City Primeval – The pilot episode opens deep in the sweltering Everglades with Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) delivering a chocolate cone to his teenage daughter, Willa Givens (Vivian Olyphant). After a bit of witty back-and-forth, it becomes clear Willa views camp as a disciplinary measure for hitting a classmate. As he begins to explain why she can’t stay with him for the summer, their Lincoln is rear-ended by a truck driven by Tyrone Power (Jalen Gilbert). The armed carjacker demands a vehicle swap. Hector (Eddie Martinez) is mesmerized by Willa. As Tyrone checks her out, Rylan grabs his rifle from the warped truck. The carjackers are shocked when he shoots out their front tire. He and Willa speed away from the scene.
37 Miles outside of Detroit, Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook) stops at a gas station, pulling in behind hunter (Daniel E Pfeiffer). The hunter points out the numerous empty pumps. Clement cuts the ropes holding the hunter’s deer carcass before jumping behind the wheel of his timeless SS Chevelle. He cranks on the tape player as “Seven Nation Army” fills the air.
Rose Doyle (Rae Gray) and Judge Alvin Guy (Keith David) discuss his newly installed remote start. He engages the remote to only watch his vehicle implode. It becomes clear that an attempt was made on the Judge’s life. Unscathed, Guy arrives at the Third Circuit Judicial Court docket hearing. Aware of the assassination attempt, the Prosecutor (Marc Grapey) requests a continuance but Guy isn’t having it. Raylan is the first to take the stand to testify what he knows about narcotics dealer and carjacker, Tyrone. The Prosecutor requests no bail but defense Attorney Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) disagrees. CCTV footage reveals Raylan made several personal stops en route to the courthouse with Tyrone and Hector. She points out he threatened to put them in the trunk for non-compliance. A clip shows Willa watching cat videos on her phone, causing a giggling uproar in the courtroom. The Judge threatens to hold her in contempt when Raylan intervenes, earning him a bunk next to his daughter’s. The Judge drops all Florida against Tyrone.
Chief Briggs (Ronald L. Conner) escorts Willa and Raylan to his office to speak with Wendell Robinson (Victor Williams). He says a newly formed task force has been formed to track down Guy’s assailant. Raylan tells him about the arrangement he has with Willa. Briggs assures him that the case will be solved in less than 24 hours since they have a suspect in mind.
D-Town Casino – Sandy Stanton (Adelaide Clemens) is thrilled to see Clement but her boss is already giving her a hard time. He boasts of being able to provide for her financially, so she no longer needs a job. She says her job contributes to the penthouse suite. It takes little persuasion to get her to join him for a sexual interlude. Looking at the owner’s collection of suits, he discovers one that belongs to Del Weems, one of Sandy’s new acquaintances. Unlike Skender Lulgjuraj (Alexander Pobutsky), Del is a high roller. He suggests robbing Del instead of Skender until he learns his fortune is tied up in investments. Skender has access to cash.
Armada, Michigan – Among a convoy of Marshals and law enforcement, Raylan assesses their surroundings through his binoculars. As the team prepares to conduct a raid, he asks the tactical leader (Justin Melnick) about his K9. A detective (Kevin Lingle) says the K9 is a special breed. Raylan introduces a what-if scenario when Maureen Downy (Marin Ireland) introduces herself. The raid doesn’t produce a single suspect, only bomb-making paraphernalia. Maureen leads Raylan into the kitchen for coffee when they discover a floor hatch leading to an underground tunnel. As the team treks through the tunnel Barry Tenderbock (Ian Bratschie) and Jim Welling (Adam Wesley Brown) are enjoying a smoke near the end. A glare from a tactical light urges them to scatter to their dirt bikes, one of which completely malfunctions. Barry escapes, leaving Jim in the clutches of a K9. He announces the bombing was personal.
Sweetie’s Bar – Sweetie (Vondie Curtis-Hall) directs Carolyn to her ex-husband, Jamal (Amin Joseph) with a head gesture. He landed in prison after losing his practice and defrauding her. He informs her of his accounts being scoured over by his creditors. He warns that their findings could be harmful to both of them. After running him off, Sweetie slips her an envelope filled with cash, less than usual. He receives a call from Clement.
Courthouse – Guy voices his disappointment that the task force hasn’t found his assailant. After failing to convince him to go somewhere private, Raylan informs him that the assassination attempt is related to his relationship with Rose. He warns of the outcome if the story surfaces. Reminding him of his 20-year service, Guy assures him there are many more stories that they don’t want to surface.
Sweetie’s Bar –Sandy and Clement reunite with Sweetie before Clement retrieves a hidden pistol from the restroom. She is unnerved by the gun.
Tenderbock’s House – After scoping out Ms. Tenderbock’s (Jeanette O’Connor) house, Barry joins her inside. She confronts him about the car bombing. He admits to blowing up Guy’s car because he took advantage of her. She assures him that she enjoyed it. As law enforcement closes in, he decides to take her hostage, forcing her into the pantry. Trying to convince him to give himself up, Raylan says no one was injured when Guy’s car exploded. Barry cracks the door before warning that he has a demand when the local PD kicks the door in. She admonishes their behavior. Raylan agrees suggesting it wasn’t necessary.
Diner, Detroit – Raylan and Willa discuss their travel plans from Detroit to Harlan, KY. He spots Carolyn with Diane (Regina Taylor) discussing a plea deal for a client. Carolyn says the deal must offer a three-month sentence reduction to be acceptable. Diane points out that she has Raylan’s attention.
D-Town Casino – Sandy is joined at the bar by her boss, Rick (Ravi Patel). He tells her that she isn’t on the schedule. She says it isn’t her shift before walking away. At a nearby table, Guy and Rose discuss their affair. Clement watches Sandy and Skender from a blackjack table. A short time later, he joins them outside to a parking garage where Skender’s sports car is parked. When Guy and Rose nearly mow him down, he loses sight of Sandy and puts Skender on the back burner. Guy orders Sandy to contact the police when his vehicle is rear-ended. He pulls up to a gated community just in time to be hit again. He grabs a weapon from the glove compartment. After shooting him, Clement searches his body to find his “Little Black Book of Secrets.” He orders Rose to get out of the vehicle. He demands to know Guy’s address.
Learning Guy lives in the wealthy suburb of Palmer Woods, he asks Rose if he is a drug dealer. He rants about always wanting to live in a large house. At a red light, she flees only to get a few blocks before he guns her down.
Raylan arrives at the scene. The detective suggests they missed something. Lou Whitman (Kenn E. Head) fills Raylan in. Maureen informs them of Rose’s body being found four miles away. Raylan says Rose was a CI as well as Guy’s assistant. Rose is an innocent victim who got caught in the middle of whatever Guy was involved in. He finds Willa asleep as the episode ends.
Justified City Primeval Review
All in all, not a bad episode at all! I was surprised at how familiar the show felt. If it wasn’t for the three or four bigoted claims made within the first 15 to 17 minutes of the show, this series have felt like it picked right back up where it left off many years ago. Of course, there is the presence of Willa also who is not a welcome addition to me. I can’t help but think if she wasn’t Timothy’s real daughter, she would have never been gifted the role. It’s not so much that her acting is subpar. It’s unclear if she is trying to tap into a Southern draw or its her natural voice.
Clement is an interestingly new callous supervillain of sorts and there are plenty of opportunities for lots of side story arcs. The soundtrack doesn’t really fit the plot. Giving the premiere a 5.6, I’d have to say that I am looking for to seeing this one play out.
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