Justified: Does it get any better?

Bulldogg31

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2013
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Mrs. 31 and I were looking for a new show to binge now that we've finished up all the big ones...Breaking Bad, GOT, etc.

Several friends and relatives mentioned Justified. We're three shows in and it's, uh, bad. Bad acting, silly stories, and zero compelling characters.

I looked it up and it got great ratings and won a bunch of awards. I don't get it. Does it get better?
 

mcdawg22

Heisman
Sep 18, 2004
13,329
11,167
113
It is a phenomenal series. Walton Goggins and Timothy Olyphant play off of each other so well, then there are great characters peppered throughout that add to the dynamic.
 

Bulldogg31

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2013
8,263
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I remember talking to people who didn't like Breaking Bad and thinking "what the heck is wrong with them?" I guess this is that way for me.

Four shows in and I could'nt care less if every character died.

Any other show suggestions? Now that baseball is over....
 

QuaoarsKing

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2008
6,078
2,738
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Spartacus (the STARZ series) is great, and an example of one that gets better after the first few episodes are so-so.

Also recommend Friday Night Lights and the 2000s Battlestar Galactica.
 

Jeffreauxdawg

All-American
Dec 15, 2017
8,871
7,935
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Justified is a comedy not a tragedy. More like Better Call Saul than Breaking Bad. If you need deep longing character profiles, it's not for you. Although Wynn Duffy may be one of my favorite characters if all time.
 

LawDawg97

Redshirt
Sep 7, 2012
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I thought it got better, but I also thought it started great. As has been stated the actors and storylines don’t change much so it probably won’t grow on you if you think it’s bad. I liked Godless and Ozark. Both very dramatic compared to Justified, which has a lot more comedy mixed in.
 

Bulldogg31

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2013
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I thought it got better, but I also thought it started great. As has been stated the actors and storylines don’t change much so it probably won’t grow on you if you think it’s bad. I liked Godless and Ozark. Both very dramatic compared to Justified, which has a lot more comedy mixed in.

Yeah, Ozark is really good. Better Call Saul is giving Breaking Bad a run for its money as one of the best ever. Haven't seen Godless but maybe should check it out.

I can see where Justified is more of a comedy, just not our thing I guess. No biggie. Just disappointed since I'd heard so much about it.
 

engie

Freshman
May 29, 2011
10,760
95
48
I could see taking a break from it and trying to circle back when you are in a different frame of mind. When Olyphant did the old western style countdown as a law man then actually blasted the guy I was hooked going forward. He and Boyd were both really interesting characters to me. As was Ava, Boyd's dad, Arlo, all of the secondary marshalls, basically all of the seasonal villains, etc. Loved the setting. I can watch it in passing now and not really see why I got so caught up in it though. Have to be in the right frame of mind.

Try Silicon Valley for humor. It's a different kind of really smart funny. The writing is top notch and goes above and beyond to maintain real world plausibility.
 

Hugh's Burner Phone

All-American
Aug 3, 2017
5,133
5,545
113
Spartacus (the STARZ series) is great, and an example of one that gets better after the first few episodes are so-so.

Also recommend Friday Night Lights and the 2000s Battlestar Galactica.

I loved the Spartacus series. If you love gratuitous nudity and violence this is the show for you.
 

MittRomney

Redshirt
Nov 6, 2012
229
9
18
Ditto

Both are awesome

I second Peaky Blinders. Good acting. Good production. Not a second of wasted time in the plot. Moves along nicely. Will likely be in the same ball park with Breaking Bad, Narcos, and The Tudors in my book. Maybe a notch below GOT. Definitely worth watching. Tommy Shelby is a badass.

Walking Dead was in my top 5 til it started sucking balls the last few seasons. Still watching, but damn, somethings got to start happening.

Sparticus is OK, but it’s unnecessarily vulgar. Folks walking around talking and a couple of folks naked in the background just going at it. No reason, just background extras gettin it on. Its almost like a Scinamax movie but with better acting.
 

