Cut Ties
Raylan reunites with Karen Goodall; Boyd seeks Mags's money.
"Cut Ties" is the third episode of the third season of the American Neo-Western television series Justified, and the 28th overall episode. It was written by co-producer Benjamin Cavell and directed by Michael Watkins, and originally aired on FX on January 24, 2012. The episode introduces the character Karen Goodall, a figure from Raylan Givens's past, and advances the storyline involving Boyd Crowder's pursuit of Mags Bennett's hidden money.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Justified
- Season
- 3
- Episode
- 2
- Airdate
- 2012-01-24
- Length
- 40 minutes
- Director
- Michael Watkins
- Writer
- Benjamin Cavell
- Photographer
- Francis Kenny
- Editor
- Keith Henderson
- Season Article
- Justified (season 3)
- Episode List
- List of Justified episodes
- Prev
- The Gunfighter
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode follows U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens as he investigates the murder of a fellow marshal, Bill Nichols, which brings him into contact with Assistant Director Karen Goodall, a former colleague from Miami. Meanwhile, Boyd Crowder, in prison, instigates a fight to be placed in solitary confinement next to Dickie Bennett, seeking the location of Mags Bennett's money. Dickie reveals the money is held by crime boss Ellstin Limehouse.
Reader's Guide
The episode was written by co-producer Benjamin Cavell and directed by Michael Watkins. Series developer Graham Yost noted that the episode explains Boyd's prison intentions regarding Mags Bennett's money. Carla Gugino reprised her role from the 2003 crime drama Karen Sisco as Karen Goodall, though the character's name was changed because FX did not own the rights to the Karen Sisco character. Mykelti Williamson joined the series in a recurring role as Ellstin Limehouse, a character inspired by the historical Coe Ridge Colony. The episode received positive reviews, with critics praising Gugino's performance despite a lukewarm response to the main case.
Did You Know?
- Carla Gugino's character Karen Goodall was originally named Karen Sisco, but the name was changed because FX did not own the rights to the character.
- Despite being credited, actor Jacob Pitts does not appear in this episode.
- The character Ellstin Limehouse was created in part to address a lack of African-American characters in the series.
- The episode was seen by an estimated 2.71 million household viewers, a 2.2% decrease from the previous episode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the Justified episode "Cut Ties"?
Raylan Givens is forced to deal with an old acquaintance named Karen Goodall resurfacing in his life, while Boyd Crowder pushes forward his hunt for the cash Mags Bennett secretly stashed away before vanishing.
Who is Karen Goodall in Justified?
Karen Goodall is a character introduced in Season 3 who carries a personal history with Raylan Givens, and her reappearance forces him to reckon with a part of his past he had long tried to leave behind.
What is Boyd's storyline in "Cut Ties"?
Boyd Crowder is actively tracking down the location of Mags Bennett's hidden money, a quest that has consumed much of his focus since her disappearance and continues to drive his actions throughout the season.
Who wrote and directed "Cut Ties" on Justified?
The episode was penned by co-producer Benjamin Cavell and helmed by director Michael Watkins, airing on FX on January 24, 2012.
What season and episode number is "Cut Ties"?
"Cut Ties" is Season 3, Episode 3 of Justified, which makes it the 28th episode of the series overall.
More in Justified episodes 1-24
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