Even more of a reason for Boyd to go over to the dark side is that Dickie manages to shoot Ava (Joelle Carter) during the fire fight. Ava has been portrayed as a good girl for the most part, but she keeps some seedy company, and always has. She knows what she is getting into by being with Boyd. Considering who her former husband was, she is right in thinking she has found a better version of him. Boyd has his faults, but he also doesn't usually shed unnecessary blood, and he has stood by Raylan when Raylan really needs him.
The only real unanswered question in this episode is, did Ava survive the gunshot? Carter's twitter feed suggests that she did not, though she quickly backtracked. At this early stage in the game, the writers and producers may not even know if they will include her or not. She certainly doesn't have a whole lot to do this season, but neither do other main characters, like Tim (Jacob Pitts) and Rachel (Erica Tazel). Each of the Bennetts have more plot than the three combined. It begs the question, is Ava necessary?
Raylan is at a crossroads as this episode comes to an end. He has gotten serious again with Winona, and they have a baby on the way. Yet, she said she may not be there for him when he gets home, since he follows Loretta against her wishes. Winona can be a truly selfish person, and not letting Raylan go save a young, teenage girl that needs him is not her best side.
Should Raylan have chosen Winona? In a way he did, asking Art for a transfer so that he can have a stable job, not one where he routinely risks his life. But Loretta is facing an immediate threat, and Raylan has an established a responsibility for her. Winona needs to understand that. Perhaps she is thinking of her baby growing up without a father, but had Raylan died, his death would have been noble. It is a debatable point, but she should have let him have this one last mission before taming the beast.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
1 - Dee
Seriously? Winona is the selfish one here? Oh yeah, she could tell her child he never knew his father b/c he was noble enough to go after someone else's kid in a hostile environment. I'm sorry but I don't equate nobility with recklessness. He totally disregarded his future in the life of his own child. He was almost killed three times on his day off. He could have called in other law enforcement and told them to go to the Bennetts. Her concerns for Raylan are no different from Art's. Except now she has a lot more to lose.
2 - Jerome Wetzel
Dee - See? I said it was debatable. :) That's why Justified is so good. I don't think anyone can say with certainty that either Winona or Raylan is in the right. I love that the show can stir up such questions!