BLOGS
Justified ends its exemplary second season this week, and if it's anything like last season's finale, I expect a tremendous amount of carnage to go down. Clearly, though we all love her dearly, some of that bloodshed may befall the gloriously villainous Mags Bennett (she may stick around indefinitely, Boyd Crowder-style, but my gut says that she and her son Dickie are dead meat), who has completely stolen the season and whose likely Emmy snub I'm already preparing to decry in a few months. So, just in case she goes out tomorrow night, I thought I'd compile all the wonderful, finger-smashing things I'll miss about dear old Mags. And if she lives, let's just call this a fun tribute to the antics of one of the greatest new characters on TV this year.
That Hammer Scene
There's a lot of fantastic violence on FX, but the last time I saw someone callously take a hammer to someone's fingers, it was in Body of Lies -- a movie about terrorists -- and they were doing it to a CIA agent, not their own mentally challenged son. I know Gemma Teller once held a gun to a baby's head and everything, but not even Gemma Teller is Mags-hammer-wielding awesome.
She Manipulates with the Best of Them
When she's working anybody but Raylan, she's unstoppable. The way she rallied the people of Harlan against Black Pike with an impassioned speech just to cut herself a profit was chillingly convincing. And though her feigning tears to gain access to Loretta after Coover's death didn't sway Raylan, it honestly worked on me. If there's a better evil mastermind on TV right now I can't think of one.
Innovative Fashions
It really never occurred to me that I could use a tool belt as an actual belt before. It just makes so much sense, I'm surprised Mags is the only one doing it.
She's the Anti-Ava and Winona
It's nice to see a female character on this show who at least has a decent plan before she does things. Considering that Ava's love affair with Boyd Crowder was pretty much her entire storyline this season and that Winona's idiotic theft of evidence locker money was a big chuck of hers, it's nice to see a truly competent woman on this show, even if she is a bit of a psychopath. (You could say Rachel fills this purpose as well, and I'd agree, but Rachel's too minor a character to make much of a dent on Winona's awfulness.)
Apple Pie
By my count, there are two prominent bootleggers on cable at the moment: Nucky Thompson from Boardwalk Empire and Mags Bennett. Nucky may dress better, but Mags is the real moonshine artist of the moment. You don't see people on the boardwalk raving about the flavor profiles of Nucky's swill like the folks in Kentucky do for Mags on Justified every episode. Added strategic bonus: Better tasting moonshine equals better poison veiling! This woman is a genius.
Your favorite Mags memories? Your own apple pie recipes? Leave them in the comments!
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TWOP should be recapping this show.
Finally, something on the site I can agree with! Mags is a wonderful character, and hell, I even found her sons weirdly sympathetic. (With her for a mother, how could I not?)
I watch a lot of television, and she's easily the best guest star I've seen this year. I also agree that she's the best-written female on the show, followed by Loretta. The writing for Ava and Winona has indeed been pretty lacking.
please, recap justified
Why ISN'T TWOP recapping this amazing show?
HA! "whose likely Emmy snub I'm already preparing to decry in a few months" that totally sums up my thoughts. Please please please start recapping the show!!!!
Yes, I want lots of howling and screaming from TV bloggers if Megs isn't nominated for an emmy. Actually the whole cast should be. Best show ever for memorable characters and great actors.
And I agree, to me the "expert" TV bloggers are really dropping the ball on this series. There's hardly a report out there after a show. Aren't the TV pros supposed to be cluing us into TV gems?? It seems right now they are just mindlessly following whatever hoopla from premium cable channels is fed to them about their latest expensive, but not necessarily good, shows. Justified runs circles around Boardwalk Empire when it comes to entertaining story, character development, and talented character actors.
i loved her on dexter!
Alan Sepinwall and the AV Club have been covering the show since it began, but they're pretty much it. Not sure why it's not receiving more press, it's easily one of the top shows of the last two years.
I've never seen "Justified" but Margo Martindale, the actress who portrays Mags, is terrific so I'm happy to see she's receiving such attention. When I think of her as Hilary Swank's mother in "Million Dollar Baby" I am alternately disgusted by the character while blown away by Margo's performance.
