Justified (TV Series) The Promise (2015) User Reviews

"Hell, sometimes, I think the only way to get out of our town alive is to have never been born there."

[jaglenac-honda · 10/10 · 17 April 2015]

Man, I knew the final episode will deliver and leave the viewers satisfied, but this was way, way more than just that.

I think that the Justified's writers and crew knew from the start where they were going with the show and that is one of the many reasons it never stumbled or lost quality, which is a pretty rare compliment in the world of TV these days.

This whole season was, I'd dare to say, the show's best. Hell, I'd even say this was one of the best farewell seasons of all time. Too bad it didn't get the attention like some other recently ended shows.

Even though one of Justified's highest qualities were action and tension, "The Promise" ended a little differently - quiet and on a highly emotional note.

If you saw Justified, you know what I'm talking about. And if you haven't, I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Make this beautiful show your next binge-watching project.

I'll miss Kentucky and these characters.

Episode 10/10, Season 10/10, Series 10/10.

I'll miss you, Justified.

[tv_gypt · 10/10 · 15 April 2015]

It's always nice seeing things come full circle: Raylan standing at Ava's front door. In typical Boyd fashion, Boyd goes out like the pyromaniac we remember from season 1, flinging dynamite and running like crazy. And of course it's back to preaching for him in the end, back in prison. Even though his standoff with Raylan was filled with so much intensity, there was something so relieving about Raylan backing out of the shot. Maybe it's Boyd messing with my head but I was really beginning to believe that Raylan was too caught up in this personal vendetta to do the right thing. He didn't pull though - it wasn't justified.

It's amazing how real Boyd's stories are to us. We can vouch for everything he's saying because we've been living his incredible story for 6 years now. But with his preaching theatrics at their highest point, he looks more like the prison storyteller than anything else, shrugged off by a lackluster crowd of maybe 7 inmates and an unamused prison guard. There's no telling how much anyone's taking anything he says seriously, which makes it all the more amusing. Fusing his stories with talks about religion and the devil; it's like the ballad of Boyd Crowder being sung as a hymn.

Raylan has met his match and what a worthy adversary Boon was. It was like the climactic collision of two unstoppable forces, good vs. evil, as they both fell to the floor simultaneously with perfect symmetry. I can't help but remember what Boon said last episode about "going for the headshot". Maybe out of pride or honour or an inflated opinion of his marksmanship, but today it was his downfall, as he literally missed by a hair. Now Raylan wears his hat like a trophy, although his old hat will definitely be missed. On a desolate highway with "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" playing in the background, it really made for the perfect setup. To the writers' credit, this guy was written in almost halfway through the final season and yet still managed to rack up so much menace and charisma to make him the villain of choice in Raylan's final gunslinging encounter. He didn't disappoint. Raylan stepping up with his fatherly duty to protect Loretta really showed how ready he was to go back to Florida.I'm also thankful for the honourable mention of Wynn Duffy and Ellstin Limehouse, which was very cleverly written. They've both been elusive yet instrumental in the story and I'd like to believe that Duffy, as resourceful as he is, in the end managed to pull it off for the win. Art and Tim will be missed for their antics, especially after showing that they still have Raylan's back after all.

Finally, Raylan's face-to-face with Boyd wrapped things up perfectly. They walked opposite sides of the law and became arch-enemies but still remember what bonds them. They were once bound by community, brotherhood and hardship and the fact that they dug coal together can never be forgotten. They have this undying mutual respect that makes their epic rivalry beautiful.There's nothing like a show that's had such a strong run going out with a finale like this, one that both the audience deserves and the show deserves to be remembered by. Thank you, Justified.

End of an amazing road

[Mr-Fusion · 10/10 · 24 July 2017]

When you get right down to it, 'The Promise' is a perfect title for the final episode of this show. And naturally, it has several meanings throughout, but there was a lot that needed wrapping up here. There was a standoff between Raylan and Boon that's been building for several episodes. And the 800-pound elephant in the room that is Raylan vs. Boyd that's been promised since the first season.

But it also subverts expectations, and that might be the best part. For one, "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" plays at midpoint instead of the customary closing shot, and that alone hypes the unfinished business to obscene levels. And the promise of Raylan putting Boyd down in a draw doesn't go as planned. It speaks to Givens' growth as a character.

In the end, the world keeps turning. Some characters move on, some arrive full circle, and it's a happy ending in some respects. What matters is that it feels right. It's the kind of send-off that makes it hard to believe the show's over. A masterful handling of all pertinent loose ends and story lines, maintaining the show's penchant for drama, action, humor and even throwing in a welcome bit of sweetness. Of all of my favorite shows, this just might be the most satisfying.

10/10

Great finale for a great show

[blueeffO · 10/10 · 25 December 2016]

An action-packed finale that ties up all the loose ends.

