Great first podcast guys!

Here are some thoughts/observations I had from the episode that you guys didn’t discuss (i’d love to hear your feedback):

When Art and Winona first see each other at the hospital, after Raylan has been shot:
Winona seems nervous/awkward in front of Art, and is mumbling… Art tells her what room Raylan is in. I thought this was a very short and subtle scene… However, I looked at it as Winona was still embarrassed about the theft of the money, and didn’t know what to say to Art. I think Art realized this, and in a way said “it’s OK. go see Raylan.” Thoughts?

Also, the scene in Raylan’s hotel/motel, where The Ice Pick is waiting for him… plays the game… and loses:
Firstly, I couldn’t figure-out why Ice Pick was there, in the first place. It def. would have been easy enough to figure-out where Raylan lived. By why go there, and why try to kill him? Ice Pick does mention that Raylan was the one who shot Tommy Bucks… so maybe Ice Pick wanted the challenge? Or were Tommy and Ice Pick Friends? Thoughts?

Also in that scene, you guys discussed how/why you thought Raylan played the game, the way he did. You guys seemed to think Raylan had an idea of what was in store for him, when he pulled the table cloth (he wanted to change the rules of the game). I had another perspective on it. I don’t think that Raylan had any idea how the game would be rigged. I think his motivation for pulling on the table cloth was merely an evaluation of his own physical condition. As we learned in the begining of the show, Raylan was still recuperating from his injuries, and couldn’t draw his gun well. I think Raylan knew he wouldn’t be able to reach and grab the gun faster than the Ice Pick. I think he pulled the table cloth so that he wouldn’t have to reach as far/quick (and yeah, change the rules a bit at the same time). However, I doubt that the use of the ice pick ever crossed his mind (remember, he hasn’t been as involved in the case as Tim. Thoughts?

All-in-all, GREAT podcast! Can’t wait to continue hearing more from you guys!

Just some feedback on the “lousy marshal vs. good marshal” comment. I think it’s interesting if you look at Justified as basically inserting an Old West lawman into a modern setting, complete with an Old West mentality, I think it has to do with the Old West lawman archetype.

In the Old West, the same people who were lawmen were often outlaws and crossed back and forth between those roles repeatedly. Lawmen often did whatever was necessary to make things right, not necessarily according to the letter of the law, but according to their personal world view.

Also, concerning the Boyd & Raylan relationship, I think it a lot of it has to do with their history in the coal mines. Much like the military, there is a brotherhood that transcends your personal opinion about an individual. Your lives depend on a mutual trust and respect.

And finally, one last comment about the cross draw. The cross draw originated in the old west as a tactical method for dueling. The idea is that if you put your weak side towards your opponent (facing side-on) you present a smaller target. However, if you maintain a strong side rig, it will take longer to bring your pistol to bear. So instead, you cross draw with the pistol holstered at an angle on your weak side, grips toward your strong hand. It allows the gunslinger to bring the pistol to bear just as quick as facing an opponent head on with a strong side drop holster while gaining a smaller silhouette as well as possibly preventing a vital wound (let your weak arm take the shot).

That should be “Lousy Marshal vs. Good Lawman.”