Justified's Raylan Givens has always had an old-fashioned vibe, with his cowboy style and sincere portrayal by Timothy Olyphant. The new limited series, Justified: City Primeval, connects Raylan to the tradition of classic crime-solving characters like Columbo and Jessica Fletcher. In this series, Raylan finds himself back on a new case in the Motor City. The story takes place in Detroit, following the plot of Elmore Leonard's novel subtitled "High Noon in Detroit."
The series is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns. Many different characters, including cops, mobsters, lawyers, grifters, and musicians, are all trying to outsmart each other. Raylan remains at the center of the action, easily recognizable by his distinctive hat.
The story begins when Raylan and his daughter, Willa, become targets of drug dealers during a road trip. Their journey is interrupted, leading them into a high-profile murder investigation and encounters with organized crime. Raylan has always attracted trouble, and the series skillfully weaves together different storylines.
The biggest challenge in City Primeval is introducing a new adversary for Raylan. Boyd Holbrook portrays Clement "The Oklahoma Wildman" Mansell, a captivating character who shares a first name with Raylan's greatest adversary, Boyd Crowder. Holbrook's portrayal adds intensity and vulnerability to the role.
What does a series with a rogues' gallery as deep and colorful as Justified's do for an encore?
The showrunners create a version of Detroit that captures the spirit of Elmore Leonard's work, even if it was shot in Chicago. The dialogue reflects the city's struggles with the decline of the auto industry and racial tensions. The series features a strong ensemble cast, including Aunjanue Ellis, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Adelaide Clemens, Norbert Leo Butz, Marin Ireland, and Victor Williams.
City Primeval efficiently establishes Raylan's new allies and enemies, showcasing their relationships through witty banter and memorable interactions. However, the series can be ruthless in its focus, leading to some characters being underutilized. Vivian Olyphant, who plays Raylan's daughter, lacks the same presence as her co-stars.
The finale of Justified: City Primeval may have taken a few shortcuts, including an extensive epilogue and a rushed love story. However, the passion between the characters is undeniably intense, showcasing their conflicting desires and the actions they're willing to take to achieve them. A standout moment is when Carolyn enters an empty courtroom and exhibits exceptional body language, particularly in episode 5.
One line from crime boss Terry Kinney encapsulates the essence of City Primeval and Justified as a whole: "Justice requires more than the law is willing or able to provide." Age becomes a factor in the story, with Clem taunting Raylan about being on the streets instead of behind a desk at this stage of his career. Raylan is marked as a relic not only by his gray hairs but also due to the increased scrutiny of law enforcement portrayals since Justified concluded in 2015.
The series acknowledges that it may no longer be as enjoyable to watch Raylan take down the bad guys as it once was, suggesting that perhaps it should never have been entirely fun in the first place. However, Justified and Raylan are adept at handling these conflicts. Contradiction and internal struggles have always been integral to the character, and they continue to suit him perfectly.
Overall, it's a delight to see Timothy Olyphant back in the role of Raylan for Justified: City Primeval. While the sequel series may lack the extensive network of eccentric criminals seen in the original, it compensates with a tightly woven neo-noir storyline and outstanding performances from Aunjanue Ellis, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Boyd Holbrook. City Primeval may not have enough material to sustain eight episodes, and the father-daughter dynamic between the Olyphants may falter. Nevertheless, it does justice to its enduring protagonist.
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