Whistle Past the Graveyard
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Episode 8
| "Whistle Past the Graveyard" | |
|---|---|
| Justified episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Peter Werner |
| Written by | Chris Provenzano |
| Featured music | Steve Porcaro |
| Cinematography by | Francis Kenny |
| Editing by | Steven Nevius |
| Original air date | March 4, 2014 |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Whistle Past the Graveyard" is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the American Neo-Western[1] television series Justified. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Chris Provenzano and directed by Peter Werner. It originally aired on FX on March 4, 2014.
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. The series revolves around the inhabitants and culture in the Appalachian Mountains area of eastern Kentucky, specifically Harlan County where many of the main characters grew up. In the episode, Raylan chases a missing Crowe, while Boyd and his new partners fight their way back across the border.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.32 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who criticized Ava's storyline, pace, tone, and lack of building momentum, with many describing the episode as "dull".
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Mexicans and Yoon are angry at Boyd (Walton Goggins) and the Crowes for getting people killed in the territory and threaten to abandon their partnership. Boyd persuades them to continue but they tell him he needs to take the corpses back to America.
Kendal (Jacob Lofland) is picked up by his uncle, Jack (Kyle Bornheimer) and they meet with Wendy (Alicia Witt) at a restaurant. Wendy excuses herself to go to the restroom but when she returns, he finds that they already left for Cedar Point. She returns to Audrey's and finds a man named Michael (William Forsythe), who is looking for Jack. Wendy uses a shotgun to blow the tires on his car and leaves. She then calls Raylan (Timothy Olyphant), who is about to leave for Florida with Alison (Amy Smart), for his help. Raylan refuses to help her until Alison is aware of the situation, as Wendy promises to help her end her suspension and offers to give Raylan information on her brothers.
In prison, Penny (Danielle Panabaker) dislocates Ava's (Joelle Carter) shoulder, causing her to go the infirmary in order to get drugs but the nurse refuses to supply anything for her. She later meets her, scolding her for asking in public. Kendal deduces that Jack is hiding something and confronts him, to which Jack creates a fabricated story about preventing a rape. Kendal sees through this and demands the truth, also revealing that he knows Jack and Wendy are his parents. Jack then reveals that he skimmed money from poker games and stole $35,000 from Michael, who is now pursuing him. Jack escapes when he notices Michael nearby, and escapes with the duffel bag of money, causing Michael to take Kendal with him.
Boyd and the Crowes face problems in Mexico while transporting the truck. The Crowes complain about having to travel in the container without an air conditioner, forcing them to get a separate car for them. To complicate matters, they are stopped by Mexican police officers. The officers are aware of their intentions and Boyd is forced to bribe them to buy their silence. However, the officers confiscate their truck, unaware that they transporting the corpses and not the drugs.
Raylan, Wendy and Jack meet with Michael and Kendal. Michael reveals that his son caught Jack skimming and Jack put him on a coma before running away, explaining why Michael is following him. Michael and Jack then fight until Raylan stops them, arresting both for their criminal activities. Wendy talks with Kendal about their real identities but Kendal does not intend to change their status. Worried about Kendal's future, Raylan decides to give him the money he intended to take to Florida. He then talks with Wendy about their part of the deal, but Wendy reveals that she doesn't know anything besides knowing they are in Mexico, upsetting Raylan.
Boyd and the Crowes celebrate at a bar just as Daryl's (Michael Rapaport) contact arrives to help them smuggle the drugs. However, Jimmy (Jesse Luken) tells Boyd that he overheard a Spanish conversation, signaling that Daryl set everything up. Boyd and Jimmy then leave with the Crowes, not telling them their new discovery. Raylan visits Alison, telling her about the events of the day, stating that Wendy will honor her word and end her suspension. Despite this, Alison states she is breaking up with Raylan.
Production
Development
In February 2014, it was reported that the eighth episode of the fifth season would be titled "Whistle Past the Graveyard", and was to be directed by Peter Werner and written by co-executive producer Chris Provenzano.[2] The episode was originally set to be released on February 25, 2014.[3]
Writing
Series developer Graham Yost said that the writers originally didn't plan the revelation that Kendal was Wendy's and Jack's son but felt inspired to do it after the Drew Thompson reveal on season 4.[4]
Regarding Raylan's decision to hand Kendal the money, Yost explained, "that's just that little crack into Raylan — he is looking out for this kid. He sees himself. He grew up in a crime family, and he was lucky enough to have Aunt Helen and was able to get out. He wants to help him. That money will have at least a small ramification in subsequent stories."[4]
Casting
Despite being credited, Nick Searcy, Jere Burns, Jacob Pitts and Erica Tazel do not appear in the episode as their respective characters.
