Review: Justified, Season 2, Season Finale “Bloody Harlan”

Airdate: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 10PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

Someone, please close my mouth – it’s still agape after watching the season finale of Justified. I loved “Bloody Harlan” because it was filled to the brim with drama, drama, and then some more drama, with a pinch of humorous sarcasm.

<NOTE: If you haven’t watched the episode, this review contains spoilers>

I scarcely know where to begin. To say I was surprised and amazed wouldn’t do “Bloody Harlan” justice. My eyeballs left their sockets because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing while my ears grew bigger so I could hear every word being said. Winona (Natalie Zea) is pregnant! No wonder she’s been a moody beeotch lately. I’m still not on board with her and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) getting back together and I’m not sure Art (Nick Searcy) will recommend that Raylan go back to Glencoe. Winona blurting out she’s pregnant while Raylan is urinating just irks me and then the little ultimatum she gives him about going to help Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever) just plain pisses me off. Does she think she can get him to acquiesce to her wishes because she’s carrying his baby? How can we be so sure it’s Raylan’s? I’m a bit skeptical.

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Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder

Boyd (Walton Goggins) asks Doyle (Joseph Lyle Taylor) for a “parley” much to Dickie’s (Jeremy Davies) chagrin. Mags (Margo Martindale), however is willing to listen to what Boyd has to say. Of all places to get together, they meet in a church and while this little meeting is happening, the Bennetts’ henchmen go after Johnny Crowder (David Meunier) and Ava (Joelle Carter). But Boyd isn’t a fool; he’s prepared for them to attack. Of course, the episode couldn’t be called “Bloody Harlan” if there isn’t any bloodshed.

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Ava (Joelle Carter) gets shot in the chest by Dickie

Dickie is just begging for punishment isn’t he? After he shoots Ava (yes, he shot Ava!), he goes after Raylan while he’s looking for Loretta. This next scene scared me a bit. After blindsiding Raylan, Dickie strings him up on a tree and uses him as a human piñata. I thought Dickie was going to take the bat to Raylan’s head, but just before he reaches back for a full swing, Boyd shows up. Dickie’s tough when he’s got the upper hand but as soon as his advantage is blown, he begins to grovel for his life. What a wuss. But, Dickie dodges another bullet when he tells Raylan he can help him find Loretta. Boyd wants revenge. His beloved Ava has been shot and now Raylan “asks” to spare Dickie for a little while longer.

Loretta has her own agenda. After stealing money and a gun from her foster parents, she hitches a ride to Bennett territory. But my thoughts were wrong about Loretta. She didn’t want to go back to resume the life she’s accustomed to. She’s after the truth about how her father was killed and only one person can answer that – Mags Bennett.

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Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever) wants the truth about her father's death

You can tell how much Mags adores Loretta. She’s the daughter Mags always wanted. Once Mags tells her, Loretta pulls out the gun and shoots her in the leg. Dever’s delivery of emotions is excellent. You can feel her hesitation, nervousness, and anger. She’s really been a solid addition to the show and I truly hope she’ll return next season. Raylan seems to have a strong fondness for her well being so I wonder if he’ll take her in?

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L-R: Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever) and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant)

I mentioned in my review of “Reckoning” that Raylan isn’t going to be killed but he would suffer some serious injury. He gets shot too, a couple of times. But the culprit isn’t Boyd or Mags; it happens during the crossfire between the Bennett henchmen and the U.S. Marshal Service. That was a huge surprise because Winona went to Art and asked him to help and he said no. I wonder what made him change his mind. I wasn’t sure he was going to get involved with the way he’s been treating Raylan lately.

The ending of “Bloody Harlan” saddens, confuses, and angers me. How could Mags do it? How could she drink from the poisoned glass? Perhaps she felt hopeless. After all, her most devoted son Doyle is dead and Dickie is in police custody—what else has she got left? The daughter she always wanted hates her, too. But I’m hoping the poison didn’t kill her. Martindale has been such a tremendous force this season as Mags and I desperately want to see her in season three.

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Mags (Margo Martindale) tries to talk to Loretta (not shown) who is pointing a gun at her

Great writing and acting, it was an amazing season finale for a truly great season – I love Justified!

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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.