The episode is like a film of its own in a way.

Raylan's run-in with the law, Boyd escape, the Boyd-Ava-Harlan confrontation, Boyd's capture, Ava's capture, Ava's escape and the closing of the case.

At the end, only two people got out of Harlan alive, Raylan and Ava, but they did not go out unscathed.

It's a sad episode, not a happy ending - Ava lives with Boyd's child in poverty, in fear of the father coming back. Raylan let's Ava get away with her crimes.

Raylan does not drive into the sunset with a girl like in some cheesy, he gets shared custody of his daughter. He seems to be alone. Then there is the final scene where he visits Boyd in prison. Touching.

There is one scene that was really beautiful - Raylan was driving a handcuffed Ava to the police station and Ava simply gave up trying to escape. That scene, on the road with the sun, had the theme song (You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive) play and it was incredibly emotional.

I'll miss this show dearly.

One of the most poignant endings in TV history.

[drewmcnaught · 10/10 · 4 November 2020]

One of the most under appreciated TV shows of all time. I agree, it wasn't my favourite episode of the show or even favourite season but for the last 90 seconds alone, it deserves a ten. After so many shows, let you down with endings, this was an unbelievable final scene. I sat for a good while after it and thought about it, considered everything they've been through together and their paths. Truly remarkable. I still think about it, about a year after I actually finished the show. Two of best TV actors there is. Timothy Olyophant is unbelievable, but gets credit. Walton Goggis is brilliant in everything I've ever seen and he never gets talked about. What a great, talented man.

Best ending of a fantastic show

[gnix1979 · 10/10 · 15 April 2015]

I have loved this show from the pilot, I love it for a number of reasons, it hardly has a bad bone.

The final episode was a testament to the fans as well as to the cast, why ruin a great show for the fans who helped keep the show going when we can do some good writing and good acting. Although I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't a showdown between Raylan and Boyd, the final scene was much appreciated and a better and unexpected conclusion.

Like some shows like Dexter, Justified left no loose ends, although it never really explained how or why Raylan ended up alone in Florida and not in a relationship with Winona was a bit of a downer, but you could tell he was settled with his daughter in his life and happy.

Although some might think that really the finale was a loose end, I don't believe it is, because the ending told us one thing about the characters of Boyd and Raylan some may have forgotten from the Pilot, its that there were always two types in Harlan County, those who became criminals, and those who left. But at the end of the day, there was a mutual respect between the two protagonists, and it was their history digging for coal.

Also glad so see some of the more colourful characters live to see another day like Wynn Duffy and Ava.

Absolutely outstanding writing and not a disappointment, sad to see it come to an end. Long live Raylan Givens!!!!!

"we dug coal together" one of many things in common

[gplusr · 10/10 · 14 April 2015]

That was like watching a book going to an end, beautiful and well- executed, felt a little rushed at times, feel characters had little to almost no time, but the main players had one last chance to show why we all love this show, that was better than the over dramatic thing they pulled with Breaking Bad, the dark screen of Sopranos or the even more rushed finale of Deadwood, probably going to like it more than Dexter's finale as well.

Final Season overcomes a lot of other good shows like Prison Break, Sons of Anarchy and even Luther (glad it's coming back btw).

I put Justified right there with Lost, The Office and The Shield with awesome finales that maybe some people will hate but the ones who understand the heart all those shows had, will forever remember the ride of Raylan, Boyd, Ava and many others who made this show so great.

Elmore Leonard must be aplexed... and proud.

Thank you Justified, you've delivered it

MVP's:

Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant).

Walton Goggins (Boyd Crowder).

Ava Crowder (Joelle Carter).

Honorable Mentions:

Jonathan Tucker (Boon).

Avery Markham (Sam Elliott).

The season and the finale justifying the storyline.

[ansharora-12638 · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

This season and it's finale was exactly what I hoped this show would be getting in from Season 1. Truth be told, I wasn't very much satisfied of the first 2 seasons and also season 3 but this scene came out perfectly and maybe one of the best seasons of tv history.

Always felt like Raylan was too hard on Boyd and I always needed a moment where Raylan would treat Boyd like Boyd sees Raylan in his mind, like a friend. Boyd never showed an urge to harm or hurt Raylan except in Episode 1 of Season 1. Since then he has always been calm with Raylan even if he distrupted every little plan of his in every which way. Finale gave a good emotional scene between them, much needed. Only hope this kinda scene could have come 1-2 times more throughout the series but it still is one of the best shows of tv ever produced or will be produced.

Cheers.

A fitting ending

[rbstern · 8/10 · 16 April 2015]

The final season was a bit slow, but the final episode did justice to Justified.

