Adios – The episode opens with Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) in bed staring at the blinking red light on the fire alarm. He receives a visit from Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor). She asks if he is still interested in seeing how Judge Alvin Guy’s (Keith David) book ties everything together. He warns her to be cautious about what she says next. She questions if she can trust him. He suggests she doesn’t already fully trust him. She says the things she wants to do with the book may not be legal but are justified. He invites her inside.
Bulldozer Burt is nearly attacked by a dog while visiting Lonny (Kevin Anderson). They discuss Lonny’s living arrangements, which he blames on Burt. Burt reminds him that he betrayed his trust. Lonny admits that he is a thief. Burt tells him that he collects art before claiming a piece was misappropriated. Lonny asks if he wants him to get it back. Burt says yes but no one needs to be harmed. He shows him a picture of the Stanley Garlick painting and Clement Mansell, who has it. Lonny complains about the missed severance package. Burt tells him that was part of the deal for not being indicted.
In a dark parking garage, Mansell tells Sweetie (Vondie Curtis-Hall) that he prefers pre-90s tape decks. Sweetie suggests buying a tape deck to carry with him when a vehicle pulls up behind them. Mansell alerts of their guy arriving before asking if he has the page. Sweetie reminds him that they’ve already agreed on Sweetie handling the face-to-face meetings.
While Mansell monitors the situation, Sweetie leaves to talk with the guy. Upon returning Sweetie hands him an envelope. After counting the cash, Mansell asks why they are $3,000 short. Sweetie says the man claims that is all he has. Mansell calls him a cocky liar because anyone that has $12,000 surely has $15,000. As Sweetie questions their next move, Mansell throws the car in reverse and rams into the man’s car door. Sweetie watches as Mansell pursues the man. Upon reuniting, Mansell claims the guy leaped to his death.
The Detroit Precinct – A shocked Maureen Downey (Marin Ireland) asks Raylan to slow down because he’s offering too much to take in. She questions if he saying Sweetie and Mansell have Judge Guy’s book and are using it to shakedown the people listed inside. She asks if his next suggestion is to arrest Mansell while he still has it in his possession. He says it would be like getting him “dead to rights” before announcing he already has a name from the book in mind. She questions if Mansell will show instead of Sweetie, or if they’ll even be interested. Raylan tells her there are variables, but waiting increases the odds of someone getting killed. When he suggests an alternative route, she assumes he is sleeping with Carolyn.
Sweetie’s Bar – Lonny arrives to find Sweetie away from the office. He bribes Trennell (Joseph Anthony Byrd) for his whereabouts. Trennell tells him to call and find out for himself. Lonny says he doesn’t have the number and will just wait until he returns.
Del Weem’s Penthouse – Counting their $12,000 take, Sandy Stanton (Adelaide Clemens) questions why Sweetie is so mad. Mansell sarcastically repeats the question before saying people need to know their threats are real. Sweetie continues to sulk while Mansell relates the experience to a car salesman tacking on fees right before the buyer signs the contract. Counting the money, Sandy questions why she isn’t packing her bags for Aruba.
Mansell informs her that “Mr. Grumpy Guts” gets half. Seeing the Stanley Garlick painting, Sweetie receives a call about Lonny’s unexpected visit. When Sandy mentions leaving town, Mansell says they don’t have enough cash. He promises to not let anything bad happen to her before leaving.
Courthouse – Maureen suggests only telling Wendell Robinson (Victor Williams), Norbert Bryl (Norbert Leo Butz), and a few uniforms about their intel. She wants to be in charge, in case, it goes bad it will fall back on her. He agrees as the court lets out. They approach Diane (Regina Taylor) who shoos them away because of her bad day.
In the privacy of her office, Diane assures them that her name in Guy’s book is nothing more than words on a page. Maureen tells her that the judge documented the bribes that the two of them received for letting cops off the hook. She warns that the accusation alone is enough to end any career. Diane accuses them of trying to blackmail her. Raylan says they are not asking her to do anything that a typical CI (confidential information) wouldn’t be asked to do. When Diane points out that they don’t have the book, Raylan reminds her of Darryl Franklin.
Sweetie’s Bar – Lonny asks Trennell how long he’s worked there. Trennell claims he “helps out” at the bar, he doesn’t work there. Lonny sarcastically asks after seven years why Sweetie doesn’t tell him where he’s going when Sweetie arrives. Once alone, Lonny and Sweetie discuss Sweetie’s reputation. The subject turns to the painting, and Trennell tells Sweetie he has an urgent call.
Stepping away to take the call, Sweetie is greeted by Diane who tells him rumors are circulating about him having Guy’s book. She admits her name is in the book and wants it removed and asks what it would cost. He says the price depends on her. She offers to go up to 30. He accepts the offer when Maureen hands her a note with the meeting details. Diane reads the message to him before identifying herself.
