Ep 6. Blaze of Glory

In the sixth episode of the second season of Justified, titled "Blaze of Glory," the story turns to Boyd Crowder's dealings with a dangerous new group of bank robbers in Harlan County. These robbers, led by a former Green Beret, have been conducting a string of sophisticated heists in the area, and Boyd sees an opportunity to join forces with them to take down his own enemies.

Meanwhile, Raylan Givens is assigned to protect a star witness in a high-profile case, a former drug trafficker who has turned informant. Raylan must manage the prickly relationship between the man and his protective custody officer, while also dealing with the threat of retaliation from the cartel he used to work for.

As the two storylines unfold, they begin to intersect in unexpected ways. Boyd's plans to use the bank robbers to take out his rivals may have more consequences than he intended, and as Raylan gets deeper into his assignment, he begins to question who he can really trust.

The tension in "Blaze of Glory" is palpable from the opening scene, as Boyd and his new partners execute a daring robbery in broad daylight. From there, the episode moves at a breakneck pace, ratcheting up the stakes with each passing moment. As with many episodes of Justified, the writing is sharp and the dialogue crackles with wit and humor, even as the characters find themselves in increasingly perilous situations.

One of the standout moments of the episode is a conversation between Raylan and Boyd, two old acquaintances who have found themselves on opposite sides of the law. The scene crackles with tension as the two men size each other up, each trying to get the upper hand. It's a testament to the show's writing and the excellent performances of Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins that this scene works so well, even though the two characters are not directly involved in the main plot of the episode.

Speaking of performances, guest star Margo Martindale continues to shine as Mags Bennett, the matriarch of a powerful criminal family in Harlan County. Although she doesn't have a large role in "Blaze of Glory," her presence is felt throughout the episode, and her scenes are among the most memorable.

Overall, "Blaze of Glory" is a tense, exciting episode of Justified that advances both the main plot of the series and the individual storylines of its characters. With top-notch writing, direction, and performances, it's no wonder that Justified remains one of the most beloved shows of its era.