it’s fantastic because it enables Raylan to have to handcuff her to get her to leave with him and then call his ex-wife to take her in for the night and keep her safe. Raylan’s trick of intimidating and then deputizing Dewey Crowe was very creative, and out of everyone Raylan interacts with, Dewey probably provides the most entertainment. Dewey returning to Boyd’s camp, however, was considerably more serious, and shows a side of Boyd that’s truthfully frightening. Raylan pegged it perfectly when he told Art that he’s not sure whether Boyd actually believes what he’s selling, and finding out his true intentions is one of the most intriguing things about this show.