Timothy Olyphant’s Western TV Show ‘Justified’ Gets Better Every Year

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The story begins in Miami, Florida, in 2010. U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens confronts a criminal, Tommy Bucks, by a hotel pool. He’d already warned Bucks to leave town, and now he’s ready to enforce that ultimatum. Bucks tries to appear fearless, but Raylan calmly reveals his plan: he’ll drop a tablecloth and shoot when it hits the ground. Bucks attempts to preempt him, but fails miserably. The scene ends with Bucks dead and Raylan, known for his quick draw, victorious – a clear signal that this is going to be an exceptional story, titled Justified.

Some people believe we’re experiencing a new peak for TV Westerns, even surpassing classic shows like Gunsmoke and Wagon Train. While there are plenty of modern cowboy shows to choose from, few are as good as Justified. This series, based on the work of Elmore Leonard, stars Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, a tough federal marshal with his own distinct way of delivering justice. Walton Goggins provides a memorable performance as a frequent antagonist. Over time, Justified has become increasingly significant, largely because it stands out from everything else on television.

Like a Marksman, ‘Justified’ Never Missed


FX

Lots of Western TV shows are out there, but finding one that’s consistently well-made is tough. For instance, while Yellowstone started out okay, its first season wasn’t a critical success – it only received a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show’s quality has varied throughout its run, and the most recent season wasn’t well-received. Similarly, Landman began promisingly, but its second season was a major disappointment.

Luckily, Justified is consistently engaging – you won’t find yourself distracted by endlessly scrolling through old photos. The show is a fantastic neo-Western crime drama, with all six seasons receiving a score of 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes – and three seasons even achieved a perfect 100% rating. Now the question is: does it stack up against classics like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad? It’s time to discuss.

This show is a classic – it just gets better with time. The connection between Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins is truly special, and the show feels incredibly real thanks to its thoughtful look at society. It’s been eleven years since the original series finished, and nothing else has come close to matching its quality. Even the recent limited series, Justified: City Primeval, which aired in 2023, was a standout.

A Strong Cast Boosts the Appeal of ‘Justified’


FX

The show Justified expertly uses classic Western tropes – a talented gunslinger, a memorable villain, a rugged frontier setting (Eastern Kentucky, in this case), and thoughtful dialogue that explores complex moral issues. But what truly makes the show special are the fantastic performances by its cast. While they didn’t receive much awards recognition at the time, overshadowed by actors in more popular shows, their incredible work is now being fully appreciated.

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It’s common for actors from popular TV shows to struggle finding significant roles after the series ends, leading fans to lose track of them. However, the cast of Justified is different – most have continued to thrive and enjoy successful careers. Unlike many shows, you don’t have to wonder what happened to the actors from this FX favorite.

Walton Goggins’ recent performances in shows like Fallout and The White Lotus are introducing him to a new generation of fans, who are now checking out his earlier work. Timothy Olyphant is experiencing a similar boost – he’s clearly made the right career choices, and probably doesn’t dwell on not being cast as Dominic Toretto years ago. With a strong resume including Alien: Earth and Fargo, he’s consistently been in successful projects. The talent doesn’t stop there, with cast members like Kaitlyn Dever (The Last of Us) and Sam Elliot (1883, Landman) also proving their skills. All this makes it clear: it’s time for Justified to finally get the recognition it deserves. It’s a truly exceptional show, and one that will be hard to match.



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2026-02-07 21:39