For most of the episode, 'Cottonmouth' is classic "Justified". Raylan as methodical marshal on the scene, Boyd in deep on a payroll job, and various unsavory denizens fleshing out the background. Boyd finally reconciles his bankrobber calling while - more importantly - hinting at drawing Ava into the life. And a stun gun has to be the darkly funniest attack on Raylan so far. That, and some of the dialogue (Art's "You're like the hillbilly whisperer. Put you on Oprah.") provide a great deal of humor.
Until the end which brings the show's darkest scene yet: Coover Bennett's punishment for bringing the law to the family homestead. To see Mags taking a hammer to her son's limb ("I'm saving your gun hand, now. Cross me again, and I'll leave you nothing.") while he pleads for her love is painful to watch. My god, did she mess with those boys' heads as kids.
All of this makes for an exciting, hilarious and brutal episode. An extremely well-orchestrated hour of TV.
10/10
Until the end which brings the show's darkest scene yet: Coover Bennett's punishment for bringing the law to the family homestead. To see Mags taking a hammer to her son's limb ("I'm saving your gun hand, now. Cross me again, and I'll leave you nothing.") while he pleads for her love is painful to watch. My god, did she mess with those boys' heads as kids.
All of this makes for an exciting, hilarious and brutal episode. An extremely well-orchestrated hour of TV.
10/10
