Justified: The Complete Third Season (2012/Sony DVD)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: B     Episodes: B

 

 

I am now convinced after watching the show slowly grow into a hit that Justified is the best television series in U.S. production today, maybe the best show on TV anywhere.  The first season was more than just another tired police procedural and it proved once again Timothy Olyphant can carry a lead role.  Then came the second season and it was so good, it had everyone talking.  Even with Margo Martindale’s unforgettable performance, I still though a few moments were a little limited, but now we have Justified: The Complete Third Season (2012) and for me, it puts the show over the top as an all-time TV classic.

 

Following the events of the previous season, U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens (Olyphant) is recovering from his worst experience since he had to leave the big city and there are old enemies who still want revenge, new ones who are about to cross him and even people who should be on his side going after him.  I thought this would at least be as good, but the writers pulled out all the stops as the writing really kicks into high gear and some of the best character actors in the business join the ongoing cast, while other characters resurface.  All in all, once you start watching, especially if you have seen the previous seasons, it is hard to stop the often dangerous and deadly happenings in Harlan County U.S.A. but here they are.

 

We get 13 more terrific, cutting edge episodes over 3 DVDs and the show reaches a new high in its storytelling as no crime drama on TV since The Sopranos has been so well written, its characters so well drawn out and pace as intense.  I think the show has many more seasons ahead and though it is a hit, this should be a national sensation.  Justified is also one of the smartest shows on TV of its kind in years, so if you are missing it, time to catch up!

 

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is pretty good for the DVD format, though a Blu-ray set has also been issued, anyone getting the DVD should have no problems with it as it looks as good as any TV show on DVD today or that we have seen to date.  The lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 has healthy surrounds (bet it sounds better lossless on Blu-ray) with some of the best sound design and sound editing anywhere on TV.

 

Extras include nine audio commentary tracks on select episodes, Deleted Scenes, three featurettes (Crossing The Line: Making Season Three, Ellstin’s Joint: Noble Holler Set Tour, Anatomy Of A Stunt) and Outtakes.

 

 

The show is thoroughly enjoyable if you start with a later season, but you’ll get the most out of Justified if you start at the beginning, so here are our links to the previous seasons on DVD (and know all are also on Blu-ray):

 

One

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10699/Justified+%E2%80%93+The+Complet

 

Two

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/11358/Blackthorn+(2011/Magnolia+Blu-ray)/

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo