Justified: Alive Day
February 25, 2015 6:44 AM - Season 6, Episode 6 - Subscribe
Raylan investigates a murder that has sown discord in Markham's camp. Boyd's latest heist forces him to revisit his mining days. Choo-Choo goes trainspotting. Markham drop a rock on Katherine. And old mines are just as dangerous as ever.
He had been built-up as this hulking, almost mindless, menace, with an implication that Raylan was eventually going to one-on-one with him.
I thought that too, but I like that they didn't go that way. He ended up a tragic character rather than a mini-boss Raylan had to fight. Plus, I don't think the fight would have been good TV. Raylan would have either shot him because there's no question who's quicker on the draw, or they would have fought hand-to-hand at which point it would be laughable if Raylan won.
This is one of the few times a character takes a couple bullets and I believe that he can muster the strength to drive off. Plus, I assume Raylan and Tim only wanted to put him down and weren't going for a kill shot.
posted by Gary at 2:07 PM on February 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
I thought that too, but I like that they didn't go that way. He ended up a tragic character rather than a mini-boss Raylan had to fight. Plus, I don't think the fight would have been good TV. Raylan would have either shot him because there's no question who's quicker on the draw, or they would have fought hand-to-hand at which point it would be laughable if Raylan won.
This is one of the few times a character takes a couple bullets and I believe that he can muster the strength to drive off. Plus, I assume Raylan and Tim only wanted to put him down and weren't going for a kill shot.
posted by Gary at 2:07 PM on February 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
I had no idea they had improved train brakes so much.
I rewatched that scene; in one shot you can see at least 3 cars attached to the engine. I have no idea what the stopping distance is for an engine pulling at least 3 (potentially unladen) cars, but that jumped out at me too.
I didn't like the handling of Choo-Choo, not because I wanted him to fight Raylan, but because they skipped the part where the call girl talks herself out of him killing her. I want to know what she said that would make him turn against the other mercenaries.
The Catherine/Markham scenes were great. I'm not sure what's a bluff/double-bluff and what's sincerity.
Next episode has got to be the Marshals chasing down the mercenaries, right? That maneuvers Markham into a position of needing to find local help, and Limestone's intervention with Boyd is teased in such a way that I bet they want us to think he's going to rat out Ava when in fact it will be something else entirely.
posted by axiom at 8:24 PM on February 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I rewatched that scene; in one shot you can see at least 3 cars attached to the engine. I have no idea what the stopping distance is for an engine pulling at least 3 (potentially unladen) cars, but that jumped out at me too.
I didn't like the handling of Choo-Choo, not because I wanted him to fight Raylan, but because they skipped the part where the call girl talks herself out of him killing her. I want to know what she said that would make him turn against the other mercenaries.
The Catherine/Markham scenes were great. I'm not sure what's a bluff/double-bluff and what's sincerity.
Next episode has got to be the Marshals chasing down the mercenaries, right? That maneuvers Markham into a position of needing to find local help, and Limestone's intervention with Boyd is teased in such a way that I bet they want us to think he's going to rat out Ava when in fact it will be something else entirely.
posted by axiom at 8:24 PM on February 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
WTF, Limehouse?
Ava and Limehouse made a deal, and she immediately set out to cheat him when she decided that the deal wasn't exactly what she wanted. Limehouse decided to salvage what he could of it by using what he knew to mend fences with Boyd.
I'm going to miss Choo-Choo, but he was near the top of my "will never leave Harlan alive" list (it's a long list) from pretty much the first moment he appeared on screen.
Ever since he first showed up this season, I have been trying to figure out what it is about Sam Elliot that freaks me out when he doesn't have a mustache. Talking to a friend the other day, I was provided an answer: Sam Elliot has Grinch-mouth. I cannot fucking unsee it, and it was driving me crazy whenever he was onscreen this episode.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 10:24 PM on February 25, 2015 [6 favorites]
Ava and Limehouse made a deal, and she immediately set out to cheat him when she decided that the deal wasn't exactly what she wanted. Limehouse decided to salvage what he could of it by using what he knew to mend fences with Boyd.
I'm going to miss Choo-Choo, but he was near the top of my "will never leave Harlan alive" list (it's a long list) from pretty much the first moment he appeared on screen.
Ever since he first showed up this season, I have been trying to figure out what it is about Sam Elliot that freaks me out when he doesn't have a mustache. Talking to a friend the other day, I was provided an answer: Sam Elliot has Grinch-mouth. I cannot fucking unsee it, and it was driving me crazy whenever he was onscreen this episode.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 10:24 PM on February 25, 2015 [6 favorites]
I loved this episode.
