This Adaptation was JUSTIFIED

After the premier of JUSTIFIED i found myself cautiously optimistic about the future of this Elmore Leonard adaptation. It had all the ingredients for success, but I was worried about the downfalls of episodic television. This viewing experience isn't nearly as fulfilling as a serialized drama with a continuous thread. Luckily, my worries appear to have been avoided.
The success of JUSTIFIED revolves around the combination of fun week-to-week adventures and an evolving plot line that allows characters to grow. The unison of these two elements differentiates the show from Law and Order and LOST, which represent the two extremes of this equation.
JUSTIFIED doesn't get bogged down in each episode's crime, which can be light and fluffy or heavy and dangerous. What makes this style palatable in this instance, though, is that it all swallows relatively easy and doesn't feel like you're being force fed implausibilities. Sure, the crimes are easy to solve and play out in convenient manners, but that's just a testament to how great the U.S. Marshalls are. I mean c'mon, we've all seen the FUGITIVE. (Ok, so i'm an apologist for Timothy Olyphant.)
Speaking of Tim, he has made the role of Raylan Givens into one of the best characters on television. In the aftermath of this show, he has the potential to be remembered more for this character than "Montana" on DEADWOOD.
Yet, while I love every moment with our hero, I'm particularly smitten with Joelle Carter's character, Ava Crowder. While 85% of my infatuation may revolve around her physical traits, her drawl and demeanor separate her from the pack.
The most compelling person to watch on JUSTIFIED right now is Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder. He was recently released from prison, and has taken over the role of preacher to the persons prone to crime. His over the top performance is so much fun to watch, and was aptly described by the character's cousin, who couldn't tell if the religious conversion was bullshit or real. (That's a good thing. I think)
Ultimately, it is the supporting characters who keep the show grounded and maintain my interest. The converse is true about a show like DEXTER, where the performance of Michael Hall is basically the only reason to turn in. DEXTER ends up feeling so hollow because the other actors can't keep up with Hall's lead, whereas the supporting players on JUSTIFIED are valuable assets. You get the conflicted ex-wife, the hilarious boss, evil patriarch and a new bad guy guest star each week.
JUSTIFIED represents the best of writing and acting, which work in conjunction to elevate each other's game.
I would recommend this show for anyone not involved and looking for something to replace LOST, 24 or Law and Order.
If you already watch the show, what do you think? Is my praise JUSTIFIED?

The Week in Review

This is the second installment of my week in review segment. Based on last week's responses no one read it or everyone was just apathetic about it. Regardless, I will try again with week 2.
1. On the Celebrity Apprentice things got more catty than usual, as we finally realized last year's Joan Rivers vs. Annie Dukes rivalry in the form of Cyndi Lauper vs. a WWE Diva. (Sure, I could look up her name, but I won't.)
I totally love the Diva, who has proven herself to be a valuable asset and doesn't deserve the diva moniker i'm using. Lauper on the otherhand, was a terrible director of talent and basically just reminded me of my mom. Granted, my mom is a smart lady who runs a newspaper, but at home she has the same kind of attention deficit disorder and dictatorial tendencies that Cyndi exhibits.
Anyway, the two ladies butted heads, adding another enemy to Lauper's growing list of haters.
In the end, though, it was Goldberg who was sent home. He deferred to Brett Michaels and ended up losing, but kept on smiling. (That joke makes sense if u watch the show. If not, then just know that Goldberg was adamant about smiling. Ok, it doesn't work.)
2. On Monday there was no Chuck. But, I did get a return of HOUSE, even if it was 8 days after its originally airing since I watch it on HULU.
(Editor's Note: Not only is this week in review dated, it includes shows that are two weeks old! If you think we're editing this for valuable content, then think again. The only thing we took out was naked pictures of Cyndi Lauper that David photo-shopped, because we don't want to get sued.)
The episode was directed by Hugh Laurie, and it actually offered a different style as almost every scene revolved around the interplay of two characters. This was the product of some terrible scripting that required the hospital to be shutdown after a baby is misplaced and forced Cuddie to think unconventionally at the end of the show. The whole thing was uninspiring, especially the David Strathairn scenes that wasted a great actor in boring scenes opposite Hugh Laurie. Oh yeah, there was also stupid sex between Chase and Cameron. Basically HOUSE sucks. I WANT CHUCK
3. Why didn't I remember to DVR JUSITIFIED?!?!? Now i have to wait for it to show up OnDemand, which seems to take forever. So blame the stupid network's OnDemand provisions for my inability to comment on this show.
4. Wasn't wild about the Madonna episode on GLee. Loved the Like A Virgin remake, which was uber hot, but felt it was covered better in MOULIN ROUGE.
5. FLASHFORWARD killed off an interesting character in a surprising way. Well the death itself was more surprising, since i didn't think the writers would have the balls to kill off a compelling character without a bigger payoff. The death is proposed earlier in the episode, but I thought there would be a too convenient way around this outcome. But no, this guy gets wacked and the show opened another can of worms it will never close if it gets canceled.
6. FRINGE was really good. Not just episodic good, but serialized excellence was on display. Peter (joshua Jackson) finally learned that he's from the other dimension and responded by going on the lam. I also love the bad guy, whoever he is, and look forward to more tussles with him.
7. The food revolution met it's match in the series finale, and the winner was a lack of self-control! Boy I hate Jamie Oliver and hope I never have to hear from him again. Some people admired him personally and others appreciated his task, while I just hoped West Virginia would be bombed. I did get to learn that the Rascal Flats are a huge band, according to Jaime. Thanks!

