“I don’t suppose you’d believe me if I said ‘no’.”

Raylan Givens is no longer tied to the law. When he turned in his gun and badge last week, he became his own outlaw of sorts, a man who’s simply out to take down Boyd Crowder, a man who doesn’t need to hide behind a badge. As I’m sure we’ve all noticed, though, this was a long time coming, as Raylan’s always been the type of guy who constantly steps outside the confines of the law in order to get what he wants. He’s been getting closer and closer to the type of man Boyd Crowder is, and it’s now up in the air whether he’ll really leave Harlan alive.

What differentiates him and Boyd, however, is the fact that Boyd is comfortable with who he is. “I know who I am,” he tells Merrill (played by the brilliant Shea Whigham). “Do you? You’re a slave, disenfranchised…you think you’re better than me because you play by the rules? Whose rules?” It’s a telling conversation that beautifully sets up the later Boyd-Raylan showdown, and it’s one of the great writing choices of this final season. In the span of several minutes, it highlights the disparity between a romanticized, Robin Hood-esque version of Boyd Crowder and the Boyd Crowder he really is. It’s a really key distinction to make–especially during the endgame–because it’s oftentimes easy to forget exactly what this character’s done, who exactly this character is. Is he the hero he thought he was? Or, is he the exact opposite?

“I’m just tryin’ to get from point A to point B,” Boyd says during “Collateral”. At this point in the story, these characters are simply trying to survive, and people who were once lovers and friends and companions are now obstacles. They’re objects, and they’re standing in the way of what semblance of freedom others are trying to obtain. There’s a circular nature to all of this, and that’s emphasized over and over again when, for example, Zachariah spits out: “You’re no different than Boyd!” It’s a damning line, but it’s also an inevitable comparison given Raylan’s actions.

The episode, therefore, revolves around perhaps the darkest scene in the show: Raylan and Boyd, exchanging fiery lines and gunshots in the woods at night. Their exchange loses the usual entertainment factor as it wears on, and it becomes clearer and clearer that these two men are intent on killing each other. They’re intent on hurting each other, and their words sting, packing the punch of a long, shared history. “Whose eyes are you gonna see when you kill me? Your daddy’s?” Boyd asks. “Not anymore,” Raylan responds, and we see that he’s disconnected himself from the past. Yet, at the same time, when he says that Bob “can take care of himself”, Boyd fires back by saying that he’s already won.

It’s satisfying that Raylan eventually goes to help Bob, as it reflects the fact that at least some part of him is still tethered to his humanity. Still, though, Boyd is right on the money when he says that Raylan has “spent his whole life trying to walk the line”. It remains to be seen where that line will take him, and I can’t wait to find out.

One more episode left, folks.

GRADE: A-

OTHER THOUGHTS:

– “Before you try to seduce me, just know that it’s been tried before.”

– “Your teeth glow in the dark.” Every week, this dialogue just continues to top itself.

-I hope Wynn Duffy is trying to open a dog grooming business.

-The opening scene between Raylan and Cope is a really great one. It’s like an official severing from the past, and it’s also possibly foreshadowing Raylan’s fate (I’m rooting for him to make it out of this series alive).

-Loretta is a badass. I’m really intrigued to see how her storyline with Markham wraps up next week, as it’s an incredibly interesting dynamic that’s unfolding. “I saw some of Katherine in you,” Markham tells her.

-Jeff Fahey, you did a great job. “You’re all part of the same big ‘ol pile of shit!”

– “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” is presumably going to close out the series finale, which would be in line with the pattern set by previous finales. Now that I think about it, it’s making me really sad; this is one of my favorite shows on the air, and I’m bummed to see it end. I have no doubt that it’ll go out with a bang, though. Predictions? Hopes for the finale? Share below.

Photo credit: FX, Justified