Justified (season 2)

The second season of the American television drama series Justified premiered on February 9, 2011, on FX, and concluded on May 4, 2011, consisting of 13 episodes.[1] The series was developed by Graham Yost based on Elmore Leonard's novels Pronto and Riding the Rap and his short story "Fire in the Hole".[2] Its main character is Raylan Givens, a deputy U.S. Marshal. Timothy Olyphant portrays Givens, a tough federal lawman, enforcing his own brand of justice in his Kentucky hometown.[2] The series is set in the city of Lexington, Kentucky, and the hill country of eastern Kentucky, specifically in and around Harlan.[3]

Justified
Season 2
Season 2 DVD cover
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes13
Release
Original networkFX
Original releaseFebruary 9 (2011-02-09) –
May 4, 2011 (2011-05-04)
Season chronology

Plot

Season two arc deals primarily with the criminal dealings of the Bennett clan. The season begins where the first left off. Raylan chases Boyd who is chasing Gio's niece who murdered Boyd's father Bo. Raylan catches up to both and he delivers Gio's critically wounded niece to Gio where a truce is struck between Gio and Raylan with Raylan's former boss threatening to kill Gio himself if Raylan dies. The Bennett family matriarch Mags Bennett (Margo Martindale) and her three sons Dickie (Jeremy Davies), Coover (Brad William Henke), and Bennett Police Chief Doyle (Joseph Lyle Taylor) run the criminal enterprises of Bennett County. However while Mags is secretly attempting to legitimize her family and give her grandchildren a “legacy deal”, Dickie and Coover attempt to expand, thus catching the ire of the Marshal Service and Raylan. Due to a long-standing feud between the Givens and Bennett families centering on an incident long ago and reignited in the current generation between Raylan and Dickie in their youth (an incident which left the latter with a lame leg), things begin to become very complicated, with their pasts catching up with them. Meanwhile, a depressed Boyd goes back to mining and attempts to legitimize himself, even informing on some crimes to Raylan. However, when a group threatens Ava, Boyd's reluctantly drawn back in to the criminal life. However he turns the tables on his partners, who were planning on killing him, by outsmarting them. Boyd steals some the heist money for Ava so she can save her house and he explains to her being a criminal; is just who he is. Mags's plan is revealed that she's using Dickie and Coover to buy land from the citizens of Bennett County who believe she's attempting to stop a mining conglomerate. The land is key for the conglomerate. Boyd figures out her plan and he helps Mags close her deal giving the Bennett family a portion of the mining conglomerate. In exchange Mags gives Boyd control of running crime in Harlan and Bennett County but only if Boyd stays out of the marijuana business. Angered by this, Dickie attempts to start his own criminal empire and threatens Boyd. Boyd recruits some of his friends and Arlo Givens and takes the weed business from Dickie. Dickie recognizes Arlo and kills Arlo's wife Helen in retaliation sparking Raylan's own desire for revenge and a further rift between father and son. After threatening to destroy Mags's deal, Raylan gets Dickie but is unable to kill him and sends him to jail instead. After Mags's deal is complete she gets someone else to confess to Dickie's crimes and tells Dickie that Doyle's children's future is safe and now she was again in charge in Bennett County. As the Bennetts and the Crowders go to war, Raylan attempts to keep the peace. Other stories include Raylan and Winona attempting a new relationship, Winona stealing money from the Marshal's evidence locker forcing Raylan to help her, Raylan discovering Winona's new husband put a hit out on them, and Art's growing lack of trust in Raylan. One other major component involves Mags murdering the father of Loretta McCready, a teenage girl that Mags sees a surrogate daughter. As the season progresses Raylan becomes determined to protect Loretta as she slowly finds out the truth.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

FX ordered a second season of 13 episodes on May 3, 2010.[4]

Casting

Walton Goggins, who had a recurring role in the first season as Boyd Crowder, was promoted to series regular beginning with the second season.[5]