Like Gary, I think they handled Choo-Choo just right. I didn't need to see a scene where he's convinced to not kill her because it's very clear from as early as her getting in the car that he didn't want to do it. Then she was nice to him. And this did seem in character to me. He's a solider who almost died and these guys have looked after him. He's willing to kill people with little remorse because at this point it's just what he does when he's told to. But he doesn't especially like it. He doesn't hate it, but just having someplace he belongs is the most important thing. He didn't really want to kill her because it's not even like she was directly in their path and, anyway, this was all his own fault. And he naively thought he could talk them into going along with it. And it's totally in character that, at the last, he'd still follow orders. His was a sad story.
When Markham asked Catherine if she was the informant on her husband, I totally suspected that this on the heels of his proposal was a test and/or a con. Insofar as it was a test, she failed it by not immediately telling him that she hadn't suspected him, why was he suspecting her? She has more reason. And they didn't want the audience to wonder about it; they telegraphed it with his dead eyes when they were hugging. (Which, as effective as it is, is a trope that I've come to dislike because it's a cliche.)
What surprised me was the Dillahunt gang self-destructing so quickly. He's such a great actor, I assumed he was a season-long character and I guess he still might be. But this is a big mid-season development, it changes all the dynamics with Markham.
And it's the same way with Boyd and Ava. I have no doubt that Limehouse is revealing to Boyd that Ava is a CI and I never expected this to happen so soon. In fact, it's kind of the opposite of what I did expect, which was that Catherine would find out first and Boyd wouldn't believe it.
The one thing I totally didn't see coming was Zachariah's attempt on Boyd's life. I suspected it when Boyd fell because that was suspicious, but the possibility had never occurred to me before that scene. Makes sense, though. Especially with him asking Ava about whether Boyd has a demon inside him -- which we (and he) noticed that Ava didn't deny it, but instead prevaricated by saying that Boyd wasn't like his brother.
Sam Elliot is very good, isn't he? I think he was a very good casting decision, as good or better than Steenburgen. Both of them are against type but in that sense perfect. Although, to be honest, this is a thing that Justified does with almost all of its villains -- they've all very good at appearing to be friendly, benevolent people that you should trust.
What I want is more Loretta. I want Loretta to have her own series.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 10:48 PM on February 25, 2015 [4 favorites]
Like Gary, I think they handled Choo-Choo just right. I didn't need to see a scene where he's convinced to not kill her because it's very clear from as early as her getting in the car that he didn't want to do it. Then she was nice to him. And this did seem in character to me. He's a solider who almost died and these guys have looked after him. He's willing to kill people with little remorse because at this point it's just what he does when he's told to. But he doesn't especially like it. He doesn't hate it, but just having someplace he belongs is the most important thing. He didn't really want to kill her because it's not even like she was directly in their path and, anyway, this was all his own fault. And he naively thought he could talk them into going along with it. And it's totally in character that, at the last, he'd still follow orders. His was a sad story.
When Markham asked Catherine if she was the informant on her husband, I totally suspected that this on the heels of his proposal was a test and/or a con. Insofar as it was a test, she failed it by not immediately telling him that she hadn't suspected him, why was he suspecting her? She has more reason. And they didn't want the audience to wonder about it; they telegraphed it with his dead eyes when they were hugging. (Which, as effective as it is, is a trope that I've come to dislike because it's a cliche.)
What surprised me was the Dillahunt gang self-destructing so quickly. He's such a great actor, I assumed he was a season-long character and I guess he still might be. But this is a big mid-season development, it changes all the dynamics with Markham.
And it's the same way with Boyd and Ava. I have no doubt that Limehouse is revealing to Boyd that Ava is a CI and I never expected this to happen so soon. In fact, it's kind of the opposite of what I did expect, which was that Catherine would find out first and Boyd wouldn't believe it.
The one thing I totally didn't see coming was Zachariah's attempt on Boyd's life. I suspected it when Boyd fell because that was suspicious, but the possibility had never occurred to me before that scene. Makes sense, though. Especially with him asking Ava about whether Boyd has a demon inside him -- which we (and he) noticed that Ava didn't deny it, but instead prevaricated by saying that Boyd wasn't like his brother.
Sam Elliot is very good, isn't he? I think he was a very good casting decision, as good or better than Steenburgen. Both of them are against type but in that sense perfect. Although, to be honest, this is a thing that Justified does with almost all of its villains -- they've all very good at appearing to be friendly, benevolent people that you should trust.
