Fugitive Number One
Marshals hunt Ava after she shoots Boyd and steals $10 million.
Fugitive Number One is the 76th episode of Justified, airing as the eleventh installment of its sixth season on FX on March 31, 2015. The episode was written by executive producers Taylor Elmore and Keith Schreier, with direction from Jon Avnet. In it, the Marshals launch a manhunt for Ava after she shoots Boyd and makes off with Avery’s $10 million.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode drew an estimated 1.96 million household viewers and a 0.6 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. Critics gave it extremely positive reviews, highlighting the RV fight scene, the writing, performances, direction, and emotional tone.
The plot begins with Ava declared “fugitive number one.” Art returns from leave to take over Marshal operations in Kentucky, surprising Rachel. Raylan visits a wounded Boyd in the hospital for questioning; Boyd suggests Ava may be with Zachariah. Ava and Zachariah reach a mountain rescue station with the money, planning to escape. Katherine tells Avery that Duffy was the snitch against Grady, which doesn’t surprise Avery. Despite their distrust, Avery intends to marry Katherine and reclaim his money, planning to kill Boyd while Katherine targets Duffy. Loretta is intimidated again by Boon.
In jail, Avery and Boon visit Earl and Carl. Avery explains Boyd’s plan to have them arrested while he kidnapped Katherine. Carl refuses to believe it, so Avery releases him to find and kill Boyd, threatening to have Boon kill Earl if Carl fails or flees. On the mountain, Raylan, Tim, and authorities find evidence of Ava and Zachariah at the empty rescue station and order a helicopter. Vasquez expresses concern about Raylan’s past involvement with Ava, accusing him of conspiring with her. Art orders Raylan back to Lexington; Raylan reluctantly complies. Carl knocks out Boyd’s guard and confronts him in the hospital. Boyd convinces Carl to let him save Earl and get the money. Boyd dons a police uniform, kills Carl, and warns hospital staff of a shooter, allowing his escape. Avery orders Boon to release Earl so they can kill him, but Raylan deviates from the Lexington road, arrives at the station, and threatens the cops on Avery’s payroll to hand over Earl.
Katherine meets Mike in their trailer and talks with Duffy. Duffy confesses to snitching on Grady and killing Simon Poole.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Justified
- Season
- 6
- Episode
- 11
- Airdate
- 2015-03-31
- Length
- 44 minutes
- Director
- Jon Avnet
- Writer
- Taylor Elmore & Keith Schreier
- Photographer
- Stefan von Bjorn
- Editor
- Eric L. Beason
- Season Article
- Justified (season 6)
- Episode List
- List of Justified episodes
- Prev
- Trust
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode was written by executive producer Taylor Elmore and Keith Schreier, and directed by Jon Avnet. Series developer Graham Yost credited Avnet for the RV fight scene, calling him the series' 'secret weapon' for his 'producing instincts and great visual flair.' Avnet originally planned to have the fight crash through a window, but budget and time constraints kept it inside the RV. Yost described the scene as 'a very larger than life persona and a lot of fun.'
Reader's Guide
Fugitive Number One is significant as a penultimate episode of Justified's final season, advancing the climax of multiple character arcs. The episode features the deaths of Katherine and Mike in a brutal RV fight, and Boyd's escape from the hospital. Critics praised the RV fight scene, writing, performances, directing, and emotional tone. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.96 million household viewers, a 13% increase from the previous episode. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, with Seth Amitin of IGN giving it an 8.7 out of 10.
Did You Know?
- Series developer Graham Yost credited director Jon Avnet for the RV fight scene.
- During production, writers considered killing off Tim Gutterson but abandoned the idea after the series' Marshal adviser warned it would trigger a massive law enforcement response.
- FX executives initially objected to the use of Pachelbel's Canon in the RV scene, calling it 'too on the nose,' but Yost defended the choice.
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