The Hammer (Justified)

"The Hammer" is the tenth episode of Justified's first season and the tenth episode overall. It aired on FX on May 18, 2010. Fred Golan (co-executive producer) and Chris Provenzano (executive story editor) wrote it, with John Dahl directing. The plot centers on Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who is tasked with protecting an eccentric judge while also following up on an old lead involving the Crowder family.

In the episode, Raylan finds Boyd Crowder in the woods, where Boyd has started a church that threatens addicts and reformed criminals into quitting their habits. Raylan exposes Boyd's crimes and offers a reward for information leading to his arrest. Meanwhile, Judge Mike "The Hammer" Reardon is bitten by a snake, and Raylan is assigned to guard him, despite being embarrassed by the judge's odd behavior. During the assignment, Reardon is nearly poisoned by carbon monoxide from a car exhaust. Raylan also tries to locate Pastor Israel Fandi, who has changed his name and job. Johnny visits Boyd, who has threatened a nearby meth lab, and Boyd later leads his followers to burn the dealers' RV, though a person inside dies. Raylan confronts a man watching him and Reardon at a bar, later identified as Virgil Corum, a convict with a history that matches the recent attacks. Virgil tries to kill Reardon in a parking lot, but Reardon shoots him first. Raylan breaks up with Ava to prevent further destruction, and Reardon helps reduce her probation. Raylan learns from Mullen that the man killed in the RV was an informant, and though they suspect Boyd, they cannot prove it. Raylan threatens Fandi into testifying, but Fandi admits he does not know what Boyd looks like, so Raylan leaves without forcing him.

Erica Tazel and Natalie Zea are credited but do not appear. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by about 2.08 million households, with a 0.8/2 rating share among adults aged 18–49. This was a slight drop from the previous episode's 2.09 million viewers. Critics gave positive reviews, praising the performances of Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, and Stephen Root, as well as the character development.