Air Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2011 10PM E/P on FX
I would be remiss if I didn’t start this off by giving a big nod to the publicity team at FX Networks. YEC was invited to visit the set of Justified on Tuesday, March 2nd. To say it was a day I will never forget is a gigantic understatement. After posting this review, I will post a recap of my day on set, including video interviews I had with cast members: Margo Martindale; Joseph Lyle Taylor, Jeremy Davies, Walton Goggins; and Joelle Carter.
Now…on to “For Blood or Money.” This episode centers on two main stories: Raylan and the Bennett family and Rachel’s (Erica Tazel) brother-in-law, Clinton (guest star Larenz Tate), who attacks his parole officer in order to get a day pass to see his son. As much as I love Tazel and her character getting more air time, it’s confusing as to why these two story arcs were put together in one episode. Was this plot used to introduce her background? Not much is known about Rachel but after learning Clinton was driving the night her sister was killed, we gain insight into why she may be choose to remain so private. And just for the record, I really hope those creepy “Furby” toys will NOT make a comeback!
As previously mentioned in my review of the season premiere episode “The Moonshine War,” Dickie (Jeremy Davies) walks with a limp and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) is either directly or indirectly the cause of said limp. Mags (Margo Martindale) mentions it while conversing with Raylan, who stops by during a Bennett family gathering. 21 years is a long time to walk with a limp. I’m sure Dickie is probably still a tad bit bitter.
Jeremy Davies as Dickie Bennett
Raylan seems a little surprised to see Loretta McCready (Kaitlyn Dever) at the Bennetts. If you recall, Mags takes her in, telling her she’s sent her father down south to work on some business on behalf of the Bennett family. Loretta may be 14 years old but I think she’s got the wherewithall to know something isn’t quite right with the Bennett family.
Kaitlyn Dever as Loretta McCready
As Raylan makes inquiries as to Mags’ knowledge of the Oxy bus hijacking during last week’s episode, it’s evident she is bewildered and angry because she knows her boys had something to do with it but she’s no fool. She’s not going to admit or deny.
L-R: Mags (Margo Martindale), Coover (center/table Brad William Henki) and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant)
Mags: “And yet you find it acceptable to come in here and bust in on my family dinner asking if I’ve had a hand in robbing a bus full of shit from a bunch of Frankfort peckerwoods?”
Raylan: “I never asked if you robbed that bus.”
Mags: “Naw, naw, naw. You just being all clever insinuatin’ without asking, trying to stir things up, is that it?”
Raylan: (goading) “You tell me, Mags. Is it working?”
Mags: (irritated) “Let me tell you something, Raylan.”
Raylan: “Fire away.”
Mags: “Why do you care so much?”
Raylan: (confused) “I’m sorry?”
Mags: “Come on now, child. You gonna sit there on my lumber and tell me this ain’t got nothin’ to do with the history between our families? With why my boy there (pointing back at Dickie) hadn’t walked right for the past 21 years?”
Raylan: “Frankfort mob is gonna come over that hill bringing hell with them ‘cause of that bus and they’ll stay until they bleed this county white. Whatever our family history, Mags, that’s why I care.”
Mags pauses to ponder
Mags: “Sure I can’t fix you a plate?”
Raylan: (politely) “No.”
One thing I loved about growing up in the south – if you didn’t feel comfortable continuing a conversation, you’d offer to fix them a plate of food. (haha)
Doyle (Joseph Lyle Taylor) is a mama’s boy for sure, but he isn’t afraid to snap at Dickie and Coover (Brad William Henki) especially since he has to keep cleaning up their mess so they don’t wind up in jail.
Joseph Lyle Taylor as Doyle Bennett
Doyle to Dickie and Coover after they talk about ‘getting rid of Raylan’ – “I don’t want either of you two doing shit or even contemplating doing shit until you run it by someone who can think.”
Boyd (Walton Goggins) is a conflicted soul. Goggins plays this character with such conviction and really reaches into his own southern roots. When he tells Ava (Joelle Carter) he’s reading Of Human Bondage, it threw me for a loop. I know Boyd can read, but with the way his path has zigzagged from season one to now, his book of choice is interesting. Perhaps he feels the bonds of his reputation as a racist with a penchant for rocket launchers will never be released. I look forward to each episode to find out what other mysteries will unravel in the saga that is Boyd Crowder.
Don’t miss Justified –Wednesdays at 10PM E/P only on FX.
Photos courtesy of © FX Networks.
Judy Manning
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