Filming

Episodes were shot in California. The small town of Green Valley, California often doubles for Harlan, Kentucky.[6]

Episodes
See also: List of Justified episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
141"The Moonshine War"Adam ArkinStory by : Elmore Leonard & Graham Yost
Teleplay by : Graham Yost		February 9, 2011 (2011-02-09)3.47[7]
Picking up where the finale left off, Raylan tracks Boyd down, and seemingly puts his Miami problems to rest. However, the void left by the Crowder clan in Harlan is looking to be filled by the ruthless Bennett clan, headed by Mags Bennett (Margo Martindale), who has a contentious history with Raylan's family.
152"The Life Inside"Jon AvnetBenjamin CavellFebruary 16, 2011 (2011-02-16)2.41[8]
Raylan and Tim go to transfer a pregnant fugitive to give birth, but end up in the middle of a small-time human trafficking operation. Elsewhere, Boyd tries to adjust to civilian life with a familiar profession, and the Bennetts get a new addition to their clan.
163"The I of the Storm"Peter WernerDave AndronFebruary 23, 2011 (2011-02-23)2.59[9]
Dewey Crowe returns to Harlan to take advantage of a big score, but a more dangerous element has their eyes on that same prize. After the dust settles, both Raylan and Boyd try to help Dewey in their own way.
174"For Blood or Money"John DahlWendy CalhounMarch 2, 2011 (2011-03-02)2.64[10]
Rachel's recently paroled brother-in-law is on the run, and Raylan has to make sure Rachel's emotional involvement doesn't affect the case. Meanwhile, Boyd is approached with a nefarious opportunity, and the Bennett family begin to grow paranoid of Raylan's detective work.
185"Cottonmouth"Michael WatkinsTaylor ElmoreMarch 9, 2011 (2011-03-09)2.71[11]
Raylan gets a tip from Dewey that the Bennetts are into something big, and further agitates the clan by looking into fraudulent check cashing. Boyd manages to turn the tables on his treacherous accomplices, and asks Ava for further help.
196"Blaze of Glory"Jon AvnetBenjamin CavellMarch 16, 2011 (2011-03-16)2.37[12]
A bank robbery further complicates the relationship between Winona and Raylan, as well as placing her in potential legal trouble. Art has the chance to track down a fugitive from his early career.
207"Save My Love"Jon AvnetGraham YostMarch 23, 2011 (2011-03-23)2.22[13]
Winona's involvement with the money in the evidence locker goes deeper than assumed, putting Raylan in a tense race through the courthouse to replace it. Boyd is hired by coal executive Carol Johnson (Rebecca Creskoff) to assist in a wrongful death suit against the company, as well as a growing conflict with the Bennett clan.
218"The Spoil"Michael WatkinsStory by : Elmore Leonard & Dave Andron
Teleplay by : Dave Andron		March 30, 2011 (2011-03-30)2.64[14]
Raylan is assigned to protect Johnson while she attempts to convince Harlan County residents to sell their land rights over to Black Pike, with Boyd running interference to halt Mags from purchasing the same land. A shootout occurs at Arlo's house when a family attempts revenge on Johnson for a wrongful death.
229"Brother's Keeper"Tony GoldwynTaylor ElmoreApril 6, 2011 (2011-04-06)2.79[15]
Harlan residents all convene at Mags' home for a celebration. Mags and Carol both reveal their cards over their plans for the Harlan County land, with Boyd playing a deciding role in negotiations. Loretta learns the truth about what happened to her father, leading to a deadly confrontation between Raylan and Mags' son Coover (Brad William Henke).
2310"Debts and Accounts"John David ColesChris ProvenzanoApril 13, 2011 (2011-04-13)2.50[16]
