'Justified' recap: Goin' Home

Rachel, who had to go to work now, gave Raylan a present to even the odds with Randall -- what turned out to be a beanbag-round shotgun. That was pretty brilliant: Raylan could knock Randall down without killing him. He didn't fire at first. He did his patented stand-by-the-car-and-talk-until-it's-time move. When the subject turned to Alvin, Raylan said Randall couldn't stand the idea that Lindsey actually enjoyed spinnin' those boys up, and Randall asked if it ever occurred to Raylan that Lindsey gets off on him coming in to "bat clean up." That's when Raylan shot. He needed Randall down so he could talk to Lindsey and find out why she called him. Was it just because she wanted to watch the boys go at it? Usually when a woman leaves him, he can at least expect a letter (hi, Winona!). He didn't actually want her to answer now and say she never meant to hurt him. He just wanted to know where his money is.

Truthfully, I kept thinking Raylan should not have his back turned to Randall. I mean, that seems like Marshal 101. But two things: 1.) We know Raylan doesn't see what's coming when what he's looking at is a beautiful woman. And 2.) As Yost told us when we asked him about it, "There are times when you’re doing a TV show and you need the guy to get up and beat on him again, you know." Randall tackled Raylan and started punching him. He took Raylan's handgun, because he wanted to do this with his hands not by beanbag or bullet. Raylan managed to get up. "You always talk this much when you fight?" he said. "Ah honey, this ain't a fight. It's an execution," Randall said. He really went at Raylan, and Lindsey yelled, "Hey!" She had the beanbag shotgun pointed at them. Raylan used the distraction to take a couple swings at Randall and then Lindsey fired at Raylan's back. Randall thought that meant she was still on his team, but then she fired two shots into his gut. When she ran out of rounds, she clocked him on the head with the shotgun. She went to Raylan, who was still lying on the ground and couldn't move. She told him his money was all in the van. "I knew you liked me," Raylan said. That's what this was all about.

Next we saw them, Lindsey was gone, and Raylan wasn't going to chase her. He handcuffed Randall to the van and said he was going to call the state police so they could come escort him back to Florida to face his warrant for violating his parole. Raylan opened the van door and saw his money -- the chickens. Randall was so close to his dream, he wanted to keep talking about it. "Randall, I know you're shackled and it ain't half fair, but you say one more word about chickens, I'm gonna shoot you again," Raylan warned him. "At the end of the day when it's all done, she's still kinda worth it though, isn't she?" Randall said. So that's the third guy Raylan has bonded with over the loss of Lindsey. I want to learn whatever moves she knows, please. That was a beautiful sunset shot of Raylan walking away from the van moping. Until Randall spoke again: "There's money in fighting chickens, Raylan. You think about it." And boom. Raylan shot him with the beanbag gun without even looking at him. Perfect ending to that chapter. Raylan will be fine.

From one stupid move by Randall to one STUPID move by Ellen May. She was packed and ready to go, but she wanted to tell Ava she'd been thinking about it, and if she's sending her away because thinks she'll tell someone about Ava killing Delroy, she won't. They said goodbye, and Ava looked to Boyd, both their faces now serious. Ellen May wouldn't intentionally out Ava, but she might let it slip, LIKE IN A CROWDED BAR AS SHE JUST DID. We cut to Raylan driving home, on the phone updating Rachel on how he wasn't meant to have the money, or Lindsey, or the chickens. He got home and collapsed on his bed for some much-needed rest -- he was able to put the gun on his nightstand for a change. Then, we were back on the highway and in Colt's truck with Ellen May. He got a call and asked if the person on the other end was sure of what they were asking. He lied and told Ellen May it was Ava, who'd decided she could come home after all if she was ready to really work. "I can work! I can work! I will. You'll see!" she said excitedly. Oh, sweet, innocent whore Ellen May. "I bet it's 'cause of what I told her," she said, proud of herself. "Probably," Colt answered. And that's when Ellen May had her hand out in the wind, for a moment content, and said, "Feels good... goin' home."

After a quick scene of Ava and Boyd sitting in the dark, him promising her Ellen May will not be afraid because it will be so quick she'll never know it's happening, we cut back to a gas station. Colt pulled in and told Ellen May to pump $10 and he'd go in and pay. We saw him in the bathroom, getting his gun out -- and snorting drugs. It's nice to know this isn't easy for him -- he seems to have a soft spot for Ellen May, like everyone -- but clearly, he has a pre-existing drug problem that's gonna be an issue. He went back to the truck, and Ellen May was gone.

I've shared my theories. Your turn.

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