I just started watching this on Amazon Prime because I'd heard how good it was. I don't know quite what I was expecting this show to be, but all I can say is that it went beyond what I was expecting. The opening scene had me hooked as it portrayed everything, character-wise, about the main character Marshal Raylan Givens and was one of the best opening scenes, ever, for a TV show. Everything you need to know about the show, and Givens, is there in that opening scene. Hell, most TV shows now can't even do that in an entire season of their show and Justified did in the opening scene. That showed me how much confidence the shows writers had in their material and it's hard pressed to find any show with that sort of faith in anything. Normally those shows are always trying to find themselves with each episode that comes out. Not Justified, much like Game of Thrones, it knows its characters, settings, story lines, and surrounding better than just about every show out there, hands down.
This show is one of the best paced shows, and well written show, I've seen for a series in a long time. And the episodes fold in on themselves with ease, as they carefully build the mythology of the show. I like how the episodes don't always turn out as expected, either. They seem to be going in one direction, then completely turn around quickly, not in a gimmicky or cheap way, but in a way that stays true to the story line and characters. The writers and creators of this show don't treat their viewers as stupid. This is one the show I've seen were cell phones always seem to be working and it's the first thing the US Marshals pick up when something goes wrong or someone gets shot.
I also like how the choices people make in this show affect things later on in other episodes. It adds a little realism to the show. Also this show is about a person of good character, something we don't see to many of on TV now-a-days - and I've got a feeling that's one of the reasons the show is doing so well - this isn't the type of character you're going to find on the Shield or Sopranos. This is actually a well written character who has shades of the John Wayne and Dirty Harry in him and all for the better. I really like that no nonsense, no bullshit mentality, because it's in short supply now-a-days with our government and all levels of politicians being the way they are being. It was very refreshing to see something like this on TV. They create a little world with this show has many layers, which are explored nicely and with enough depth as not to get stupid or too soapy.
Tymothy Olyphant is excellent as the lead and face of the show. This is a show he was meant to play and he does bring parts of his character from Deadwood with him, which makes it all the better. The other actors are a mix match of characters actors from Hollywood, but like I always say I'll take character actors over big name star actors, because they're that much better. This show proves that with each episodes, as this group of actors really help to make this show as good as it is, which is a damn good watch.
You won't waste your time with Justified.
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