Ace of Spades HQ

May 25, 2010

Best Show on TV: Justified
— Ace

I keep seeing people mention it. It's on in eight minutes on FX. Older episodes can be watched here, but not all of them.

Best show on TV, I think, even though I don't watch a whole lot of it.

There have been a couple of very meh shows, but most episodes range from good to very good. But -- forget the entirety of the show. Every other episode, there's a brilliant five minutes or so, dialog so sharp and oddly funny, or a really good quick-draw. The rest of the show might be merely good, but for that five minutes, it's truly great.

Anyway -- check it out. Record it.

Below's the theme, which I frickin' love, a mix of bluegrass and gangsta rap by a group called, natch, gangstagrass.

Oh: Rayland hasn't plugged anyone for three weeks straight, which is a record for him. So the writers are "saving up" for a good shooting. (The show is semi-realistic about the consequences of officer-involved shooting, so they are somewhat more restrained about Rayland quick-drawing and killing people.)

They've got a quota -- he can only shoot every other episode, and only kill every fourth or fifth -- but they've been especially reserved lately.

So he's gonna kill someone.

Soon. I jus' know it.

But Seriously, Someone Should Get on Rayland About His Gunslinging: He's doing it wrong.

I'm not a cop and I don't have training, but I'd imagine that cops come at you all bad-ass and hard-core when they draw their guns because they're trying to intimidate you so that you don't even think about drawing on them-- by coming off as hardasses, they actually save lives. By going all steroids on you, they're discouraging actual violence.

Rayland does not do that. No no no. Quite the opposite.

Rayland just politely chit-chats, laconically touches his gun, talks up the Art of the Draw, and basically invites you to draw on him. He pretty much lets you know that he's the only thing standing between you and your continued freedom, so if you want to stay out of jail, you should probably take your chances and pull on him.

True, he warns you that he's really, really good at the draw, but, as he says in one of these soliliquys, a gun can always get hung up on the holster, or a shot could just glance off the breastbone, etc. Dozen things that could go wrong in a draw; so, maybe he's good, but you've got a chance.

So, basically, in the usual show, the idiot IA guy would be wrong about an officer-involved shooting being "bad." Here, those guys are right: Rayland pretty much is baiting people into Wild West shootouts.

But I'm not going to tell on him.

Posted by: Ace at 05:55 PM | Comments (133)
Post contains 471 words, total size 3 kb.

1 First and I haven't missed an episode.

Posted by: Ohio Dan at May 25, 2010 05:56 PM (rurh0)

2 hmmm

Posted by: elspeth at May 25, 2010 05:58 PM (AOIJi)

3 Yes - this show is one of the best on TV. Finally a law-enforcement related show I can tolerate watching. It's refreshing. The setting is also somewhat fresh. Of course - my viewing needs are simple. I like shows where good guys are generally good, bad guys are really bad, and often times the bad guys meet their doom at the hand of the law man. Satisfying.

Posted by: Reactionary at May 25, 2010 05:59 PM (4nbyM)

4 This show is outstanding. Tim Olyphant is hot as fuck too.

Posted by: Demurejen at May 25, 2010 05:59 PM (E7y2e)

5 Justified pwns

Posted by: trailortrash at May 25, 2010 05:59 PM (5JiB+)

6 Plus, Timothy is HAUTE. O, and the dialogue is witty coming from his pretty mouth.

Posted by: Stormy70 at May 25, 2010 06:00 PM (j6AO4)

7 Great song. Should be Obama's re-election theme.

Posted by: t-bird at May 25, 2010 06:02 PM (FcR7P)

8 Gangstagrass is schwag, but I'm proud to have CA avacados as a sponsor!

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at May 25, 2010 06:02 PM (mHQ7T)

9 >>>I like shows where good guys are generally good, bad guys are really bad, and often times the bad guys meet their doom at the hand of the law man. But that's not really what it is. In an early show, Rayland's boss asked of his criminal father, "Is he a bad guy or just a knucklehead?" The bad guys in Justfied are usually "just knuckleheads," or knuckleheads who've wound up becoming true bad guys. There are few bad guys per se. Not that Rayland sympathizes or cares. If you're on the wrong side of the law you're on the wrong side of him.

Posted by: Rupert Pupkin at May 25, 2010 06:02 PM (66DVY)

10 First sequence of episode one, where he shoots the guy at the pool had me.

Posted by: Demurejen at May 25, 2010 06:03 PM (E7y2e)

11 But that's not really what it is. In an early show, Rayland's boss asked of his criminal father, "Is he a bad guy or just a knucklehead?" The bad guys in Justfied are usually "just knuckleheads," or knuckleheads who've wound up becoming true bad guys.

