Anticipating Justified

My daughter and I are salivating over the previews of the new FX drama, Justified starring Timothy Olyphant. The show, from the trailers, appears to have all the elements we like: an alpha male hero, a setting that could easily be Texas, dramatic story lines, and lots of action. Oh, did I mention he carries a big gun in a hip holster? Rather phallic I know, but it works on an elemental level. Another thing, Olyphant looks, acts, and sounds hot. Actually, sound has a lot to do with why I find him appealing.

Voice Has It

Olyphant played the villain in most of the roles I associate with him, but he’s been immensely appealing nonetheless because he’s got such a distinctive voice that draws your attention. I think charisma is indicated often by the quality of the sound of a voice. If there’s any truth to that theory, Olyphant is a charismatic hero who should attract a huge following – if Justified is as well-written as the Elmore Leonard character who inspired it.

Website PR

“JUSTIFIED is the story of Deputy U.S. Marshal RAYLAN GIVENS (Timothy Olyphant), a true-blue hero and something of a throwback, given to wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots, carrying his sidearm in a hip holster – a weapon he only draws when he has to, and when he does, he shoots to kill, because, as he sees it, that’s the purpose of a gun.

“Raylan was born and reared in the hill country of eastern Kentucky. It was in Harlan where he played ball, chased girls and dug coal. And it was from Harlan, at age 19, that he ran, determined to become a U.S. Marshal. Now, years later, after shooting a gun thug in a Miami hotel and thereby incurring the wrath of his Marshals Service superiors, Raylan has been sent in punishment (and by fate?) to the one place to which he vowed he would never return – Kentucky.”

Secondary Characters

Veteran actor Nick Searcy, cast as Art Mullen, Chief Deputy of the Lexington U.S.M.S. office, brings solid believability to the series. Tim Gutterson as Jacob Pitts and Erica Tarzel as Rachel Brooks are Raylan’s fellow deputies.

You can look for story lines built around what U. S. Marshals do: chase fugitives, protect witnesses, and transport prisoners. Of course, since this is based on an Elmore Leonard character, you’ll also get layered stories involving the characters who influenced Raylan from his old friend who’s now a bank robber to his career criminal dad, with an ex-wife and former teen crush thrown in for good measure. Just think dysfunction, and you get the picture.

Behind The Scenes

This FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television series was developed for TV by Executive Producers Graham Yost (Speed, Band of Brothers, Boomtown, The Pacific), Michael Dinner (Karen Sisco – ahead of its time in my opinion – Sons of Anarchy), Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly (Kidnapped) and the great Elmore Leonard. With talent like this involved, I’m thinking Justified will be a hit.

Takeaway Truth

In today’s world, it doesn’t matter how good a show is if it doesn’t find an audience fast. Support good writing by tuning in.

Tags: elmore leonard, justified, nick searcy, quality tv, timothy olyphant