Episode 4: Kokomo – Episode 4 picks right back up at nearly 10 pm with the standoff between Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook) and Skender Lulgjuraji (Alexander Pobutsky). As Sandy Stanton (Adelaide Clemens) closely monitors the situation, she finds herself appalled at the lengths Mansell is willing to go to. She even pleads with the man, as he threatens and brings down the electric garage door on Skender’s left leg.
Officer Norbert Bryl (Norbert Leo Butz) is his regular chiding self, despite his injuries, as Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) shows up at the ER to check on him and Wendell Robinson (Victor Holbrook) The dup was t-boned when Clement staged the vehicular subterfuge to arrange some much-needed alone time with Skender and Sandy. Maureen Downey (Marin Ireland) just as quickly joins the fray and reveals that the local DPD (Detroit Police Department) managed to track the group to a warehouse building in Corktown. As she updates them, Raylan can’t help noticing the Albanian-clad hallway while Norbert updates him on Skender’s condition. Without the right approach, his broken in 5 different places leg will just become an accidental fall. Although Norbert wants Mansell for murder, he’s willing to settle with an assault charge for now, so what’s the right approach? Raylan points out how the gathered Albanian club will likely try to go through Sandy to get at Mansell. This leads Raylan to suggest putting a car on Sandy at her place of employment and Wendell had the same idea as he arrives and announces to the crew that it’s already done. With Skender fresh out of surgery, Norbert claims he only needs 2 minutes with the Russian to make him sing.
Wendell doesn’t see it being that Skender is likely far more scared of his shot-calling uncle, Toma Costia (Terry Kinney). Without even conferring with his associates, Raylan seems to have a plan in mind and makes his approach to Skender’s room. His approach appears to be one of humor when he asks if the boy took a bad step. Raylan thinks that the boys in blue are asking the right question, but addressing them to the wrong person. Raylan wants to talk to the boss. It is Skender’s associate, Besnik Darke (Yosef Kasnetzkov) that points out they don’t have a boss, but Skender does need his privacy. Snubbing the claims, Raylan wisely points out that everyone has someone they must answer to. Raylan has a boss in Miami and would like to get back there. Using the enemy of my enemy theory Raylan proposes a potential deal, which lights a fire under Besnik. It only takes him mere minutes to confirm and arrange the meeting.
Much to Raylan’s surprise the meeting takes place in the very hospital, just in a different section. After introducing himself and Bryl, Raylan’s comments lead him to learn that Toma’s late mother preferred the location. Her fondness of the place inspired him to invest when the place was going through tough times. As Bryl shows empathy for Skender’s injury, Toma can’t help but point out that one does not have the benefit of choosing their family. Skender has proven time and time again that he has a predilection for making bad decisions. When Raylan suggests that now is the best time to start making some good ones, the crime boss launches into a tirade about order and justice. The police can offer order by arresting Mansell, but Toma isn’t interested in order.
Raylan can’t disagree with the man’s practical reasoning, but neither can he have groups of people running around and shooting at the wrong people. Toma quickly responds by pointing out that he won’t be shooting at the wrong people, he’ll be shooting at the Russians. Again to Raylan’s surprise, Norbert name-drops Clement Mansell and the fact that he’s not Russian. Asking for a minute alone with the crime boss, Raylan learns that the name means nothing to him, but that will change. Raylan subliminally suggests the man get in line, but patients aren’t one of Toma’s virtues. Joining Bryl in the corridor, Raylan chides him for virtually putting a hit out on their prime murder suspect.
D-Town Casino – Right on cue as Raylan suggested, Agron (Evan Mulrooney) and Besnik show out at the D-Town casino and question Rick (Ravi Patel) about Sandy. Although they spin a clever yarn about needing to speak with the girl in a wedding party they are also involved in, Rick proves even cleverer. The eye in the sky is always watching and it’s against company policy for him to reveal employee information. Although Rick offers free drinks and admittance to the VIP lounge, he will later regret not being more sharing. Returning to his vehicle in the parking garage, he is black bagged, raced around in the rear of his vehicle, and then dangled from the top floor of that same parking garage.
