Justified – “The Hunt” Recap. Loyalties Are Tested.

Season 6, Episode 7

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

Rating: ★★★★★

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead

“Bullshit; you’ve been dancing around somethin’ since we got here. So why don’t you just come out and say whatever it is you got to say.” – Ava

Daddy Raylan…aww!

Well, the train has left the station. The aftermath of what happened in “Alive Day” carries over into “The Hunt” where there is more than one type of hunting going on. The U.S. Marshals are pursuing Ty (Garrett Dillahunt) while Boyd (Walton Goggins) searches for wild boar and the truth about Ava’s (Joelle Carter) suspicious behavior as of late. In the meantime, Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) gets a visit from his baby mama, Winona (Natalie Zea), with baby in tow.

Loyalty Test #1

Avery Markham (Sam Elliott) isn’t a man to suffer fools, nor is he the type of guy to go out of his way to save someone who is a lost cause. After getting the call from Ty about the debacle involving Choo-Choo (Duke Davis Roberts), it’s clear to Markham that Ty is a dead weight that needs to be cut loose. But Seabass (Scott Grimes) wants to help his old Army buddy…at least until Markham buys Seabass’ loyalty and promises freedom to be his own boss. You can see how torn Seabass is — help his friend or take the money. I’m surprised by Seabass’ decision but perhaps I’ve simply underestimated his loyalty. I have a feeling he’s going to try to help Ty out in the end. The flip side to this coin is that Markham isn’t an idiot. He may anticipate Seabass’ next move, but whether this is going to pan out well for anyone in this outfit remains to be seen.

On the Run

Ty is hurt after the shootout with Choo-Choo, Raylan, and Tim (Jacob Pitts) in “Alive Day.” While he tries to doctor himself, he’s lost a lot of blood and his shoulder looks like it might be infected. But I have to give it to the man; Ty is not one to look defeat in the eye and cower away. He calls 911 for assistance and gets the necessary items to treat his wound. Ty isn’t going to let Markham get away with abandoning him, not after all he’s done to help Markham procure land in Harlan, among other nefarious deeds. I’m anxious to see how this all plays out.

Loyalty Test #2

Boyd takes Ava to his family’s old hunting cabin but it’s not really about spending “quality time” with his lady. I’m surprised Ava hasn’t come clean sooner. The suspense when Boyd tells her to “stay put” while he goes off chasing a wild boar is palpable. When the shot rings out, I did what Ava does – check myself for a wound. My heart was pounding for Ava. From the look on her face – anxiety and fear — I’m surprised she doesn’t pass out.

After Boyd tells Ava he talked to Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson), she finally confesses. “I’m a snitch…I’m a C.I. for Raylan; I sold you out, Boyd.” Boyd’s shocking reaction catches her off guard. Even though he pulls a gun, you know Boyd can’t kill Ava. The tears welling up in his eyes give away his true feelings. Ava explains why she became Raylan’s C.I. but Boyd only wants to know one thing — “You sleepin’ with Raylan Givens?” What an insane moment when Boyd gives Ava his gun and tells her to shoot him in the head! Say what now? Why does everyone think Ava is sleeping with Raylan again? First Rachel (Erica Tazel) and now Boyd? Ava’s loyalty is being tested and she doesn’t even realize it. She does love Boyd. Being a C.I. has been killing her slowly.

Does Boyd feel inferior to Raylan? Does he doubt Ava’s love for him so much? I never thought I would say this but is Boyd…jealous of Raylan? Regardless of the answers to these questions, the fact is Boyd and Ava are still together. Will she really tell Boyd everything she’s told Raylan or is this her way of gaining his trust to finish selling him out to Raylan? My gut tells me she’s going to stick with Boyd and tell the U.S. Marshals to shove it up their ass.

Random Observations

Art (Nick Searcy) is hanging around the office and spots Markham in the interrogation room. Art uses the opportunity to ask some very probing questions about Markham’s involvement with Katherine’s (Mary Steenburgen) ex-husband Grady. Do you think Markham is the snitch who ratted out Grady? Or do you think it’s Katherine? I wonder if Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) had dealings with Grady back then. Wynn would have been a young, up and coming thug, but it’s not improbable that he conducted business with Grady or Markham. Have you noticed Katherine hasn’t introduced Wynn and Markham yet?

Will Winona make up her mind – we’ve been down this road before when she said she’s ok with Raylan being a U.S. Marshal then she wasn’t.

Raylan has only seen his daughter once; yet, he already knows a car ride will calm a screaming, crying baby. While I think Raylan bringing his daughter to work is cute, he really should have picked a better time. After all, there’s a man who wants to kill Raylan on the loose. So, probably not a good ‘bring your kid to work’ day.

Overall

“The Hunt” is an intense episode that moves the final season’s story lines a bit further. I’m anxious to see how Boyd and Ava handle her being Raylan’s C.I. and whether she’ll be able to fool Raylan with any false leads Boyd provides. I’m also ready to see what Markham is really made of. He’s intimidating to be sure but when push comes to shove, will he be able to outsmart and outgun his opponent?

Let me know what you thought of “The Hunt.” 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 on Twitter @JustifiedFX #JustifiedFX and follow cast member Joelle Carter @Joelle_Carter. For fans of Walton Goggins, follow @WaltonGFan.

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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.