FX Network's "Justified"

[ Image courtesy of TV Fanatic ]

It really is amazing at the growth FX Networks has been under for the past few years. For being the cable network brother of FOX Networks, they have become home to some of the best television shows on TV. I say some because USA Network has “Psych,” and the big-time networks still have a couple strong horses in the form of “LOST” (ABC) and “Glee” (FOX). That being said though, the network that gave us gems like “The Shield,” and “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” continues the beat with their newest effort, “Justified.”

“Justified” stars Timothy Olyphant who you might remember from the HBO series “Deadwood,” who is a United States Marshall reassigned to Harlan County in Kentucky. The premise of “Justified” is that Olyphant is a modern day vigilante that is a straight up ode to the characters ‘Dirty Harry’ and Charles Bronson’s ‘Paul Kersey.’ Coupled with Olyphant’s experience as playing a sheriff on the aforementioned “Deadwood” series and I can’t think of a better person to play as a modern day vigilante.

Like most first episodes, “Fire In The Hole” sets the tone for what we can expect not just from the show and it’s characters, but the tone that undoubtedly comes with a lot of FX’s dramas. It might sound recycled, but the fact is, it’s an escapism that we’ve all had before. To be something of a hero, but still with an edge in that sometimes getting dirty is the way to save the day. The episode starts with Raylan Givens (Olyphant) in Miami meeting with a man suspected of murder and issuing a 24 hour deadline for him to leave Miami or else he would be done in by Givens himself. You can guess as to how that conversation turns out. It’s this maverick-style (copyright Sarah Palin) that leads to Givens being sent to his home state of Kentucky and he takes on the duty of bringing in a white supremacist suspected in a string of bank robberies and church bombings. It’s revealed that the suspect is someone from Givens’ past, someone he used to work with before Givens became a U.S. Marshal, and with that revelation, we get the clear identification of who is going to be our villain for the rest of the ride (season).

When I first saw a trailer for this, I was already sold. Why? Well it’s Timothy Olyphant putting people in check in rural Kentucky and he has a spiffy lawman’s hat. What’s not to like?

In the end, FX seems to have another solid series in their portfolio joining the legal drama “Damages,” the always crudely hilarious “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” and what I consider to be the best overall show now that “LOST” is on it’s sawn song, the Hamlet-meets-motorcycle gangs, “Sons of Anarchy.” Only time will tell where and how the rest of the series plays out and that’s what is great about FX Networks. In a time where shows are lucky to make it five episodes on the regular networks, it’s the cable networks that actually give shows a chance. Then again, if this show isn’t given a proper chance, Timothy Olyphant might come and deal out some justice.

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