Review: #JustifiedFX "Measures" (Not measuring up...but getting there)

Review: Justified, Season 3, Episode 311 – “Measures” (Not measuring up…but getting there)

Air date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 10PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

Just when I think we are finally going to see some exciting action, I’m proven wrong…well, sort of. There is an interesting twist or two in “Measures,” though not interesting enough to make me bite my nails in anticipation.

Theo Tonin (guest star Adam Arkin) decides to send someone to clean up in Harlan, i.e., get rid of Quarles (Neal McDonough). I can’t think of anyone better than the iconic Michael Ironside to play the Detroit hitman Sarno sent to take care of Quarles and the mess he’s stirred up in Kentucky. Unfortunately, Sarno doesn’t anticipate Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) being so crafty and cunning. Boyd (Walton Goggins) always says Northerners (Yankees) seem to peg Southerners as unintelligent rednecks who aren’t capable of being anything more than what they are. Well, I think we all know how wrong that notion is. Just ask Quarles, who, much to his chagrin, gets schooled by Boyd on how untrue it is.

Review: #JustifiedFX "Measures" (Not measuring up...but getting there) 1

L-R: Erica Tazel as Rachel and Jacob Pitts as Tim

As much as it pains me, the whole Bennett fortune debaucle is coming full circle, from interesting to ‘spare me and move on’, to interesting again. With local lore about Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson) hiding money beneath a church, it seems this is turning into a hillbilly treasure hunt! But if Dickie (Jeremy Davies) thinks consorting with Earl (Demetrius Grosse) is a good idea, I’m willing to bet all the Bennett money he’s dead wrong. We know Earl wants Limehouse to move forward with the times, but I don’t think Earl is stupid enough to cross the boss…or at least I hope he’s not. Limehouse may seem simple and does things a bit on the slow side, but there’s no denying he gets results. The old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” most definitely can be applied in this situation.

It’s great to see Rachel (Erica Tazel) and Tim (Jacob Pitts) back in action. I really feel like these two characters have been underutilized in this series. They both are experienced U.S. Marshals and both have their own unique characteristics. I love when Rachel gives one of Hot Rod Dunham’s (guest star Mickey Jones) henchman a good ole square kick in the crotch! She may look harmless, but I don’t think Dunham will make the same mistake again. And Tim is a riot! He even tells Rachel it would be cool if there were a severed head in the cooler that Earl takes over to Dickie. I guess an ice chest full of money is too boring.

Review: #JustifiedFX "Measures" (Not measuring up...but getting there) 2

L-R: Neal McDonough as Quarles and Jere Burns as Duffy

Quarles seems to go off the beaten path when he bludgeons two small-time dealers, but he strategically targets people under Boyd’s protection. As if he’s not in enough trouble with Boyd, now Quarles is blatantly rubbing Boyd’s nose in things. Quarles has been such a calm and cool dude since waltzing into town but with a series of unfortunate twists and turns in his grand scheme to take over Harlan, he’s starting to lose his edge, giving Boyd the perfect opportunity to get the jump on him. By the way, did you notice Quarles isn’t getting any calls from his son? Just food for thought…

Funny moments/lines:

Lindsey (Jenn Lyon) to Raylan as he gets his morning coffee: “You wanna shot in that?”

Raylan: “Uh, I usually like to wait until the sun is all the way up.”

Lindsey: “It’s afternoon somewhere.”

Raylan wants to say something but Lindsey stops him: “I think you were going to apologize again for not giving me a full accounting of every second of your life before you heartlessly accepted the gift of my feminine virtue.”

I like Lindsey – she’s a hoot!

***

Review: #JustifiedFX "Measures" (Not measuring up...but getting there) 3

L-R: Art (Nick Searcy) and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) go on a little stake out

After Raylan realizes why the two Detroit guys are in town: “You ever get the feeling God’s laughing at ya?”

Art (Nick Searcy): “Why? Just ‘cause we shot the guy that’s looking to kill the guy that you’re just dying to see dead?”

While there are definitely some exciting moments that will become pivotal in the penultimate episode, overall, I am slightly disappointed in “Measures.” With only one episode left before the season finale, I hope the writers have something phenomenal in store for us. I think Duffy (Jere Burns) reaching out to Tonin to take over when Quarles is eliminated makes for an interesting twist; however, the other kink in the chain is actually getting to Quarles now that Boyd has him tied up, literally. Again, some intriguing plot twists that I hope will evolve into an explosive final two episodes. And maybe, if we’re lucky, someone will give Dickie a proper hair cut. Here’s a final question to ponder – do you think Dickie will make it back next season?

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.

LIKE Justified on Facebook.

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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.