Justified rewatch: 5x06 and 5x07

[gwyn]

5.6 Kill the Messenger
Original Air Date: Feb. 11, 2014
Written by: Ingrid Escajeda
Directed by: Don Kurt



An attack on Alison sends Raylan to Harlan in search of payback, and Boyd scrambles to arrange protection for Ava.


5.7 Raw Deal
Original Air Date: Feb. 25, 2014
Written by: VJ Boyd
Directed by: Bill Johnson



While relegated to walk-up duty, Raylan deals with a runaway computer hacker. Johnny tries to make a deal with the Mexican cartel ahead of Boyd, and Ava makes new allies in prison.

Please share your thoughts and reactions in comments.

Comments

[st_aurafina]

Just dropping by to say that your rewatch has intrigued me enough to start watching this show! I'm excited to be starting a series that has a bunch of seasons to plough through.

[gwyn]

Oh, that's wonderful to hear! The person who encouraged me most to do this never showed up for these, so it's felt like whistling in the dark a little bit except for my two co-watch cohorts. I find the first seasons to go quickly--they're only 13 episodes, and they are really exciting so it's hard to leave off and wait till next week to watch them, I find. Unfortunately, right now we're doing my least favorite, but there are still times where I have to see what happens next. And also fortunately, they get things back a bit for the last season, which helps take the bad taste of S5 away.

[mackiemesser]

These episodes are just so frustrating! I don't care about the Crowes and I don't care about Ava, even though I do think the actress is dong a great job with the crap pile story line she's been given.

The only good bits are the Marshal bits, and the stuff with the hacker manages to touch on some of the black comedy that is integral to the show.

That end scene of "Raw Deal" is pretty good. It's such a nice set up for a story but it just ends up being a retread of the rest of the season. It's like the show looked at all the elements of what worked and decided not to use any of them. This season is being carried by the leads' performances and they are having to work really hard to manage even that.

Kill the Messenger

[hafital]

I totally forgot that Art punched Raylan, and when I saw them face each other I was like, uh, it looks like Art is going to punch Raylan. And then he DID. Well. If Art punches you, chances are you deserved it.

You know, I really really hate it when dogs are used as an extension of male aggression.

Tim -- Are we really not going to talk about it? Did you slip in Art's shower?

So many innuendo jokes. But honestly, Tim's face during that whole scene makes this episode worth it. Especially his expression once everyone gets up and leaves the meeting. I love him.

I also love Rachel. But we knew that. I love that Rachel tried. I love their friendship. <3 times infinity.

Raw Deal

[hafital]

The best part of this episode is watching Rachel boss both Raylan and Tim around.

Also the snide comment from the tech guy. haha.

And well, I do like seeing Raylan actually have to work and chase down a bad guy.

Bye bye Johnny Crowder.