Last week FX debuted it's newest original show, Justified. The premise involves U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (played by Timothy Olyphant) returning to his rural Kentucky hometown after being reassigned for questionable practices. Once back home, he soon discovers the town has gone to hell in a hand basket. The main culprit of the chaos is a neo-nazi he was once friends with named Boyd Crowder (played by Walton Goggins).For anyone who has seen Deadwood, you will immediately being to draw parallels to Olyphant's character Seth Bullock who similarly was the law man in a small town. This could be good and bad for the show. Deadwood was an amazing show and Olyphant's portrayal of the historical sheriff of the town is top notch. In that aspect Justified could prove to be intriguing with Olyphant's ability to steal scenes with his intimidation, much like in the pilot where he dispenses an unwanted guest at a lady friend's house. On the other hand, we could be in store for more of the same which would be unfortunate to say the least. Olyphant's character in Justified already wears a 10-gallon hat and cowboys boots, I wouldn't be surprised if he started riding a horse either.
For the show to succeed they need to shed the typecast Olyphant has had placed upon him by myself, or any other viewer of Deadwood. This is not his fault, but he must know that some of those watching the show will get this feel. Goggins is a great bad guy, but I have a feeling his role is not long for the show (Spoiler Alert: He gets shot in the chest in the first episode, but does survive...for now). Who will become the anti-hero? That is what made Deadwood so great; having Al Swearengen (played by Ian McShane) to battle for control of the town against Olyphant's Bullock. We are only 1 episode in so I will continue to hope for the best.
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