--You're all teabagger knuckleheads!

Posted by: ergie at May 25, 2010 06:04 PM (Mmw0q)

12 As good as The Wire and The Sopranos?

Posted by: raykon at May 25, 2010 06:06 PM (0c9BQ)

13 Two Dogs not haz cable in tee pee.

Posted by: Two Dogs Fucking at May 25, 2010 06:06 PM (zIUsq)

Damn, I kinda like it. I just downloaded Go Hard.....

Posted by: Redneck, tea-baggin' bitch at May 25, 2010 06:07 PM (GXLjK)

15 Ace, You've been on fire. When I get a break from spending money on candidates, or, I win the lottery. you are getting a chunk.

Posted by: mghorning at May 25, 2010 06:08 PM (2lTeu)

16 I love this show and not just because Timothy Olyphant in a hat, jeans and boots shooting people is proof God loves me.

Posted by: alexthechick at May 25, 2010 06:09 PM (r07cb)

17 Is it the Oliphant from Deadwood?

Posted by: andycanuck at May 25, 2010 06:09 PM (7b1Uc)

18 Maybe Two Dogs possible watch on hulu.

Posted by: Two Dogs Fucking at May 25, 2010 06:09 PM (zIUsq)

19 13 Two Dogs not haz cable in tee pee.

Posted by: Two Dogs Fucking at May 25, 2010 10:06 PM (zIUsq)

Bowels have to move...ti pi full of shit.

Posted by: Bowels 'Faked Out by Whitey Again at May 25, 2010 06:10 PM (azgo2)

20 Best Show On TV:

Diners Drive-Ins & Dives

Posted by: Oneway at May 25, 2010 06:10 PM (+uSZo)

Dexter is the best show on TV, followed by Mad Men.

I always knew they were, for I am virtuous, not that i am bragging anyway.

Posted by: Ben at May 25, 2010 06:10 PM (DKV43)

22 Everybody drinks bourbon, even on duty. The chicks drink bourbon, Oliphant like his neat. His boss sets down and drinks bourbon in the office with the guy who is investigating Rayland and Rayland. Now that may be the way it happens in KY but I don't recall anybody smoking. That's not Kentucky. Still great show.

Posted by: Ohio Dan at May 25, 2010 06:11 PM (rurh0)

23 >>Is it the Oliphant from Deadwood? yeah. At first it seemed like the exact same character, but it's not exact. Bullock (Deadwood) was seethingly murderously angry on the surface. This character is cool and friendly and polite and funny on the surface. It's only underneath he's seethingly murderously angry. Slight difference.

Posted by: Rupert Pupkin at May 25, 2010 06:11 PM (66DVY)

24 Justified is best.

I have spoken.

Posted by: sifty at May 25, 2010 06:12 PM (9F0fV)

25 This character is cool and friendly and polite and funny on the surface. It's only underneath he's seethingly murderously angry.

I loved the whole "I never considered myself an angry person." "You're the angriest person I've ever met" exchange with his ex.

Posted by: alexthechick at May 25, 2010 06:13 PM (r07cb)

26 Breaking bad is best.
A comedy so dark you have to keep reminding yourself to laugh.

Posted by: nine coconuts at May 25, 2010 06:14 PM (DHNp4)

27 If nothing else, watching a cop show that's NOT in NY, LA or Miami is an entertaining diversion. A couple of things about the show keep me enthralled. The kick-ass dialogue. And the BANG you're dead murder scenes. Unlike most TV dramas most of the murders (or attempted murders) surprise me. I also enjoy the rapport between Olyphant and this-week's-nemesis. Fun to watch guys chit-chat before trying to kill each other.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 25, 2010 06:15 PM (jf5rK)

28 My favorite is when he's trying to subtly interrogate a murderer, and tells the story about wanting to kill his ex-wife's new husband, and says the only thing that stopped him was the idea he might have to kill his ex-wife too -- which, he says with an embarrassed, "You know what I mean" sort of smile, "...wasn't that unthinkable."

Posted by: Rupert Pupkin at May 25, 2010 06:15 PM (66DVY)

29 Acey Dr Ace, you might try romanticliously kill writing if blogging gig gets old.

Posted by: robotgossip at May 25, 2010 06:15 PM (EiH7n)

30 I used to be into the whole "lamentation of their women" thing, but now I think Justified is what's best in life.

Posted by: Conan at May 25, 2010 06:16 PM (9F0fV)

31 I happen to think the Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes (British) series ROCKED!!

ganstagrass...isn't that a fusion of Crap and Corn Filled Steaming Shit???

