Retrospective: Justified, S4 "Truth and Consequences" (Speaking in (forked) tongues)

Retrospective: Justified, S4, Ep. 403 – “Truth and Consequences”

Air date: Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 10PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“Well in that case ma’am, I think we’ve misjudged each other.” – Boyd

Sometimes, things on TV can make you cringe, but what happens in “Truth and Consequences” made me want to do the heebie-jeebie dance while furiously shaking my arms in a swiping motion. In what was one of the most painful and horrible scenes I’ve ever watched, a local doctor pulls a dead, open-mouthed snake from Jimmy’s (Jesse Luken) face.

There are a few things going on in this episode, like investigating the 30-year-old case of the drug mule pilot Drew Thompson (not shown), which brings the FBI to Kentucky. But the really interesting and downright scandalous things going on make me shake my head in disbelief and awe.

Observations:

Boyd presents a very daring challenge to Preacher Billy much to Cassie’s chagrin.

Boyd (Walton Goggins) presents a bold challenge to Preacher Billy (Joe Mazello) – handle a freshly caught snake rather than the tried and true snakes he’s been using. Boyd knows Billy’s sister Cassie (Lindsay Pulsipher) has “milked” the church’s snakes of their venom so they pose no real threat to Billy while he’s preaching. It was a tense scene as Billy realizes what his sister had done, yet he decides to take Boyd’s dare, if you will, and ultimately gets bitten. I hope Billy survives. I think this dynamic trio: Billy versus Boyd, with Cassie smack-dab in the middle, is exciting. Boyd seems quite threatened with the power Billy and Cassie’s church has over the townsfolk. When Boyd is pushed, he will push back. I must give mad kudos to Mazello, Pulsipher, and Goggins for their captivating performances, especially the outstanding delivery of their lines, even when they are mere whispers.

***

Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) meets Lindsey’s (Jenn Lyon) (supposedly ex) husband Randall (Robert Baker). After the little history lesson she gives Raylan about the nature of her marriage and their means of income, I knew something was a bit shady but I didn’t think Lindsey would stoop so low. I’m very anxious to find out if she and Randall planned on swindling Raylan this whole time. Were they in on the plan with the bounty hunting thing so Raylan would do all the dirty work and they would reap the benefits? And why, for the love of Pete, does Raylan put his money in a sock drawer? I know he can’t put his moonlighting money in a bank, but he shouldn’t have trusted Lindsey as much as he did. Just because you sleep/have sex with someone, it doesn’t mean they’re trustworthy. Raylan is like a magnet for untrustworthy women.

***

Why does Raylan (aka Wyatt Earp) look so surprised? He knows Rachel has a valid point.

Art (Nick Searcy) is killing me with all the talk about his “Marshal stiffie.” But the conversation with

Rachel (Erica Tazel) while Raylan was present threw me for a bit of a loop. Apparently Rachel pulled what I like to call ‘a Raylan maneuver’ and now she is being scolded for it.

Rachel: “How many times has Wyatt Earp here put himself in positions like that and worse, and how many reprimands have you written him?”

Art: “Oh, he’s a lost cause; I still have some hope for you.”

I think it’s obvious there is a double-standard. There are rules for Raylan to try to adhere to and then there are rules that other Marshals must abide by, especially a certain female Marshal. What strikes me as odd is finding Rachel in Lindsey’s bar having a drink. Rachel confides in Raylan about leaving her husband. Hmm, I wonder what happened because you know there’s a story there. Damn you Raylan for not prying! I adore Rachel and want to see more of her character.

***

Memorable lines:

Johnny (David Meunier): “What if I were to give him to you, serve him up?”

Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns): “When you say ‘him,’ you mean…”

Johnny: “Boyd.”

Wynn Duffy: “Ok, and when you say ‘serve him up,’ you mean…”

Johnny: “What if I were to help you kill him?”

Damn, Johnny, hold a grudge much?

***

Art discusses a sealed case with Raylan:

Art: “Admit it, you’re getting a little bit of a Marshal stiffie yourself.”

Raylan: “Maybe…if you get it unsealed.”

Art: “Hoping for some movement on that later today. If my stiffie lasts much longer, I’m gonna have to consult a physician. What’s your opinion?”

Raylan: “On your stiffie, I don’t have one.”

***

Randall makes an offer to Raylan:

Randall: “How about at 6 o’clock, I put a little limp in that Gary Cooper walk; write my name all over that pretty face of yours. How’s that sound?”

Raylan: “Sounds like a date.”

***

It seems we got a bit of season three leftovers in this episode as the name of a familiar Detroit gangster pops up — Theo Tonin (Adam Arkin). I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll here about Tonin this season. And I am on pins and needles waiting to find out how Johnny thinks he’ll actually get one over on Boyd. Do you think Lindsey left of her own accord with Randall or do you think he forced her? Who do you think would win – Randall or Raylan – in a fist fight?

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Tune in to Justified, Tuesdays at 10PM E/P, only on FX.

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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.