Review of Justified (2010–2015)

Justified is a gripping and intelligent American crime drama that ran from 2010 to 2015, blending elements of westerns, noir, and procedural dramas to create a standout show. Based on Elmore Leonard’s short story Fire in the Hole, the series takes viewers into the heart of Kentucky’s coal country, where lawman Raylan Givens (played by Timothy Olyphant) dispenses justice in his own, sometimes controversial, way.

At the core of Justified is Raylan Givens, a U.S. Marshal known for his quick-draw skills, no-nonsense atтιтude, and strong moral compᴀss—though one that’s often tested by the criminal elements he faces. Raylan is a fascinating protagonist, both charming and rugged, with a sense of justice that sometimes conflicts with the law. Olyphant’s performance is exceptional, blending charisma with an underlying vulnerability that keeps Raylan’s character grounded and relatable. His dry wit and calm demeanor make him a standout figure in a series filled with morally complex characters.

The show’s storytelling is equally compelling. Each season builds on a series of interconnected plotlines, which revolve around various criminals and the people caught up in their webs. While Raylan deals with personal and professional conflicts, he faces off against a rich roster of villains, the most notable of which is Boyd Crowder (played by Walton Goggins). Boyd is an incredible antagonist—intelligent, ruthless, and charismatic—and Goggins brings a raw energy to the role that makes him a perfect foil to Raylan’s cool-headedness. Their cat-and-mouse relationship is one of the series’ greatest strengths, offering constant tension and unpredictability.

The writing in Justified is sharp, witty, and often laced with dark humor, a signature of Elmore Leonard’s work. The dialogue is quick and clever, creating memorable exchanges between characters. This writing, combined with the strong performances, elevates Justified from a typical crime drama into something special. The show doesn’t shy away from the complexities of its characters, making them feel real and multi-dimensional, even as they navigate morally gray situations.

The setting of Justified—the rugged hills of Harlan County, Kentucky—also plays a crucial role in the series’ tone. The rural, isolated environment contributes to the overall sense of danger and lawlessness, with the landscape often serving as a character in itself. The show doesn’t glamorize the setting; instead, it portrays the gritty, difficult lives of people living in the Appalachian region, adding to the authenticity of the story.

One of the show’s greatest achievements is its pacing. Justified strikes a fine balance between episodic crime stories and overarching season-long plots. It keeps the tension high throughout, whether it’s through suspenseful shootouts or quieter, more introspective moments. There’s a sense of urgency and inevitability in the way the plot unfolds, ensuring that viewers are consistently engaged without feeling overwhelmed by too much action.

While the series remained consistent in quality throughout its run, the later seasons do delve deeper into personal stakes and character development, particularly for Raylan and Boyd. The final season ties up the show’s long-running arcs in a satisfying way, delivering a thrilling and emotional conclusion that feels earned and earned by the audience.

In conclusion, Justified is a standout crime drama that combines strong writing, unforgettable characters, and an engaging mix of humor and tension. Timothy Olyphant’s portrayal of Raylan Givens is iconic, while Walton Goggins’ performance as Boyd Crowder is equally memorable. The series’ smart, gritty approach to storytelling, combined with its strong performances, makes it a must-watch for fans of character-driven dramas and crime thrillers. It’s a show that rewards its viewers with each episode, creating a rich, unforgettable world filled with morally complex figures and tense confrontations.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.