The trend for absorbing, character-centric drama from over the pond continues as the second series of acclaimed US cop show, Justified, is released on DVD in the UK.
With a lead character extracted from two novels and a short story by celebrated author Elmore Leonard (who is credited as one of the Executive Producers of the series), Timothy Olyphant brings him vividly to life in his portrayal of laconic lawman, Raylan Givens. In the first episode of season one, Givens is involved in the unapologetic and “justified” shooting of a violent fugitive in his jurisdiction in Miami. Following this, and in an attempt to quell any angry repercussions, the Deputy U.S. Marshall is reassigned to Lexington, Kentucky – a district which includes his hometown of Harlan. A rural mining area, it’s a place which happens to breed a strong criminal faction, many of whom are familiar to Givens from his younger formative years growing up in the town.
The inescapable bond of family and past relations are very much the overriding themes of the first series. Givens (struggling to put the perceptions of a trigger-happy deputy behind him) finds himself battling an old friend-turn-adversary, Boyd Crowder (the wonderful Walton Goggins from The Shield), whose transformation from a violent leader of a disparate group of white supremacists, to a born-again Christian, is a constant headache for the Marshall to contend with. Throw into the mix an ex-wife, his estranged small-time criminal father, and the appearance of Boyd’s own daddy (who proves to be even more dangerous and aggressive than his son) and Givens finds his work and personal life colliding more times than he’d ever wish for.
This time around, family is still very much front and centre, as Givens tangles with the infamous backwater Bennett clan, headed by the tough, no-nonsense matriarch, Mags (Margo Martindale). Martindale is one of those seasoned character actors whose familiar face is noticeable in a number of weighty Hollywood A-list dramas like Dead Man Walking, The Hours and Million Dollar Baby, as well as substantial guest appearances in small screen favourites like The Riches and Dexter. It’s her role here, however, which should see viewers finally put a name to the face. Cold, calculating and frighteningly manipulative (she’s also someone who doesn’t think twice about dishing out brutal punishments to her kin if they step out of line), Martindale thoroughly embodies the character, and it’s hard to tear your eyes away from her every time she appears on screen. One minute she’s making an impassioned speech to her fellow townsfolk, warning of the imminent threat to their way of life if a planned mining proposal goes ahead in the creek, the next, she’s cooling bartering with the spokesperson from said company for a substantial payment to dig up her own land.
She proves to be a powerful antagonist, equal to any of the villains from the first series, and her three sons, one of whom is (unbelievably) the local sheriff, and the others, two backwards drug-manufacturing miscreants (one is played to absolute perfection by AWOL big screen star, Jeremy Davis), all share a history and have personal scores to settle with the Marshall.
Givens’ past relationships with many of the county’s colourful criminal population (including his aforementioned father) is really the strength of the show, adding further depth and upping the emotional stakes for the character and those around him. Much like the crux of the first season’s narrative (where his dealings with the Crowders is scattered between smaller, stand-alone stories), the second series also works with this same formula, and we get to see the further developments of the rekindled relationship with his ex-wife, who is now on the cusp of another failed marriage, which presents its own set of unique problems for the couple.
For any newcomers to this show, hurry up and get yourselves acquainted with these characters (Givens is the role which Olyphant will surely be remembered for in his career), and for those who thoroughly enjoyed the first series, a second season (which is every bit as engrossing and gripping as the previous) awaits you.
[Rating:4.5/5]
Special Features: “On the Set of Justified” – A behind-the-scenes featurette.
