What I’m Watching: Justified

Justified: Season 2, Episode 6 “Blaze of Glory” (B+)

It’s hard to decide which is better: this episode or its title. Not one mention of the Bennett family leads to an equally quality-filled and fantastic episode, the beginning of which focuses on the aftermath of Boyd’s big blowout and the meat of which tackles the hunt for some very old and very dumb (mutually exclusively, of course) bank robbers. I love the way that both Boyd and Ava respond to their inquisitors, and I hope that the show doesn’t abandon that plotline (I’m sure it won’t) since it’s so damn interesting. Putting Winona right in harm’s way is certainly a valid course of action in terms of plot here, and she definitely doesn’t react that same way that Ava does. There was visible trembling and fear in her body and face when the robbery went down, and this episode was a terrific showcase of Natalie Zea’s acting. Raylan also managed to come through and ensure that her stolen hundred-dollar bill didn’t get her in trouble and do a handy job of showing the would-be bomber just how dumb he really was. I loved the way Raylan responded to the question, “Do you think I’m an asshole,” and it was a whole lot of fun to see Art pursuing a suspect whom he had been chasing extensively many years earlier. That final scene near the plane when they both started to run was rather funny, and this show, as always, does a stellar job of balancing its dramatic storylines with its comedic touch.