The Battle of Bloody Porch? Review: Justified - "Decoy"

Season 4, Episode 11

Air date: Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 10PM E/P on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“How many dicks do you gotta suck to get to the top of the food chain around here?” – Nicky Augustine

Can Raylan and Rachel keep Drew/Shelby safe until back up arrives?

Well, now that Drew Thompson (Jim Beavers), aka Shelby, is in Marshal custody, it’s an all out war between the Marshals and Theo Tonin’s (Adam Arkin) men, with Boyd (Walton Goggins) in tow. Although Theo is absent, his guys are brazen in thinking they are going to get into a stand-off with U.S. Marshals over a fugitive who’s been on the Feds most wanted list for over 30 years. But, I think that’s what Justified is all about; let’s see who’s got the bigger balls – criminals versus Feds. Raylan’s (Timothy Olyphant) in the principal’s office, literally. Will he be able to smooth talk his way out of a tight situation?

Despite one of Nicky’s guys knocking a tooth loose, Boyd is still confident and reiterates that he’s still “gonna need $500K.”

I’m disappointed we don’t see Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson) in “Decoy;” however, I don’t think that story line is over yet—not by a long shot. What piques my interest is Colton’s (Ron Eldard) actions as he and one of Tonin’s guys are perched high upon a hill top as they try to trap Art (Nick Searcy), Tim (Jacob Pitts) and a convoy of Marshals and State police. I’m not sure what Colton’s endgame is or whether he has an agenda at all. What I do know is he appears loyal to Boyd and perhaps that’s what provoked his actions, but to what end? I’m a little confused by Colton’s character. He’s supposedly came back to Harlan to reconnect with his old Army buddy Boyd but it feels like he has another ‘hidden’ agenda and I have a feeling things will not end well for him. On a side note, I love the banter between Colton and Tim regarding a fictional book Tim is supposedly writing that resembles the predicament he and Art are in at the moment. In the story, Tim’s lead character is Lt. Dan, to which Colton replies, “There’s a Lt. Dan in ‘Forrest Gump.’” Ha.

As I’ve repeatedly complained, Erica Tazel, who plays U.S. Marshal Rachel Brooks, doesn’t get enough air time. The same can be said for Pitts. Both Tim and Rachel are extremely interesting characters, yet the writers haven’t given us much of their back stories. I’m sure there’s a good reason but I cannot begin to fathom what it is. Rachel seems like she’s on the verge of doing something outrageous and I can only hope it happens before the season is over.

Ava isn’t just an average woman…she can be lethal with a glass of brandy and a lighter.

Johnny (David Meunier) loves Ava (Joelle Carter); like you didn’t see that coming, right? He’s had a crush on her for ages now but hasn’t had the gonads to tell her. Now, put him in a dire situation, oh, like Nicky (Mike O’Malley) outing him about his plot to overthrow Boyd, and then you got yourself a man cornered, desperate for empathy. He’ll get none from Ava, though. The look in her eyes when she learns this truth is murderous, but it’s the disdain dripping from her lips like venom when she comments, “How sweet,” to Johnny’s professed love that is the real killer. If Ava had balls, they would be basketballs; just consider the brandy shower she gives Nicky. A woman on her knees can be very dangerous for anyone. Just saying.

I have to admit, I am still puzzled by Patton Oswalt’s character, Constable Bob. Not that I dislike him—quite the contrary, actually—but what is Bob’s true purpose other than Raylan’s lackey? He seems way out of his depth in law enforcement, despite his spirit and gumption. Raylan seems to like him but getting Bob involved in this mess is only going to get Bob seriously hurt or killed. Oswalt’s charm and talent are somewhat misguided, wasted even, as Bob is more like a bumbling wanna-be gumshoe rather than a respected lawman. I must say, I was surprised at Bob’s moxie following that beating that turned him into a human punching bag. Ouch.

With only a couple more episodes left this season and Drew/Shelby still in Marshal custody, I’m not sure what the writers are aiming for. I guess that’s a good thing – keep us all guessing, but “Decoy” feels like a filler episode with only a few crumbs to entice us for what’s ahead. Luckily, I’m invested and want to know whether Drew/Shelby will live or die; what Boyd will do when he finds out about Johnny; and if Theo will make an appearance in Harlan. And, of course, will Ellen May (Abby Miller) spill the dirt on Ava?

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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 members Joelle Carter @Joelle_Carter and Jim Beavers @jumblejim on Twitter.

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.