Harlan's criminal community begins to shift in the wake of Mags' deal with Black Pike, as Boyd begins rebuilding his criminal empire and Dickie (Jeremy Davies) goes behind his mother's back to set up his own operation. As relationships between Raylan, Art and Winona continue to strain, Raylan contemplates a transfer.
2411"Full Commitment"Peter WernerBenjamin CavellApril 20, 2011 (2011-04-20)2.50[17]
Raylan defies his fellow marshals in order to look into an attempt on his and Winona's lives, a move that brings him back into contact with her ex-husband Gary and Dixie Mafia lieutenant Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns). Raylan discovers that Gary has ordered the hit and figures out that Gary will be killed by Duffy once the hit is carried out. Raylan then saves Gary and tells him to leave Harlan and never return. Boyd enlists Arlo in a move against Dickie's drug dealing business and hijacks a deal (Boyd did not wear a mask, while his three accomplices, including Arlo, did). Dickie identifies Arlo as one of the masked accomplices based on Arlo's limp. When Dickie goes to Arlo's house at 2am to find Arlo, he ends up killing Helen.
2512"Reckoning"Adam ArkinDave AndronApril 27, 2011 (2011-04-27)2.92[18]
A deadly home invasion hits Raylan personally, placing him in a race with Boyd and Arlo to find the killer. Arlo initially passes the blame for Helen's death onto Raylan, saying that the Bennetts killed Helen because Raylan killed Coover, when Arlo knows that Helen is dead because Dickie identified Arlo at the Boyd-led pot robbery. Arlo tells Raylan that the last 15 years Arlo spent with Helen were the best years of Arlo's life, no disrespecting Raylan's mother, Helen's sister. Arlo refuses to give up his $150,000 he got for the Black Pike mining deal in order to get Mags to give up her son Dickie. Raylan beats Arlo in a holding cell until Arlo agrees to help Raylan get Mags to turn on her son. Mags is forced to make decisions about her involvement in the Bennett family's criminal activities and the fate of Dickie, who concocts a deadly plan with his brother Doyle to absolve himself of responsibility.
2613"Bloody Harlan"Michael DinnerFred GolanMay 4, 2011 (2011-05-04)2.68[19]
The Crowder and the Bennett clans go to war over control of Harlan. Winona tells Raylan that she's pregnant. Loretta goes missing and Raylan goes after her, suspecting that she's trying to avenge her father. Boyd and Mags call a meeting to settle the tension but Mags sets up an ambush on Johnny Crowder's home and Ava Crowder's home. Johnny blows up his house, killing the two assassins. Boyd, aware of the ambush, has all the Bennett hired guns killed except Dickie, who shoots Ava in the chest before escaping. Raylan's caught by Dickie and hung from a tree as Dickie hits him with a bat in revenge for the limp Raylan gave him. Boyd shows up as he knew where Dickie was as Boyd had previously enlisted one of Dickie's brother's workers as an inside informant of the Bennett clan. Boyd is about to kill Dickie, but Dickie persuades Raylan and Boyd that they need him alive to save Loretta, who is on her way to Mags. Raylan and Dickie drive to the Bennett home, where Loretta confronts Mags about the death of her father. When Loretta shoots Mags in the leg, the Bennett forces shoot Raylan in the stomach. Just as Doyle's about to shoot Raylan, Doyle is shot in the head by Marshals, whom Art had brought to save Raylan. Dickie is taken into police custody. Raylan confronts Loretta, who gets Mags to confess to murdering her father. Raylan and Mags share a drink of her spiced moonshine, with Mags poisoning herself the same way she killed Loretta's father. The feud's settled with a handshake as she dies.

