There’s a fascinating element to his character that before recently has been significantly marginalized (which has been further developed this season) – his weak spot for children in unfortunate circumstances. This is really a touching development, especially with consideration for his new role as a parent, and addition to the series as a whole. Justified briefly brought back Loretta earlier in the season, which reintroduced this theme prior to establishing his unlikely connection with the youngest Crowe.
Viewers were initially exposed to this side of Raylan during the Bennett fiasco in season two with Loretta starring as the not-so-helpless child in question. A few episodes back, Raylan even sought to fund Kendal’s eventual escape similarly to his earlier commitment to finding Loretta a stable living situation. It is likely that Raylan has noticed attributes in these younger characters that remind him of himself during adolescence.
Despite Kendal being raised under the influence of career criminals, he has a very even temperament and is not altogether unlikeable, regardless of some of his more abrasive natural responses. He has managed to reach Raylan on a very raw emotional level. As a child of a criminal himself, Raylan has a rare perspective on Kendal’s upbringing that makes him more sensitive to the whole affair. This is something that his colleagues lack. Tim (Jacob Pitts) and Rachel (Erica Tazel), along with the ADA Vasquez (Rick Gomez), can be apathetic to Kendal’s unlucky lot in life, but they can’t truly sympathize with the unique predicament he’s in, traversing the complicated line between his loyalties to family and blossoming desire to express his individuality.
Raylan has experience in this area. His own childhood has very much shaped his adult life, serving as a catalyst for his radical methods of getting results, which this episodes highlights. As the credits roll on tonight’s episode of Justified, viewers are left awestruck by the extremes that Raylan was willing to go to in order to coax a confession out of Daryl.
Daryl has been heavily involved in criminal activity since he landed in Harlan. Even though he relocated under the auspices of creating a family-friendly environment, his actions have proved otherwise. Everything he’s done thus far has only further torn that unit apart. Wendy (Alicia Witt) may outwardly blame Raylan for the sad state of affairs that the Crowes have found themselves in, but Daryl shares an unequally large part in that blame. Although she won’t easily see reason with what was just thrown down on the table, in the end, it could be the turning point that severs her torment. If Raylan can pull this scenario off, not only will Kendal be free of his unsavory relations, but Wendy will also be able to pursue a more traditional life.
Do you think that events will go in Raylan’s favor or backfire? Let us know all your thoughts on Justified in the comment section below!