SO this review didn't hit everyday or every show i watch, but offers you a little glimpse of the crap i devour. (Crap Jamie Oliver lets me eat with no second thought)

Justifiably Good TV

First of all, sorry for the stupid headline.
Second, if you're wondering why I'm writing about something other than LOST on Tuesday night it's because i'm still reeling from the show I watched subsequently after LOST.
Tonight I experienced the debut of FX's JUSTIFIED. The show is based on a story by Elmore Leonard and stars one of my favorite actors of all time, Timothy Olyphant.
I am by no means a fan of Leonard's writing, in terms of character development, dialogue, and plot progression. I do love the world's he creates, which makes it so much more insufferable to read how he squanders his setup. The beauty of JUSTIFIED the tv series, though, is that it was written by someone else and in their own style.
Often enough scribes try to emulate Leonard's style, and it's a failure, as was the case with the recent Killshot. There you have an interesting premise, but it's flushed down the toilet by Leonard's shortcomings and is followed by the movie adapter.
In JUSTIFIED someone apparently knew what to leave alone and what to radically change, because the result is excellent. We have enough of the slow methodical pacing of Leonard, but it's punctuated by worthwhile lines and not just reliant on disappointing climaxes.
Most of JUSTIFIED's success rests on the back of Olyphant, who plays the 19th century law man in the 21st century world with ease and the fierce intensity of now. He's a man who recognizes the world he's in and acts accordingly, but doesn't abandon his principals or bend his style for fashion's sake. (Not just talking about his cowboy hat.)
JUSTIFIED doesn't appear to be a sprawling epic. At first glance it seems like an episodic television show, with the rare occurrence of story evolution. While plots may be contained in one episode, characters will not end up in the same place by the end of the hour.
There is a underlining current that pits Olyphant (no idea what his character's name is) against his old mining buddy. This will be the undercurrent of the show, much like Jeffrey Donovan on Burn Notice. In that case he has a overarching quest that is interrupted by weekly adventures. Something similar will happen here, albeit on a much higher level.
The only other character we got to know besides the protagonist and antagonist was the girl trapped in the middle, AVA (Joelle Carter). I have no idea who Carter is, and I'm embarrassed to say i don't recognize her. I can confidently say this, though, the writers of the show would be wise to extend her arc as long as possible. She is captivating on screen. There is something about her look, accent and sensibilities that just ooze charm and charisma. Anyway, i looked her up and she was the girl Jason Biggs fails to have sex with in the opening scene of American Pie 2. (Just thought you should know.)
Maybe i haven't done a good job explaining this show, and that's because it's not a show that is easy to quantify. It relies on glances, one liners and a beautifully shot scene. The closest comparison would be something like NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and that speaks to the amazing things being done on cable television.
Anyway, I'd strongly recommend this show to anyone who likes Cable television. I'd also recommend it for network nitwits who are ready to play with the adults.