WARNING: MASSIVE FINALE & SEASON 3 SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Last night’s “Justified” Season 3 finale contained a surprisingly low body count, but the few deaths that did occur were quite violent and truly shocking. Although the season started out with a bit of a slow burn as Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) and Winona Hawkins (Natalie Zea) kicked around baby names, the episodes quickly kicked into high gear with various big baddies — including Bobby Quarles (Neil McDonough), Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson), and Wynn Duffy’s (Jere Burns) eyebrows — who all ultimately sought to fill the shoes (and recover the fortune) of matriarch Mags Bennett (Margo Martindale) after her demise at the end of last season. Out of all of them, Quarles was the most terrifying villan — especially when he started to lose control, which caused him to become increasingly desperate and unpredictable.
Any fan of “Justified” knows that its bookending episodes are typically filled with all kinds of badassery, but last night’s finale was easily the best one so far. The episode was called “Slaughterhouse,” which refers both to the official place of employment for the villain Limehouse as well as the obligatory carnage that takes place within the episode. Highlights included Olyphant intimidating Duffy into losing his sh-t, a twitchy, burn-suffering Quarles kidnapping a mother and his two sons for a money-seeking joyride of sorts, and the revelation of the “piggy bank” where Limehouse keeps one of his stashes of cash. The disarming of Quarles caused an authentic “ohmmahhhgawd” to involuntarily burst out of my mouth. What a great exit.
Meanwhile, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) and his posse were still toeing the line between good and evil. Arlo (Raymond J. Berry) has been off his meds, and he’s catching the blame for ratting out one of Boyd’s misadventures when it was really Johnny Crowder (David Meunier) in cahoots with Limehouse. Surely, that’s a plot point that will come up again next season. In the end, Arlo took the fall for Boyd, and he and Ava (Joelle Carter) were reunited in an amorous display that makes it obvious their romance is both genuine and deep.
Overall, Season 3 was quite satisfying. If I had one tiny complaint, it would be that Carla Gugino only appeared on one episode, but she’s a busy actress, and the writers did leave the door open for further romantic interest between her character and Raylan. That would be one hot coupling, and I hope she returns next season.
Here’s an extra bonus for Olyphant fans — some pictures of Timothy in New York City in late March. Even without his Raylan hat, this man’s got the most killer swagger ever.
Images courtesy of Fame/Flynet and Spoiler TV
Awesome final episode. Can’t wait for Season 4.
Unf…love that man and his swag. Loved the “piggy bank” and the the “disarming”. Raylan’s face was priceless. Felt bad for Raylan at the end there, and how that bastard Arlo just shot at a “cop in a hat”.
I missed that last line and had to watch the episode a second time to catch it. To me, it was the most chilling reveal in the finale.
Does anyone watch Drop Dead Diva ? I think it’s funny and very charming. I always watch it to lift up my spirits.
I watched pretty much all the first season, but I need to catch up. I did find it enjoyable, and a fun little pick-me-up.
He is SOOO fine!!! Mamma like!!
“Oh sh*t it’s a piggy bank!!”.
Best line of the entire season! So sad its over.
Amazing finale, I love this show!
The piggy bank line was awesome. I think I actually shrieked a little at the “disarming”, and was then horrified/amazed by Quarles reaching for it, and Raylan pulling it away. OMG. And the whole time Quarles had those boys kidnapped, I was worried for them, given Quarles’…activities.
I know it’s wrong, but I was really rooting for Boyd to get away with Devil’s murder and loved seeing him sprung from jail once again. Boyd is such a fascinating character. Arlo taking the fall for him was a great move, and only reinforced how differently Arlo treats Boyd and Raylan.
Speaking of, can’t believe Arlo was willing to take Raylan out to protect Boyd. And so sad that Trooper Tom died.
Ava punching the hooker, ouch!
And Winona being pretty cold to Raylan – I know he makes her life difficult, but given all that he told her while there, she could have been more sympathetic. I think she realized that at the end when he told her about Arlo just shooting “a cop in a hat”.
Brilliant show, so glad it’s renewed for next year and that everyone I wanted to survive did. Though I suspect Johnny won’t much longer…
Girl we love Boyd :). That man does it for me.
And I think Winona was cold because she told Raylan to stay away from her and the crazy night he told her about kinda confirmed why she wants to keep the baby away from all that.
Winona was married to the man before, FFS. It’s not like she hasn’t known what he was like; or that he’s been in dangerous situations several times (as has she) since he’s been back home.
If she didn’t want all that drama back in her life, she never should have gotten involved with him again. And she should have used birth control.
(I don’t like Winona. She’s a whiny, irritating woman who’s never happy with what she’s got, and she needs to just go away. Write her off of the show.)
I just can’t get past Boyd from his days on The Shield. (He killed his pregnant wife and kid!)
The guy’s a great actor; his long history with Raylan makes for a very interesting, finely-woven story-line; and his hair-plugs have taken nicely.
I, too, love the Boyd character. My favorite scenes are the ones between him and Raylan.
Love the shots of Raylan Givens in NYC. It’s like seeing a mythical creature walk the earth.
Tremendous finale last night!!
Yummmm, Raylan/Timothy is so hot.
Walton Goggins is the best part of this show.
I love every single character and actor on the show (well, maybe not always Winona, but sometimes) but Walton/Boyd is the standout for me too. Which is saying quite a bit, given the level of talent in that cast.
I have this whole season on DVR, and I will be watching it REPEATEDLY to get my fill of that Olyphant Swagger.
Am I the only one who found this season kind of a mess plotwise? I love Boyd & Raylan but last season was so magnificent and tightly woven…I was left disappointed. Mags where are you?! I missed her.
No, donna, you’re not the only one! I loves me my Raylan enough that he could be doing the proverbial reciting of the phone book and I’d be watching. But I did NOT think this was the best of years for plot.
Winona = mixed feelings They could do away with her and I would not mind. Ada is a much, much more interesting character.
If the writers read here: More women for Raylan next season would be nice. Another old girlfriend or two from his past, perhaps? We all know they’re out there, because Raylan just HAS to have left a trail of broken hearts along the way.
Boyd is always great. Love him. And the guy playing Dickie did a great job.
All such excellent performances.
Oh, and now I will go and watch last night’s episode!
Thank you for these photos. I rarely see Olyphant out of his character and these photos are amazing.