"Where's Waldo?" Directed By Bill Johnson Written By Dave Andron
An episode of Justified that contains a “preach off”, upper middle class fight club, the return of Wynn Duffy, and a colorful misadventure amongst hillbillies is not nearly as adventurous as that list makes it seem. It still entertained, thanks to all the colorful language, such as “Marshal Stiffy”, from Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Art (Nick Searcy).
Going into season four the writers spoke about broadening the cast of Marshals beyond Raylan. A worthy cause, since there seemingly has always been female black Marshal and Desk Buddy Marshal Tim. It would be nice to remember their names. One Marshal not needing extra work is that of Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Art (Nick Searcy), who steals the episode and gets the most to do. Marshal Art does give some background on female black Marshal and Desk Buddy Marshal Tim. So, progress. Raylan disappears along with his gun into the background as the Marshals service go on a hunt for Waldo.
The Truth clan was your stereotypical hillbillies. The humor surrounding their scenes wasn't the normal dumb banal hillbilly humor found with hillbillies. Writer Dave Andron hits some of the normal cues but for the most part elevated it all, even if you still had annoying Truth kid yelling “perverts” every five seconds. TV spots made the initial encounter with the Truth Clan a surefire Raylan-gonna-shoot-someone moment. He doesn't and just has to sit back for the majority of the episode. If it weren’t for the Truth's being related to the bag there isn’t any good reason for Raylan to be around.
I’ve never been good at solving mysteries. Now if this were Murder She Wrote I’d have whodunit solved easy. This isn’t, so forgive me if I’m not completely sucked into the mystery of the bag. Art quickly pointing them in a new direction by naming the mystery pilot felt forced and too sudden. They never really explain why/how Art knows the pilot just well that’s who he they have to find next. The mystery of the bag isn’t that big a deal, just something to keep Raylan busy instead of fathering another child.
Upper middle class fightclub isn’t something that comes to mind with Justified. Even with it being on the network that shows The Ultimate Fighter. Still getting to see Donald Cerrone, with trademark cowboy hat, show up and kick a dude in the leg was novel. Why we are spending so much time with Lindsay's husband is beyond me. Perhaps it is all an excuse to get UFC fighters cameo appearances.
Then there is the return of Wynn Duffy(Jere Burns) sadly without his sweet mustache. Duffy is back on his feet with more muscle and pushers than ever. He’ll finally climb to the top of the criminal ladder this time!. One of his pushers happened into Goggins territory so Duffy dose what Duffy does. Kill the pusher for being stupid thanks to his new status within the Dixie mob. At the sametime rejecting a partnership offer from Boyd.
Second place might be first loser but Walton Goggins gave it a good fight with his impromptu “preach off” against Preacher Billy. Preacher Billy and Sister Cassie have stolen Ellen May and most of the other oxy buying members of Harlan County. Replacing the pills with salvation. Goggins continues to have that cult leader energy as Boyd Crowder. He enters that tent and quotes scripture to back up at Preacher Billy a little too well. As it turns out Billy and Cassie have a history of moving from place to place, saving as many souls and taking as many donations as possible. Boyd has it on that they are specifically targeting him and his fledgling empire. Who knew running a criminal empire would be so hard.
Justified is still setting all the pieces up to make something. What it is going to make? I’ve got no clue. What I do know is Justified continues to be a smartly written crime show that more often than not makes me laugh at witty dialog than Raylan just shooting someone because that’s what he does.
C+ Seriously so many good lines from Marshal Art.
- Sadly no Constable Bob this episode =(. I want web series dedicated to that man.