Posted by: Portnoy at May 25, 2010 06:17 PM (azgo2)

32 I once saw an oliphant on my way to Mordor for this thing I was doing.

Posted by: Samwise Gamgee, Jewelry Relocation Specialist at May 25, 2010 06:18 PM (9F0fV)

33 No, no, no. The best is Breaking Bad.

Posted by: Stan at May 25, 2010 06:19 PM (ZSCKp)

34 I happen to think the Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes (British) series ROCKED!!

River Monsters is awesome too. I'm waiting for him to get his head bitten off.

Posted by: alexthechick at May 25, 2010 06:20 PM (r07cb)

35 I liked the Brit Life on Mars. But it fell apart in the 2nd season and I stopped watching after a few episodes. As to Dexter.... Hmmm. Ok, Justified is the best show on TV (if you don't count HBO/Showtime and so on)

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 25, 2010 06:20 PM (jf5rK)

36 Yes, Olyphant was in Deadwood.

Posted by: Demurejen at May 25, 2010 06:21 PM (E7y2e)

37 A great show---not the best on TV. I wish they would have kept filming where they made the pilot. It had a lot more backwoods bayou atmosphere.

I like Breaking Bad more.

Dexter is great if you only count Season 1 and 2, but not the underwhelming 3 and 4.

Posted by: Z Ryan at May 25, 2010 06:24 PM (cMo6P)

38 What the fuck happened to country music? It's been co-opted by everything. Now it's just pop or whatever w/ twang.

Posted by: Z Ryan at May 25, 2010 06:24 PM (cMo6P)

39 Gene Hunt...how could you ever get tired of him??? Dude was hilarious. I watched the first episode of the American version. They used the same music, same lines...same camera angles ...really bad....They just had the final episode of Ashes to Ashes last Friday....tied the whole thing together. Wife's still jabbbering about it.

Posted by: Portnoy at May 25, 2010 06:26 PM (azgo2)

40 It's the only show I auto-record on the DVR.

Well, other than all the shows we record for the kids.

Posted by: Slublog at May 25, 2010 06:26 PM (IoGxK)

41 Raylan's boss has a Tombstone movie poster in his office. That is bad ass!

Posted by: Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday at May 25, 2010 06:28 PM (6gp2T)

as a former cop type, if i drew my weapon....it was because the trigger was getting pulled and blood was getting leaked

cops come off as aggressive because you have to set the tone fast and first

Posted by: navycopjoe at May 25, 2010 06:30 PM (gg4j2)

43 E-Trade Baby commercials get higher ratings than Chrissy Matthews' shows do.

Posted by: A Little Known Fact at May 25, 2010 06:31 PM (ITzbJ)

44 I want to see Lonesome Dove Does D.C.. Now.

Posted by: robotgossip at May 25, 2010 06:31 PM (EiH7n)

45 >>as a former cop type, if i drew my weapon....it was because the trigger was getting pulled and blood was getting leaked Right, well before that step, then, they'd go to Intimidation Mode. Rayland doesn't do that. Well, maybe, but quietly, subtly. I don't know-- technically you can say he's not escalating the situation because he's keeping a level tone. But I think kind of reality he's inviting you to draw with him.

Posted by: Rupert Pupkin at May 25, 2010 06:35 PM (66DVY)

It's a great show. For 22, bourbon's good for most occasions but even our states giving up on smoking. Since the main office is in Lexington it's not suprising they're smoke free since the city is.

What distracts me is the accent on Kentucky, Lexington and Louisville. I'd never heard anyone call it Kin-duh-KEY before.

Posted by: Allen at May 25, 2010 06:36 PM (NqhL+)

47 Thank you, Rupert (and Demurejen). I'll have to look for it on cable (but not pay) TV here then.

And Dexter (although I've only seen it up to the end of season two); Breaking Bad, Mad Men and from regular TV Big Bang Theory, Chuck and House M.D. (although it's not nearly as good as it used to be) are my only genuine favourites. It's not a major show, but I like Pawn Stars shown on our History channel too because there's usually one or even two cool military items a show.

Posted by: andycanuck at May 25, 2010 06:37 PM (7b1Uc)

48 Love this show. Besides the smokin hotness of Olyphant, I get to see "Shane" from The Shield (Best show ever) too. That old guy with the helicopter in that scene a bit ago sounded like a King of the Hill character.

Posted by: d at May 25, 2010 06:38 PM (sHgQm)

49 The British version of Life on Mars had the best ending in television history, hands down. Ashes to Ashes started very weak, and I almost quit watching after Season 1. But 2 and 3 were awesome, and the show ended on a pitch-perfect note. I'm sad that we'll never see another glimpse of Gene Hunt.

