User Reviews

Blowback is a great episode for character development of the lead protagonist! Blowback has a strong story about a prison transfer where a harden life long inmate with nothing to lose holds a prison guard hostage. The inmate is highly intelligent and knows all the procedures. Raylan cannot rely on the usual quick draw abilities of his gun. What Blowback creates for the audience is Raylan's intellect, with the back an forth banter as Raylan has a battle of wits with the inmate. How do you negotiate with an inmate who does not care about dying and there is little to offer the unbalanced inmate which spends most of his time in solitary. Raylan holds off S W A T and counter maneuvers the inmate with something as little as fried chicken. The love for food and Raylan's banter, creates the maverick marshal character in the Blowback episode. 8 stars.

New characters and adding meat to the bones of another...

First off, the guest star W Earl Brown as a prisoner holding two guards hostage at the Marshalls' office really steals the show. One-liners that Justified is known for with a touch of honesty on the life of a prison inmate. It is really a top-notch performance of trademark Justified writing.

We also get the first appearance of Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) in small spot that introduces us to an (later) integral character, unique for the show and memorable in his own right.

Then, we get the first meaningful (more than just a line or two to introduce him) of Asst. U. S. Attorney David Vasquez. You never quite know if he can be trusted (he IS a lawyer after all) or not. He seems like a good guy. He seems like a weasel. He seems like a good guy.... Which is he? Maybe neither, maybe both - a good weasel? Maybe a 21st century Columbo: "Glad you capped that POS. Just one more thing..." who is about as welcome as a case of hemorrhoids. Whatever you decide on him, he IS a fine addition to the Justified universe.

And oh yeah, Boyd is on the lose again!

A good episode, great for a "fugitive (?) of the week", where the overarching story inches forward in a satisfying manner.

If you were to read a basic plot description—Raylan is trying to negotiate a hostage situation where a volatile inmate has taken two security guards prisoner (he had hid a shiv up his ass!) inside the US Marshals Lexington office, one guard lying in a pile due to broken ribs from multiple pummeling, the other with the shiv at his throat—it might seem this episode is "business as usual" but, actually, because of brilliant back and forth between Olyphant and W. Earl Brown (he has that hick sense of humor and a ton of wit with plenty of zingers that had me in stitches), "Blowback" captivates. Brown is Cal Wallace, not ready to go to "super max", and understanding that even though this hostage situation will end probably badly he wants to vent about his mistreatment while in prison in the past. So Raylan just tries to humor him, actually listening to what Cal has to say. The SWAT is on the way so Raylan has to make it quick or else "there could be blood". This takes up about thirty minutes of the plot; wondering if Raylan can successfully avoid violence (beyond what Cal did to one of the guards), he even offers spicy fried chicken (!) as a "peace offering" if Cal will halt from using the shiv. The rest of the episode focuses on the release of the Crowders, Father and Son, Bo and Boyd (MC Gainey and Walton Goggins) unleashed on Kentucky soil once again to raise hell. ADA Vasquez joins Art in voicing his regret and concern (and just issuing a warning) in regards to Raylan's "relations" with Ava, Boyd's wife. Raylan sees Boyd out of the prison, having to watch his nemesis (or something in between; the dynamic between these two has always been "complicated") walk away a free man because of his bedding Ava. This is obviously the beginning of the end for Raylan and Ava. Meanwhile, Winona's role is starting to blossom as she returns home to find a "security consultant", Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns; his Duffy becoming a recurring character) in the home of her and husband realtor, Gary (William Ragsdale) "checking the perimeter". Clearly Duffy is establishing his presence and presenting a possible danger if Gary doesn't pay back a "loan". Winona is obviously concerned. All that said, this is Brown's show, and he stole it effortlessly. I admit that Boyd's "sermonizing" Raylan never grows old. It's part of Boyd's shtick for a while before he starts monopolizing the drug trade near Harlen.

Raylan tries to diffuse a precarious hostage situation which he diffuses with ease and Boyd Crowder is released from prison due to Raylan's Compromising relationship with Ava Crowder and an inadequate justice system. An entertaining episode that leaves the plot wide open for exploration.