Bloody Harlan (Justified)
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Episode 13
| "Bloody Harlan" | |
|---|---|
| Justified episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 13 |
| Directed by | Michael Dinner |
| Written by | Fred Golan |
| Featured music | Steve Porcaro |
| Cinematography by | Francis Kenny |
| Editing by | Bill Johnson |
| Original air date | May 4, 2011 |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Bloody Harlan" is the thirteenth episode and season finale of the second season of the American Neo-Western[1] television series Justified. It is the 26th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Fred Golan and directed by executive producer Michael Dinner. It originally aired on FX on May 4, 2011.
The series is based on Elmore Leonard's stories about the character Raylan Givens, particularly "Fire in the Hole", which serves as the basis for the episode. The series follows Raylan Givens, a tough deputy U.S. Marshal enforcing his own brand of justice. Following the shooting of a mob hitman, Raylan is sent to Lexington, Kentucky to investigate an old childhood friend Boyd Crowder, who is now part of a white supremacist gang. In the episode, the Crowder and the Bennett clans go to war over control of Harlan, which results in deadly consequences for everyone involved.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.68 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received universal acclaim from critics and audiences, who hailed nearly every single aspect of the episode, with most of the praise heading towards the writing, pace, directing and acting (particularly Margo Martindale) and some deeming it as a strong ending to a strong season.
Deciding to move to Glynco, Georgia with Winona (Natalie Zea), Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) asks Mullen (Nick Searcy) for a promotion so he could move to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers. Mullen says he will think about it. Meanwhile, the Bennetts start discussing their new plans, which involve negotiating with Boyd (Walton Goggins).
Winona tells Raylan that she is pregnant, which makes him happy as they plan to move out of Harlan. At a church, Boyd and Arlo (Raymond J. Barry) meet with Mags (Margo Martindale) and Doyle (Joseph Lyle Taylor). Mags reprimands Boyd for interfering in the marijuana business but is delighted to see Boyd return the money he stole from Dickie (Jeremy Davies). But Mags is still convinced that Boyd will continue stealing. She has sent hitmen to kill Boyd's crew at their houses. Dickie shoots Ava (Joelle Carter) in the chest and is forced to flee when Devil (Kevin Rankin) shoots and kills many of his henchmen. Johnny (David Meunier) avoids assassination when he blows up his own house to kill the hitmen.
Returning home, Boyd is furious at Devil for failing to protect Ava and forces a doctor to operate on her, threatening to kill him if anything happens to her. Raylan is called back for Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever), who fled her foster home. She escaped with the help of Wade Messer (James LeGros) and intends to kill the Bennetts for her father's death. Wade, a friend of her father, notices her intentions and refuses to let her do it. Loretta decides to abandon Wade and go by herself. Raylan drops off Winona at her job so he can find Loretta. Winona asks Mullen to help Raylan but he declines, saying Raylan asked for free time during the week and can't send other Marshals to help him. Raylan finds Wade in his house, but is then knocked unconscious by Dickie.
Dickie sends Wade to find Loretta while he ties Raylan upside down from a tie and Dickie hits him multiple times with a baseball bat. However, Boyd arrives and forces Dickie to untie Raylan. Dickie pleads for his life, telling Raylan he can take him to Loretta. Raylan asks an angry Boyd to let him have Dickie for a few minutes so he can find her. Loretta finds her way to Mags' house, who greets her and lets her go inside. Dickie arrives at the house, being held at gunpoint by Raylan. Back inside Loretta pulls out a gun and while Mags tries to calm her down, she shoots her in the leg. Outside, Doyle and his crew shoot at Dickie and Raylan, wounding both. Before he can kill Raylan, Doyle is shot in the head by a raid team led by Mullen and Dickie is arrested.
Raylan, Tim (Jacob Pitts) and Rachel (Erica Tazel) enter the house and find Loretta holding Mags at gunpoint, who confessed to poisoning Loretta's father. Raylan dissuades Loretta from killing Mags, and she drops the gun and leaves with Tim and Rachel while Raylan informs Mags of Doyle's death. Raylan stays with Mags, who asks to join her in drinking her moonshine. They both drink and Mags makes peace with Raylan. Raylan realizes that Mags poisoned her own drink and she dies in front of him while holding his hand.
