Justified Season 7 Episode 12 Collateral

The penultimate episode of Justified is finally here.  The expectation for drama and loss of life is high, especially because the episode is titled “Collateral.”  The last few episodes have brought the end to many “collateral” characters. (Mikey, Katherine.) Tonight I expect Boyd and Raylan to survive buy all others better hold onto their hats!

The episode opens with Boyd carjacking a man named Hagan (Shea Whigham of Boardwalk Empire fame.)  Hagan is clearly intoxicated but Boyd does not care, he just needs him to drive.  Art awaits the arrival of Earl to the office, “Hello, Shithead!” Art calls to him.  On the backseat is Raylan’s badge and identification. Raylan has officially gone “rogue.”

Raylan comes across a mountain man in the woods who seems to know him.  Raylan instructs the hidden mountain men to come out of hiding, drop their weapons and disperse.  Raylan needs only one guide to hunt for Ava.

Outside Grubes cabin, Ava is freaking out. “The plan is as dead as the man inside!” Zachariah disagrees as he stubbornly digs a grave for his departed friend.  Zachariah is convinced if they stay in the cabin the law will give up their search for them in a couple weeks.  Ava is more concerned about Boyd finding her than the law.

Raylan and his guide discuss their shared history.  He has no love for the Givens clan because Arlo used the mountain people for his drug operations without compensation.  The man is related to Raylan on his mother’s side.  Raylan asks the man for a piece of paper.  Raylan deeds his house to the man in an effort to compensate him for his past and present assistance.  Raylan states the document is  “In case I don’t make it down!”

A shattered Avery speaks out loud to Katherine’s body in the morgue.  He muses, “Revenge is what did you in!  Why didn’t you trust me and do what you were supposed to do?  I would love to gut Wynn but I have to get my money back.”

Vasquez reluctantly releases Wynn from custody grumbling that he must have hired the best defense lawyers in the state.  Wynn gathers his personal effects from the RV but he doesn’t want the storied “douche mobile” back.  Wynn might be free from the law but knows his real immediate danger. “Ava, Boyd and Avery are about to converge like planets. Planets that are armed and hate my guts!”  Wynn plans to never return to Kentucky.  Vasquez has one burning question for Wynn, “Who killed my boss, Simon Poole?” Wynn lies and says he doesn’t know.

Ava and Zachariah overhear that law enforcement is looking for Boyd who is on the loose dressed as a sheriff’s deputy.  Ava is terrified and wants to run.  Zachariah urges for patience, thinking they can wait for Boyd and make a stand against him.  Ava dismisses this as suicide.

Hagan knows Boyd and his legendary outlaw status in the community. “You’re Billy the Kid, you’re a hero. I’d be glad for you to take my truck.”  But Boyd, now dressed in the “borrowed” civilian clothes still needs the man to drive him because of the massive manhunt.  I’m fairly certain Hagan will end up being “collateral”.

Loretta has company; it’s her old boyfriend Derrick whom she has enlisted to help her with security.  An uninvited guest, Boon, soon joins them in the barn.  Boon toys with Derrick like a cat with a fat mouse.  Unfortunately, Derrick tries to be brave.  Boon shoots him in the upper shoulder.

Vasquez speaks roughly to FBI agent Nelson is at the US Marshall’s office.  A bulletin has been released regarding Raylan stating, “A Marshall’s life is in danger.”  Vasquez believes this is a ploy by law enforcement to not be found complicit in Raylan’s actions.  Vasquez thinks Raylan is guilty of aiding and abetting a fugitive for a share in the ten million dollars.

Tim phones Art to tell him Raylan’s missing.  Tim informs him  a “BOLO” has been issued for Raylan to bring him in and indict him. (Not sure on what charges.) Meanwhile, Constable Bob has heard the BOLO for Raylan on his scanner.  He leaves to go help only to find Raylan has “borrowed” his new Crown Vic.  Bob uncovers his old Gremlin and is ready to roll. (The Crown Vic has a LoJack device. )

Raylan has found Grubes cabin and an agitated Zachariah.  Zachariah quips, “I appreciate you not shooting me!” Raylan says “Likewise.” Zachariah says he knew he wasn’t Boyd because of his hat  After looking, Raylan asks “Where’s Ava!”  Ava is shown running with a large backpack full of cash. She makes a breathless phone call to someone.

Wynn meets a woman at the bus stop.  He wants to secure transportation, weapons, money and two passports.  The woman asks if “his guy” is coming with him.  Wynn says no. (I believe he’s still in shock over Mikey’s death.)  Wynn wants a dog grooming  van as his getaway vehicle.  He pays the woman with Katherine’s jewelry he had hidden in a fake toothpaste tube.

