Justified

Whether you've followed the show to this point or not, you can tune in and savor smart TV drama at its best.

Lean, laconic, precise and as carefully word-crafted as any series on TV, there's pretty much nothing here to suggest that the third season won't be as good as the second--or better.

Justified continues to explode with superb writing, complex characters and rich acting.

As you'd hope from a show based on Elmore Leonard's work, the plots snap, the dialogue crackles and--to press on with the point--the characters pop.

The first three episodes are full of impressively strong criminals. [23 Jan 2012, p.40]

The new Justified is so tightly plotted that it finds room for all these characters, as well as episodes shinning a spotlight on the series sterling supporting players. [27 Jan 2012, p.63]

The sheer number of colorful characters maneuvering keeps things lively.

The first three episodes of Season 3 indicate there has been no slippage at all, but rather a digging in of the philosophy at hand.

Justified doesn't come close to losing control of its narrative.

The Mags's-money plotline masterfully brings together Boyd's crew, featuring Raylan's farther, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), Limehouse's camp, an incarcerated Dickie Bennett (Jeremy Davies), the dimwitted Dewey Crowe (Damon Herriman), and Raylan, along with fellow marshal Rachel Brooks (Erica Tazel) in a string of energetic scenes boasting some tremendous acting and increasingly clever dialogue that truly carries the lively spirit of author Elmore Leonard's original work.

Raylan Givens is off his game, but Justified is as sharp as ever.