What I want is more Loretta. I want Loretta to have her own series.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 10:48 PM on February 25, 2015 [4 favorites]
I have no doubt that Limehouse is revealing to Boyd that Ava is a CI...
I didn't think Ava told Limehouse she was a CI. I thought all she told him was she wanted to get far, far away from everything in Harlan.
What I want is more Loretta.
I would watch this in a heartbeat.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:56 AM on February 26, 2015
I didn't think Ava told Limehouse she was a CI. I thought all she told him was she wanted to get far, far away from everything in Harlan.
What I want is more Loretta.
I would watch this in a heartbeat.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:56 AM on February 26, 2015
I didn't think Ava told Limehouse she was a CI. I thought all she told him was she wanted to get far, far away from everything in Harlan.
Did she mention the cops were involved at all? I wonder if he got suspicious when Raylan showed up to foil their plan. A little asking around and he would find out about her all too convenient release from prison. Put it together and it's not proof, but it's more than Limehouse would want to be associated with.
posted by Gary at 9:49 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Did she mention the cops were involved at all? I wonder if he got suspicious when Raylan showed up to foil their plan. A little asking around and he would find out about her all too convenient release from prison. Put it together and it's not proof, but it's more than Limehouse would want to be associated with.
posted by Gary at 9:49 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Maybe. But, that's an awful lot of behind-the-scenes sleuthing that isn't shown.
Did Raylan show his face before or after Limehouse's guy was tazered? I can't recall.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:23 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Did Raylan show his face before or after Limehouse's guy was tazered? I can't recall.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:23 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
I had no idea they had improved train brakes so much.
Applied phlebotinum.
posted by Monochrome at 11:14 AM on February 26, 2015
Applied phlebotinum.
posted by Monochrome at 11:14 AM on February 26, 2015
"I didn't think Ava told Limehouse she was a CI."
Limehouse asked if she was running from Boyd or from the cops or both; she wouldn't meet his eyes, and then he gave her advice specific to running from the police. I think it was clear to Limehouse from the context that she was running from both and that strongly implies that she was informing on Boyd.
Also, if he thought that Ava was just running from Boyd, I wouldn't think he would expect to be telling Boyd anything that Boyd wouldn't already know or suspect and be therefore very valuable. That Limehouse thinks this is very valuable information to Boyd, coupled with his suspicions when he and Ava talked, seem to me to make it clear that he's warning Boyd about her being an informant. Maybe obliquely, though.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 11:37 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Limehouse asked if she was running from Boyd or from the cops or both; she wouldn't meet his eyes, and then he gave her advice specific to running from the police. I think it was clear to Limehouse from the context that she was running from both and that strongly implies that she was informing on Boyd.
Also, if he thought that Ava was just running from Boyd, I wouldn't think he would expect to be telling Boyd anything that Boyd wouldn't already know or suspect and be therefore very valuable. That Limehouse thinks this is very valuable information to Boyd, coupled with his suspicions when he and Ava talked, seem to me to make it clear that he's warning Boyd about her being an informant. Maybe obliquely, though.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 11:37 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
I can't figure out who lives and who dies. You could make a case for any of them, in either direction. Great writing all around.
I'd really like to see an Erica Tazel / Jacob Pitts spin-off.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:15 PM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'd really like to see an Erica Tazel / Jacob Pitts spin-off.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:15 PM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Did Raylan show his face before or after Limehouse's guy was tazered? I can't recall.
I went back to check. Raylan was walking into the room but he was still behind Limehouse's guy when he was tazered. So Limehouse might be suspicious the police were involved, but could just as easy write it off as a white cop hassling his man in town.
posted by Gary at 10:02 AM on February 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
I went back to check. Raylan was walking into the room but he was still behind Limehouse's guy when he was tazered. So Limehouse might be suspicious the police were involved, but could just as easy write it off as a white cop hassling his man in town.
posted by Gary at 10:02 AM on February 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
"Choo-Choo goes trainspotting. Markham drop a rock on Katherine. And old mines are just as dangerous as ever." ha ha - Thorzdad's awesomely hilarious framing of this post for the win!
I'm hoping Rachel puts the smack down on Raylan in all the ways that Art always chose not to that reeked of some good ol' boy type of BS. Raylan underestimates Rachel at his peril. More Rachel, please!
