Justified - "Good Intentions" Review

by Lee Padrick, January 31, 2014
Justified S1E3

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

"Good Intentions" is an appropriate name.

This episode offers a neat, tidy hour of television.  It did not slow this season's story, but it felt a little flat.  Granted, a "flat" hour of Justified is often much better than most serialized series, but this transition episode was reminiscent of several episodes in early Season Four.  Although last season came together in the second half, so the writers get the benefit of the doubt. 

Raylan is again pushing limits of authority.  While he is living in Monroe's confiscated mansion, he is sexing up Allison and being accosted by angry big guys.  Raylan turns the angry big guy on Wynn Duffy, and the threat is eliminated.  This tendency to get adversaries embroiled in violent confrontations is likely not conduct becoming of a U.S. Marshal.  Especially when Art is looking into the Sammy Tonin thing, with Vasquez hanging around the office.  Raylan's self-destructive choices continue to lead to a darker future.  And considering his troubled past, this can't fare well for the trigger-happy protagonist.  

Boyd, on the other hand, is trying to balance the mechanics of distribution with his attempt to ascend to the top of the Harlan County underworld.  And he is doing a poor job of it.  His fiancee is in jail, and he is sexing up Mara, the mail order wife of his rival, Paxton.  And there is the not-very-interesting character of Sheriff-wannabe Mooney.  The cliffhanger of Cousin Johnny on the phone promises to quicken the pace of Boyd's story.

Meanwhile, Dewey is trying to hold together his business, AND maintain curb appeal.  His Florida cousins have smelled fear and money, and have settled into Audry's.  Dewey is the ultimate mark, so his bumbling of dealing with this week's revelation that Wade Messer is skimming money for Boyd does not bode well for his longevity.

This episode offered a good, tight stand-alone story, but did not offer much in terms of the season arc.  Like a beautiful Chamber of Commerce day on Tuesday.  Nice, but not a lot going on.  


Random Thoughts:

- Was hoping that the Raylan-Rachael roommate pairing would be sustainable.

- No Tim?

- Vasquez hanging around suggests that he may have a larger role to play this season.  Like investigating a certain Deputy Marshal.

What did you think?

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