Justified’s Season Two had its finale last night, and what didn’t happen?!
So while we can talk about the specific events in the finale—Loretta attempting to avenge her father, Winona’s being pregnant, Art’s excellent Raylan management, Dickie shooting Ava, Raylan hanging upside down in a tree while Dickie whacks him, Boyd saving Raylan’s bacon, Tim the sharpshooter saving Raylan’s bacon, Doyle dying (see the previous clause), Mags offing herself, Raylan not sure Winona will be there after he’s rescued Loretta—what’s most intriguing about the show, and what makes this season so much better than the first, is the relationship between Boyd and Raylan.
They’re reverse sides of the same coin, which informs their, by now, very complicated relationship: Both are smarter than they oughta be, given their backgrounds, both have strong and strongly idiosyncratic morals, both are good-looking, talented at their chosen professions, and both are incredibly loyal to the women they love.
Given everything that happened last night, it’s hard to guess where the writers will go for Season Three; chances are, however, that Raylan and Boyd’s relationship will continue to grow and change and be the reason I keep watching.
Megan Frampton is the Community Manager, Romance, for the HeroesandHeartbreakers site. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and son, and thinks Timothy Olyphant has the best stride on television.
God, I love this show. And not just for the scenery.
I started this show early and then dropped it too soon, only to hear EVERYONE I knew saying how great it is. I DVR’d the finale, and I don’t care if I understand all the subtext. I’ll Netflix the season later, but for now, I just want to be in with the cool crowd!
Megan You summerized it perfectly….Glad we have a place to chat here..about Justified..And If it wasn’t for Elmore Leonard…Brilliant cast and show…and clare2e,LauraKCurtis..Join The Club…
The first season of Justified was fabulous! The second season has been sensational : ) This show has it all: a compelling story line that could take place in any era in history, well-etched, compelling characters, a wonderful leading man and a faultless ensemble cast, and always a surprise or two! One of my favorite aspects of Justified is that the women are every bit as fallible, ferocious, and fascinating as the men. Awesome!
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Timothy Olyphant fits the character of Raylan Givens the way that Raylan’s Stetson fits his head! Perfectly! I must say that Timothy looks mighty fine in that hat, and he wears the hat, it doesn’t wear him. “Justified” is just about perfect in every way–an outstanding cast and astounding writing and overall production values. Dark, gritty, and impossible to look away from! Raylan is a dedicated lawman, a deadly crack shot, and his own worst enemy. Bad boys are naughty with a touch of irresistible sweetness. There is something about them, even though you may try to remain proper, that makes you want to show your own naughty self : ) They certainly won’t reproach you for letting down your hair and giving in to temptation! Bad boys are just as delicious and delectable as that last piece of chocolate fudge cake that you devour in the dark on a midnight kitchen raid!
The Season Two Finale left me just as breathless as I was at the end of Season One! Once again, it will be a very long, long wait until the new season begins!
Then there’s Winona. When Raylan told her that he was in love with her and she mocked him, I so wanted Ava to pop up with her shotgun and eliminate “WHINE-ON-A”. Winona has Raylan by the “bahoogies”…and she always will. She was his wife, but she had an affair, divorced Raylan and married “Gary the Loser”, the guy with whom she had the affair. She really knocked Raylan for a loop and caused him to have all kinds of doubts and mixed-up thoughts. Even though he is not without blame in the break-up of his marriage, he never really understood why Winona left him. Later on, she couldn’t stand to see Raylan with Ava, so she cheated on Gary with Raylan. She really has Raylan twisted right where it hurts : (
As for the baby…a Givens…or a Hawkins!!!!
@VirginiaCampbell–I am so glad Gary is gone, btw, although I agree about Winona. Time will tell if she sticks it out, but she does keep life interesting for Raylan. Poor guy.
@virginiacampbell — AMEN! I do NOT like Winona. I haven’t liked her from the first episode, and she’s done nothing to make me like her since. I was kinda hoping they’d axe her this season, but I wasn’t that lucky.
Ironically, I didn’t like Ava much at the beginning, either, but she grew on me. She’s so much stronger than she looks, she cares about her home above all else. Insecure in many ways, but doesn’t let herself be walked all over — not by her dead husband, and not by Raylan.
