Justified – “Fate’s Right Hand” Review. Going Out with a Bang.

Season 6, Episode 1

Air date: Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 10PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“If there’s a chance for us, Ava, it’s not here.” – Boyd

Justified may be on its way out but it’s not going quietly into that good night; no way. “Fate’s Right Hand” takes you by the scruff of your collar and throws you into a world of hurt, betrayal, and just the right amount of humor for good measure. If you were disappointed with season five, what I’ve seen in the first three episodes of season six makes up for it ten times over. I can’t wait to find out what happens this season. While I normally reserve any ‘Wild Hair Theories’ until mid-season, I have an early theory – Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) will not make it out of Harlan unscathed.

Raylan has his own way of extracting information

As we saw at the end of season five in “Restitution,” Rachel (Erica Tazel) made a promise to Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) to dig into the file Raylan has on him so she can dish out the punishment Boyd deserves. So, it’s no surprise that Justified’s season six revolves around building a RICO case against Boyd, and the first stop is Mexico. In season five’s “Raw Deal,” many of Boyd’s men, including his cousin Johnny (David Meunier), never made it back from Mexico, and now “Fate’s Right Hand” finds Raylan across the border chatting up the local Federales to get some much needed information. The way Raylan procures that information is questionable but effective, to say the least.

Raylan isn’t one to be trifled with. Olyphant plays his character with fervor this season. By all appearances, Raylon is anxious to get to Florida to be a daddy to his little girl but the snail’s pace at nailing Boyd is beginning to wear on him. Raylan knows he has to play by the book on this one. With Rachel as the new interim Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal while Art (Nick Searcy) recovers from his gunshot last season, she isn’t going to stretch Raylan’s leash too far.

Believe it or not, a Crowe is released back into the wild hollars of Harlan. Yes, Dewey (Damon Herriman) is fresh out of prison on a technicality. But his freedom isn’t without complications when Raylan informs Dewey he’s facing extradition to Mexico. The conversation they have is both serious and hilarious. The writers give Dewey some crazy dialogue, which Herriman utters with complete conviction.

Dewey’s visions of grandeur are quickly clouded when he finds out his beloved brothel Audrey’s has been shut down, seized by the government. But Dewey believes finding his wooden turtle is a sign so he runs back to Boyd hoping for a second chance. Dewey is living in the past and the trust he so desperately wants to regain isn’t in the cards.

Ava’s scared to look at Boyd the wrong way. How do you con one of the best con men around?

Boyd’s got a lot going on. Remember when Katherine Hale (Mary Steenburgen) told Boyd he was good at robbing banks last season? Well, he’s making strides in doing just that but this isn’t an ordinary bank job. Boyd is looking for something specific but his endeavors don’t lead to a fortuitous outcome…or so he thinks.

Meanwhile, Ava (Joelle Carter) struggles with being Raylan’s “C.I.” (confidential informant) and he doesn’t make it any easier for her. It’s been weeks since she was released from prison but she still hasn’t given Raylan or the U.S. Marshals any good leads. Ava’s also got Boyd trying to get things back to the way they were but he wants to leave Harlan. “If we stay in this ghost town, Ava, together or otherwise, how long you think it’s gonna be before we turn into ghosts ourselves?” Haunting words that may come to fruition for more than one person.

He may not be from ’round these parts, but he’s also not one to suffer fools.

We also meet a new character played by Garrett Dillahunt. We learn his name in the second episode, but what you need to know now is he’s ready to buy Raylan’s property with cash up front – lots of it. And just where that money comes from; it ain’t no place good. I’m quite bemused by Dillahunt’s character but I’m also intrigued. I think he’s going to be a thorn in Raylan’s side for sure.

Funny Lines

“How am I supposed to read that? It’s in Mexican.” – Dewey to Raylan about the extradition order.
“What I need is a $6.00 blow job; a smarter move I cannot imagine.” – Dewey’s reply to Raylan telling him he needs to be smart about the extradition.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you who I am? I am Dewy goddamn Crowe and I’m gonna keep on driving so I can save the state of Kentucky and the government of the United States of America another $300,000.00 for harassment, nel-gi-gence, and general mal-fi-essence. So have a nice day and kiss my ass.” Dewey to the state trooper at the road block. The fact that he can’t pronounce anything makes it that much more laughable.
“I’m so hungry I could eat the ass out of low flying duck!” – Boyd to his henchman Carl (Justin Welborn)

The writers have really been spinning their wheels and the way they’ve written things in “Fate’s Right Hand” gives us just enough information to lead into the next exciting episode. We get a good taste of what’s in store for season six but it’s almost as if the writers have sprinkled some secret additive making you crave more. I went through these first three episodes and nearly cried because I have to wait for the next one. Being a critic has its perks but damn, the way the writers have dangled the bourbon drenched carrot in front of me is just wrong.

Overall

“Fate’s Right Hand” is an explosive and shocking season opener. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to see what the final season has in store. The writers have stepped up their game, as well as the actors. What Boyd finds inside the safe deposit boxes aren’t as worthless as he thinks but who he thinks he’s robbing is another story. Will Ava be able to con a con man like Boyd? Will she be able to push aside her fear to secure her freedom for good?

Let me know what you thought of “Fate’s Right Hand.” Leave a comment below and/or tweet me @judybopp.

Tune in to the final episodes of Justified, Tuesdays at 10:00 PM ET/PT, only on FX.

For more on the show, go to http://www.fxnetworks.com/justified.

Follow Justified on Twitter #JustifiedFX.

Follow cast member Joelle Carter @Joelle_Carter on Twitter.

For fans of Walton Goggins, follow @WaltonGFan.

LIKE Justified on Facebook.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.