DVD Reviews

Justified: The Complete First Season – DVD Review

By Patrick Luce Feb 6, 2011, 15:40 GMT

Justified is the story of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a true-blue hero and something of a throwback, given to wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots, carrying his sidearm in a hip holster – a weapon he only draws when he has to, and when he does, he shoots to kill, because, as he sees it, that’s the purpose of a gun.   The character of Deputy U.S. Marshal ...more

With a blend of western, noir and crime, Justified: The Complete First Season comes to DVD packed with a slow-burn action that pays off through the season-long story arc over 13 episodes.

On the capable shoulders of Timothy Olyphant, Justified was easily one of the best new series of 2010. The show is based on a character created by the great Elmore Leonard – from his short story “Fire in the Hole.”

The show follows U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Olyphant) as he is exiled back to his hometown of Harlan County, Kentucky following a questionable shooting in Miami, Florida. It seems Givens is quick on the draw and has no qualms about putting a bullet into the bad guy before the bad guy has a chance to put the bullet into him.

His reputation follows him back to Harlan and his friend and boss Chief Deputy Art Mullen (Nick Searcy) tells him this is the last chance to keep his job.

He also has to deal with his ex-wife Winona Hawkins (Natalie Zea) who he is still hung up on; an old high school crush Ava Crowder (Joelle Carter) who gets him into a little more hot water after another shooting; and an old teenage friend, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) who operates on the other side of the badge.

Throughout all 13 episodes, Givens handles each challenge with a laidback style that makes it feel like he is always on top of the situation – even when he isn’t.

Along with his run-ins with Boyd (who goes from being a racist meth dealer to born-again evangelist), each episode finds Givens matching wits with local drug dealers;  the drug cartel after his head from the Miami shooting; his crazy father; and the problem of still being in love with his ex-wife.

Justified is an addictive series thanks to its incredible ensemble cast and sharp dialogue. Olyphant is just the definition of cool in this series and his Givens character is a blend of the work he did on Deadwood and the slick charm the actor seems to bring to every role he takes.

Givens is the kind of character you would just like to have a beer with or would want to have your back in a fight – provided you were on the right side of the fight.

Completely in control of every situation, Givens’ only weakness is the two women of the series, and they seem to be the only two people who can completely put him in his place. He might be deadly with his pistol, but Winona and Ava can stop him cold with a simple look. Most of the trouble he gets into in each episode can be traced back to these two women.

A complete opposite of Givens, Boyd is sleazy, easy to hate and played to perfection by Goggins (The Shield). His character is like Givens’ darker half and you are never quite sure what he is up to, but you know it can’t be good.

You also know sooner or later, the two estranged friends are going to have to square off and one of them will be dead.

The first season ends with you wanting more and counting down the days until season two arrives. The DVD set comes with decent special features that include cast and crew commentaries, a look at season two, and features about creating the show.

Without a doubt, Justified is one of the best new series on television and the season one DVD set is a great way to catch up on the series before season two starts. Thanks to the talent of its incredible cast, this is a show that is easy to recommend.

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