Justifiedis one of the great modern Western TV shows, boasting a stellar ensemble cast and plenty of drama and intrigue to keep the audience invested in the story.Led by Timothy Olyphant as the protagonist, Raylan Givens,a U.S. Marshal who doesn’t play by the rules,Justifiedrounds out its cast with Walton Goggins, who plays the villain Boyd Crowder, who comes against Givens many times. Throughout the show, one of the most compelling parts is watching the dynamic between Givens and Crowder evolve over the seasons.
Walton Goggins' villain role inJustifiedis comparable to his more recent work in series likeFallout, demonstrating his range as an actor. Conversely,Timothy Olyphant’s breakout role inDeadwoodseamlessly paved the way for his work inJustified. It’s unsurprising thatJustifiedwas such a success while it was on the air, and why it has so many dedicated fans to this day. However,sinceJustified: City Primevalwon’t be coming back anytime soon,viewers who can’t get enough of the story’s world should check out a series that’s a lot more similar than it seems.
Paul Giamatti’s U.S. Attorney Takes On Damian Lewis' Hedge Fund Billionaire In Billions
The Dynamic Between These Characters Is Comparable To Justified
Billionsis an unexpectedTV show likeJustified, but after watching the series, audiences will see how much they have in common. LikeJustified’s focus on Givens and Crowder,Billionszeroes in on the relationship and competition between Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a powerful hedge fund manager who doesn’t hesitate to skirt the law, and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), a U.S. Attorney who’s hot on his trail.The cat-and-mouse game between Chuck and Axe fuels the tensionand excitement inBillions, as it’s interesting to see how the pair evade each other.
While the world of high finance might seem like a far cry from the grit and intensity of the modern West, the characters inBillionsandJustifiedaren’t afraid to play dirty. The dynamic between an investigator/lawyer and a career criminal is one that has been explored many times throughout TV history. However,Billionsstill managed to make this trope fresh through the relationship between Axe and Chuck,which doesn’t remain stagnant, always evolving as the show changes.
Chuck & Axe’s Adversarial Relationship Evolves Over Time
The Pair Have An Interesting Journey Throughout The Series
While the pair come into conflict consistently throughout the show, Chuck and Axe aren’t one-dimensional characters, andBillionsdoesn’t rehash the same storyline with every season. Instead, the characters are allowed to grow and change, allowing their relationship to do the same. As their interests shift and their desires become more nuanced, even the staunchly opposed men find their way to hesitant partnerships over the years.Part of the reason their rivalry is so intense is that they have so much respect for each otherand are driven by their intimidation.
Of course, completely getting rid of the animosity they feel for each other would be impossible, and it rears its head many times over the years, especially when Chuck’s wife, Wendy (Maggie Siff), comes into play. However,Billionsdoes a great job of making all of its characters nuanced and complex, and equally despicable at times. Since no one has the moral high ground,there’s no reason why they shouldn’t team up to take down their common enemies,which is part of the reason that Chuck and Axe are able to have such a layered relationship.
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Why Justified Fans Will Love Billions (Even Though It Isn’t A Crime Drama)
Billions Is Still As Thrilling As Justified, Despite The Difference In Genre
On paper,it would be easy to compareBillionsto a show likeSuccession,but the series does connect to the tone and themes ofJustified. Despite its crime elements and illegal activities,Billionsisn’t a true crime drama the wayJustifiedis, as the Western series is focused on more dangerous, violent crime. However, the heart of bothBillionsandJustifiedis the characters and how they navigate the specific rules of their worlds. The drama and stakes feel just as relevant in these shows because the characters are so invested in their futures.
The writers ofBillionsandJustifiedaren’t afraid to dig into the shock factor of their stories.
Crowder and Givens have different motivations and needs inJustified, but their conflict and the one between Chuck and Axe feel just as textured. The writers ofBillionsandJustifiedaren’t afraid to dig into the shock factor of their stories and create borderline outlandish storylines to keep the audience invested. However, this high drama is what keeps us coming back toJustifiedall these years later, and the fact that these series boast such skilled ensemble casts will allow them to stand the test of time.
