‘Justified’: The Best Show On TV

by Alicia Colon

Tuesday was the finale of what I’ve come to believe is the best show on TV: “Justified.” I say that not because I’m enamored of the lead, Timothy Olyphant – and who would not love that hat? — but because of the show’s iconoclastic portrayal of the South. 

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Hollywood has always stereotyped the South as full of ignorant rednecks and racists, and the Mason Dixie line became synonymous for Yankees like me, especially dark-skinned Latinas, as an area to avoid. Nevertheless, I met my husband forty years ago in the deepest of the South — Florida — and had an opportunity to form my own opinion. 

I learned that the N- word was routinely used by blacks and whites to describe any black and I was probably called a half-breed “spic” behind my back. That didn’t bother me, and as the years passed my in-laws grew up, so did the South.  One thing I did note was that none of the Southerners I met had any resemblance to the Hollywood boobs in the movies or on TV. They were bright, articulate and romantic. My husband reminded me that some of the best American literature is by Southerners and about the South. 

While I was never before an Olyphant fan, his character Ravlan Givens, U.S. Marshal, is the strong, silent, tough breed of man common to the West, Midwest and South and rare on the coasts, but beloved by women of all ages.

Think John Wayne. 

Givens was created by Elmore Leonard and appeared in two of his novels, “Pronto” and “Riding the Rap.” The pilot episode of “Justified” was based on Leonard’s short story, “Fire in the Hole.” What is always intriguing about Leonard’s villains is that they usually end up being the most interesting characters in the plot. 

As I watched each episode of “Justified” I would ask, “Where did they find these actors? ” (Many of whom I was unfamiliar with.) They are so authentically Southern. Turns out they are genuine sons of the South. 

The most fascinating of all is Boyd Crowder played by Walton Goggins, born in Birmingham, Alabama. Boyd is a murderer and drug dealer who, after having a near death experience, claims to have seen the light. His flowery speech is reminiscent of Tennessee Williams and his profound utterances of Scripture leave you wondering through the rest of the season if he’s sincere or not. The season finale, “Welcome to Bulletville,” answered that question perfectly. This was by far the most satisfying season finale of any show I’ve watched in a long time and it leaves viewers panting for the show’s return. 

Other standouts are veteran actor M.C. Gainey, who plays Boyd’s evil father Bo and who hails from Jackson, Mississippi; Nick Searcy, plays Chief Deputy Art Mullen, and is from North Carolina. The women stars are from Texas and other points south, and are as tough as the pioneer women who tamed the West. 

“Justified” appears on the FX network and each episode contains a warning that the show is intended for mature audiences only. Generally this is because of politically-incorrect language and some nudity. But not to worry, there’s nothing in the show as obscene as what’s on the Bill Maher show.


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Posted Jun 13th 2010 at 6:46 am in Featured Story, Reviews, Television | 79 Comments