Justified – “Noblesse Oblige” Review. Make Your Next Move Carefully.

Season 6, Episode 3

Air date: Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 10PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“If I see you in my place of business again, I’ll kill ya.” – Avery Markham

By definition, the term ‘noblesse oblige’ means those of high birth, powerful social position, etc., have the moral obligation to act with honor, kindliness, generosity, etc. It’s safe to say many of the folks in Harlan, KY aren’t born of nobility nor do they know what it means. I’m guessing the few who do know or have any inkling of what it means are the ones running things. Avery Markham (Sam Elliott) is one of them.

Since learning in “Cash Game” that the “Pizza Portal” building used to be a bank, things have become a bit clearer, but not much. Katherine Hale (Mary Steenburgen) is sleeping with Markham and knew when she hired Boyd (Walton Goggins) to rob the safe deposit box belonging to Calhoun (Brad Leland) that she wasn’t really robbing Calhoun. I’m not sure I see her end game yet but I’m beginning to piece a little something together. Could it be she wants revenge on Markham, who was her late husband’s business partner? Then again, why go through all the fuss and muss of robbing Markham through surreptitious means? We all know Markham wants to take care of her. Markham is no fool, as we learn full well in “Noblesse Oblige.” Before we get into how amazing Elliott is as Markham, I’ll briefly apprise you of the goings on in Harlan as of late.

Ava gets an unexpected and unwelcome visitor at her home

Ava (Joelle Carter) would be wise to remember she’s free from prison because of a deal she made with ADA Vasquez (Rick Gomez). Drinking with Boyd is something Ava will soon regret, but for more than one reason—especially when Vasquez and Rachel (Erica Tazel) remind her of her obligations as a “C.I.” Ava’s tough but is she going to be able to pull off being an informant? She wants her freedom but she also wants to be with Boyd again. Has she Boyd opted to save himself rather than get her a clean slate when the opportunity arose in season five’s “Starvation?”

A couple of details bother me in “Noblesse Oblige,” but the one that sticks out the most is Boyd sending in the most recognizable, most sought after woman in Harlan to do recon at the Pizza Portal. And why does Ava reveal her real first name to a smitten Choo-Choo (Duke Davis Roberts)? Couldn’t she have thought up another name on the fly?

This little ruse doesn’t go unnoticed. Ty Walker (Garrett Dillahunt) is also at the Pizza Portal and sees Ava where she doesn’t belong. Ty’s already paid a visit to Boyd earlier, beseeching him to cease his pursuit of the so called prize. Now we all know Boyd has never been the kind of man who takes kindly to being told what to do and soon things escalate. Boyd finds himself in a most precarious situation and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so scared. Yes, scared. I could see the fear in his eyes. These are men he has no prior experience with and he’s out of his element. But the real showdown is yet to come. As an aside, why do I always want to talk like Boyd after watching an episode of Justified?

Markham isn’t one to mince words. And I don’t think anyone should underestimate Ty Walker.

While we met Markham briefly in “Cash Game,” the way he makes himself known in “Noblesse Oblige” is one for the books. Southern gentleman to a ‘T,’ Markham knows how to make a point while instilling fear so subtly, you don’t realize your life is hanging in the balance. The conversation he has with Ava speaks volumes. “I know for a woman to survive in this line of work, she’s gotta be harder than the men, ready to do the things they won’t. I know women who have that in them. My question is, are you that kind of woman, Ava? Because if you ain’t, then you’ll never be more than a token – something that can be threatened or hurt just to keep your man in line.” Damn. What can you say after that?

Elliott oozes charm and swagger by the bucket loads. He’s an amazing addition to the Justified cast, giving both Boyd and eventually Raylan a formidable foe to go head to head with. I’m tired of the dumb criminals and wannabees. Markham and his man Ty are forces to be reckoned with. The other two henchman aren’t too bad…well, Seabass (Scott Grimes) isn’t, but Choo-Choo, he’s more brawn than brains. I like Choo-Choo. He’s the comic relief this season.

Funny Line

Raylan replies to Luther (Brent Briscoe) after examining Luther’s log books, “Well, I don’t claim to be Stephen Hawking, Luther, but fundamental addition and subtraction I can speak to some mastery of.”

Overall

“Noblesse Oblige” has a few flaws but overall, it does a good job of setting an ominous tone for what lies ahead this season. With Boyd confronting Katherine about her knowledge of the true owner of the contents within the safe deposit box, Boyd stands his ground and confirms to Katherine he’ll finish the job. This isn’t going to end well. I have a bad feeling that someone is going to get hurt and by hurt, I mean dead. And Ava needs to figure out what she’s going to do before she gets tossed back in prison.

Let me know what you thought of “Noblesse Oblige.” Leave a comment below and/or tweet me @judybopp.

Tune in to the final episodes of Justified, Tuesdays at 10:00 PM ET/PT, only on FX.

For more on the show, go to http://www.fxnetworks.com/justified.

Follow Justified on Twitter @JustifiedFX #JustifiedFX.

Follow cast member Joelle Carter @Joelle_Carter on Twitter.

For fans of Walton Goggins, follow @WaltonGFan.

LIKE Justified on Facebook.

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

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.