Kokomo (Justified: City Primeval)
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| "Kokomo" | |
|---|---|
| Justified: City Primeval episode | |
| Episode no. | Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Gwyneth Horder-Payton |
| Written by | Taylor Elmore |
| Featured music | "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys |
| Cinematography by | Amy Vincent |
| Editing by | Hunter M. Via |
| Original release date | August 1, 2023 |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Kokomo" is the fourth episode of the American television miniseries Justified: City Primeval, a continuation of the series Justified. The episode was written by executive producer Taylor Elmore, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton. It originally aired on FX on August 1, 2023.
The series is set 15 years after the original series finale, and follows Raylan Givens, who now resides in Miami. He continues working as a U.S. Marshal while helping raise his daughter, Willa. However, he soon finds himself in Detroit when a criminal, Clement Mansell, starts wreaking havoc. In the episode, Mansell offers Sweety a partnership, while the Albanians target those responsible for Skender's condition.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.603 million household viewers and gained a 0.10 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews, who praised the writing, performances and pacing.
At the secret room, an upset Mansell (Boyd Holbrook) brutally beats Skender (Alexander Pobutsky). Convinced by Sandy (Adelaide Clemens), he spares Skender, but forces him to let the door crush his leg before fleeing.
Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) arrives at the hospital as the officers inform him about Skender's status. Realizing that Skender's boss is his uncle Toma Kastiot (Terry Kinney), Raylan convinces Skender's entourage into setting a meeting. He and Bryl (Norbert Leo Butz) visit Kastiot at his office, who is not proud of Skender's actions. Despite being suggested that Mansell was involved, Kastiot refuses to provide any information and decides to take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Albanian criminals are trying to locate Sandy and force her boss, Rick Newley (Ravi V. Patel) into revealing her address.
Using the Judge's notebook, Mansell meets with Sweety (Vondie Curtis-Hall) at his tavern. Sweety is not delighted over Mansell having Sandy drop the weapon at his establishment, but becomes interested when Mansell mentions the notebook contains information to blackmail people. Carolyn (Aunjanue Ellis) meets with Sweety, stating that he will get immunity if he brings over the murder weapon and testifying about the Judge's death and the dealers' demise. With the new information that Mansell provided, Sweety declines the deal. The Albanian enforcers arrive at Sandy's apartment, taking her roommate Hina (Jessika Van) hostage. They force her to call Sandy into coming home, but Sandy is dining with Mansell, and the latter forbids her from leaving until later. As they await, the enforcers decide to torture Hina by removing her teeth.
As night falls, Raylan and Bryl decide to check Sandy's apartment. Seeing Hina being tortured, they break in the apartment to confront the enforcers. One of them runs off, forcing Bryl to kill him while the other is arrested. As they stay outside, Mansell and Sandy drive by and avoid the apartment. Sweety meets with Mansell at the penthouse to discuss a partnership. As Carolyn leaves her office, she finds she is being followed by Albanians. She calls Raylan, who intimidates the Albanians into leaving her alone. Raylan then stays vigilant outside Carolyn's house, so Carolyn decides to join him in his car to drink.
Production
Development
The episode was originally titled "Fun Wit' Albanians".[1] In July 2023, FX announced that the fourth episode of the series would be titled "Kokomo", and was to be written by executive producer Taylor Elmore, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton. This was Elmore's first writing credit, and Horder-Payton's first directing credit.[2]
According to Timothy Olyphant on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Quentin Tarantino was going to direct this episode, but the birth of his child prevented him from doing so.[3]
