In just two episodes, Justified Season 3 has given us two new villains who are already unforgettable. After Margo Martindale’s phenomenal performance as Mags last season (which earned her the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series), Justified was in need of some new criminal behemoths. And, it looks like the showrunners delivered just that.
In the season opener, “The Gunfighter”, we were introduced to Robert Quarles (Neal McDonough). He came to Lexington to straighten out the business affairs of the Detroit Mob. That meant killing Emmitt Arnett (Steven Flynn) and his assistant. He didn’t just murder them. With a coy smile, Quarles toyed with them first. The Detroit mobster gave Arnett a limited amount of time to come up with the money he owed the mob. When Arnett sent his new hitman Fletcher Nix (Desmond Harrington, Dexter’s Joey Quinn) to raise the capital, Quarles partnered with Arnett’s assistant to plan a trap for Nix. When Arnett came up short, Quarles killed him. Then he killed the assistant for good measure. And, he did it with a quick-draw smile.
He’s a dangerous new adversary and one that can match any of the Marshall’s best shooters.
In the closing moments of episode 3.2, “Cut Ties”, we were introduced to our second new villain, Ellstin Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson). Ellstin wasn’t intertwined too deeply in the main plot (Dickie told Boyd that Ellstin was holding onto Mags’ money). Instead, Ellstin closed out out “Cut Ties” with a powerful monologue. While he carved up a giant carcass of meat, he quietly threatened one of his workers who had failed him. It was the quietness of the threat and the action of carving the meat that quickly made Ellstin into one sinister baddie. He then threatened his worker, by giving the youth the option to have his hand burnt (and possibly lose it depending on when Limehouse decided to throw Vinegar on it to stop the burn) or to promise that he would never fail Limestone again.
Williamson did a brilliant job of delivering the monologue. He’s set the stage for another character who can be as amazing, deadly and unforgiving as Mags.
Of course, where would the series be without Boyd Crowder? He’s still in the game as the quiet, unpredictable storm waiting to explode in Harlan.
Season 3 is packed with three intriguing villains who are destined to collide and make Raylan’s life a working hell and shatter the Marsahll’s pipe dreams of settling down peacefully with a family. With such great villains, Justified Season 3 could be the best season yet.
