The Gunfighter (Justified)
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 3.07 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received very positive reviews from critics, who deemed it a promising start and praised the new villains on the show, highlighting Neal McDonough in particular.
Meanwhile, Emmitt Arnett (Steven Flynn) is visited by Detroit enforcer Robert Quarles (Neal McDonough), who demands repayment for a failed real estate investment within 24 hours.
Arnett sends his enforcer Fletcher Nix (Desmond Harrington) to rob Delmer Coates (Richard Lineback) to pay back the Detroit mob.
Nix uses a pizza delivery guy to enter, shuts off the security system as he worked on it, and forces Coates to hand over his collection of watches.
Tim (Jacob Pitts) asks Raylan for help in the case, revealing that the security system was installed by Wynn Duffy's (Jere Burns) company.
[5] In October 2011, it was announced that Neal McDonough joined the series in a recurring role as Robert Quarles, "a Detroit mobster in a sharp suit who comes to Kentucky with visions of becoming a crimelord".
[6] In December 2011, Desmond Harrington was reported to have a secret guest role in the episode, only described as "a total badass boasting a deep Southern accent and ties to Jere Burns' Wynn Duffy.
"[11] The opening scene with Winona being stopped by a state trooper played a pivotal role a few episodes later, with "When the Guns Come Out" revealing she was planning on leaving Raylan.
[12] He also described Fletcher Nix, stating "We liked the idea of this guy who was just a stone-cold killer with a typically Elmore Leonardian quirk to him, the ability to say things that are humorous without trying to be funny.
Director of photography Francis Kenny said, "We persuaded Sony Entertainment that by shooting with Epic cameras production would be increased tenfold and it would look spectacular."
"[13] In its original American broadcast, "The Gunfighter" was seen by an estimated 3.07 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "It remains to be seen whether McDonough will measure up to Mags, but along with an increased role for the great Jere Burns as Wynn Duffy, Justified seems poised to flood the zone with bad elements.
FX has a track record of weak third seasons, with The Shield and Sons of Anarchy turning in their weakest offerings during their junior years.
"[20] Luke de Smet of Slant Magazine wrote, "Personally, I like Justified best when its stories are steeped in the tradition and mythology of Harlan County, and the idea of a central villain from Motor City isn't as immediately compelling as Mags and her family's tyranny.
"[22] Joe Reid of Vulture wrote, "Coming off of one of the strongest TV seasons of last year and having to live up to big expectations: These are classy problems for a show to have.
Having to fill the void left after Margo Martindale's Mags Bennett took one last swig of applejack in the season-two finale is another classy problem, but one with real teeth as season three begins.
"[23] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "What Justified continues to capture so well is the mood of Elmore Leonard's early thrillers, like Fifty-Two Pick-Up and The Switch and Split Images: Nothing is overwrought; everyone resists mannerism; the violence in his stories is quick, quiet, and brutal — the kind that can strike you as being true and realistic even though the actions are utterly beyond your experience.
"[24] Todd VanDerWerff of Los Angeles Times wrote, "Until the final scene of the third-season premiere of Justified, I thought the episode was perhaps a touch too jumpy.
