Justified Season Five
Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Walton Goggins
Guest Stars: Alicia Witt and Michael Rapaport
I recently watched season five of the superb, nail-biting, high-octane-thrill-ride Justified, currently available on DVD, Blu-ray and Amazon Prime. The FX network has also made episodes of Justified available to Academy members for Emmy Consideration on their FYC website www.fx.com/FYC.
Alicia Witt appears in 10 episodes this season as Wendy Crowe, a paralegal, mother and sister of the crazy Daryl Crowe Jr. (played by Michael Rapaport from John Singleton’s classic Higher Learning). Rapaport was the perfect criminal; a lying-scumbag who will do anything to save his own behind. What added to the brilliance of Rapaport was none-other than Alicia Witt.
To many movie and television fans, Alicia can also be seen in numerous well-known studio films, top-notch indie films and she has acted with Oscar-Winners Richard Dreyfuss, Sandra Bullock and Al Pacino. However, for Alicia the medium of television or film does not matter. Alicia turns in wonderful performances, whether it is number one sitcoms (Two and a Half Men) or great dramas like FX’s Justified.
*****
Alicia gives the same dedication and breathes life into her role; be it a lead, co-star, small role, someone who is happy, sad, crazy or scared; without fail the chameleon-like talent of Alicia is always present. There are very few actresses that can cover the spectrum like Alicia.
Justified season five is filled with great surprises, but it also boasts an incredible amount of fine actors, from Mary Steenburgen (Parenthood) to John Kapelos (Carl the Janitor in The Breakfast Club). It is cliche to note, but the best element of the show is the lead character U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens played by Timothy Olyphant (The Girl Next Door). This season was an epic cat mouse game between Olyphant and Rapaport (and a host of other colorful criminals and drug dealer types).
As a new viewer of Justified, it was refreshing I did not need to see seasons one through four. The brilliant writing, unique editing and distinctive cinematography (especially in episode 12 by Richard Crudo A.S.C.) makes every episode of Justified stand on its own. The nature of a series is you need to watch last week and due to time constraints I missed two episodes, but I was never lost or less intrigued. Justified is true art, it understands the rules, yet breaks them.
Paul’s Score: 9.5/10
Review by Entertainment & Festival Writer Paul Booth
