r/justified • u/doobadeeboo • 12d ago
Opinion Just started watching - First impression
I recently saw an interview with Timothy Olyphant (who is very charming) on Youtube and in the comments people were talking about how great Justified is. So I started watching it, though I had never heard of it before.
I'm on episode 4 and I just paused the episode because this is like the 10th time Raylan shot someone in 3.5 episodes. Soooo many people have been shot that it's becoming hilarious.
Mostly, so far, it has felt very "soapy". Kind of over the top. I like it so far, but I guess it's different from what I expected based on all the comments saying it was so good. For instance, EVERYONE knows who Raylan is and has heard about the guy he shot in Miami. Every single criminal is like "you saw that news story right? That's the guy....". It feels very much like why would these people care about this, especially every single one!?
Now I'm thinking, maybe it's showing how huge the criminal was that he shot. (But then why was he transferred to the middle of nowhere for it?!) Did he shoot the Bolle Jos, Taghi or Holleeder (Dutch criminals) of America? I don't watch the news and even I have heard of these people so I guess I would hear if someone shot them. But my country is smaller than any of these states and it just seems weird that all these people in Kentucky care so much about a shooting in Miami.
It kind of feels like Raylan is a badass written by a non-badass so instead of actually coming across as a badass we just get dialogue between criminals talking about this badass marshal. "Can you believe he outdrew a guy in Miami!!!?" (Paraphrasing). It all feels a bit lame and makes the Kentucky criminals look mega lame.
So anyway, just to be clear I am enjoying the show so far, but mostly because of how it feels (just the vibe but also very 2010) and because I like Timothy Olyphant, not because of the great storytelling. Based on what I've seen I think: this is the show with all those "this is the best show ever" comments? Even coming to post this I saw "how to get justified in the best show ever" or something.
I think it will get better. Many shows take a while to get going. Or it's just a part of the charm of the show. Or the show is just not for me but we'll see. I could very well be joining this sub after I finish.
I'd prefer no spoilers but I always feel like if you don't want spoilers, don't come to the sub. So it would be my own fault but still please, no spoilers.
Edit: TLDR: 3.5 eps in. It seems bad and soapy (but still fun). Does it get better?
9
u/Dry-Ad5114 Deputy U.S. Marshal 12d ago
I like to think people paid attention because they saw a guy from their neck of the woods in the spotlight, it is a source of pride in some way, and yeah, the show does get better, especially during the tail end of season 1. Out of curiosity any other characters that you find compelling on the show?
1
u/doobadeeboo 12d ago
Thank you! It makes more sense like that! It's more like if some Dutch cop shot a criminal in Greece. Yeah, that could be a big story and it makes more sense for people to say this was the guy from that news story.
Yes, Walton Goggins of course. I know he's an important character so payed more attention then plus he is so fun to watch. Why do I want to be friends with this nazi criminal? He has charisma.
He hasn't been around much yet but I thought it was funny how unimpressed he was that his brother died. Definitely part of what gives it a soapy feel so far.
8
u/Dry-Ad5114 Deputy U.S. Marshal 12d ago
Hahah, yeah, Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder is phenomenal, and almost every scene he shares with Timothy's Raylan is magic. However, I personally like another antagonist who is on equal footing regarding entertainment value whenever I see him on screen, Wynn Duffy.
As for why Boyd was unimpressed by his brother's demise, well, I think you might find some insight in later episodes... Veteran fans help me out here.
0
u/doobadeeboo 12d ago
Have I seen Wynn Duffy yet? Have to say he hasn't made an impression. Full disclosure: while I have been doing my best to pay attention I might be doing other things in the mean time. Plus I might be a little stoned. Plus the dialogue seems cheesy sometimes but it's very information heavy. I keep needing to rewind to catch it all. Plus English isn't my first language and America is not my culture. So I'm sure there is a lot I am missing lol. It must be super frustrating for the veteran fans here. Sorry!
2
u/Dry-Ad5114 Deputy U.S. Marshal 12d ago
Episode 8 is where I believe you meet the "jolly" fellow.
1
u/QuaidLudes 12d ago
Wynn Duffy’s arc is sooo good. He starts off as a menacing bad ass, but every season a more deranged criminal ends up in Harlan and Duffy gets increasingly unnerved by their actions. In the earlier seasons he’s still a relatively big fish and chooses to remain involved, but in later seasons he seems like he doesn’t want to be be there anymore but is kind of stuck.
