Justified Season 2 Finale Recap: "Bloody Harlan" (5/4/11)
Here it is folks, the most severely belated recap of all time. Thank you, thank you, you're too kind. See, I was in Italy last week, and due to technical difficulties, my feature titled "Who's Gonna Die On Justified Tonight?" failed to get published. Cryin' shame. Anyway, these were my predictions:
RAYLAN
Yeah right. Remember all those people who always thought Jack Bauer was gonna buy the farm? Some psychics they turned out to be. With a whole 'nother season coming down the pipes, it's safe to say our sexy star will stay standing.
ART
Not likely, but definitely possible. Art and Raylan haven't exactly been getting along these days and his death would certainly eliminate that nasty bit of dirt he has on Winona while giving he and Raylan the opportunity for a moving "I'm so cold" sequence.
TIM
Though he's a certified badass-in-training with plenty of room to grow, Tim hasn't exactly been a major player this season. While I like him and want to see him stick around, I can definitely imagine Tim taking a bullet tonight. Watch your back, boy.
RACHEL
Besides that one episode (you know, that one time), Rachel has been virtually invisible. So much so that killing her would seem oddly pointless and probably free of pathos. I say she stays.
AVA
Now we're talkin'. I dunno about you, but I see a target on Ava's back. She's rolled the dice and cast her lot in with her new hubby, the tempestuous and unpredictable Boyd Crowder. She's locked, loaded and ready for action, but is she really tough enough to stand the impending Givens/Bennet/Crowder bloodbath? The only thing that makes me think she might survive is her death would hit a note similar to Helen's. But imagine if Raylan took her out by accident (or on purpose). Think of how that would intensify his relationship with Boyd. Speaking of which...
BOYD
He's my favorite character by far, but more likely than anyone to get capped. Raylan don't trust him. Mags wants control back. Long story short, he's got enemies everywhere. Is he smart enough to stay alive? Absolutely. Do I want him running Harlan and Bennet Counties in season three? Hell yeah. But would his death make for an emotional, logical, cathartic finale? You know it would. Hopefully, he has one of his ingenious plans up his sleeve. He's gonna need it.
WINONA
100% possible. Raylan's still reeling from Helen's death, so axing his past and future wife would really f*ck his sh*t up, while allowing a new love interest to enter the picture in season three. Look, I like Winona. She's super hot and full of spunk. But Raylan's equal she ain't, and I'll be damned if these two are gonna move somewhere that's green like they plan. The dreamers never make it out alive, kids, just ask Romeo and Juliet. Winona, baby, watch your ass.
ARLO
This guy can survive anything and I strongly doubt we're gonna watch Raylan lose both his parents in the span of three episodes. You're okay, buddy.
THE BENNETS
Okay, let's think about this long and hard. Raylan already took out Coover, but Mags, Dickie and Doyle are alive, well and f*cking pissed. Now that the Black Pike deal is in ink, anything goes. Would could Raylan kill? Well, honestly, any of 'em, but probably not all. Least likely to go is Doyle, simply because he's a lawman. Raylan doesn't need the extra heat. Dickie's toast, let's face it. Raylan will most likely finish what he started all those years ago. As for Mags, I'd love to see her stick around, but if she's going for her gun, Raylan won't hesitate to put two in her chest. The real tricky aspect of the writers' job is to avoid or justify (wink) Raylan slaughtering an entire, albeit evil, family. I'm sure they'll pull it off with style.
THE LACKEYS
Are you kidding? Did you read the episode title? Adios, amigos.
and now... Who Actually Died
DOYLE BENNET - Can you say domed? Holy hell, did Art and his boys ever shut this evil mofo down. And not a second too soon in a classic "call in the cavalry" moment.
MAGS BENNET - In a beautiful and heart-pounding callback to the season premiere, Mags offs herself via "apple pie." As per usual, "It was in the glass, not in the jar." Man, I'm gonna miss her. Margo Martindale was the highlight of Season Two and has an awful lot to be proud of.
Who Took A Bullet
AVA CROWDER - Called it. She's being treated by a doctor, but that chest wound is nasty. Fate undetermined.
RAYLAN GIVENS - Walk it off, son. Walk it off.
Best Lines
RAYLAN - She's got a gun. She's got money. She's likely going down there to avenge her Daddy's murder. / WINONA - How can you be so sure? / RAYLAY - Because that's what I would have done when I was her age.
DICKIE - Woo! No one can tell me that wasn't a base hit right there.
LORETTA - I'm tired of people telling me as much truth as they see fit.
Closing Remarks
I can't believe Winona is alive, although now that I think of it, it'll be pretty great if Season Three opens with Raylan and Winona living a quiet in Glencoe. He's a firearms trainer or whatever, she's about to burst. Hell, maybe the kid'll already be born. I'd love to see Raylan as a dad, but we all know it'll only be a matter of time before things get... complicated. Overall, I give Season Two of Justified a 9/10. Had I recapped Season One, that would've gotten an 8/10. It'll be nigh impossible for Season Three to top Season Two, especially with the loss of the Bennet clan, but hey, anything's possible in Harlan.
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