Courtesy of FX
In the grand scheme of things, wouldn’t most shows be better if their pre-credit sequence always began with characters receiving rattlesnake bites to the face?
Let’s bitch it out…‘Truth And Consequences’ is a strange episode. We’re still early enough in the season that Justified is laying the groundwork for some of its larger plotlines, which means that this feels like an amendment to the conflicts introduced in the premiere and the second episode. Boyd (Walton Goggins) once again visits Preacher Billy (Joseph Mazzello) and his sister, Cassie (Lindsay Pulsipher), this time upping the stakes – first with bribery (to Cassie) and then shame (with Billy). Meanwhile, Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) – who has yet to even interact with the this storyline! – remains on the hunt to find Drew Thompson, the man thought died in the accident that opened the season.
It’s all very familiar, so in many ways what occurs here blends into what we’ve already seen (making the first three episodes feel like one long one). There are a few new developments that will have a lasting impact (David Meunier’s Johnny Crowder meeting with Jere Burns’ Wynn Duffy to begin negotiations on a plan to kill Boyd is right up near the top) and even some time for both Rachel (Erica Tazel) AND Tim (Jacob Pitts) to get some face-time in. On the overall a decent episode of Justified remains better than anything else on TV, but aside from the snake attack in the opening scene, ‘Truth And Consequences’ is solid, but slightly unmemorable.
Courtesy of FX
Other Observations:
- If I wasn’t particularly interested by bartender Lindsey’s (Jenn Lyon) rough-around-the-edges ex-husband, Randall (Robert Baker), I’m even less enthused now that he’s kidnapped her or they’ve run off with Raylan’s baby money. This feels like one of those B-plots the show thinks we’re interested in, but in reality, just feels unnecessary
- This week’s reveal re: the Drew Thompson case: the missing man’s ex-wife, Eve (Julia Campbell) reveals – after a kidnapping and severe beating – that her husband witnessed the murder of a government official by none other than Theo Tonin (an unseen Adam Arkin, last glimpsed ordering Quarles’ death in 3×13 ‘Slaughterhouse’). That’s a nice tie-in, though we’re no closer to finding the man
- Boyd’s scenes with Preacher Billy continue to be a highlight, as the former religious man confronts and then gloats about gaining the upper hand after discovering Cassie uses venom-less snakes in the sermons, unbeknowst to her brother. Wonder if he knows that she’s also looking for money from all the wrong people to set up a fixed venue and put down roots?
- Finally, who can believe how much Tim and Rachel we get?! I nearly died! That must be the most lines Pitts and Tazel have had to learn since they began the show. In all seriousness, though, how amusing is it to see both of them make fun of and act like Raylan? He’s rubbing off on them!
Best Lines:
- Boyd (to Cassie): “So that’s all you’re doing in there: just tucking in your brothers and handling all his…serpents.” Dirty
- Rachel (to Art about going to the diner twice): “Yesterday I made him and today I went back because I like the French Toast”
- Raylan (to Tim): “I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Tim: “Yeah, you hide it well” Zing! I love that Rachel and Tim are starting to give it back to Raylan
- Tim (when Eve reads Raylan): “He does something stupid everyday. Can you be more specific?”
What are your thoughts: is there enough forward momentum, or did the episode blur into the last two? What do you think will happen to Preacher Billy now that he’s been bit and his congregation knows he’s a fraud? Are you excited at the prospect of seeing Theo Tonin again? Hit the comments below
Justified airs Tuesdays at 10pm EST on FX