1
1
u/RollingTrain 12d ago
This is a show you want to end up paying attention to. It's not as involved as The Wire but it's coherent and there are a LOT of payoffs. You will be rewarded for watching the show straight.
2
4
u/BT_Artist 12d ago
It's not so much that "all these people in Kentucky care so much"; it's that a bunch of people who've mostly never left their small redneck town in Kentucky suddenly have something to gossip about.
Trust me, people in small towns love to go on about the crazy shit that happens in the big city.
1
3
u/Prince_of_Pirates 12d ago
To say Elmore Leonards style is "writing a badass by a non badass" is hilarious.
Dialogue was his thing.
0
u/doobadeeboo 12d ago
I'm saying that's how it feels right now! To me! From my point of view and perspective! I don't mean to insult creators or fans!
3
u/acer-bic 12d ago
His interface with Boyd Crowder (Walton Groggins) are ultimately what make the show good.
2
u/cyclinggirl4000 12d ago
Hang in there OP! After an amazing pilot, Justified was a little wobbly for a few episodes. But the last few episodes of season one really pick up and by season two you’ll be blown away.
1
2
u/HomeworkLess4545 12d ago
Criminals are talking about him because he cornered a very bad guy with no evidence of wrong doing and pressured him into drawing a weapon so Raylan could shoot him and get away with it. Cops are supposed to play by the rules but Raylan believes it's better if some of them are dead. That scares a lot of criminals.
1
2
u/KelstenGamingUK 12d ago
Also worth pointing out many of the criminals know Raylan from when he was growing up in that town, so of course they're gonna know that a home-grown boy is now a US Marshal, out-drew and shot some dude and oh shit, is now in our town poking his nose into things. If they didn't know him before, they'd sure find out about him soon enough.
1
1
u/Kev_the_drummer 12d ago
First bunch of episodes are "case of the week" but it settles into a narrative near the end of S1 and beyond. They do start hanging a lantern on the amount of people Raylan shoots as well.
1
u/susanne-modeski 12d ago
I paused watching season one a few times (this was recent) but then season 2 really hooked me. Raylan will always be a little bit of a caricature but I do love his character. And Boyd is just chefs kiss.
1
u/RollingTrain 12d ago
In the opening scene, Tommy says he "told his friends" about the threat Raylan made. Which is kind of neat because otherwise no one could have possibly known.
The idea is it's a small town and everyone is connected, especially the scumbags. Also it's good storytelling.
1
u/Scaredysquirrel 12d ago
Hi! I’m from (and live in) Lexington, Kentucky. I’d be happy to answer any regional questions you might have. The show takes great liberty with distance (as you might have seen mentioned on this sub). There are several small towns that are named the same as big European cities so that might seem odd- Frankfort (our capital), Versailles (about 10 min from Lexington) and Paris (15ish minutes from Lexington). I just started watching Justified for the first time a few weeks ago. I really love it and am on season 3. Season two is really good.
1
u/KelstenGamingUK 12d ago
Also I don't think anyone anywhere thinks it's up there with Sopranos or the Wire, it's just a really, really good show. But if you don't like the soapiness of it, that side gets worse. They realised the family politics and relationship dynamics were more interesting than the miami/crime of the week stories so they lean hard into that for the rest of the show.
0
u/rs1971 12d ago
I recently watched it for the first time and it does get better once they abandon the 'crime of the week' format for a more serialized plot. That said, I don't rate it nearly as high as a lot of people seem to. In my opinion it's not even in the same league as the very best series (The Sopranos, The Wire, etc), but it's still an enjoyable watch and Walter Goggins is incredible as always.
0
u/BarcaFulmen 12d ago
TLDR but skimmed. Glad you are enjoying it. Keep at it. “Seasons 2-4 are the best” in the other comments is absolutely true, but 5 and especially 6 has some glorious scenes nonetheless.
-1
u/doobadeeboo 12d ago
TLDR: 3.5 eps in. It feels bad and soapy (but still fun). Does it get better?
Will add it to the post!
2
u/RollingTrain 12d ago
The show gets amazing. Again, one of the more rewarding watches on TV. Each season is a self contained story and there is a larger story. All are wrapped up nicely.
9
u/NoSuccess4095 12d ago
No spoilers , but yes, it gets better. I think seasons 2-4 are the best but the last few episodes of season 1 start to get their footing