No TV mother would ever be forgiven for the way Daddy Raylan is totally absent from his daughter's life right now over this. Just sayin'.
At this point, Rachel & Co. have the chops to solve this case without Raylan. And by "solve" I of course mean step back and let the bad guys slowly kill each other off.
I can't figure out who lives and who dies. You could make a case for any of them, in either direction. Great writing all around. Amen, Cool Papa Bell. The only exception possibly being this show really does not kill off young white women. Ava's prison friend would be the exception; but remember Ellen May from seasons past? The show went to cray cray lengths to spare Ellen May. I've also never feared for Loretta's safety, either. I knew immediately that Choo Choo's hostage was totally going to survive. And by the same logic, I don't really see the showrunners ultimately killing Ava. Team Ava!
I’m surprised that the extra paranoid version of this-season Boyd wasn’t prepared for Ava's uncle's attempt on his life. Now that was some cold shit I did not see coming! Nicely done, show.
Am I so wrong for thinking marring Avery and calling off the double-cross with Wynn/Boyd might be the right play for Katherine?
Limehouse is the most savvy person on the show. Calling Boyd was the correct move.
posted by hush at 10:13 AM on February 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm hoping Rachel puts the smack down on Raylan in all the ways that Art always chose not to that reeked of some good ol' boy type of BS. Raylan underestimates Rachel at his peril. More Rachel, please!
No TV mother would ever be forgiven for the way Daddy Raylan is totally absent from his daughter's life right now over this. Just sayin'.
At this point, Rachel & Co. have the chops to solve this case without Raylan. And by "solve" I of course mean step back and let the bad guys slowly kill each other off.
I can't figure out who lives and who dies. You could make a case for any of them, in either direction. Great writing all around. Amen, Cool Papa Bell. The only exception possibly being this show really does not kill off young white women. Ava's prison friend would be the exception; but remember Ellen May from seasons past? The show went to cray cray lengths to spare Ellen May. I've also never feared for Loretta's safety, either. I knew immediately that Choo Choo's hostage was totally going to survive. And by the same logic, I don't really see the showrunners ultimately killing Ava. Team Ava!
I’m surprised that the extra paranoid version of this-season Boyd wasn’t prepared for Ava's uncle's attempt on his life. Now that was some cold shit I did not see coming! Nicely done, show.
Am I so wrong for thinking marring Avery and calling off the double-cross with Wynn/Boyd might be the right play for Katherine?
Limehouse is the most savvy person on the show. Calling Boyd was the correct move.
posted by hush at 10:13 AM on February 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm hoping Rachel puts the smack down on Raylan in all the ways that Art always chose not to that reeked of some good ol' boy type of BS. Raylan underestimates Rachel at his peril. More Rachel, please!
In the back of my head, I have this series finale where Rachel has to shoot Raylan because he's about to take an action that crosses a big bright line that Rachel can't allow. I really can't see Raylan meeting his end (if, in fact, he does end up that way. I'm not saying he necessarily has to die) at the hand of Boyd or Markham.
In my gut, I just think there has to be something that blows-up between Rachel and Raylan. Shooting Art, and putting her in charge had to have been done for a reason.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:38 AM on February 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
In the back of my head, I have this series finale where Rachel has to shoot Raylan because he's about to take an action that crosses a big bright line that Rachel can't allow. I really can't see Raylan meeting his end (if, in fact, he does end up that way. I'm not saying he necessarily has to die) at the hand of Boyd or Markham.
In my gut, I just think there has to be something that blows-up between Rachel and Raylan. Shooting Art, and putting her in charge had to have been done for a reason.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:38 AM on February 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
...this show really does not kill off young white women.
Perhaps I would agree that they are under-represented in the death list. However, don't forget Yvette, Layla, Trixie, Krystal, Sharon and Penny. I think that's enough that it wasn't a foregone conclusion Caprice would survive, and I don't think it provides much protection for Ava either.
posted by ubiquity at 10:16 AM on April 7, 2016
Perhaps I would agree that they are under-represented in the death list. However, don't forget Yvette, Layla, Trixie, Krystal, Sharon and Penny. I think that's enough that it wasn't a foregone conclusion Caprice would survive, and I don't think it provides much protection for Ava either.
posted by ubiquity at 10:16 AM on April 7, 2016
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I had no idea they had improved train brakes so much.
Poor, poor Ava. The rest of the season will not be good for her. If she survives the rest of the season, of course. WTF, Limehouse?
posted by Thorzdad at 7:47 AM on February 25, 2015 [1 favorite]