Reception

The second season saw critical acclaim.[20] Robert Bianco of USA Today praised Margo Martindale's performance, stating: "Like the show itself, Margo Martindale's performance is smart, chilling, amusing, convincing and unfailingly entertaining. And like the show, you really don't want to miss it."[21] Slant Magazine critic Scott Von Doviak praised Olyphant's performance and the writing for this season, observing: "Justified's rich vein of gallows humor, convincing sense of place, and twisty hillbilly-noir narratives are all selling points, but it's Olyphant's devilish grin that seals the deal."[22]

Awards

For the second season, it received four acting nominations for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards—Timothy Olyphant for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Walton Goggins for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Margo Martindale for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and Jeremy Davies for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, with Martindale winning.[23]

Ratings

The second season averaged 2.649 million viewers and a 0.9 rating in the 18–49 demographic, improving 9.6% in viewership from the first season.[24]

Home media release

The second season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on January 3, 2012,[25] in region 2 on July 18, 2011,[26] and in region 4 on September 5, 2012.[27] Special features on the season two set include deleted scenes, three behind-the-scenes featurettes, and outtakes.[28]

References
  1. Fienberg, Daniel (May 3, 2010). "FX renews 'Justified' for Season Two". HitFix. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  2. Zogbi, Marina (December 1, 2009). "'Justified' on FX Premiering in March". AOL. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  3. "Justified Official Website". FX. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  4. "FX Orders Season Two of Justified" (Press release). FX. May 3, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  5. Stanhope, Kate (May 5, 2010). "Justified Promotes Walton Goggins to Series Regular". TV Guide. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  6. Owen, Rob (April 6, 2009). "TV Notes: FX 'Fire in the Hole' pilot on hold". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  7. Seidman, Robert (February 10, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars' Bests 'Justified'; 'Top Chef' Down Slightly; 'Hot in Cleveland' Steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 12, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  8. Gorman, Bill (February 17, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Justified,' 'Hot In Cleveland' Down; Plus 'Ghost Hunters Intl,' 'Face Off' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  9. Seidman, Robert (February 24, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Top Chef' Leads Night; 'Justified,' 'Hot In Cleveland' Steady & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  10. Gorman, Bill (March 3, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Top Chef' Leads Night; 'Justified' Rises, 'Hot In Cleveland' Steady & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  11. Seidman, Robert (March 10, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: "Top Chef" Slips, But Still Tops + "Justified," "Real World," "Hot in Cleveland" and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  12. Gorman, Bill (March 17, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars,' 'Real World' Lead, Plus 'Top Chef,' 'Justified,' 'Hot in Cleveland' and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  13. Seidman, Robert (March 24, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Real World,' 'Top Chef' Lead, Plus 'Justified,' 'Hot in Cleveland' and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  14. Gorman, Bill (March 31, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Justified,' 'Top Chef' Finale Up, 'Real World,' 'Sons Of Guns,' 'Ultimate Fighter' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  15. Seidman, Robert (April 7, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Extreme Couponing,' 'Storage Wars' Lead Night + 'Real World' 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  16. Gorman, Bill (April 14, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars,' 'Real World' Lead Night + 'Extreme Couponing,' 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 17, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  17. Seidman, Robert (April 21, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, 'Storage Wars,' 'Real World' Lead Night + 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  18. Gorman, Bill (April 28, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' Premiere, NBA Playoffs Lead Night + 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters,' 'Real World' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  19. Seidman, Robert (May 5, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, 'Southpark,' 'Real World' Top Cable + 'Justified' Season 2 Finale & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  20. "Justified: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  21. Bianco, Robert (February 9, 2011). "Critic's Corner Wednesday: 'Justified' returns in fine form". USA Today. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  22. Von Doviak, Scott (February 2, 2011). "Justified: Season Two". Slant Magazine. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  23. "Justified". Emmys.com. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  24. "2011 Ratings Recap: Cable's Scripted Dramas - What's Up? What's Down? What's on Top?". The Futon Critic. January 5, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  25. Lambert, David (October 24, 2011). "Justified - Release Date and Extras Announced for 'The Complete 2nd Season' DVD, Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  26. "Justified - Season 2 (DVD)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  27. "Justified - The Complete 2nd Season". EzyDVD. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  28. Liebman, Martin (January 1, 2012). "Justified: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
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