6 episodes that ‘Justified’ considers Emmy-worthy

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Last year, the FX drama ‘Justified’ received only one Emmy Award nomination after its freshman season — in a crafts category (original main title theme music). After an outpouring of critical and viewer support for its second season, the show is now poised to do much better when nominations are announced July 14. But how much?

Elmore Leonard wrote the original source material adapted by Graham Yost (‘Band of Brothers’ and ‘The Pacific’) about federal lawman Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) returning to his home area of rural eastern Kentucky. Just in the last few weeks, the show has garnered a Critics’ Choice TV Award for supporting actress Margo Martindale and nods for drama series, lead actor (Olyphant) and supporting actor (Walton Goggins). The TV Critics Assn. has also nominated the show, Olyphant and Martindale for its annual awards this August.

In addition to these actors, ‘Justified’ also has these supporting stars on the ballot: Jacob Pitts and Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Erica Tazel and Natalie Zea. Plus seven guest performers. Producers have chosen the following six episodes as their submissions to Emmy judges if the show is nominated for best drama series.

‘THE MOONSHINE WAR’ (aired Feb. 9, 2011)
Givens tracks down Boyd Crowder (Goggins) and seemingly puts an end to most problems in Harlan. The Bennett clan, headed by Mags (Martindale), takes control of the void. ‘THE LIFE INSIDE’ (aired Feb. 16, 2011)
Human trafficking is discovered when Givens is transferring a pregnant fugitive. Boyd works on adjusting to a new life.

‘THE I OF THE STORM’ (aired Feb. 23, 2011)
Dewey Crowe (Damon Herriman) impersonates Givens to try to retrieve a hijacked drug shipment. Fellow coal miners want to make a deal with Boyd.

‘BROTHER’S KEEPER’ (aired April 6, 2011)
A party at the Bennett home continues a feud over the Harlan County land in question. Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever) finds out what really happened to her father, resulting in a confrontation with Givens and Coover Bennett (Brad William Henke).

‘RECKONING’ (aired April 27, 2011)
When Helen (Linda Gehringer) is killed, Boyd and Arlo (Raymond J. Barry) look for the killer. Mags must decide about her son Dickie (Jeremy Davies) and the family’s criminal activities.

‘BLOODY HARLAN’ (aired May 4, 2011)
A war erupts between the Bennetts and the Crowders about the fate of Harlan. Loretta seeks revenge for her father’s death. As the deaths mount, decisions are made and the final moments are shared by Mags and Givens.

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— Tom O’Neil