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Review: #JustifiedFX “Loose Ends” (“There’s a war coming…” I wish it would hurry because I’m getting antsy!)

Review: Justified, Season 3, Episode 309 “Loose Ends”

Airdate: Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 10PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“There’s a war coming; you really wanna see Noble’s become a battleground?” ~ Raylan

For a moment, I think of Game of Thrones when Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) says this line. But we are nowhere near Winterfell. When will the pussyfooting around come to an end? I’m ready for shit to hit the fan! While there are exciting elements sprinkled throughout “Loose Ends,” the episode is like the anticipation of an alluring vixen slowly sauntering towards you and just when she’s close enough to touch…she disappears.

It’s very intriguing, the Quarles (Neal McDonough) and Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson) partnership. Limehouse continues to deny his acquaintance with Quarles to an inquisitive Raylan but I think we all know Raylan isn’t fooled for one second. And now, the once smooth feathers of our Detroit bird seem to be a bit ruffled by the roundabout ways Limehouse conducts business. Not to mention the new so-called campaign manager Limehouse gets for Sheriff Napier’s (David Andrews) re-election.

L-R: Joelle Carter as Ava and David Meunier as Johnny Crowder

Ava (Joelle Carter) surprises me more than I ever imagined. As much as she protests to Boyd about getting into the prostitution business, she now wants to head up Delroy’s (guest star William Mapother) old post since Delroy won’t be resuming his pimp duties any longer. I love the way Ava explains things to Boyd and takes charge for the decisions she made in his absence. It’s obvious Boyd respects Ava but I’m curious to know if she will tell him not only about Raylan planting a smooch on her but Boyd’s own cousin Johnny (David Meunier) flirting with her.

 

Observations:

Gary (William Ragsdale) is dead yet nothing else is being said or done. What, no funeral for the poor man? Sure he was a liar, a cheat, and a gambler who put a hit on Winona (Natalie Zea) for the insurance money, but at least give the guy a burial. Maybe that’ll be in another semi-exciting episode.

Tanner (Brendan McCarthy) and Earl (Demetrius Grosse) land themselves literally in an explosive situation when Tanner gets duped by an old Vietnam War vet. I knew Tanner wasn’t going to last much longer but he really goes out with a bang (pun intended).

Boyd (Walton Goggins, Center) steps on his soap box to cut Napier (David Andrews, L) too bad Shelby (Jim Beavers) gets overshadowed.

Boyd (Walton Goggins) is in fine form when he calls out Napier for being a “company man.” Boyd knows how to rally the people together with his preacher-like protests. While it’s an enjoyable scene, I do hate that Boyd’s speech outshines his candidate Shelby’s (guest star Jim Beavers).

Ellen-May (Abby Miller) gets herself into a nasty mess when she and two of her gal pals botch a robbery. Despite her frazzled appearance, Ellen-May isn’t as dumb as she looks. She’s not the brightest crayon in the box but I’ll chalk that up to her taking one too many Oxy pills, snorting too much cocaine, or even one too many hits on the noggin. Miller really does a great job of portraying a strung out prostitute at her rope’s rapidly fraying end. I’m curious to see if they’ll expand her character now that Ava is jumping in to be the new whore wrangler, if you will.

Raylan’s mother is a touchy subject to talk about. When Limehouse offers an apology about lying to Raylan – not about knowing Quarles, which Limehouse continues to eschew – about knowing Raylan’s daddy Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), it’s obvious Raylan couldn’t give two cents about it. But when Limehouse mentions he could offer some insight on Raylan’s mother, you can immediately tell Raylan is upset. Will the writers EVER give us anymore insight on the late Mrs. Givens or will we be doomed to piece together the bits spat out by others on her identity and cause of death? As a matter of fact, it’s not even certain she is deceased. Just because there’s a tombstone doesn’t mean there’s a body buried below it.

———————

I won’t lie and say I didn’t enjoy the episode; however, I will be honest and say it left me wanting. It’s episode nine for Pete’s sake and I’m ready for the Quarles-Crowder-Givens-Limehouse battle to commence! All the tidbits we hear about Quarles’ past has me chomping at the bit to know what happened to force him to migrate way down south (where it’s obvious he’s not thrilled to be). And will we ever hear from his son again? Aren’t you curious to know how a man like Quarles actually has children? I’d like to meet the woman who gave birth to his son, at least (if she’s still alive).  Quarles strikes me as the Praying Mantis type – you know, after mating, the female bites off the head of the male – of course, Quarles would be the one doing the biting.

Tune in to Justified, Tuesdays at 10PM E/P only on FX.

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

Follow FX on Twitter and use hashtag #JustifiedFX.

Follow cast member Joelle Carter on Twitter: @Joelle_Carter.

For fans of Walton Goggins, follow @WaltonGFan.

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Photos © 2011 FX Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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.
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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.