Raylan tries to reason with Zachariah stating they both want to get Boyd. Her uncle states Ava might be over the hills and far away by now.  Zachariah is aware of Ava’s relationship with Raylan and finds him almost as repugnant as Boyd.  Raylan asks where the money is and realizes she’s taken it with her.  Raylan deduces Ava has headed down the mountain with the money. He leaves her uncle armed and agitated.

Somebody give Constable Bob a medal, he’s found Ava!  He asks her to step away from the Crown Vic and arrests her.  He’s shocked to discover the backpack is full of money.  Bob asks if she’s killed Raylan and Ava reports “No.”  Ava is desperate to get away and offers Bob money.  Bob refuses and commands her to get into his Gremlin which smells like “a mocha latte.” Yum.  They both hear Hagan’s truck approach. Bob urges her to calm down. Ava cries, “Boyd’s gonna kill us!”

Hagan knows his ride with Boyd is probably his last.  Hagan notes “Outlaw songs are not sung by the families of the murdered.”  Hagan reveals Boyd murdered one of his relatives.  Boyd doesn’t care about this man or any other.  Boyd attacks the man, “You’re a slave! You think you are any better then me cause you play by the rules? Whose rules? My life is my own. I don’t give a shit about what you said.  I’m an outlaw!” After these words he shoots Hagan in the head, splattering his brain all over the rusty truck.

Ava hears the fatal gunshot from the Gremlin. Constable Bob is off to investigate despite Ava’s pleas to run.  More shots are heard.  Ava manages to break free of her bindings and leave the car.

Raylan chases Boyd in the dark misty woods.  He fires into the trees.  Boyd yells, “How did you know I wasn’t some Boy Scout?” Raylan shouts, “Your teeth glow in the dark!” Boyd asks “You shot unprovoked! How am I supposed to take that?”

“As me aiming to kill you?” Replies Raylan.

Boyd asks, “Why do you want to kill me so bad. Boyd Crowder must die! It’s just a lie you tell yourself, wanting to win!” Raylan scoffs, “You’re the world conqueror emperor of lies!”  Raylan says because Boyd intends to kill Ava and get the money.  Boyd asks him what kind of man his baby girl will think he was . Boyd offers to kill Raylan to maintain his identity as a “hero”  identity.  Raylan hears Bob cry out.  Boyd admits he shot Bob a couple of times.  Raylan says Bob can take care of himself but Boyd knows that Raylan will leave to go assist Bob.

Ava is running across the familiar bridge in Harlan.  A cop car approaches and subdues her. Unfortunately, its Avery’s dirty cops and they plan to take her to him where he has “special things” planned for her.  Ava drops Dewey’s gator teeth necklace on the ground hoping to offer a clue to her whereabouts.

In the barn, Avery joins Boon and Loretta.  Avery notices the wounded Derrick and shoots him fatally.  He turns to Loretta saying, “Hope he wasn’t someone dear to you.”  Avery tells Loretta Ava has stolen his money, Loretta claims ignorance.  Avery reports Ava is on her way. “Give you thirty seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t kill you!”  Loretta is calm under pressure as she explains he needs her to be the local connection for his weed business.  Avery decides he likes what he hears and tells her, “You remind me a little bit of Katherine and Mags Bennett. I can use a Harlan girl in my fold.”

Raylan has abandoned Boyd to attend to Bob.  Raylan rushes him to the hospital as Bob loses consciousness.  Raylan phones the hospital to tell them he’s bringing in a wounded officer.  He also reveals he knows where Boyd is.

Zachariah waits in Grubes cabin with a shotgun in a rocking chair.  He hears something outside and fires through the door.  Zachariah exits the cabin and Boyd shoots him in the leg.  Boyd tells him if he wants to protect Ava he should tell him where the money is located before he finds her.  Zachariah tells Boyd  “I’d sooner die then help you get what you want, but I got something you don’t want.”  As Boyd approaches, Zachariah detonates a homemade bomb killing him and wounding Boyd.

Raylan rushes to the ambulance bay of the hospital. An emergency team rushes to help Bob. Law enforcement arrives and trains their weapons on Raylan. They ask, “Are you Raylan Givens?” Raylan smiles, “Don’t suppose you would you believe me if I said no?”

So ends the penultimate episode.  Major characters may be dying in the last episode. Will Boon kill Raylan, as the teasers suggest or will viewers get the long awaited showdown between Boyd and Raylan?  Hopefully, Avery will become history if there is to be any justice. Wynn will probably ride off in the sunset in his dog grooming van but he’ll probably succumb soon to melanoma.  I’d love if a prequel series would be developed.  Maybe it could feature Wynn and be called  “Douche Mobile Adventures.” Maybe Loretta will rise to be the criminal queen and all of Harlan and  live happily ever after. We’ll find out next week on the series finale.