Quick Info
Justified is an American crime drama series that aired between 2010 and 2015, featuring lawman U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a character created by novelist Elmore Leonard. It is set in Lexington, Kentucky and the Appalachian Mountains area of eastern Kentucky, where Givens was born and raised. The series unfolds as Givens goes head-to-head with outlaws and criminals while trying to keep a check on his own volatile persona.
The show's strength lies in the captivating performance by Timothy Olyphant as the quick-draw marshal Givens. His cowboy hat-wearing Southern charisma is not just a caricature but a fully realized character. He's impulsive and violent, yet deeply principled, constantly grappling with his own moral compass. Similarly, the series’ other key characters, particularly Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), deliver superb performances, blending the common crime story with philosophical discussions about morality, power, and righteousness.
Its weakness, however, might be that it can occasionally veer into an over-excessive depiction of violence. Also, some plot lines in later seasons feel a bit extended for the sake of additional episodes. Nevertheless, for fans of shows like Breaking Bad or Fargo, ones seeking thrilling narratives and multi-layered characters, Justified is an underrated gem that might have slipped under their radar.