Law Offices Of Carolyn Wider – Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) deals with the surly Tyrone Power (Jalen Gilbert) who is sore about how uncomfortable his ankle monitor is. Not showing any empathy, she reminds him that he should be glad he’s not behind bars. Although she was anticipating his arrival, Carolyn finds herself dealing with the even curlier Raylan. His arrival does get her out of the room with Tyrone, but straight into an argument with the US Marshal. Despite her uncooperative nature thus far, Raylan is here to warn her about the Albanian threat. Having been defending killers for years, Carolyn isn’t a bit deterred. Plus, she believes in Mansell’s constitutional rights, no matter how horrendous the man is. Raylan genuine concern for the lady and his declaration that he is worried Mansell might try to hurt her falls on deaf ears.
Sweetie’s Bar – Sweetie’s (Vondie Curtis-Hall) night goes from bad to worse after he learns that despite his insurance being up to date, he can’t file a claim because the damage was done during a police raid. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s subsequently greeted by Mansell and Sandy. Sweetie doesn’t hold anything back when Mansell comments on the damage. Sweetie tells him the only reason the authorities were here in the first place was to look for that gun. Feeling ever so cocky, Mansell can’t resist pointing out that there is no such weapon to find because it’s sunk on the bottom of the river thanks to Sandy. Mansell’s cocky smirk is wiped off his face when Sandy finally admits that she didn’t dump the weapon in the river. She attributes her hesitance to too many spectators, while Mansell blames it on her marijuana consumption making her extra paranoid. Sweetie, on the other hand, feels that Mansell told the girl to plant it here to set him up.
Trying to help, Sandy only further muddies the waters when she points out that she only dumped it here because it was where Mansell got it in the first place. Sweetie thought he recognized the weapon. Mansell’s assurances to pay for the damage don’t go much further, either. It is only the revealing of the Judge’s Alvin Guy’s (Keith David) leather-bound journal that does the trick.
Maria’s Super Market –Rick is obviously operating on outdated information, but he has likely provided Agron and Besnik with the inroad they need to track down Sandy. Arriving at one of her associate’s ratty little apartments, they easily force their way in and coerce the girl to assist with their search. If sheer size alone wasn’t an indicator, Besnik is quickly revealed to be the brains of the operation as he lays out the plan for Hina (Jessika Van) to get in touch with Sandy. An impatient Sandy and an even more impatient Mansell dining at a local restaurant. Sandy eventually answers the nagging ringing at the behest of Mansell. Hina spins a yarn about a burst water pipe and water heading straight for Sandy’s closet.
Although Mansell calls the waitress over as if he is asking for the check or for his leftovers to be bagged, he instead chooses to argue with the lady over the grade of his steak. He launches into one of his philosophical tirades that only make sense to him. Both the Albanians are mystified as they eavesdrop on Hina’s side of the phone. Ending the call, it becomes clear that Mansell isn’t leaving until he gets his steak the way he wants it and this is only bad for Hina, who is going to begin losing teeth a designated intervals.
Sweetie’s Bar – Carolyn and Sweetie broach the hypothetical conversation they shared the other day in her office about the supposed murder weapon. Although Sweetie is apprehensive about his name coming up, it appears he could come out unscathed on both the wrecking crew and Judge murders. The only problem, however, is he would have to testify, which to him is as good as snitching. That doesn’t sit right with him especially since he’s already come up with a plan to get back at Mansell and make a load of money in the process. Reluctant to hear the man’s proposed offer and becoming an accomplice, Carolyn can’t resist asking what he has in store. He reveals that Judge Guy’s fabled black book is no fable at all. In fact, it is so real that it could make her a judge if that’s what she wants.