As for Justified, it has been excellent so far. Loved Stephen Root as the judge last week. For the record, I don't think he's doing it wrong. Raylin is smart about it. Let's face it, most guys are going to get pulled off the street and parked behind a desk if they end up shooting more than one or two perps. Raylin is smart enough to make it absolutely necessary to kill the perp and be able to prove it after the fact.

Posted by: Shivv at May 25, 2010 06:39 PM (gQbWM)

50 I was initially concerned about the focus being on "evil raciiiist whitey nazis teabaggers," but they definitely made it more varied and interesting than that.

Posted by: DKShideler at May 25, 2010 06:39 PM (oqE7K)

51 Dead criminals are better than live ones. They used to know that back in the day ,Bonnie and Clyde,Dillinger,Pretty Boy Floyd....This guy is supposed to be a throwback to the old days of law ENFORCEMENT.I forget his name but there was a Sheriff down in I think New Mexico in the early 20th century who shot quite a few men.

Posted by: steevy at May 25, 2010 06:42 PM (cQ+cb)

52 O/T: "Regarding the AdministrationÂ’s decision to send 1,200 National Guard servicemen to the US Southern border, the Government of Mexico trusts that this decision will help to channel additional US resources to enhance efforts to prevent the illegal flows of weapons and bulk cash into Mexico, which provide organized crime with its firepower and its ability to corrupt.

Additionally, the Government of Mexico expects that National Guard personnel will strengthen US operations in the fight against transnational organized crime that operates on both sides of our common border and that it will not, in accordance to its legal obligations, conduct activities directly linked to the enforcement of immigration laws."

Posted by: curious at May 25, 2010 06:46 PM (p302b)

53 Shooting people is not as popular as before but now there seems to be a resurgence.
Street people or sometimes the canaries in the Chinese coal mines.

Posted by: robotgossip at May 25, 2010 06:47 PM (EiH7n)

54 52 The Mexicans certainly think they can tell us what to do.

Posted by: steevy at May 25, 2010 06:49 PM (cQ+cb)

"I should have shot him. Or you."

The female character said on tonight's episode.

I wish I could enjoy the writing of TV dramas.

Posted by: CJ at May 25, 2010 06:52 PM (O27Qg)

56 >>>Raylin is smart enough to make it absolutely necessary to kill the perp and be able to prove it after the fact. How can he prove it? There are rarely witnesses.

Posted by: Rupert Pupkin at May 25, 2010 06:52 PM (66DVY)

57 This show is my latest favorite. Oliphant is teh hawtness and I love the unapologetic embrace of the concept of right and wrong. I catch it on hulu and look forward to every damn episode. When is the last time I could say that about a show (aside from Mad Men)? FX on fire lately. Loved Damages, then Archer, now Justified.

Oh, and more Boyd Crowder please!

Posted by: Minka at May 25, 2010 06:52 PM (Sbbe8)

58 Justified is also fun to watch to pick up on who you know from other series.

So I know Olyphant from Deadwood, and the young US Marshal from Euro Trip.

In Ep 7, we get the preacher from Deadwood. Ep 8 there's Dan Dority from Deadwood, in Ep 9 the Fromer's-toting male twin from Euro Trip, and in Ep 10 Johnny from Deadwood. Hi-larious.

Posted by: Waterhouse at May 25, 2010 06:54 PM (Cz5AG)

59 Fags!

Posted by: Andi "The Glute" Sullivan at May 25, 2010 06:56 PM (PlDo7)

60 boyd's interesting... the big question is Has He Really Found God or Is He Still a Hardened Murderous Criminal, and the answer seems to be "both;" he's like, apparently, robbing meth dealers as a form of retribution. Or it could be a scam. I like how everyone's like, "Are you on the level?" Rayland's the only one who thinks he knows the answer.

Posted by: ace at May 25, 2010 06:58 PM (66DVY)

O/T

What's the purpose of the Mayflower advertisement with the lady puppet?

Only a moron will know the particulars, and no, I wouldn't hit it.

Posted by: Fish at May 25, 2010 06:59 PM (M5t+h)

62 Woohoo! I hope E.B. Farnum makes an appearance too. (And he's great at playing sleazy weirdos.)

Posted by: andycanuck at May 25, 2010 07:00 PM (7b1Uc)

63 I love this show! Olyphant is seethingly fucking hotness. I want to have his children.

Posted by: jewells at May 25, 2010 07:02 PM (lv7H+)

64 Boyd Crowder is the most interesting character so far......love the interaction between him and Raylan. I love not really knowing if he's on the level or not.