Justified is definitely MY must see TV of the season. I as well am surprised TWOP doesnt cover a show with such complex characters and storylines.
I read the LA Times Justified recap every week, but I'd switch over to TWoP if we could get someone who understands the show. Bring on the recap!!
I never thought Mags might not make it out of Season 2. Hmm...
What, no mention of Margo Martindale?
I totally fell for the tears too when she asked to see Loretta. When her face changed and she told Doyle, "Let's go" I got chills. An excellent actress on an excellent show.
Also I totally do not understand the Ava/Boyd romance angle or her just going along with the crime lifestyle now.
The other female character that was awesome was Rebecca Creskoff's "Carol" if it wasn't for her other part, we may have gotten more of her great character. Her character had so much more going for her than Ava or Winona. And don't forget the performance being put in by Kaitlyn Dever as "Loretta".
Agents with female clients should be finding their client's roles on this show; a show that doesn't write stock female characters but gives great actresses real roles.
Why doesn't this site give such a great show a column?
???
I've loved Margo Martindale since
100 Centre Street' (Am I the only one who remembers this show?). I'm absolutely blown away by her on 'Justified' and I, too, will decry her inevitable Emmy snub. Such a talented actress. Sorry to be obtuse bhm1304 but who is 'Carol'?
She is so great and I am so glad to see an article on her and this show! Best show on TV and she should get the Emmy and the Globe. Just the scene where she was begging Raylan to see Loretta to say good bye would do it.
Carol was the Black Pike negotiator.
Nooo. Why did Mags kills herself? She was the best! I think Margo Martinsdale definitely deserves an Emmy for her performance. I love Justified. It's the best show on tv in my opinion. Can't wait for season 3 and to see what new family comes out of the dark to cause havoc to Raylan and Boyd. Hate Ava & Winona. Both are sluts. I mean, Winona, I can't blame you for wanting Raylan back, but you are still legally married to Gary. Ava, you slept with the whole town of Harlan. Boyd is hot, but girlfriend you killed his brother & never served time for it. Not right.
I forgot to mention that someone on TWOP should recap this show. It's too amazing not to be recapped by my favorite place to read recaps. You guys are friggin hilarious. Please consider it for your fans. Tx!!
Yes please recap this show! one of the best shows on TV! Season finale was freaking awesome, Raylan hanging from that tree and Dickie going "batter batter batter"
YES! Recap it!
1 part White Dog
1 part water or cider
1 part dark honey
cinnamon, nutmeg, small part blackstap to taste. set two weeks, strain, drink.
if you can't find white dog you can sub Everclear or overproof rum ..... they're almost as stong.
It's easy for us Yankees to make fun of hillbillies but when I saw Elmore Leonard's name I had to watch and haven't missed an ep. Mags was best character on TV this season.
Mags Bennett was one of the most entertaining characters on this season's Justified. Will really miss her strong presence. Her ability to be so evil yet be so caring with Loretta was really amazingly convincing. Loved her!
And Raylan..the epitome of cool.
Mags is the best. If they really let her die off I may have to leave Justified. Although an awesome show. Much like Deadwood. Mags was Justified
When will the Halloween costumes of Mags be out ??? I wanna be the 1st. to get one !!! Freddie and Jason ain't got nothing on this bad azz !!
I’m going nuts waiting for the next season of Justified. And I’m sure that I’m not the only one. I think I’m anticipating this one even more because I know I’ll be able to see it as it airs. Since I travel pretty much all the time I’ve gotten used to just watching whatever crap they have in the hotel room and letting MY shows pile up on my DVR. Now though with the TV everywhere service I can watch any and all of my programming on my iPad anywhere I go. It’s great and being an employee of DISH I’m happy to tell you they have an awesome deal going on to get the Sling Adapter free! Check out the details here: http://bit.ly/mKO2XE It’s definitely worth a few moments of your time, especially if you travel or live an on the got lifestyle. This has changed the way I view TV for the better, forever.
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