Justified (TV Series) Alive Day (2015) User Reviews

Less is more . . . maybe?

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 7 July 2017]

'Alive Day' may be this season's equivalent to taking a breath; slowing things down to build up tension. Which makes it one of the season's least involving episodes, even though it certainly starts out on the right foot with Raylan and Boyd sitting down for a chat at Ava's table (and it's always a pleasure when Walton Goggins and Timothy Olyphant share a scene).

And it also takes a sad turn with the death of a recurring bad guy - a nonessential one, but he still left a lovably dumb impression.

This is basically an hour of deepening suspicions among all factions. On the other hand, the dialogue also lacks its characteristic spark.

7/10

What the &%^&* happened to my favorite show?

[A_Different_Drummer · 5/10 · 7 March 2015]

Going into Season 5 JUSTIFIED was one of the best written, acted, and overall "edgiest" shows on TV.

Season 5 turned out to be as much fun as a Whoppee Cushion, suffering from a surfeit of black birds; and a number of other structural problems to boot.

But, we fans hoped, there was always Season 6...? We were wrong.

In the opener of the Season, the writers make it clear that not only is Raylan overdue for quiet time with the Missus and the new baby, but he is staying on in Harlan Country only reluctantly and temporarily.

Talk about foreshadowing! Turns out, Raylan's situation was not unlike that of the producers who (to this jaded viewer) seem to have lost interest in the show and are busily rushing forward onto other projects...? It is like they are just filling in time to reach the number of episodes needed for syndication. Punching a clock, is all.

The "smoking gun" is the face time given to Star and (now) Exec Producer Olyphant. I did the math, and it is far less than prior seasons.

That is like benching the star quarterback...? Instead we have more Carter and Goggins, two brilliant supporting actors.

But -- here is a tip -- viewers don't tune in to watch supporting actors.

At least not in my house.