And @MFrampton, you said it! The relationship between Raylan and Boyd takes a good crime adventure and hits it out of the stratosphere. I can’t wait until Season Three!!!
When Winona first came to the show, part of me really wanted her to get back with Raylan. She seemed to have a lot to offer and she was in a bad way with Gary. I really didn’t like Gary.
I really liked Ava too, though, so I was kind of torn. Now, I despise Winona. She took money and got Raylan in a lot of trouble, yet she keeps expecting him to do anything she says. I’m ready for her to go.
I like that a”Givens” or a Hawkins”..DNA of course..Winona will probably switch them..She Has a Criminal Mind….There could be,and I am only speculating..That there will be another Love Interest for our “Raylan”…later on of course…
Have no fear- Raylan Givens will survive anything. Elmore Leonard has a habit of getting his characters into incredible situations, but he always gets them out again. If the writers need more material and run into a problem, they can either ask Dutch himself or instead look to other Leonard charcters, The Hot Kid or Jack Ryan for material.Many of Leonard;s characters exhibit similar traits and can be adapted. Look at the cult classic UNKNOWN MAN # 89 if you can find it. Or try Cuba Libre to pick up the thread. It becomes addictive.
As great a job as Elmore Leonard does with his male protagonists and antagonists, he is often overlooked for some of his tremendous female characters. Don’t forget Karen Sisco. Try something like When the Women Come Out to Dance, or Up In Honey’s Room . All the women in JUSTIFIED are outstanding, as they should be. They just don’t grow shrinking volets in West By Golly.
Anybody who really digs Raylan Givens should also read C.J. Box – any or all- it doesn’t make any difference where you start. His characters have similar values, and also have similar relationships- Joe and Raylan could be twin brothers of different mothers. Boyd could interchange with Nick Romanowski pretty well, except for the falconry, and what else are you going to do after the finale of JUSTIFIED? Watch reruns? It is a long summer until season 3 resumes. If you haven’t read all the Elmore Leonards. then by all means do. If you have, then try C.J. Box. He didn’t win the Edgar for no reason.
Art Frank
so many stories, so little time
“RAYLAN” Rides Again….
From the Detroit Free Press:
There’s good news for fans of FX’s “Justified,” the acclaimed series about Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. Elmore Leonard, whose character and short story inspired the show, has finished a new book called “Raylan.” The novel covers three connected stories in about 300 pages. Leonard was inspired to write more about the no-nonsense lawman after visiting the “Justified” set. He’s a big fan and an executive producer of the show, which has strived mightily to stay in line with the style and sensibility of Leonard’s famous crime fiction work. “I love it,” he says. “I think it’s great.” Later this month, Leonard will travel to New York City for the Peabody Awards ceremony, where “Justified” will be honored with one of the most prestigious prizes in electronic media. “Raylan” is expected to hit shelves early next year. Elements of the book have popped up in a few episodes of the second season of “Justified.” The FX series was renewed last month for a third season. Cross-promotion is expected between the show and the book.
Posted on Fri, May. 06, 2011 11:10 AM
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Raylan rides again…
There’s good news for fans of FX’s “Justified,” the acclaimed series about Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. Elmore Leonard, whose character and short story inspired the show, has finished a new book called “Raylan.” The novel covers three connected stories in about 300 pages. Leonard was inspired to write more about the no-nonsense lawman after visiting the “Justified” set. He’s a big fan and an executive producer of the show, which has strived mightily to stay in line with the style and sensibility of Leonard’s famous crime fiction work. “I love it,” he says. “I think it’s great.” Later this month, Leonard will travel to New York City for the Peabody Awards ceremony, where “Justified” will be honored with one of the most prestigious prizes in electronic media. “Raylan” is expected to hit shelves early next year. Elements of the book have popped up in a few episodes of the second season of “Justified.” The FX series was renewed last month for a third season. Cross-promotion is expected between the show and the book.
Elmore Leonard frequently puts his characters in extraordinary situations, but he always manages to get them out of them. If the writers get into a dilemma and need more material, they can either ask Dutch directly or turn to other Leonard characters, The Hot Kid or Jack Ryan.Many of Leonard’s characters share characteristics and are adaptable.
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