By Jeff Michael Vice
JUSTIFIED – Live-action drama developed by Graham Yost, based on characters created by Elmore Leonard; rated TV-MA; airs Tuesdays on FX; 60 minutes. Episode 5.8: “Whistle Past the Graveyard” (original airdate, March 4, 2014). Directed by Peter Werner; written by Chris Provenzano (6 out of 10)
The story so far: After one high-profile shooting too many (mostly criminal types), trigger-happy Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens has been re-assigned. He’s gone from his home in drug-infested Miami back to his now, more-overrun-by-drugs childhood home in eastern Kentucky (specifically, Harlan County). Once again in semi-familiar territory, loose cannon Raylan butts heads with his new co-workers and his new, no-nonsense boss, Art Mullen. He also has an uneasy reunion with his estranged family members, as well as his childhood friend, Boyd Crowder, who has become a local drug kingpin.
In this episode: Recently suspended for some of his more questionable recent actions, Raylan is planning to vacation in Florida with his social worker girlfriend, Alison Brander, but again finds himself embroiled in Crowe family shenanigans. Boyd doesn’t have it any better, as he tries to cross back into the United States with his heroin shipment, thanks to equal parts help and hindrance from the Florida Crowes. And Boyd’s imprisoned girlfriend, Ava, turns to extreme measures to win over a potential drug supplier.
Easily the weakest of the fifth season episodes so far, the still somewhat enjoyable “Whistle Past the Graveyard” struggles with its uneasy tone (which changes from outright comedy to darker material) as well as trying to progress the series’ three ongoing story lines. By far the most successful of these this week concerns Raylan. Hoping to convince would-be legal eagle Wendy Crowe to give him dirt on her very dirty brothers, Raylan agrees to track down her ex, Jack Anderson, who’s gotten himself into trouble with gamblers.
Keeping Jack company while he’s on the run from his pursuers is Kendal, the youngest of the Crowes. That turns out to be a problem when the mysterious Michael, grabs the boy and forces a showdown.
Boyd has a showdown of his own with corrupt Mexican officials, who stop his truck – loaded with the heroin, as well as the bodies of his cousin, Johnny, and his crew — before he can reach the border. And there’s some question of whether new Crowe family “associates” are trying to double-cross him, much like his ill-fated cousin.
Things go from ridiculous to just plain dumb in the Ava subplot, in which she “fakes” a shoulder separation to make contact with a nurse who may be able to help smuggle illegal drugs into the prison. This bit is going nowhere fast, and even actress Joelle Carter, who plays Ava, seems less than enthused by it.
However, Bornheimer (“Worst Week”) welcome comic presence as Jack, and veteran character actor William Forsythe (“Raising Arizona,” HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”) is fittingly menacing as his pursuer.
And it appears this episode finally writes the annoying Alison (played by the bland Amy Smart) out completely, while adding some intriguing layers to both Alicia Witt’s Wendy as well as Raylan. (For the second time this season he’s “gone soft” when it comes to dealing with a trouble teen.)
Regular series writer Chris Provenzano (“Archer,” “Mad Men”) scripted the episode, which was directed by small-screen veteran Peter Werner (“The Blacklist,” “Medium”). On the plus side, “Whistle Past the Graveyard” does have a few memorable quips and exchanges. The better ones include:
“You’ve gotten big.” “You’ve gotten old.” (Jack, then Kendal)
“Oh no, I think of them like cancer. I’m just the doctor, working on a cure.” (Raylan)
“You should know I just shot my last blood relative.” (Boyd)
“If you have to, make every shot count.” (Boyd)
“You were to lose. Lose gracefully for a change.” (Raylan)
“He hates Daryl and Danny, too.” “So he’s not a complete asshole.” (Wendy, then Jack)
“Change of plans. You’re both under arrest … you, because you’re a fugitive. And you’re a dick.” (Raylan)
“Pretty messed up.” “Compared to what?” “Good point.” (Wendy, then Kendal, then Wendy again)
Overall rating: 6 out of 10
CAST:
The regular characters: Timothy Olyphant (Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens), Walton Goggins (Boyd Crowder), Nick Searcy (Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Art Mullen), Jacob Pitts (Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Gutterson), Erica Tazel (Deputy U.S. Marshal Rachel Brooks), Jere Burns (Winn Duffy) and Joelle Carter (Ava Crowder)
Guest stars: Kyle Bornheimer (Jack Anderson), William Forsythe (Michael), Jacob Lofland (Kendal Crowe), Michael Rapaport (Daryl Crowe, Jr.), Amy Smart (Alison Brander) and Alicia Witt (Wendy Crowe)
Jeff Michael Vice, aka Jerk-bot, can be heard reviewing films, television programs, comics, books, music and other things as part of The Geek Show Podcast (www.thegeekshowpodcast.com), as well as be seen reviewing films as part of Xfinity’s Big Movie Mouth-Off (www.facebook.com/BigMovieMouthOff).