Backstabbers – The episode opens in Grosse Point, Michigan at the sprawling yet carelessly maintained home of Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor). Sitting in her pajamas, stewing over an IRS lien, the formidable lawyer gives an equally unmaintained appearance. Not sharing the misery alone, she leaves an angry voicemail on Jamal’s (Amin Joseph) phone, explaining the lien. Pointing out that this is his mess in the first place, the lien is revealed to be over $100,000. Her night only gets worse when she loud blaring music now emanating from her driveway. It’s none other than the beaten, bloodied, and drunken Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook).
Complying with her order, Clement kills the radio, while also revealing that he is perturbed with Carolyn’s lack of empathy. Although she tells him they can discuss it in her office tomorrow, he reveals everything to her. Clement’s warped indignation is that since Raylan Given (Timothy Olyphant) paid his girl an unexpected visit, it was only right for him to return the favor. Carolyn contributes it to the man deserving for messing with a US Marshal’s daughter.
Police Headquarters – Raylan has managed to get Willa Givens (Vivian Olyphant) to the safety of the local police headquarters where activity and agents are still sprawling, despite the late hour. He is joined in the bullpen by Maureen Downey (Marin Ireland), as the two of them discuss Willa’s gloomy disposition in the break area. Raylan doesn’t know how she’s doing or what she feels because Willa simply isn’t talking to him. The conversation quickly moves on from Willa to the case when Maureen points out that it’s 36 hours in and they have nothing. A nearby Wendell Robinson (Victor Williams) can only premise that their next best move is to pick up their lead suspects, Sweetie (Vondie Curtis-Hal, Clement Mansell, and Sandy Stanton (Adelaide Clemens). Maybe they’ll shake something loose. Before Raylan returns to collect his daughter, Maureen extends an invitation to both Willa and Raylan at her home.
Raylan begins gatherings Willa’s belongings from the break room and tells her they are making a trip to the local Marshal’s office. Willa’s response is to ask, “Then what? What about later? What about tonight?” Raylan insistency to focus on the here and now perturbs Willa, forcing her to continue nagging. This leads Raylan to ask what she wants from him. She wants a meal with her father, not a Coke, not a pack of nuts from a machine, but a real breakfast with her dad.
Local Diner – Convening to a free booth, it becomes immediately clear that Willa is not interested in eating when Raylan orders scrambled eggs, toast, and a cup of coffee. Willa, on the other hand, only wants tea and a lemon. It is also soon revealed that Willa was not crying in the previous episode because she was scared but because she was so upset with her father’s actions. She now makes that known by asking how badly he screwed up and if his mistakes were the reason for all the bustling activity at police headquarters. Raylan’s only defense is that the man is not only a killer, but he enjoys killing.
D-Town Casino – Despite the hysteria of the last couple of days, Sandy Stanton (Adelaide Clemens) is back at work shaking her tail and slinging drinks. That, however, doesn’t last long as seconds later Wendell is Mirandizing her in front of everyone. Sandy’s boss, Rick (Ravi Patel) doesn’t waste the moment to kick the girl when she’s down by pointing out that he knew it was just a matter of time.
Elsewhere, Sweetie is also picked up, but not before he has to sit idly by and watch his bar be ripped apart by the wisecracking Detroit Detective Norbert (Norbert Leo Butz). Shoving the search warrant for the murder weapon in Sweetie’s face, Norbert quips that he’s got a wrecking crew too. The takedown continues next with Mansell begin picked up at “Del Weem’s” casino suite. The suite is also ripped apart under the guise of searching for Judge Alvin Guy’s (Keith David) “diary.”
Back at breakfast, Raylan has finished his meal and his patience has run out. Leaving payment on the table, Raylan attempts to make his exit from the booth while Willa asks if she is slowing him down. Now on his feet, he quips that her little stunt last night certainly didn’t help. As her patience also wear thin, Willa tells her dad to tell her the truth. Not sure how to take her statement, he asks what she means. She feels like an interloper in her father’s life. Raylan’s life would be so much easier without her. Sitting back down, Raylan tries to tell her that she is his life. Raylan appears genuinely hurt that she doesn’t believe him, and he promises to make more of an effort, to do better. Willa points out that the best way to start is by not backstabbing her.
Interrogation Room – With all the suspects in custody it is the witty Detective Norbert that takes a run at Clement. Norbert can’t help but be impressed by how Clement walked about from the four homicides that authorities had him “dead to rights” on. Clement would leave town after getting cleared, but why return? Not only did he return but why would he come back to go after a Judge and his female associate? Using his own wit, Mansell responds by pointing out how Norbert’s square beard doesn’t come close to making up for his degrading hairline.
Wendell drew the stick of taking a run a Sandy, and he chooses experience to go at her. His 18 years on the force and 10 as a homicide detective contribute to him being able to read that “squeezed to death” look all over his suspect’s face. She has that same look now. She had it when she went into Sweetie’s place. She had it standing on the bridge. The difference was after exiting Sweetie’s the look was gone.
