Justified is an American drama aired on FX. It's based on the novels by Elmore Leonard. It centres around US Marshal Raylan Givens, who's a 18th/19th century Lawman in a modern world, a thin angry man with a very Clint Eastwood vibe, (the actor Timothy Olyphant even basically played Eastwood, or 'Spirit of the West' in the well designed but disappointing 'Rango') but with a more romantic, humorous side to him. Ever giving the bad guy a chance for a peaceful resolution he seems to prefer being in a gun fight with a criminal than settled down at home.
Set in Harlan county, Kentucky, it provides an amazing set of engaging and dark comic characters. One of the best of which is Boyd Crowder. Who develops incredibly from racist, violent, ex-marine to true believer preacher, to outlaw with his own code to live by. This is a character who can be frightening, charming and funny all in the same scene, almost exploding from the screen. This is just one of the many great characters we get to see change through tough circumstances, and although may not always agree with, root for, even against the hero.
One of the greatest aspect of the show is the writing, the stories are always exiting and engaging, but it's the dynamic dialogue that really grabs your attention, characters are often described as 'using forty words when four will do', with a southern American, Kentucky/Virginian/Louisianan accents ranging from cool cowboy to trailer trash the show has much variation.
The actors involved all deserve credit for their performances, Jeremy Davis, Damon Herriman, Joelle Carter, Nick Searcy, Jere Burns and David Meunier all give stellar performances in bring their characters to life. Though its Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins who really stand out as incredible actors, both are entertaining and engaging in every scene they're in and are a reason to view the show alone. The whole show has a very western, 1800's atmosphere, which reminds me alot of HBO's unfortunately cancelled-too-soon show Deadwood, which Olyphant also starred in. I also feel the location and setting do the show a lot of favours, there a not many shows or films set in Harlan, and this show proves its a great small world to explore.
The show inspires me in many ways, the characters, atmosphere, dialogue, relationships and interactions are all very unique, and exiting. Even the costume designs are something to admire. You can feel the western influence even when removing the obvious hat. The badge with the sheriff star on the belt never gets too much attention but is a nice touch, the way the guns are placed on the hip, with a beige and brown leather holster with the gun handles reaching up to the lower torso given a very gunslinger vibe. When most law enforcement officers would wear them lower and in a softer black material. The boots, although the trousers always cover the majority, have a very cowboy fashion to them. Matched with the darker costumes from neck to toe, sometimes wearing suit jackets, denim or longer coats, these costumes show a very western influence on modern fashion. The conflicting histories of the characters, and watching their understandable yet often unethical ways contrast is extremely enthralling. The writing altogether is superb, and the characters and their designs are remarkably iconic memorable. I won't say much more as I would urge you to check out the show for yourself, and would like to avoid spoiling it any more than I already have. Or at least watch the first episode, as I think that is enough to leave you wanting more. I could not recommend the show more.