Maria’s Super Market – Raylan and Norbert are now in a prime position to watch Hina’s ruse unfold from the street in their patrol car. Norbert is of the mind to wait until Mansell shows up, let guns blaze, and then intervene. Raylan, however, wants to take the preemptive approach. Raylan, of course, wins the argument when he exits the unmarked cruiser and heads for the apartment. Giving Norbert the front, he inches his way around back. Raylan is shocked and has no option but to intervene when he sees through the parted curtain that the Albanians are making good on their dental threats. He kicks the back door in and Norbert follows suit from the front, butting off any reaction. With the upper hand, they disarm the Albanians. Hina, however, throws a hitch into everyone’s plan when she with the chair she’s tied to and thrusts her hips to swing the legs in Agron’s direction. The distraction provides Agron with the opening to sidestep Norbert’s line of fire, knock him down, and flee through the front. Besnik, however, doesn’t even move a muscle as Raylan still has him at gunpoint.
Norbert goes after the fleeing assailant and orders to stop are soon followed by several gunshots. When Norbert gives the all-clear, Besnik thinks about making a move but is halted by Raylan. Carted out in cuffs, Besnik breaks down at the sight of her dead friend. Mansell and Sandy just happen to be driving by at nearly the same time and a slow-motion play-by-play shows Mansell taunting the Marshal with a thumb and index finger gun.
Law Office Of Carolyn Wilder – Carolyn wishes an associate good night, while she heads to the parking garage to shake off a long day. Getting in her car, it doesn’t take long to see that she’s being followed. It doesn’t take her long to pick up the tail either. Surprisingly, this inspires her to call Raylan when she reaches a red light. Seconds later, she is shown pulling to the side of the road under an underpass where her pursuer also joins at a safe distance. Unfortunately, for the Albanians, they are surprised by the Marshal tapping the steel of his badge on the driver’s side window. He essentially tells them that Carolyn is off limits, via his orders. He even advises the men to relay that very message to Toma before joining the frightened lawyer. She’s even more troubled when Raylan reveals the dental distraction at Sandy’s apartment. Although she called Raylan, she’s not comfortable with learning that he’s placing someone outside her home as well. He suggests that if he has a problem with that, she’ll need to take it up with a judge. Raylan also lets her know that it isn’t a personal favor or a term of endearment. Carolyn is a major figure in this ongoing investigation. It’s his job to protect witnesses and that’s what he’s doing.
Del Weem’s Penthouse Suit – Mansell is more than happy to open the door that Weem’s posh high-rise suit to be greeted by none other than Sweetie. The man has come around and is ready to play ball with the judge’s black book. Mansell is back in his robe and underwear. Handing out drinks, Mansell doesn’t waste a second telling Sweetie that he will be key to his black book exploits. Sweetie is a man of the city, knows the people, and how best to get at them. Mansell needs Sweetie to make his plans work and offers fair compensation for those attributes.
Carolyn Wilder’s House – While Raylan keeps an eye on Carolyn and enjoys a picture of Willa Givens (Vivian Olyphant), Carolyn watches him from upstairs. Eventually taking pity on the man, she goes outside with a peace offering in the form of bourbon. She, however, wants him to know that the cordial act by no means change where they stand on the investigation. Her job is to defend her client and that’s what she’s going to do. The episode wraps with her asking if he plans on staying outside all night and him essentially responding that he’s playing things by ear.
Justified: City Primeval Review
Not the best, not the worst episode. Things pieces are certainly being maneuvered into strategic locations, and I am intrigued to battle unfold. I don’t particularly care for the rapport between Raylan and Norbert. For some reason, I feel like Wendell might have been a better running partner for Raylan. I don’t know if it’s the character or the actor. Norbert is wisecracking enough and offers opposition to Raylan’s views, but I feel something is missing there.
Mansell isn’t the most convincing psychopath, either. Some of his philosophical diatribes just don’t land for me. Despite that, I do feel that his character is much smarter than what most assume. I’ve already expressed how wrong I feel about Carolyn and Raylan’s relation. It seems pointless for her to call him when being followed while maintaining her hardened defendant shell. I understand it can be hard for some people of power to admit they are scared but something’s off there for me. Despite the negativity, I still enjoyed the episode, as uneventful as it might have been. For these reasons, I would have to score this one a 4.6 out of 10.
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