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Justified: The Devil You Know

"Is that a note of veiled menace I detect in your voice, Devil?"

Another episode that was wall to wall bad guys. Jockeying for position, making alliances, doing stupid stuff. I think I'd have liked it better if more of it had been about Boyd. And where was Ava?

I really thought Dickie Bennett wasn't going to make it to the end of this one. He was smarter than I expected, though, refusing to take the money from Limehouse and surrendering to Raylan in the end. Was Limehouse telling the truth about Mags's three million bucks, or did he just steal all that money from Dickie? Maybe he's an honest crook. He didn't kill Dickie, and I was expecting him to.

I wish Limehouse were a likable character, because I was just fascinated by Raylan's story about how his abused mother went to Noble's Holler for refuge like Ava did, and a young Limehouse beat the crap out of Arlo. The Holler being founded by emancipated slaves and held to this day is just an exceptionally cool story. The way Limehouse flirted with Rachel and even got personal information out of her was also fun. I also liked Rachel facing down Limehouse's guys and a truck full of pig shit on her own. She really would have gone through that truck.

Boyd didn't want to kill Devil, but he didn't hesitate. He was sad but immovable, almost as if he had to put down his favorite pet. Not a surprise, although I hate that Boyd is capable of killing a friend, even though that friend betrayed him. (It was obvious that Devil wasn't going to be around long when he refused to listen to Ava, and of course, the title of the episode gave a lot away.) I was relieved that Johnny didn't betray Boyd, although I honestly don't believe that blood is thicker than water with those two, and Johnny may indeed be harboring resentment. We'll just have to see if Mr. Detroit makes Johnny a better offer.

All in all, it wasn't a good week to be one of Boyd's ex-minions. What the hell is that Lance medical guy about to do to Dewey Crowe, and why?

Bits and pieces:

-- Dewey trying to get out of a body bag was very funny. Raylan running over the "bent screw" Ash Murphy not once but twice was even funnier, mostly because Todd Stashwick did such a great job. Physical comedy that good isn't easy.

-- Too short visit with Loretta McCready, who has adjusted to life in foster care.

-- Mister Detroit has a minion named Tanner, who is working as a talent scout for local evil.

-- Rachel is from Tennessee and went to the University of Mississippi. Raylan said the girls who went to Ole Miss were gorgeous. Was he flirting with Rachel? I've thought that before.

-- The recently recovered Crowder bar has seventeen kinds of bourbon but only one kind of water: tap.

-- Mister Detroit was wearing a pink tie. That's an interesting fashion statement for a criminal who is recruiting bad guys in Harlan County. Can we say "Amen"?

-- Half the cast hasn't been in the last couple of episodes. I've missed them.

Quotes:

Raylan: "Let's see if I got this right. You managed to get bushwhacked by an imbecile and an undernourished half-cripple?"

Rachel: "You all up on your race relations."
Raylan: "I paid attention during Black History Month."
I liked that Rachel took Raylan with her before because he was white, and he took her along this time because she was black. Tit for tat.

Boyd: "We're going to have to put a pin in this for now, as I'm sensing a disturbance in the force." (Raylan comes in)

Raylan: "You know what they say. Getting old ain't for pussies."

Raylan: "Ash! You all right?"
Ash Murphy: "No! You ran me over, you son of a bitch!"
Raylan: "Technically, you rolled over me and I backed into you, but you were brandishing a pistol both times."

Raylan: (standing over the injured Ash) "It's so hard to get cell phone service in these holler roads."
I didn't catch it the first time, but there was a phone booth in that shot.

Raylan: "Goddam if I don't have to save Dickie Bennett."

Apologies for the lateness of this review. My DVR screwed up the recording, and I seem to be experiencing some writer's block. I never have writer's block.

Three out of four pink ties,

Billie
---
Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.

5 comments:

  1. Ah, the dreaded DVR mishap. I hate those! At least these days, digital streaming usually makes it a bit easier to catch up when your recording devices fail you.

    Very enjoyable episode. Dickie and Dewey were a hoot and a half, and I'm a bit concerned for Dewey. Some reviews/comments I've read have suggested he's about to have some organs harvested for the black market. Like a kidney, perhaps. Yikes!

    Definitely loved hearing Raylan's very personal story about the black holler being a place of refuge for white women. Cool slice of history.

    I'm going to miss Devil. Well, not Devil really. But Kevin Rankin for sure. I like to see him having good and interesting work. At least he got a hell of an exit.

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  2. They should really give Dickie and Dewey their own show.

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  3. God bless Dewey Crowe -- one of my favourite characters in this or any show I am currently watching. I cheer when I see Damon Herriman's name in the credits. I've said it before, but it is hard to act that dumb. And the body bag scene had me laughing out loud.

    I agree that the last couple of episodes have been more about the "bad guys" than our standard cast. However, the story is so good I'm not missing them all that much.

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  4. That final whine from Devil... :(
    I didn't actually think he'd die here, I thought they were setting him up for a departure and sowing the seeds for some promised confrontation by the end of the season when Mr Detroit finally butts heads properly. I don't even like Devil but that was really upsetting to see him, in my eyes, get killed off prematurely. But I approve.

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