Speaking of Sweetie, it is Maureen that goes at him. She goes at him with a bit of bonding technique, starting with how she finds it amendable that he doesn’t snitch. That might be amendable, but with the man sitting in the “hot seat” for a double homicide, are his associates willing to offer the same?
While Norb and Maureen use Sandy ratting as a ploy to get at Clement and Sweetie, Wendell uses the knowledge of Sandy dumping the “murder weapon” at Sweetie’s bar. Sweetie asks for a lawyer and Clement is ready to blab as well, he just needs a tape recorder. When Norbert motions to the cameras in the far corner, Mansell feels they aren’t the same and wants and requests an original recorder. Mansell uses yet again another “White Strips” song, “We’re Going To Be Friends” to get his message across. While busting out the rendition, he approaches the one-way glass and directs the lyrics toward Raylan, who has been watching the whole thing go down.
Willa takes part in her very own Q&A when in the bullpen she runs into Carolyn. Willa wants to know if the lawyer enjoyed the drink, while also trying to point out that Raylan isn’t bad for a white guy. The lawyer now knows that it was Willa that sent the drink and not Raylan. Before Raylan is on the scene to drag Carolyn off, Carolyn does thank the girl and points out what a nice addition the sparkler was. Dragging her to the lobby, Raylan takes his frustration out on the lawyer. Affronted, she reminds Raylan that he is the one in the wrong for attacking a defenseless man. Raylan’s response is to point out that Mansell is the farthest thing for some misguided youth that needs guidance. He killed a Federal Judge and his assistant, Rose Doyle (Rae Gray). In fact, Raylan knows he did it. Before storming off, her response is for Raylan to prove it, the right way.
The Downey Residence – Raylan and Willa enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Downey house with Maureen and her husband Bill Downey (Dominic Fumusa). Raylan thanks the man to which he responds by reminding Raylan that he and Willa are much better off here than in some downtown hotel. His attempts to help with the dishes are shot down, which leads him to the living room where he enjoys a touching moment watching Willa interact with Downey’s much younger kids. Joining him later in the spare room as he contemplates heavily, Maureen professes to know exactly what’s on Raylan mind. Why go after Judge Guy and Rose? The two so as much didn’t know each other. Mansell was never in his courtroom. What’s the connection? He would figure that Mansell would go after the Albanian sticking it to his girlfriend. Leaving it at that, Maureen extends the invitation for as long as it is needed.
Sweetie’s Bar – As Sweetie and his associate, Trennell (Joseph Anthony Byrd) clean the wreckage from the executed warrant; Sweetie reveals that he has the murder weapon. Trennell not only encourages him to get rid of the weapon, but he adds how shameful this entire episode has been. Stashing the weapon in the jukebox, Sweetie reminds his associate that he is not only who and what he is, but he is far too old now to go and start changing.
Del Weems Suite – Clement wakes to nearby stirring. Joining her in the kitchen, he refers to her as “Suzy Homemaker,” before reminding her that it’s time to get back on track with their plan, meaning the scamming the Albanian. His doubts about her disposing of the gun become evident when he reapproaches the situation. Despite her hesitation during the interrogation, she doesn’t falter in relaying the lie to Mansell. With that settled, Mansell can’t help but ask what the heck an Albanian is anyway. She tells him that the Albanians in America are the “hard” ones. As Mansell expresses his doubt, she points out how they are willing to stand in for each other. You mess with one; you are messing with all of them. Skender Lulgjuraji (Alexander Pobutsky) even has a “panic room” in his home where he can hide associates should they need a safe harbor. Mansell is intrigued.
Courthouse –Sitting in the courthouse lobby and filling out an application for an Associate Judge Job causes Carolyn to take a hard look at her life. She finds it too depressing to go on and closes her laptop when she comes to the federal and state liens question. That doesn’t, however, stop her from sneaking into the nearby courtroom, sitting in the judge’s chair, and playing with the gavel.
Tirana Dog – Raylan uses some of his free time and immense Marshal Resources to play detective as he tracks down Skender and questions him about Sandy. Skender turns out to be quite the gregarious joker but doesn’t have an answer for Raylan’s question of whether a hotdog is a sandwich or not. He also doesn’t have much of an answer for Sandy’s whereabouts on the night Judge Guy and Rose were gunned down. Skender merely points out that he has told multiple law enforcement officials that Sandy is innocent. It doesn’t take Raylan long to learn that Skender is not only ludicrously rich thanks to his hot dog venture, but he is earnestly in love with Sandy. He claims they are soon to be married once he meets Sandy’s brother. Putting two and two together, Raylan realizes that the “not so intelligent” Skender is a mark. He doesn’t, however, know what to think about the man’s claims that a hot dog is a sandwich.