Posted by: Minka at May 25, 2010 07:03 PM (Sbbe8)

What's the purpose of the Mayflower advertisement with the lady puppet?

I don't know but it freaks me out.

Posted by: jewells at May 25, 2010 07:03 PM (lv7H+)

66 Indeed, it is the only thing on the TV that I look forward to seeing every week. That thar's some good stuff. And they had the dude who played Dan Dority on Deadwood on for a passing role a couple of episodes back. Quality TV all around.

Posted by: Chainsaw Chimp at May 25, 2010 07:06 PM (k4bdL)

67 BAM! Over the past decade or so I would never ever watch any type of series, and refused to watch the bulk of the reality programming drivel. But, this year not only have I been hooked by Spartacus but I just happened to catch a trailer for Justified just as the season for Archer finished I am besides myself with joy . "REAL" programming is making a comeback and in a serious way. ( I may become a couch potato again O.O)

Posted by: tres at May 25, 2010 07:06 PM (b78ca)

68 Olyphant is great in this. But he's got that weird pidgeon-toed swagger that troubles me.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at May 25, 2010 07:08 PM (rQTdM)

What's the purpose of the Mayflower advertisement with the lady puppet?

when you move mayflower is with you every step of the way ... MEH someone needs to get spanked for that ad

Posted by: tres at May 25, 2010 07:09 PM (b78ca)

70 >>> And they had the dude who played Dan Dority on Deadwood on for a passing role a couple of episodes back. Heh, right, I knew he looked familiar...!

Posted by: ace at May 25, 2010 07:10 PM (66DVY)

71 @#68- he's got to leave room for those balls of steel man. Cut the guy some slack!

Posted by: Minka at May 25, 2010 07:11 PM (Sbbe8)

72 I've often found that people like that tend to be in very secure positions where they're either on a pension, or they couldn't be fired unless they were in jail, or they had a nice trust fund or other backstop.

Posted by: spider costume at May 25, 2010 07:16 PM (A805R)

73 I loved the speedo wearing pistol packing judge. Stepen Root, the voice of Bill from King of the Hill.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at May 25, 2010 07:16 PM (rQTdM)

leave room for those balls of steel man.

So true. Reminds me a little of the Duke when he does it.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at May 25, 2010 07:19 PM (rQTdM)

75 O/T: "If this doesnÂ’t happen, I will make a very grim prediction Â— the horrific loss of life America saw last week is only a preview of much worse things to come."

so i'm reading this and then Batchelor says something about hillary being in Korea and how serious this is.

ugh

Posted by: curious at May 25, 2010 07:19 PM (p302b)

76 Count me in on Olyphant. Yum.

Posted by: Caunotaucarious at May 25, 2010 07:21 PM (T+E+i)

77 @Tommy Gunnar- Absolutely! With a pinch of Eastwood thrown in. That lanky swagger, slightly off balance.

Posted by: Minka at May 25, 2010 07:23 PM (Sbbe8)

78 Lanky swagger? Perfect description. That's Olyphant.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at May 25, 2010 07:26 PM (rQTdM)

79 I liked him on Damages, but he nails the Raylan character. Makes me want to get Deadwood and give that a try.

Posted by: Minka at May 25, 2010 07:27 PM (Sbbe8)

That's certainly not how cops do it in New Orleans. They just roll up and start mowing down a crowd of unarmed civilians. Then, as you'll read if you stick with it, if their wounded victims are still spry enough to run away, they'll chase 'em down down in a car and shoot them in the back with a shotgun.

And if that ungrateful motherfucker STILL isn't dying quick enough for the officer's taste, he'll kick him the rest of the way into the afterlife.

Three weeks. Can't wait to get out of this shithole.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at May 25, 2010 07:30 PM (xGIqT)

81 @79 Deadwood is fantastic. I highly recommend.

Posted by: Caunotaucarious at May 25, 2010 07:30 PM (T+E+i)

82 Oh yeah. Archer. stupid little cartoon on FX earlier this year that completely rocked. It's a 007* parody with strong office politic elements. Ball slappin' funny. * or would it be more of a Man from Uncle parody?

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 25, 2010 07:32 PM (jf5rK)

Loved Stephen Root as the judge last week.

I had no idea he was Bill's voice. Interesting. That guy has a lot of range as an actor. Loved him in Oh Brother Where Art Thou and Dodgeball. Thanks.

Posted by: Ohio Dan at May 25, 2010 07:35 PM (rurh0)

84 "US Secretary of State Clinton arrives in South Korea for crisis talks."