Sweetie tells Lonny that the call was from a woman who claims to have a meeting at 5 with Mansell. Lonny asks where they are meeting. Sweetie asks how badly he wants to be paid. Lonny says he’ll kill if it means getting paid. Sweetie refuses to give up the location until Lonny promises to kill Mansell. When Lonny says he’s not getting paid enough, Sweetie slides him $6,000 in cash. Sweetie claims the woman will have $30,000 on her. Pocketing the cash, Lonny asks about the painting. Sweetie agrees to include it in the deal, but only if Mansell dies.
Sometime later, Mansell blames his being late on a trip to Flat Rock to pick up a Chevelle. Sweetie asks if he took it because of the radio. Mansell says yes before offering Sweetie to experience the radio firsthand. Sweetie claims to be meeting with a woman to collect on the book. Mansell asks why Sweetie collecting without him. Sweetie reminds him of how rash he is before giving him the meeting details.
Art Studio – Sandy attempts to sell the Stanley Garlick painting to a receptionist (Neal Dandade) because she needs the money for her mother’s medical bills.
Sweetie’s Bar – Carolyn calls Sweetie to warn him to avoid Mansell today. He assures her he has no plans to be around Mansell today. He voices concerns about her plans interfering with plans he’s set in motion. She urges him to cancel his plans before reminding him to stay away from Mansell. Sweetie attempts to reach Lonny but has to leave a voice message.
Waltham Park – Upon arriving at the park, Lonny spots Diane adjusting her earpiece. Pretending to use his phone, he watches her. Maureen alerts her team that Sweetie is late. Wendell assures her 5 minutes isn’t late when Mansell arrives. Maureen tells the team to be ready to move at the sight of the book or gun. When Mansell approaches Diane, she asks if they spoke earlier on the phone. He denies speaking with her but tells her the conversation was about him. She asks if he brought the book. When he asks about the money, she demands to see her page. He insists that he’s had some bad luck with people lately and will need to see some cash before revealing anything. Lonny begins to approach with a switchblade as Mansell warns Diane not to question his will to cause her harm in public. Maureen orders her team to move in. As Mansell makes another demand, he notices Diane’s attention is diverted to the approaching Raylan and Wendell. Concealing the switchblade, Lonny passes by undetected as Raylan demands to see Mansell’s hands. While Maureen cuffs Mansell, he antagonizes Raylan while challenging him to a shootout. Raylan informs him that there aren’t any ranges where he’s going. Mansell tells Raylan he talking about a street shootout. Raylan tells him that he’d have to confirm that with his Chief before asking why Mansell killed the judge and girl. Uniforms lead Mansell away when he questions what difference it makes.
Raylan thanks, Diane. She expresses her desire to get her name out of the book even though she’ll never sit on the judge’s bench. Maureen announces Mansell has no punishable evidence on him. Raylan silently watches Mansell’s release as Maureen vows that they will get him the right way.
On The Road – Wendell questions Raylan about his silence and he voices his suspicions about the arrest. When Wendell claims they were outsmarted, Raylan reminds of all the luck Mansell has had as of late. He questions if there isn’t some combination of the book, the dead judge, and Mansell making people act out of character. He goes on to suggest they might be getting played. Wendell tells Raylan he won’t even discuss that possibility.
Carolyn Wilder’s House – Raylan updates Carolyn about Mansell before suggesting they visit last night’s conversation. He is specifically interested in the part where he said he wanted more. He claims all he’s gotten so far is a bruised ego and a monster who thinks he’s untouchable. She suspects that Mansell has always thought he was untouchable. When she asks if he wants the book, he says he wants the information she doesn’t want to reveal. She invites him inside.
Sweetie’s Bar – Lonny informs Sweetie about the setup and claims to not have gotten his message until things already played out. When Sweetie says he already knows, Lonny mentions Mansell’s arrest. Revealing his presence, Mansell asks Sweetie about his new friend. After quick introductions, Mansell encourages them to continue their conversation. Lonny’s phone interrupts and after being ordered to answer it, Mansell shoots him in the head. Mansell hoists his new tape deck on the bar and tells Sweetie that his suggestion of a portable tape deck was spot on. He encourages Sweetie to kill the jukebox so he can play him a demo. Arriving at the jukebox, Mansell expresses his disgust over Sweetie not having his back and never wanting to get his hands dirty. Mansell threatens Sweetie to get him to unplug the jukebox. Sweetie refuses to answer Mansell’s questions about his voice. Mansell attempts to get Sweetie to shut his eyes, but he says Mansell will need to look him in the face if he going to shoot him. Mansell shoots him in the chest and burns the bar. Trennell spot the fire from across the street and arrives just as an explosion goes off.
Justified: City Primeval Review
The show is getting much better now that things are coming together, but there are some troubling parts. Take the meeting for instance. When Mansell meets Diane, she asks if he is the man she spoke to. His response is no, but I am the man the conversation was about. Nothing about Mansell was mentioned during that conversation. The arrest and subsequent release of Mansell felt extremely anticlimactic. I know Sweetie was expected, but they had to at least consider whoever showed up might not have incriminating evidence on them.
The constant referrals to Cement as the white boy are a bit played out as well. Still not a terrible episode. I would give it a 5 out of 10 and look forward to the next.
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