Justified: City Primeval

What used to make Justified great was the excellent and charismatic villains along with witty repartee dialogue between Raylan and said antagonists, with some good action and plot twists sprinkled in. This series has a less compelling villain who is quite obvious in his machinations and struts around in his white briefs far too often for my taste. He's hardly ever on screen with Raylan so the dialogue is minimal.

We also get some side characters who are inserted for little reason like his supposedly 15-year-old daughter Willa, played by Timothy Olyphant's real life daughter who is 20 and it shows. She can raise her voice an octave but we still have eyes. The writers do her no favors, she just plays the usual bratty and disobedient teen girl trope that is seemingly in every show now, and doesn't move the plot forward in any way but rather acts as a drag on it with distracting annoyance.

The love interest for Raylan is so far off from Ava Crowder or Winona Hawkins that it just doesn't come across as believable. Raylan is probably out of almost every woman's league but in this case it's really a bridge too far.

Neither the plot nor the dialogue are all that clever. Raylan gets in a few quips but it just seems like they stole the lines from the original Justified and repurposed them here. It's great to see Raylan on screen again and Sweety (Vondie Curtis-Hall) is also a lot of fun to watch so I still give this a 6, but when they're off screen it's a 3 or 4. Were they justified in making this show? Mostly not.

I really wanted to like this series. But three episodes in, it feels like our modern-day Matt Dillon has been worm-holed into an alternate universe of lackluster writing, uninteresting supporting characters, and stodgy direction. No Elmore Leonard vibe this time... just the sort of flaccid storytelling more typical of network cop dramas. And, as a dad with three daughters and my fair share of parental challenges, I feel the whole father-daughter thread is unconvincing. Check out Bosch for some really good writing in that vein. Most of all, this new outing needs an intriguing and likable villain. Give me Boyd Crowder!

*"Justified: City Primeval" (2023)* is a limited series that serves as a revival of the original "Justified" series, bringing back Timothy Olyphant as the iconic U. S. Marshal Raylan Givens. Streaming on Hulu, this series takes a fresh approach by adapting Elmore Leonard's novel "City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit," shifting the action from the familiar Kentucky setting to the gritty streets of Detroit.

**Plot:** The story follows Raylan Givens as he navigates life as a single father while being drawn into a case in Detroit. The series is packed with intense confrontations, sharp dialogue, and the same dark humor that fans of the original series loved. Raylan is pitted against a new antagonist, Clement Mansell (played by Boyd Holbrook), a dangerous sociopath known as "The Oklahoma Wildman." The cat-and-mouse game between Raylan and Mansell is a key driver of the show's tension and drama.

**Performances:** Timothy Olyphant effortlessly slips back into his role as Raylan, delivering the cool, confident, and morally complex character that made him a fan favorite. Boyd Holbrook also shines as the unpredictable and menacing Mansell, offering a formidable counterpoint to Raylan's calm demeanor. The supporting cast, including Aunjanue Ellis and Adelaide Clemens, adds depth and texture to the series.

**Tone and Style:** The series maintains the distinctive tone of the original *Justified*, with its blend of western tropes and crime drama, but the change in setting to Detroit adds a fresh layer of urban grit. The dialogue is as sharp as ever, full of wit and tension, with the writing staying true to the spirit of Elmore Leonard's work. The show also delves into more modern themes, reflecting on Raylan's aging and the evolving landscape of law enforcement.

**Critics' Reception:** *Justified: City Primeval* has been generally well-received by critics, with praise for its strong performances, particularly Olyphant's return as Raylan. The series has been noted for staying true to the original while successfully reinventing itself for a new storyline. Some critics have pointed out that the pacing can be uneven at times, but the show's high points are compelling enough to overshadow these moments.

**Overall:** If you enjoyed the original *Justified*, this revival is a must-watch. It offers a satisfying continuation of Raylan Givens' story while introducing new characters and a new setting that keeps the series fresh and engaging. The balance of action, character development, and sharp dialogue makes *Justified: City Primeval* a worthy addition to the franchise. One of my favorites and hopefully will get to see more of this series soon.

It's a good thing the writers are currently on strike; that means you can get new ones when the strike is over! The way they wrote the character Willa is horrible . Please send her back to Florida or whatever.

Vivian, if you read this, please know that this is just your first gig. You have your dad's smile, but you were miscast into this role that is setting you up for a lot of criticism. I can't wait to see you in roles that actually make sense.

The good part of this show is that it still has Timothy Olyphant doing Raylan. There are also some really good supporting actors in this show. I have hope that this show will get better and "justify" itself.

This series is a spinoff of the 2010 television show Justified, and follows titular character, U. S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who has been living in Florida, but after a road incident, he is reassigned to Detroit and while there must fight against corruption, take care of his rebellious 15 year-old daughter, build relationships, and hunt down a new dangerous serial killer. Overall due, to its signature comedy, action- packed shootouts/fights, and nostalgic moments, this show was a great return to this character and a good way to add to the story and even though there are sometimes too many side plots or characters that can take away from the main plot, it was an enjoyable experience that fans of the original show will love and hopefully eventually another full length feature can continue to build upon this short but sweet return.