The inevitable gunfight between Raylan and Boon was extremely well done, both in FX and directing. The audience is left, for more than a breathless moment, thinking Raylan is really gone. The focus on Boon's slower death distracts the viewer from Raylan's motionless body. Nothing corny about it. The shot where we see the bottom of Raylan's boot, his other leg twisted back, is a classic death pose, cementing the idea that Raylan finally met his equal with a gun.

And then he gets up. With his hair parted anew.

In classic Justified fashion, the tension is immediately broken as his car starts and Ava escapes.

The final prison scenes remind of us of who Boyd is, was, and is all over again. One last chance to trot his mouth out before the curtain comes down.

This series was an awesome assortment of characters, both lovable and detestable. Great script and storytelling, and a TV genre unto it's own.

Great series

[rbost-70233 · 10/10 · 9 October 2021]

One lingering question that I either missed or wasn't disclosed. What happened to the $9MM? Also the fact that Ava was carrying Boyd's child was a little much. Overused storyline? Yep. Still a ten.

Season 6: At times it stretches a bit to keep the main show in the distance, but is still a satisfyingly tough and pulpy season with a good ending (MILD SUGGESTIVE SPOILERS)

[bob the moo · 29 May 2015]

By chance on the same day I happened to watch the series finale of two shows I liked, one being Justified and the other being Mad Men. In a way both series went out in a similar vein, by reinforcing what they had done before and delivering a good take on it, rather than going all out for a big finish. In the case of Justified I found it to be mostly pretty satisfying across the season, with a particularly strong conclusion (aside from one aspect perhaps). The much-trailed confrontation between Raylan and Boyd is the centerpiece of the season, but understandably it cannot just be so simple or it would struggle to last a full season, so there is a wider plot with more characters and moving parts.

At times the viewer does feel the weight of this, particularly with this season having quite a few charismatic characters drifting in and out around the central drama; it does occasionally feel like padding, but only occasionally. Mostly the plot works as well as previous seasons, with a tough brooding pulpy delivery which allows it to sell many of its more flamboyant moments (most of which are bloody). The consistent sense of macho posturing in the characters and the plotting is something I very much enjoy, and as much as it seems unrealistic, I always go with it. A big part of this is the writing – particularly of the dialogue; although most characters seem to speak with variants of the same voice, it does work well and it has a great pulpy lyricism which would never work in the real world, but is like music within the delivery of Justified.

The slow drawl and atmosphere of violence is matched by the technical delivery, which makes great use of location and pacing throughout. The cast are equally good with Olyphant being consistent and engaging with his performance. Goggins delivers on the promise of the confrontation and his performance is brutal but yet still true to his character through the seasons; the show gives these two a good handful of moments where they face off – all of them are great, and the final scene in particular is engaging, rewarding and very responsible in what it does with the two characters. Carter has a good season too, even if not all of her character actions ring true. Pitts, Tazel, and Searcy have their continued smaller roles but bringing good support, while it was pleasing to see Burns, Kowalsky, and Herriman get good moments in this final season. The season has some strong additions in the shape of Elliott, the ever- reliable Dillahunt, Fahey, Tucker, Grimes and others – okay at times their characters feel like they are filling out the season, but they all give strong performances in the context of the show, and they make it work.

I did have some reservations on the plotting but mostly the season works consistently very well to deliver what I watch the show for. The finale itself is very well balanced and I liked that it mostly dodged the obvious; personally I did not care for the "4 years later" jump and the resolution regarding Ava, but the final scene was very well done and was true to the two pulpy characters right till the final line.

Nothing For Raylan!?

[Bronco46 · 10/10 · 19 April 2015]

Surely the only people that don't like Justified are people that have never seen it. An en excellent ending to an amazing series. The writing for this show. Right down to the end. Was well thought out and tight. Casting was another factor is character of this series. These people were able to bring their characters to life. And along with the great writing brought the characters to life. They managed to do what the Soprano's had done. Make you care about hardened criminals. Not all of them. But some. I came in on the first episode late. In that episode Raylan was sitting at a table. And he being threatened by someone. I came into the series with good feelings about Rylan since he was being played by Timothy Olyphant from "Deadwood". A wonderful performance by Mr. Olyphant. But it blew me away when he shot the man up through the table. It was startling and set the stage for what was to be a five year roller-coaster with this great show. I have mixed emotions about this final episodes. It gave me most of what I was hoping for in a finale. But what did Raylan get. I know he gets a lot of satisfaction from his job. And he gets to keep doing it in Florida where his daughter is. But I must have missed something. Because I thought he was going there not just for his daughter. But also for his wife/girlfriend. The way it looked at the end he only gets to watch from a far. I know they left dangling one possible loose end. But I don't know what I think about that. If you haven't seen any of this series yet. And for some reason you find yourself reading this review. Run right out and by this series on video. Try very hard not to watch it all in one night. You'll enjoy it more that way. Sorry I haven't said more about specifics. Talking about what appeared to happen to Raylan is all It's all the specifics I want to tell you about this episode. But I will say they don't let up one bit on the violence. A great show. I watched it one episode at a time over five years and it was great. It really gave me something to look forward too. One night a week. But I'll be watching it again sometime soon. I'm not over Harlen County!

