Justified: City Primeval (TV Mini Series) Backstabbers (2023) User Reviews

Hoping it improves . . .

[EmoEl · 6/10 · 30 July 2023]

Now that the I'll-behaved, self-centered teen character Willa was put on a plane and sent back to her mother in FL where she belongs. No reflection on Timothy Olyphant's daughter, who plays the infuriating character very well. Mainly I was unhappy with Raylan Givens' weak responses in dealing with her. IMO, It was out of character for the previously strong and forthright Marshall. Why was he so concerned that SHE was mad at him when HE should have been mad at HER for leaving the hotel and taking the murderer's side and not doing anything he asked her to do (which were for her own safety).

I wanted to like this new series as I did the original Justified, but couldn't get past my annoyance with Willa and the over-the-top crazy of the Clem character who is basically a Fast & Furious type caricature of a bad guy. Terrible writing.

🤞🏼Fingers crossed that it improves.

Not my Justified

[kymberleigh-77180 · 6/10 · 26 July 2023]

I came into this with such high hopes and I have been sorely disappointed. A kinder, gentler, gun holstered Raylan is not my Raylan. There were high hopes when he shot out the truck tire in Ep 1 but that didn't pan out. The lawyer, that previews hint will be a "romantic" interest, she's dull and as a lawyer, she's no Vasques. And I'd much rather gouge my eyes out than even consider that she and Raylan will hook up. The "villain," he is no Boyd Crowded.

This "series" lacks everything that made the original so special.

To be kind, I'll not voice my issues with the forced child's voice of Willa. Vivian's acting is wonderful but her voice feels forced into sounding like a child when she us supposed to be a young adult.

The lack of any connection to the original, not even a mention of Tim, Rachel, or Art, feels dysfunctional. And no Winona is just wrong. I'll watch until the end but my expectations are low at this.

The saving grace is that Raylan isn't wearing that god awful hat from the original series finale he took off the idiot. I hated that aspect of the original.

Daughter

[hazangel-89910 · 8/10 · 7 September 2023]

People are being real hard on the poor girl. She is playing her role like a young teenage girl who just wants her father's attention and is somewhat rebellious. I think it's her voice that makes her character seem annoying but she is doing a good job in my opinion. We just got used to Raylan being on his own in the original series with no real baggage (well not a kid anyways).

Having his daughter around is posing a problem. It's best that she leaves. Poor Willa. She does seem like she can handle herself so perhaps her dad has rubbed off on her. I hope they can find true happiness together. And she can experience a dad who is present....eventually.

Episode 3

[bobcobb301 · 19 August 2023]

This show is definitely living up to the legacy of Justified by having a bunch of boring cops and courtroom personnel surrounding Raylan. Unless Boyd Crowder magically shows up I think that is going to be the case. But Clement is certainly an intriguing bad guy and I hope he remains a good counterpart to the lead for the duration of the season.

It lives up to the Justified name, but it is not all that great. It is a little bit light on action and the story of how the criminal keeps evading justice just does not seem all that realistic or plausible, even by the standards of modern TV we currently live in.

Another Great Justified Criminal

[jlehnerer · 9/10 · 31 July 2023]

Boyd Holbrook is filling some big shoes, stepping into the "big bad" role on Justified. But he is absolutely killing it. His creepiness, and how scary he is, keeps the viewers on their toes bc they never know what he will do. And so far, the brief showdowns with Raylan have been great but I can't wait to see what is to come. This show also has great supporting characters as well with the guy from King of Queens, (not Doug, his best friend) and the guy from Bloodline, (not Coach Taylor, the brother). Very intense episode, I thought Clement Mansell's character really shined here. I am hooked already and can't wait for the rest of the season!

The daughter is dragging the show down

[grlym-46849 · 5/10 · 29 July 2023]

So the first two episodes had me craving for more. Yes, the daughter was annoying and a huge distraction with no other point than to establish olyphqnts real life daughters career. She's not a horrible actress, but the character gets way too much screen time to make the point of absent father who feels bad about it.

I'm hoping her getting on the plane means we never see her again. Because nothing about her character moves the plot along. And it doesn't ad more to the character of raylan givens that we didn't see in the opening season in episode 1

The criminals were flat in this episode. All the cool build up and mystique in the first two episodes was gone and we were left with super boring drawn out 1970's cop and criminal procedural shows.

Hoping for better in episode 4.

Just sad

[pdc15725 · 4/10 · 26 July 2023]

This show and episode bear very little resemblance to the original. There are story problems.

Story problem: The Armenian, who owns one of the most profitable hot dog stands in the world, is falling down drunk one minute and the next minute he is perfectly controlling his Corvette down the road.

Another: Raylans daughter adds nothing but distraction and annoyance to the story.

Another: At least two people have the same lawyer. I guess this saved having to hire another actor.

Almost forgot: in episode 2, the 14 year old Willa can order a drink at the bar. I guess the bartender is as baffled as everyone else about what her age is supposed to be.

That's just this episode. Not sure if I can watch them all at this point. The 'what could have been' feeling is overwhelming.