Atlantis heading home and comes down tomorrow morning at 8:28 am.

Final voyage

Posted by: curious at May 25, 2010 07:35 PM (p302b)

85 Stephen Root was "Milton" (stapler guy) in office space. He's in a lot of stuff. Killed on an episode of Just Shoot Me (a scam-artist of a "Corporate Harmony Therapist" who mesmerized the staff with bullshit and status-symbols like "The Golden Binder").

Posted by: ace at May 25, 2010 07:37 PM (66DVY)

86 @Caunotaucarious- I will definitely try Deadwood. Have heard great things about it from people with taste. Plus, the hawtness of Olyphant....so, what more do I need?

@Comrade Arthur- Archer is pants-wettingly hysterical. Please tell me there will be another season?

Posted by: Minka at May 25, 2010 07:46 PM (Sbbe8)

Stephen Root was "Milton"

He also has a funny standup act.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at May 25, 2010 07:47 PM (rQTdM)

88 "FINALLY: Bows to pressure: Will visit Gulf Coast during vacation...

BUT Will skip Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington Nat'l Cemetery... ONLY to return for Paul McCartney concert!"

Posted by: curious at May 25, 2010 07:54 PM (p302b)

89 I've watched yer damn show, Ace. It's pretty good. And that thing that you were worried about, the propensity for the hero to shoot people has been a major plot point. So there, fucker!

Posted by: Garbonzo the Garrulous at May 25, 2010 07:55 PM (zgd5N)

90 Got hooked on "Justified" a couple weeks ago watching 1st/pilot episode on Hulu. I somehow missed the 2nd episode but have seen all of them since (all on Hulu). I liked Olyphant in Deadwood, but the dude was MADE for this role.

Posted by: ericinva at May 25, 2010 08:00 PM (GaXpK)

91 "Paul McCartney to be feted with Gershwin Prize at White House"at the White House on June 2
The performance will be hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and also will include performances by Faith Hill, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl and McCartney himself during a presentation that will be recorded for airing July 28 on PBS stations.

Posted by: curious at May 25, 2010 08:00 PM (p302b)

92 Stephen Root also played certifiably insane billionaire Jimmy James in NewsRadio. As to the "inviting you to draw" thing, that's really the core of the Givens character from the original Elmore Leonard stories.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 25, 2010 08:04 PM (9Lm5R)

93 I don't have a problem with it -- I want people gettin' shot -- but I notice it, just because the show is mostly grounded in reality, but then, he's getting into duels. I accept it as the price of the ride and all. I'm just sayin'. Ever know a guy who picks apart plot points in movies? That'd be me.

Posted by: ace at May 25, 2010 08:11 PM (66DVY)

94 > 86 @Comrade Arthur- Archer is pants-wettingly hysterical. Please tell me there will be another season? Posted by: Minka According to the infallible fount of geeky knowledge, wikipedia, yes! S2 was confirmed about midway through s1.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 25, 2010 08:11 PM (jf5rK)

95 The Justified theme song is retarded and jarringly out of place. Its a cowboy show set in Texas with a bunch of good old boys and they throw this rap/hip hop crap in as the theme song? That's like a space show with Hee Haw music or a 30's gangster movie with disco for the theme. Its the only flaw in this show.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 25, 2010 08:15 PM (PQY7w)

Justified is based on a Elmore Leonard character (more than one actually). Having read all his books, I think the production of this show NAILS the feel of a Leonard novel. Great show.

Posted by: Jimmie at May 25, 2010 08:15 PM (nZ0GK)

97 Damn, I'm freaked. I just stumbled across Justified on Hulu and finished watching episode five and six...and yes, it rocks.

I'm also a little worried Ace is bugging my computer. I went from here toHulu and two hours later I come back and he's posting about Justified.

Quit stalking me Ace, I don't go that way!

Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at May 25, 2010 08:15 PM (JhktX)

98 Yo Ace,

That theme song is a complete ripoff of Marc Broussard's "HOME" ... which is infinitely better than that dreck I just listened to:

http://tinyurl.com/338wf65

Posted by: IrishSamurai at May 25, 2010 08:19 PM (b30Gr)

99 Unclear grammar/English FTW in my last post ...

Marc Broussard "HOME" >>>>>> ^INFINITY better than >>>>> Justified rip-off theme song.