Ended a slow death!

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 16 December 2019]

Justified ended in a slow death. Some series end in a bang, with a fast one last mission, and or the character dies. Justified died a gradual death. Raylan wares out his welcome with the Chief back home and goes to Florida. Raylan's personality also wares the staff out at work. There is a conclusion with Raylan's ex who's life style wore the ex out, but Raylan tries to make up. Raylan ties lose end with Eva one gets a feel the Raylan and Eva are victims of their home town environments, and Eva getting away from home is a good thing. Well Raylan tie's up lose ends for Eva with one last visit with Boyd. Two guys who dug coal together feel mixes with Boyd who's gone full circle in prison as their relationship end. Raylan final gunslinger match mixes with the cycle of history repeating itself make The Promise final message that Raylan will always be a gunslinger who's fast and loose lifestyle wares people out. Raylan eventually tries to even the collateral damage done to others by making it up is some sort of deed. Deep down Raylan tries to be a decent man, but if it was Raylan's defiant personality which made a good lawman instead of being like Boyd.

inconsistent season

[alacieva · 2/10 · 15 December 2021]

Unfortunately the whole 6th season was inconsistent in regards of the character developments of the 3 main characters. The whole season's writing was really really lousy.

Now here is the spoiler.

The writers are trying to sell us this whole new-strong Ava character, which is obviously a huge BS and anything but warranted character development.

She cut off Boyd after she used him in the prison, then sold him out to the marshalls because Boyd didn't get her out of there AFTER she broke up with him? Really? That's how she justified her betrayal? And what's even more disappointing, a character like Boyd see this as justified as well? Being betrayed and sold out twice. Even when they could just ride together to the sunset with 10M she rather betrays him with a made up brain-dead reason?

Frankly, since the very first episode I was really hoping she will die, but the ending such a disployal, spineless insect received - along with Duffy - is just super non-sense.

Raylan clearly developed into an outlaw in the past 5 and half of the 6th season, and then all of this was just spit in the face. He by the last season he broke the law more often than Boyd, I don't see how could he get any other ending than either dying on the job, or losing his job and/or ending up in prison.

Boyd was really painful to watch in this last season, even the last one summarized his whole career in the series. Getting betrayed again, again and again, unsuccessfully chasing after the great prize, being exploited and used while also using others. Nothing new came for him, even when he is after a criminal. Didn't get the prize, the girl, or the revenge....

My biggest disappointment here wasn't even the fate of the characters, but how they all got twisted - straight out from their initial 5 season long development - only to get the results. The last season showed no integrity and consistency.

Of course it was great, just a little unsatisfied

[JiggleNutter · 10/10 · 15 April 2015]

I was really hyped for this finale with it being their last episode ever. Although it was still good, I have to say I'm pretty bummed and left unsatisfied. I wanted more! It just failed to leave me with that closure great shows know how to do. Oh well, maybe one day they will bring it back! I feel it was very predictable as we all knew what was going to happen and the end of this long Harlan County story. Maybe it was just good and simple for a reason. Sometimes you don't have to go out with a bang, BUT this show is nothing but a whole-lot-a bang.

It was a great 6 seasons and the cast did an amazing job. It felt very real and the connection to the characters was awesome and this is what acting is all about, its and art and they did an awesome job painting the Justified stamp on TVs greatest.

#itrieditonanditfit

Unjustified

[darbski · 10/10 · 24 June 2017]

**SPOILERS** No doubt. The story idea was great, show was great, acting was great, story progression was great; but, there should have been a couple more old-west style shootouts to suit me personally. Yeah, I know; too much violence on T.V., blah, blah .... I watched the series again (took a while, because I wasn't in a hurry), and remembered something that I should have said then. The ending needed some work.

Tell ya how. Ava should have picked up the gun laying on the floor of the barn and killed Boyd right then, and Raylan should have let her go; because she saved his life, and because he owed her. After all, he betrayed her when he decided it was a good idea to cheat on her with his ex-wife. Who, as we all knew was NEVER gonna stick with him. And yeah, I liked Ava a lot. Raylan ran her right into Boyd's crapstorm life. HE OWED HER. Boyd wanted to kill Ava anyway; it was self defense.

As far as the last gunfight; it was GREAT, and I liked Ava getting away, at least Raylan had the good sense to let her go in the end; I still say She should have shot Boyd dead.

Disappointed

[chubbydove · 5/10 · 11 October 2018]

Am I the only one not being paid off to write a review? I do not give this finale any thing more than 6 stars. I was very disappointed in the ending and the way it played out.