Justified Review: Franchise Player

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There was a lot to love about "Outlaw."  The trials and tribulations that Raylan was put through, the schemes that Boyd put together, and their chemistry together in that one epic scene washed the bad taste from "Money Trap" right out of my mouth.

Even better than all of that was the fact that I have come to a conclusion on who I think Drew Thompson is.  I don't know who else has already said it, or even how many people have been championing the idea for weeks, but at some point during this episode, I decided that Shelby is Drew Thompson.

Raylan in Prison

His interest in the Drew discussion, and particularly the attractiveness of the psychic widow, seemed to be their way of dropping the hint.  He seems about the right age, and I for one would love Drew Thompson to end up being someone we know.  The fact that he's been in town concealing his identity all of this time would make it much less interesting if he was just some random guy we've never met before.

Anyway, no matter who ends up being Drew Thompson, the wait to find him has only peaked my interest more.  For how long the search has been going on, it really doesn't feel like they have dragged it out at all.  They continue to find new and interesting ways to make the search feel fresh.

It will be a complete relief if and when Raylan finds Drew Thompson.  The dude has gone through the ringer lately, and now his old man is dead.  I know Raylan seriously hated Arlo, but he was still his dad.  That death leaves him pretty much all alone. He has no family until that baby comes along.* That is a tough life to live.

* A baby that he so wittily mentioned will only know its granddaddy as a son of a bitch.

On top of all that, it was Raylan who was essentially responsible for Arlo's death.  He went to Hunter Mosley to give him Arlo's deal, which led to that inmate going after Arlo in the prison barber shop.  That scene was fantastic by the way.  They really had me thinking that Arlo was going to yet again get out of trouble when he jumped out of the chair and started attacking, so when he was eventually stabbed in the heart I was definitely taken back.

No scene could compare to that involving Raylan's second shootout in as many episodes though.  I LOVE the fact that Justified waited so long to have Raylan gun somebody down before last week, and then they came right back with another gun fight.  There doesn't have to be a rhythm to it, people.  It happens how it happens.

Between the fake cop giving Raylan lip, the cowboy interrupting the tension by asking Ava about her giant diamond, and Boyd assuring Raylan that he was still invited to the wedding, it was a strange, funny, and wild few moments.  The speed at which Raylan took out Wynn's henchman was glorious to watch, and his comment "I hope I got that right" was a good as they come.

Before Boyd made his way to that moment, he was busy laying down the ground work to screw over everybody who thought they had his number.  This was classic Boyd.

At the time, I thought I had a decent idea of what was going on with the fake cop.  Tonin had sent him to town to check out the guys that might have been Drew Thompson.  Obviously I was wrong, but when I found out that it was actually Wynn using Boyd's list, and that said list was just Boyd's enemies he wanted Wynn to kill for him, I was yet again reminded of how unbelievably awesome Boyd Crowder is.

After Boyd made a deal with Tonin's Nick Augistine, he brought the shot callers to the bar for a little meeting.  And after their phone calls to those they think have the power end up give them a "no service" message, it becomes obvious who is in charge of Harlan County.  The fact that he asked for loads of money came as no surprise, but asking for a Dairy Queen franchise certainly did!  A pleasant surprise, but definitely a surprise.

I loved that it meant Boyd was inching towards getting out, but it hurt to realize that fact that if he's now in bed with Theo Tonin, it's going to be a heck of a lot more difficult to get out.

All the while, Colt was murdering the guy from Blossom and Tim Murphy, while Cousin Johnny screwed with his head by texting him as Ellen May.  Again, there was a lot to love about "Outlaw," and Justified is back on track as we head down the final stretch of season four.

What did you all think?  What were you favorite moments in "Outlaw?" What were your least favorite moments?  And what do you think about Shelby as Drew Thompson?

Outlaw Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 (100 Votes)

Dan Forcella is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.

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Justified Season 4 Episode 8 Quotes

You want me to pay you not to kill me?

Browning

Kiss. My. Ass.

Arlo