-Irish

Posted by: IrishSamurai at May 25, 2010 08:20 PM (b30Gr)

100 Just realized that tinyurl I posted was not the entire song which doesn't do Broussard's version justice ... complete version:

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/Home/2uqQOk

Posted by: IrishSamurai at May 25, 2010 08:25 PM (b30Gr)

101 I stand corrected on the nobody smokes statement i made earlier. His stepmom smokes.

Posted by: Ohio Dan at May 25, 2010 08:48 PM (rurh0)

102 Great show. Also enjoy Sons of Anarchy, FX has somne great shows.

Posted by: John at May 25, 2010 08:57 PM (6FYZ6)

103 Rayland and Boyd have issues. Seriously.....issues.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at May 25, 2010 09:06 PM (rQTdM)

104 > 95 The Justified theme song is retarded and jarringly out of place. Its a cowboy show set in ~~Texas~~ Kentucky(!!!) ... Posted by: Christopher Taylor I don't know who wants to kill you more - Texans or hillbillies.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 25, 2010 09:13 PM (jf5rK)

105 84 whose?

Posted by: ktnxbai at May 25, 2010 09:25 PM (VJUg/)

106

I've never seen it before. I tuned-in just in time to see a guy saying "Don't kill me for jerking off," or something, and then, "I didn't think spanking it was such a big sin." The other guy was holding a gun on him.

I laughed, you know, because it figured Ace liked this show.

Posted by: rdbrewer at May 25, 2010 09:59 PM (QFj3y)

107 5 foot, eight inches?

Posted by: texasmamma at May 25, 2010 10:10 PM (4L69q)

108 In just about every other cop show I watch, the high-handedness of the cops gets to me sooner or later.

Rayland doesn't bother me at all. I don't know how to say other than I trust Rayland in a way I don't trust any other TV cop.

I watch Rayland and I think, "Lawdog. Maybe a younger version, but that's Lawdog."

I love this show because I don't get my stomach all in knots over Constitutional issues. Rayland knows these people, they know him, they are adversaries but not...enemy aliens. Rayland's one of them.

Oh, and Rayland doesn't hesitate to tell his girlfriend what to do. She doesn't like it, she gets her back up, and it does her no good at all. He just knows better than she does where her best interests lie. He would rather do without her than see her hurt, and that's a rare, rare thing to see on the screen.

Posted by: DJMoore at May 25, 2010 10:13 PM (auErC)

109

Glad you love the show, Ace. I love your blog, read it every day. But I'll bet I'm the only one on the show who does!

Love,

Raylan's boss, Chief Deputy Art Mullen

PS, It's Raylan, not Rayland.

Posted by: nick at May 25, 2010 11:15 PM (S2Q0B)

110 Justified is a good show. It can be slow, but I like it. Dry humour and all that works out somehow.

Posted by: soulpile at May 25, 2010 11:37 PM (afWhQ)

111 This my husband and I's current fave on TV, and he hates most things. Nick - if that is your real name - We love your character!

Posted by: Stormy70 at May 26, 2010 01:52 AM (j6AO4)

112 "Rayland pretty much is baiting people into Wild West shootouts." He's explaining to them the consequences of fucking with him. He's very fast, and if people are willing to try him, he's willing to let them. And then kill them. This is a great show, and Olyphant is superb in it. I remember a book thread on here where several people had read John Connolly's novels. Can anyone think of a better Charlie Parker than Olyphant?

Posted by: UGAdawg at May 26, 2010 03:07 AM (/VjHB)

113 Walton Goggins, the guy who plays Boyd Crowder, is a top notch actor. He was brilliant in "The Shield" and got screwed out of an Emmy.

Posted by: UGAdawg at May 26, 2010 03:14 AM (/VjHB)

114 Boyd was originally supposed to be killed in the first episode. It seems that Walton Goggins (Boyd) has been made into a regular cast member for Season 2.

Posted by: Pablo Honey at May 26, 2010 04:21 AM (jxHlf)

115 Best show on TV.

Posted by: Wendell at May 26, 2010 04:29 AM (KmFQY)

116 Love "Justified". I like"Dexter" a little bit more but only because I like seeing people who think they got away with it, up until they wake up buck naked and saran wrapped, get whats coming to them.

Posted by: Duce at May 26, 2010 04:41 AM (RYqhx)

117 But Seriously, Someone Should Get on Rayland Raylan About His Gunslinging:

Ace, it is certainly not politically correct, but there are officers who tend to be highly proficient (most are not) who relish gun play when they have a particularly deserving miscreant in front of them. It's in their blood, and I think Elmore Leonard must have run into one of these folks at some time in his life.

Besides, the "attitude" is a major determinant in who will survive. As one Texas sheriff famously lectured his deputies (paraphrasing), "Avoid gun play if possible but when it is unavoidable, engage your opponent with disconcerting alacrity".

Texans can be quite eloquent when speaking to the substantial issue of a gunfight.