A Local Bar – That meeting is happening right now, and while Mansell might not be a mastermind either, he can spin quite the yarn. He busts into a huge rendition about his and Sandy’s poor hardworking mother being lost in a tornado in Lawton, Oklahoma. Skender offends him when his laughter questions the validity of his claims. Mansell, however, tells the man with the straightest face possible that it isn’t a lie. Mansell claims that the loss made him especially protective of his sister. Being that there are no secrets in their family, he wants to know how Skender avoids getting overrun with taxes from his hot dog dynasty. “Cash or gold bars?”
Outside the meeting, Raylan and Maureen have been on first watch and debate everything from problems sleeping to bizarre dreams and domestic bliss. Having been in there for nearly an hour, the “family meeting” should be about to finish up as Norbert and Wendell arrive to take the helm. As Maureen steers the SUV out, Raylan reminds Norbert that he has his cell if something should pop off. Confirming, Norbert also wishes him the best of luck with Willa.
Carolyn Wilder Law Offices – Sweetie joins Carolyn in her posh high-rise law office where he hits her with a “hypothetical.” If someone has a murder that could be linked to a Judge and several members of the “Wrecking Crew,” what would happen if the weapon randomly showed up? Her enigmatic response is, “Help me help you.” Not knowing how to respond, she blatantly tells him to turn it in and get this “cracker” off both their back for good. That would be fine with Sweetie, but wouldn’t he go to prison? Carolyn vows to not let that happen and offers to reach out to a known prosecutor.
The Downey Residence – Raylan carries Willa’s suitcases to his vehicle as she trails and probes him with questions. She’s under the impression they are going to a hotel, which he quickly reminds her isn’t the case. She just as quickly reminds him that her mother Winona (played by Natalie Zea in previous seasons) is out of town. Raylan’s response is, “Not anymore.” Willa can’t help but feel betrayed, “backstabbed, she puts it.” Raylan can’t do his job with her here and their being here is putting the Downey family at risk.
The Local Bar – Skender, Mansell, and Sandy continue to throw back shots and Skender plays more impaired than he actually is. Pretending to fall from his stool, he reveals the $27,000 engagement ring and proposes as much to Mansell as he does to Sandy. Mansell simply can’t have the man marrying his dear sister without seeing this secret room of his. In fact, he thinks the man made it up just to impress him. The unwitting Skender takes the bait and offers to show it to him. Stumbling outside, they make their way to Skenders’ sleek yellow Corvette. He and Sandy get in and Mansell follows in the Range Rover.
At the next street light, Mansell proves much wittier than he often appears, when he blocks traffic and provides Skender with a clean getaway. Waiting, lighting a smoke, and cranking the tunes, he continues to halt traffic until the light turns back red. Once it does, he dashes out. The trailing Wendell and Norbert attempt to follow but are soon t-boned. Later that evening, under the cover of darkness, Mansell joins the affectionate couple outside a complex. Taking them inside, the place is quite impressive; Skender reveals that he owns the entire complex. He bought it on the cheap and had it converted into high-end posh expensive condos. On the top floor, Skender’s penthouse is even more impressive than the lobby. Mansell skips the invitation to the drinks and gets right down to the secret room. With the location revealed, it doesn’t take Mansell long to notice the safe, which would be incredibly hard to miss seeing that it’s installed right in plain sight. Skender doesn’t even think twice about opening it when Mansell asks.
Mansell is troubled by the fact that the safe only houses randomly typical weapons, although they are fully loaded. Asking about the money, Skender claims that his money is tied up on the cash app, “Vemo.” Mansell has finally lost his cool or at least, he can no longer hide it. This leads him to take Skender at gunpoint and ask where he keeps his cash.
The Airport – Both sitting glumly in the airport, Raylan tries to ease Willa’s tension with the offer of a soda pop. When they call Willa’s flight for boarding, Raylan’s phone begins ringing. Choosing not to answer it, he stands and tries to convince Willa that this is extremely hard for him. While the phone continues to ring, Willa pleads with her father to let her stay. She even brings back his earlier suggestions of visiting Memphis or Graceland. The phone is still ringing and Raylan now uses it as a distraction. Upon answering the phone, Maureen only has time to tell Raylan that she’s at Skender’s place and there is some damage before Raylan notices Willa is gone. He watches her board the plane without turning to acknowledge him. Midway in the terminal, she breaks into tears as Raylan tells the beckoning Maureen that he’s on his way.
Justified: City Primeval Review
Unfortunately, this was not the most thrilling episode. Some scenes dragged on for what felt like forever. On a good note, there were aspect worth appreciating. Whatever Sweetie has hanging over Mansell’s head is just one example. Whether he’ll use it hangs in the balance but the opportunity alone felt vindicating. There was little effort put into Mansell’s beating and Raylan’s repercussions. Skender turned out to be more of a likable character than I imagined.
The entire “long con” aspect is incredibly lacking. It would have been more effective with more ingenuity. The highlight of the episode, Willa may be gone for good. If she weren’t forced down my throat for 3 or 4 more episodes, she could grow on me. I enjoyed the interrogation scene, minus Mansell’s weak “White Stripes” rendition of such a great song. I would regrettably give the episode a 4.6 out of 10.
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