Fixer (Justified)

"Fixer" is the third episode of the first season of the FX neo-Western series *Justified*, and the third episode overall. Benjamin Cavell wrote it, and Fred Keller directed it. It first aired on March 30, 2010. The story centers on Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens as he looks into a local informant and fixer who ends up kidnapped and scammed.

In the episode, Raylan learns from Mullen that his father Arlo has been arrested for DUI in Harlan County, news he initially brushes off. Following office instructions, Raylan meets Arnold Pinter, a local informant who also works as a fixer for journalists. Pinter provides information that leads to a raid and arrest. Pinter’s collector, Curtis Mims, is sent to collect an $18,000 debt from Travis Travers. Curtis threatens Travis, but Travis convinces him they can make more money together. When Raylan goes to give Pinter his reward at a bar, Pinter is missing. Raylan then visits Pinter’s home, where he runs into Travis, who talks his way out of suspicion. It is revealed that Travis and Curtis have kidnapped Pinter, along with his friend and waitress Samantha. Pinter quickly figures out who his captors are and that Samantha is working with them. Raylan arrives to question Travis. Curtis learns of a $10,000 reward for Pinter but tells the others it is $5,000 to keep more for himself. Travis later kills Curtis in a gunfight to get a bigger share. Samantha then decides to release Pinter. Raylan arrives with the "reward," and Travis tries to kill him with a hidden gun. In the shootout, Pinter accidentally shoots Raylan in the chest, but his bulletproof vest saves him. Raylan shoots through a door, killing Travis. Afterward, Pinter gets his reward, and Raylan receives a week of paid leave. Mullen jokes it will be more peaceful. Pinter surprises Raylan by choosing not to implicate Samantha. That night, Raylan visits Ava at her house, and they share a kiss.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was watched by an estimated 2.31 million household viewers and earned a 0.9/3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. This means 0.9 percent of all TV households watched it, and 3 percent of households watching TV at that time tuned in. That was a 35% drop from the previous episode, which had 3.53 million viewers and a 1.4/4 rating in the same demographic.

Critics gave "Fixer" positive reviews.