How Justified makes me a better writer…or at least humbles me to try
Confession: I time-shift everything I watch. I hate commercials. I mean, I delay the start of a show by 15 minutes so when I do finally hit the Play button on the DVR remote, I can watch my one hour show in 44 minutes. What does this confession mean? Nothing, except that Tuesday night, I did what I haven’t done in maybe two years…watch a one hour, prime time television show live. Why? Because it was the season three premiere of friggin’ Justified, for Pete’s sake – perhaps the best written, best acted, best shooting’ show I’ve seen since…well, maybe ever. (Maybe BSG or Firefly, I’ll admit).
The reason I enjoy it so much is that it give me impetus, motivation, and perhaps a kick in the ass to write a better story myself. The dialogue, the one-liners, the incredible characters, the plot arcs with individual subplots all tying into a larger story, the realistic acting right down to the facial expressions, are all so high quality, I feel myself bowing before the screenwriters (figuratively of course).
In Monday’s premiere, Boyd Crowder (maybe the coolest bad guy on TV, played by Walton Goggins) and Raylan Givens (the underrated Timothy Olyphant) had these little, minor exchanges (like many others they’ve had) in the US Marshal’s office:
- Raylan: Did you do something you shouldn’t have?
- Boyd: Well, that’s a pretty low bar, Raylan.
- Raylan: There’s still a sizable amount missing.
- Boyd: How sizeable, Raylan?
- Raylan: Well over ten dollars.
- Boyd: Well now, if I found that kind of money, I’d be in Mexico by now.
- Raylan: Boyd, I’ve been to Mexico, I don’t think you’d like it.
- Boyd: How so?
- Raylan: There’s a lot of Mexicans.
All told in deadpan, straight face, one to one conversation that showed such an amazing character interaction, I was blown away. And the story itself? Even better. By Season 3, they’ve interwoven three different villains – the Crowders, Mags Bennett, and now the Dixie Mafia with a surprise visitor from Detroit – into the overall arc so well, you’d have no idea the same story is still going on…yet it is.
Special shout out to Wynn Duffy, played by Jere Burns (love that guy) for the show’s most memorable and laughable quote: “Raylan, I’m sorry. I would like to be of more help but I’ve gotta get back to watching women’s tennis.” And for a little slapstick value, Joelle Carter’s character Ava’s cast iron skillet to the face bit was excellent. Not a stretch, not gratuitous, but like everything else in Justified, it fits right in.
Entertainment factor aside, and there is a massive one, Justified shows what a story can be in the hands of a talented writer (or group of writers), and for that I’m thankful. And damned jealous…
Aspiring writers, take an hour out of your week to catch Justified and see what a story really is. (Or like me, take 44 minutes…)
I don’t think Justified is on Australian TV, but i’ll keep an eye out for it.
I’ll be watching when it goes on Netflix! I felt this way about the HBO series Deadwood!!!
I’ve not started the third season yet but loved the first two seasons and it is all about the characters and by extension the writing that makes them compelling regardless of what side of the law they stand. The same principles apply to any story though be it on tv, movies or literature because flowery narrative or special effects will only take you so far:)
Well said – therefore, my jealousy!
It is a great show. I think it’s my favorite now, or at least running neck-to-neck with The Mentalist.
Ah yes, The Mentalist – another must-see every week for the wife and I.
Can’t get Justified over here but when in the States it is my favorite. But you are right about the massive interruptions. It’s amazing how society gets used to being inundated and influenced or maybe it’s the pretty girls, lol.
I find that strong television shows can be very helpful to my writing. I keep hearing great things about Justified, but I have never seen it. Now I really want to watch it. Do you think it is a show that a newcomer can catch on to a few seasons in, or do you recommend trying to find the first two seasons somewhere first?
Justified is amazing and Elmore Leonard is a genius! I hadn’t really thought about what influence the show would have on my writing, but now that you mention it, a lot can be learned from the dialogue in the show. Great post, Steve!
“Justified!” Where do I start? This is one of the smartest TV shows ever, deeply felt characters, beaucoup tension, snappy dialogue that makes me squeal like a deranged groupie. Raylan dropping that bullet to the bad guy’s chest and saying, “Next one’s comin’ faster.” There’s also an undercurrent of morality and lines being crossed. All those characters engage and fascinate. They are not cookie-cutter hillbillies, and having roots in Kentucky, I find that refreshing.
TV dramas represent the best writing available today — as a sad contrast, films proliferate with comic book prattle and over-the-top special effects. I can’t figure out the entertainment biz right now — bloated budgets for films that flop (unless teenagers bring new dates six or seven times), cretin reality shows. But every now and then, we get some glimmers of quality, some real sustenance that sticks to our ribs, makes us think when we watch.
Look at the rom-com’s in film — they have Neil Simon casts — they can’t get the job done with one complicated character who falls in love, bolstered by strong secondary characters. That to me is very interesting. I loved “500 Days of Summer,” celebrated the fact that one male lead dominated the story, rather than a smug entourage delivering one-liners. There was some emotional depth to it, (as well as sharp lines and observances).
I wonder at times if the Internet and the multi-tasking makes it impossible to cast a rom-com with one character — people want sets of four (Sex & the City), or it seems, a dozen.
Other gritty, wonderful TV shows, of course, “Mad Men,” “The Sopranos,” “Breaking Bad,” and I’m really into “The Walking Dead.” I’m leaving out a ton of great shows, these are the ones that come to mind.
Totally get the awestruck viewing. This is a gritty, outstanding show. From the world-building, to the characterization, to the layered conflicts — and of course, the dialogue is staggeringly good.
Nice post!
Great post! Sometimes we do need a kick in the ass to do something.
i am glad Justified gives you this push
interesting post