A Murder of Crowes
The series is based on Elmore Leonard's stories about the character Raylan Givens, particularly "Fire in the Hole", which serves as the basis for the episode.
The series revolves around the inhabitants and culture in the Appalachian Mountains area of eastern Kentucky, specifically Harlan County where many of the main characters grew up.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.84 million household viewers and gained a 1.1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Boyd (Walton Goggins) meets with Ava (Joelle Carter) in prison, telling her that he hasn't had luck in finding an appropriate, lawyer for her case.
Later that night, Boyd, Jimmy (Jesse Luken) and Carl (Justin Welborn) meet with Detroit criminals, who attempt to scam them.
In Florida, Dewey's cousin, Dylan "Dyllie" Crowe (Jason Gray-Stanford) and Elvis Machado (Amaury Nolasco) meet with corrupt Coast Guard officer Simon Lee (Ron Yuan) to pay for his help in moving contraband.
In Florida, Raylan meets with Dan Grant (Matt Craven) and his partner, Deputy Greg Sutter (David Koechner).
While dining, Raylan and Sutter are approached by Wendy Crowe (Alicia Witt), Daryl's sister as well as his lawyer, who suggests a deal to help her brother stay out of prison.
As Wendy leaves a hotel room with Elvis, Daryl orders his brother Danny (A. J. Buckley) to kill Dyllie for his reckless behavior.
After they leave, Daryl complains to Baptiste that Florida means nothing (sic) as Dyllie is dead, Wendy has left town and his business is failing.
[3] In September 2013, it was reported that the season's main antagonists would be "the white trash Florida-based Crowe clan, led by the sexy, charismatic and ruthless fortysomething patriarch Dale.
Dale's inner circle includes sister Wendy (the public face of the family) and younger brother Danny (described as a romantic sociopath).
"[6] The scene where Boyd visits Ava in prison and asks the lawyer to use headphones so he doesn't listen was inspired by Breaking Bad.
The extended tribute was added in the season's DVD set and includes interviews with the cast about their experiences with Leonard.
[11] Yost explained that getting Dewey back on the series was pivotal but Herriman's schedule played a role in their decision to withhold his return until this episode.
[13] In September 2013, Michael Rapaport joined the series in the recurring role of Dale Crowe Jr., "the sexy and charismatic patriarch of a white-trash Florida crime family.
"[14] As the role required him to use a Southern accent, Rapaport sent the producers a clip of him on the film American Brown and "a fresh voice memo he'd recorded on his phone of a made-up monologue.
"[15] On the same month, Alicia Witt and Edi Gathegi joined the series as Wendy Crowe and Jean Baptiste.
"[17] In December 2013, it was reported that Dave Foley would guest star on the episode as "one of 'the Canadians' involved in a 'distribution problem' that is vexing partners-in-crime Boyd and Wynn."
The episode reunited Foley with recurring cast member Stephen Root as both starred on NewsRadio although their characters don't share scenes together.
[6] In its original American broadcast, "A Murder of Crowes" was seen by an estimated 2.84 million household viewers and gained a 1.1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "Sudden, deadly betrayals define 'A Murder Of Crowes', and not one of them is what you could sensibly call rational or well-considered.
There's only one killing in tonight's episode that suggests any particular cunning or foresight, and there, it's actually Raylan Givens who is maneuvered into pulling the trigger.
As usual, there are a lot of moving pieces here, and some characters who aren't really dealt with in the premiere, so we'll have to see what the actual shape of the season becomes.
"[27] Holly Anderson of Grantland wrote, "Justified's fifth season premieres with 'A Murder of Crowes', an hour of television that serves as a Great Muppet Caper opening number of sorts — myriad promises layered atop one another, starring just about everybody on the show who’s not dead yet.
"[28] Dan Forcella of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Now that Breaking Bad is off the air, I consider Justified the best drama on television.
And with the return of Raylan, Boyd and company - along with the appearance of the always interesting guest stars - the Justified Season 5 opener lived up to that billing.
