TV review by Merrill Barr, co-host of The Idiot Boxers

Show: Justified
Episode: Premier (March 16, 2010)
Airs: FX, Tuesdays, 10/9c
Episode: “Fire in the Hole” (Season One, Episode 1)

When reading up on the new FX series Justified starring Timothy Olyphant I noticed that some were calling it a modern day Deadwood (an HBO western series that also starred Olyphant). Now, I have never seen a single episode of Deadwood or read any of the books Justified is based on (Pronto and Riding the Rap by Elmore John Leonard). But, after watching the first episode of the new FX police drama, I want to do both.

The show is created by Graham Yost. Yost’s career includes penning some of the more memorable action films of the 90’s including Speed, Broken Arrow, and Hard Rain. He also had a hand in many famous series including Band of Brothers, From The Earth To The Moon, and the currently running miniseries The Pacific.

Justified is a beautiful show that combines classic western style and feel, with gritty modern day story telling. When the first episode opens, we immediately join U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Olyphant) in Florida where he has hunted down a fugitive. Frankly the fugitives name doesn’t matter because 3 minutes into the show, he’s dead. We learn three things in those 3 minues. 1, Raylan is a no-nonsense guy willing to do anything it takes to uphold the rule of law. 2, you cross Raylan you might as well go buy your own body bag. And 3, you do not want to get into a speed draw with this man.

Once the initial incident of the episode is over we begin the real story of the show. The Marshall Service is tired of Givens one man army style and attitude so they relocate him to his hometown in Kentucky. But that sure as hell ain’t gonna stop good ol’e Givens from getting the job done. His very first case back home involves him taking down a former friend, who has become a white supremacist with no morals. I know, it sounds cliché but in a show like this, originality isn’t always the most important thing. What matters, is how you play with the formula you already have.

When it comes to the acting in the show, it’s good but could use a little work. Olyphant definitely has the cowboy thing down which is the first thing anyone will be looking for in the series. Most of the side characters are ok. But the character Rachelle played by Erica Tazel is less than convincing. If I am going to support her character in this series then she needs to shape up fast, or get the heck out of dodge.

This type of series is something FX has been really good at over the years. Creating really compelling adult dramas with some edge that can still make it to basic cable. With a lineup that includes Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Damages, Sons of Anarchy, and the recently finished series The Shield, it’s clear that when it comes to good compelling 1 hour dramas, FX is the place to hit up once in a while.

So to sum up Justified, it is a no holds barred, modern day western with the flair needed for a series like this to work. I can’t wait to see what direction the writers take the show in and as long as the series doesn’t get to stale, to fast, then this could be exactly what people want to see.

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Tags: Elmore Leonard, Graham Yost, Justified, Timothy Olyphant