Justified season 6

It had been a long time since I last revisited Harlan County in Justified following the end of season five. The show had seen a few ups and downs but I always intended to finish it and I'm glad I did with season six, which broadcasted in 2015. The series is based on the late Elmore Leonard's short story 'Fire in the Hole', and starred Timothy Olyphant as US Marshal Raylan Givens, and season six sees him trying to get out of his hometown alive but not before putting Boyd Crowder, the excellent Walton Goggins, behind bars once and for all.

Without spoilers, season six started without the sense that things were coming to a close and that this would be the end of show that had enjoyed a very good run. I did find the beginning a little relaxed at times, typical of a series that has never taken itself too seriously, and this made me wonder if we were looking at another disappointing season three.

Thankfully, that was not to be the case and the series ramped up towards the end and delivered a very satisfying conclusion. If you've never seen the show before, it's cowboy protagonist might seem very 'American' but Justified is an enjoyable show complete with a colourful cast and offers lots in entertainment. And if you do stick around for all six seasons, it does feel rewarding without being overly sentimental.

Season six packed a lot into 13 episodes with numerous storylines that propelled the show forward and offered plenty of villains. Sam Elliot's casting was a great touch considering his history with the western genre, and also the addition of Garret Dillahunt. But all are somehow eclipsed by a cocky Jonathan Tucker who almost stole the whole show. The acting has been one of Justified's strongest aspects and there is no better example than in the final minutes of the show.

I will missed Justified as it may a long time until another show like this comes along. It does comedy, drama and action with a wry smile, and was held together by two great performances from Olyphant and Goggins. To think their great dynamic was meant to have only lasted the pilot episode were it not for test audiences is crazy. Farewell, Harlan County.