Though it was not as big a hit as some other shows at the time, Justified is still seen by many as one of the best series of the 21st century. Based on the character created by Elmore Leonard, the show followed the exploits of US Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a modern lawman who fancies himself an Old West cowboy.

Two aspects that made the show so brilliant were the characters and the dialogue. This crime-centric world was filled with so many colorful characters who enriched the story and all the lines they spoke were so expertly written. Looking at the entire series, it’s interesting to see the first lines and last lines spoken by each main character and what it means for their journey.

10 Dewey Crowe

“Boyd!” – “I can’t even see their eyes.”

The low-level and dim-witted criminal Dewey Crowe is introduced as a member of Boyd Crowder’s group of criminals as he rushes to tell Boyd the news that his brother had been killed. In the final season, Boyd shows Dewey a picture of his coal-mining relatives and tells him to look into their eyes. As Dewey tries, Boyd shoots him.

It’s interesting to see that Dewey was introduced as a member of Boyd’s inner circle and was killed when Boyd felt he could no longer trust him.

9 Wynn Duffy

“Mrs. Hawkins, I am so sorry to have startled you.” – “Yeah actually, a topographical map of Harlan County would be great.”

The seedy criminal Wynn Duffy is first seen breaking into Winona’s home to deliver a threat disguised with charm as Duffy does so well. His final appearance comes as he is exposed as an informant and looks to leave town and requests a map on his way out.

The creepy way Duffy confronts Winona in her own home yet acts innocent is a great example of the kind of sleazy criminal Duffy is. His final request for a map later reveals that he is still making his own plays to find the missing money everyone is after.

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8 Arlo Givens

“Yeah, I was driving along Indian Line and I think I saw someone break into the old Grant house.” – “And it’s a big, fat nothing.”

Raylan’s career criminal father, Arlo, is introduced as he is breaking into a house and vandalizing it, only to call the police and report the break-in himself. Though Arlo dies in season four, he makes his final appearance in the final season as a figment of Raylan’s imagination as he searches Arlo’s secret shed.

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The intriguing first scene shows that Arlo is a savvier criminal than he lets on. The final scene is a poignant father-son moment as Raylan realizes the shed he thought held his father’s darkest secrets was empty and just somewhere where Arlo could escape to.

7 Winona Hawkins

“Toilet’s broken.” – “See you then.”

Raylan’s ex-wife Winona is introduced while married to another man living their own domestic life. The time jump of the final episode shows that Raylan and Winona are not together but share a healthy relationship as Raylan promises to pick their daughter up from school.

Despite trying to make their romance work, Winona and Raylan end up right where they were when the show started, albeit more amicably. They still bicker and disagree but seem to be good parents together.

6 Tim Gutterson

“All the wits say the same.” – “I still want my bag back.”

US Marshal Tim Gutterson is introduced while walking Raylan and Art through a crime scene and giving details on the witness statements. In the finale, he offers Raylan a bag to pack up his stuff while Raylan gives him his favorite book. Yet Tim still insists Raylan mail his bag back to him.

Though the first line just shows Tim on the job, the final line is more indicative of his relationship with Raylan. They have respect for each other but are both stoic men who would never want to admit as much.

5 Rachel Brooks

“Pastor had it different.” – “Nice hat.”

US Marshal Rachel Brooks is introduced at the same crime scene as Tim and is likewise giving her report on the witnesses. When Raylan leaves the Kentucky office for the last time, she simply compliments his new hat as he heads out the door.

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Again, the final line is the interesting one here. Rachel often had an issue with Raylan’s cowboy persona, but in the end, she can at least give a nod to it as he is leaving.

4 Art Mullen

“A bit of a come-down from the Miami office I’d expect.” – “Where’s Rachel?”

Art Mullen is the boss of the Kentucky office and greats his old friend Raylan as he arrives as the newest Marshal. In the final season, Art retires and Rachel takes over as boss. He shares a quick farewell with Raylan while manning the chief’s desk as Rachel is out.

Art’s greeting to Raylan is a good setup for the whole series as he goes on to explain who things work a little differently in the Kentucky office. His farewell to Raylan is also quite fitting as they are about to share a last drink together before the mayhem of the job forces them to part ways without even a goodbye.

3 Ava Crowder

“Oh my God, Raylan!” – “You’re not the only one I’ve been afraid to see at my front door.”

Following news that she shot her husband, Raylan is sent to visit Ava Crowder who excitedly greets him, remembering him from their younger years in Harlan County. They meet again when Ava is a fugitive and Raylan agrees not to turn her in, though she admits she’s still worried Boyd will find her someday.

In Ava’s first and last appearance, she finds Raylan showing up at her door and has two very different reactions to seeing him. However, in both cases, Raylan sets out to protect Ava from Boyd Crowder.

2 Boyd Crowder

“Well Jared, I think it sucks.” – “We dug coal together.”

Boyd Crowder (Walter Goggins) is introduced as a white supremacist leader who checks out a potential bombing target with an associate. In the final scene of the show, Raylan visits Boyd in prison where the two men come to terms with their relationship.

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Though the first line is not very notable, Boyd’s final line sums up much of the show. After Raylan gives Boyd the fake information that Ava is dead, Boyd asks why Raylan would come to deliver this news in person. He then realizes why and the shared connection these two had.

1 Raylan Givens

“The airport’s a good forty-five from here but I figure you’ll be alright if you leave in the next two minutes.” – “That’s right.”

In the first scene of the show, Raylan visits Tommy Bucks, a gangster that he told to leave town in 24 hours or he would shoot him. The final scene with Boyd has Raylan confirming that Raylan still sees Boyd as the young man he dug coal with.

The first line shows Raylan’s cool cowboy persona as he calmly threatens the gangster. Again, the final scene makes for a beautiful and profound ending between these two men as Raylan admits despite the various times they tried to kill each other, they have this unbreakable connection that was the heart of the series.

NextBridgerton: One Quote From Each Main Character That Sums Up Their Personality

About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2030 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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