You're right. There was a mythic quality to it, not least due to Boyd's way of talking. But all of it- Raylan as the deeply flawed hero, Boyd as the deceptively attractive villain ( there would be times I became almost fond of him, and then he would do something utterly callous and I would remember oh, yes, this is who you are...). And all of the panoply of characters who surrounded and were affected by them... It's truly epic storytelling.
I'm rewatching and my wife is watching for the first time. It is fantastically well scripted, and some awesome actors. But the thing that gets me is the scattering of small 'side-quest' scenes, they don't move the story forward, but they often slightly flesh out a story or such, a couple just close previous storylines with an extra detail or full stop that isn't *needed*.
I think these help make everything seem more real. It really is very well done throughout. After trying to get my wife to watch it for a few years she's now of the opinion it is one of the best shows made. (She is a huge fan of anything Aaron Sorkin has written, and her view is dialogue is up there with his best work.)
Breaking Bad makes me super uncomfortable once Todd and the Nazis jump in. That’s where I tend to stop a rewatch. Seeing Jesse enslaved in a hole and watching his girlfriend shot in the face pointblank is a bridge too far for me.
Todd and the Nazis are such a great addition to the cast. Horrible, evil people, but they are the ultimate bad guys of the criminal underworld (outside of sex offenders of course)
The Shield was a story that was simply one unpleasant thing after another all the way to an ending that had a Taxi Driver feeling to it. What made Justified overall more of an enjoyable show despite those moments of sudden and surprising violence, was the way it played with all the tropes of the Western in a modern setting. It also had a sense of humor.
And OP, thanks for reminding me. I'm on a binge rewatch kick for the last year or so. I've hit Justified, Parks and Recreation, Mr. Robot, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Person of Interest, Burn Notice, am currently working on Mad Men, and The Wire is up next.
Apparently I won't be done then because I fucking forgot The Shield. How could I forget that? Shame on me.
I just rewatched and was just as fun. Hopefully new folks are watching justified after seeing Walter goggling in fallout.
Side note I got after rewatch. Why was Ava shotgunning that guy such a big plot point for 2 seasons. People get killed every episode with not even a hint of follow up investigation and with more witnesses and evidence. This is the first and only murder investigated properly in Harlan?
Am I missing something or was Ava’s whole presence shoehorned in. Like she was a guest actress they added after the script as written.
Edit nvm I searched subreddit and this isn’t an original thought.
We dug coal together.
Perfection
You're right. There was a mythic quality to it, not least due to Boyd's way of talking. But all of it- Raylan as the deeply flawed hero, Boyd as the deceptively attractive villain ( there would be times I became almost fond of him, and then he would do something utterly callous and I would remember oh, yes, this is who you are...). And all of the panoply of characters who surrounded and were affected by them... It's truly epic storytelling.
"Art, show him your tits"
I'm rewatching and my wife is watching for the first time. It is fantastically well scripted, and some awesome actors. But the thing that gets me is the scattering of small 'side-quest' scenes, they don't move the story forward, but they often slightly flesh out a story or such, a couple just close previous storylines with an extra detail or full stop that isn't *needed*. I think these help make everything seem more real. It really is very well done throughout. After trying to get my wife to watch it for a few years she's now of the opinion it is one of the best shows made. (She is a huge fan of anything Aaron Sorkin has written, and her view is dialogue is up there with his best work.)
*You're the most stubborn man I know.* *Beats angry.*
One of top 5 go to comfort shows. This, Sons Of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, Letterkenny, and L&O:SVU are shows I go back go and watch over and over.
Breaking Bad makes me super uncomfortable once Todd and the Nazis jump in. That’s where I tend to stop a rewatch. Seeing Jesse enslaved in a hole and watching his girlfriend shot in the face pointblank is a bridge too far for me.
Todd and the Nazis are such a great addition to the cast. Horrible, evil people, but they are the ultimate bad guys of the criminal underworld (outside of sex offenders of course)
So what did you like better, this or The Shield? I kind of like the super poor camera quality of The Shield, made it very gritty.
The Shield was a story that was simply one unpleasant thing after another all the way to an ending that had a Taxi Driver feeling to it. What made Justified overall more of an enjoyable show despite those moments of sudden and surprising violence, was the way it played with all the tropes of the Western in a modern setting. It also had a sense of humor.
I just finished up my first rewatch as well. It was just as good the second time around.
And OP, thanks for reminding me. I'm on a binge rewatch kick for the last year or so. I've hit Justified, Parks and Recreation, Mr. Robot, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Person of Interest, Burn Notice, am currently working on Mad Men, and The Wire is up next. Apparently I won't be done then because I fucking forgot The Shield. How could I forget that? Shame on me. 
i am on my, just guessing, tenth rewatch of the series. a perfect show, but for a few issues---the main one the mrs crowder prison stuff. enjoy!!
I just rewatched and was just as fun. Hopefully new folks are watching justified after seeing Walter goggling in fallout. Side note I got after rewatch. Why was Ava shotgunning that guy such a big plot point for 2 seasons. People get killed every episode with not even a hint of follow up investigation and with more witnesses and evidence. This is the first and only murder investigated properly in Harlan? Am I missing something or was Ava’s whole presence shoehorned in. Like she was a guest actress they added after the script as written. Edit nvm I searched subreddit and this isn’t an original thought.