Posted by: Alamo at May 26, 2010 04:46 AM (vUZsn)

118 The "best show on TV" is what ever new release movie gets put in the Blu-Ray player.

Posted by: Vic at May 26, 2010 04:50 AM (6taRI)

119

My personal favorite exchanges in the show was when Raylan has a conversation with a convicit holding hostages and Raylan explains that he is really happy about not having an ass-shank in his face. And later when he gives the convict a peice of fried chicken, he hands to the convict wrapped in a napkin saying "you probably don't want to touch that with your hand."

Posted by: JamesT at May 26, 2010 05:08 AM (sGHac)

120

Is it just me or does Raylan driving around in a shiny Lincoln Towncar seem really, reallly out of place in rural Kentucky?

Posted by: EC at May 26, 2010 05:13 AM (mAhn3)

121 LOVE this show. Timothy Olyphant is perfect as the lead and the supporting cast is also. Have missed a couple of episodes due to family stuff, but having been a LEO, this show is actually watchable for me.

Posted by: Agnes B. Bullock at May 26, 2010 05:14 AM (SgT91)

122 "Raylan's boss has a Tombstone movie poster in his office. That is bad ass!"

And accurate, in my experience. Every USMS office I've been to has posters hanging of movies where they are the central characters.

Posted by: elliot at May 26, 2010 05:29 AM (GxjUG)

123 Is it just me or does Raylan driving around in a shiny Lincoln Towncar seem really, reallly out of place in rural Kentucky?

Not really. When I first moved here to Podunk, SC in 1977 while taking the back way home one Friday (to avoid beach traffic) I noted an old and small rusted up mobile home. It had a new Corvette parked in front of it.

Posted by: Vic at May 26, 2010 05:46 AM (6taRI)

124 a mix of bluegrass and gangsta rap

That really ain't remotely bluegrass, that's the Western in Country and Western. But they really need to film in Kentucky because wherever they are filming it doesn't look like east Kentucky - way too open and not damp enough.

And yeah, unless until third person in the shot is smoking it still won't look like Kentucky.

Posted by: ThomasD at May 26, 2010 06:17 AM (LcNn7)

125 Can't believe no one has offered an opinion of who's hotter - Ava or the ex-wife. My opinion, FWIW, is Ava's prettier, but the ex is seriously sexy - must be the overbite.

Posted by: flashman at May 26, 2010 06:43 AM (tsBuZ)

126 Absolutely, best show on TV, without a doubt... and the dialogue just crackles...

Posted by: GuyfromNH at May 26, 2010 06:54 AM (GWXuo)

127 Love the show...but as a Kentuckian it is hard to watch sometimes. Olyphant had me at "hello" but the Boyd character is just too many redneck stereotypes rolled into one. The first episode almost turned me off of it, but I kept watching and it's a really good show. I had high hopes when I first heard about it and I'm glad people like it. But it still gets Kentucky wrong in a lot of ways.

Posted by: rockmom at May 26, 2010 07:42 AM (w/gVZ)

128 Thank you, Ace! I have been saying the exact same thing since the premiere. Best. Show. On. Television.

And Flashman, Ava is hotter because she is "dirty."

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at May 26, 2010 08:08 AM (vZQfD)

129 wife is hotter, man.

Posted by: ace at May 26, 2010 09:47 AM (66DVY)

130

Both my wife and I love Justified. (I would bet for different reasons). Raylin gets the crap beat out of him, and still comes off as in control and cool. And Boyd Crowder is a bad dude, no doubt about it, he has big plans in mind for himself. If the shepherd is attacked, the sheep may scatter. Brilliant.

I agree with Ace, not every minute is superb, but in every episode, there are five or ten minutes when you just can't stop watching it intently. And I like Raylin's boss.

It's just good entertainment, brother.

Posted by: mikeyslaw at May 26, 2010 09:51 AM (QMGr1)

131

Raylan is Mr. DVC.

And all you pipples who can't spell "Raylan" are giving away that you haven't read enough Elmore Leonard. So get busy.

Posted by: J. Moses Browning at May 26, 2010 01:28 PM (9uSk0)

132

Moments of sheer brilliance when everything gets quiet around me and I just can't keep my eyes off the tv. But I have to agree with rockmom. Boyd, as good an actor as he is, is going to have break out of the container they put him in. Hollywood has him too rednecked up even for tv. He's some yankees version of a redneck, or philipinos version of a taxi. They've glued every shiny stereotype they could get their hands on to him.

This show resonates especially down here. We are taught. It is drilled, drummed, beaten,and spoonfed into us.

Some people NEED killing. And it is best not to be some people.

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