BELdog

Sophomore
Aug 23, 2012
1,166
117
58
I actually though Justified got better in season 2 and was overall a pretty good show. That said, I also really liked "Strikeback" and a lot of folks hated it.
 

Dawg1979

Redshirt
Jun 23, 2015
1,546
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Goliath. Amazon Prime show, but well worth it. Billy Bob is the tits in this series. season 2 filming now. i don't binge watch anything. but me a 2 buddies watched the whole first season in 3 days. all were blown away.

Friday Night Lights is awesome like someone said.

if you can get your hands on Playmakers, it was ok. worth the watch.
 

HumpDawgy

All-Conference
Apr 6, 2010
4,833
1,943
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Both are awesome


I'll second Godless. I am watching Longmire now and it is ok. A little "Soap Opera...ee" for a Wyoming based show. Thinking about starting Deadwood. Haven't watched Justified yet.


Also, for humor.....watch "The League". It will remind of many sixpack conversations....and personalities.
 

TheStateUofMS

All-Conference
Dec 26, 2009
10,322
2,348
113
The Last Man on Earth for a good comedy, which is on Hulu. It's a FOX show. Episodes are like 21min each too.
 

Xenomorph

All-American
Feb 15, 2007
15,761
9,790
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Remember that episode of Longmire where Walt figured everything out first? **
 

GloryDawg

Heisman
Mar 3, 2005
19,886
17,635
113
I am watching McMafia on AMC now. Not sure what to make of it. I have have to watch it now.
 

Upyurs

Redshirt
Nov 24, 2017
453
0
0
-Narcos
-Boardwalk Empire
-Breaking Bad was one of my all time favs
-Walking Dead too but it has just gotten BAD lately.
-I liked Justified but had a few seasons in middle that were bad
-Hell on Wheels
-Man in the high castle. I’ve really enjoyed it on Amazon.
 
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xxxWalkTheDawg

Redshirt
Oct 21, 2005
4,262
0
25
Give it to season 2. If you don’t like it by then, swap to the showtime series “billions”. Ur welcome.
 

MagicDawg

Senior
Nov 11, 2010
913
775
93
It was mentioned in passing earlier, but the reboot of Battlestar Galactica remains one of the overall best television series I've ever seen. I rewatched the whole series again earlier this year for about the 3rd time. It stands up to repeat viewing, and I think it's brilliant how it avoids getting technologically dated.
 

HumpDawgy

All-Conference
Apr 6, 2010
4,833
1,943
113
Agree with Narcos and Man In the High Castle. Both were written and shot really well.


One you might want to check out is a show off of Amazon called "Mad Dogs". It is only one season, but very engaging. Has the actor who played Christopher in the Sopranos. All other actors are not big names.
 

Wizard.sixpack

Freshman
Sep 15, 2009
6,511
58
48
Longmiere is Badass
Longmire is: In the Heat of the Night and Walker Texas Ranger having a baby. Crap going on in a small town that makes you wonder why the police force has no knowledge of the people involved even though they are from there.
 
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rowdydog

Redshirt
Dec 2, 2008
128
0
0
If you don't like Justified, I probably don't have any advice for you. Season two is one of the best cable television seasons of any show I've ever seen. Margo Martindale's Emmy for that season was the most deserved award in recent memory.
 

DawgInThe256

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2011
1,547
1,360
83
It's one of my favorites. Season 1 had more self-contained episodes, which was typical of the time it was released. The following seasons all had longer story arcs, with season 2 being the best.

It's best enjoyed while drinking bourbon.
 

bulldogcountry1

Redshirt
Jun 4, 2007
2,311
1
38
I watched about 10 episodes of Justified. I would watch one episode here and there between binging other shows, hoping it would take. I just never got into it and gave up.


I recently finished up Hell on Wheels. It's good.

Other recommendations: Godless, Mindhunter, Manhunt Unabomber, Goliath, Ozark.
 

AusTexDawg

Redshirt
Mar 29, 2017
145
0
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If you like period stuff, TURN, about espionage in the American Revolution, was really well done.