The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20140325145847/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/justified/season-4
  • Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 16, 2010
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Justified Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 169 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: While Raylan investigates a cold case that is connected to his father, Boyd finds his business slowing down with the arrival of Preacher Billy.
  • Genre(s): Drama
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Jan 25, 2013
    100
    What gives the show its kick is the gleefully childish lack of repentance shown by most of these rascals--countered by Olyphant's coolly amused control. [4 Feb 2013, .39]
  2. Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Jan 7, 2013
    100
    The dialogue in the first two episodes of the new season crackles with brilliance.
  3. Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 7, 2013
    100
    It keeps going about its business, getting better than ever each season with a restrained but gripping approach that's also sure to wear well decades from now.
  4. The lovely thing about Justified is that it delivers all the shaggy charm of a diverting character piece even as a supple, strongly structured story gives the whole affair an unmistakable energy and direction.
  5. 90
    For all its gore, gunfire, and criminal nastiness, it's a joyous show; even when the characters are scowling, the show seems to be grinning at you.
  6. Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 8, 2013
    90
    A fourth season of wryly amusing but often shockingly brutal backwoods mayhem.
  7. Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 3, 2013
    70
    Always fun, the first two hours of the FX drama's fourth season are also meandering, introducing several new players, but as yet failing to betray much about how or when they'll intersect. Fortunately, star Timothy Olyphant by himself remains ample reason to tune in.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. Jan 9, 2013
    10
    Great start to the fourth season. This will probably be another criminally overlooked show by pathetic award shows. F/X seems to have found a niche for brilliant shows that don't get any credit. Expand
  2. Jan 26, 2013
    10
    I love this show. Everyone is right--it just keeps getting better. I'm so intrigued by many things this season--the young preacher, the cold case, and especially: the seeming possibility that we'll actually get to spend more time with Tim and Rachel, who are and always have been the most criminally underused elements of the show. I'm crossing my fingers that this is their year. I'm also waiting for a seasonal character to stun me the way Margo Martindale did in Season 2. Mykelti Williamson came close last season with Limehouse, but no supporting character has thrilled me more than Mags Bennett, so I'm curious to see who the top seasonal character will be this year. Expand
  3. Jan 8, 2013
    10
    If you ever enjoyed the series, this season doesn't disappoint. Witty banter abounds, and I've always been a fan of Raylan, and I think his character just keeps getting stronger. Watch this show! Expand
  4. Jan 26, 2013
    9
    The new "cold case" format departs from the classic "Big Bad" from seasons 1-3, and it works incredibly well. Season 4 brings another great year of drama. Expand
  5. Mar 8, 2013
    9
    Without a single, overarching villain to pull this season together, it lacks the cohesion of seasons two or three. Even so, it's just as rife with what makes Justified great: the banter, the action, the modern hillbilly atmosphere, and the cool sexiness that is Timothy Olyphant. Expand
  6. Apr 12, 2013
    9
    Another top tier season from the Kentucky hollers. The mystery storyline seemed to meander a bit, but was taken care of before the season's denouement so I'm only gonna knock Boyd n Raylan down to a 9. This was probably the silver medal season so far (season 2 being the gold) but this is still one of the most consistently entertaining and enjoyable hours on television. It is one of those shows where nearly every week I inevitably look at the guide to see how far along I am and find there are only ten minutes left and glumly wonder how 50 minutes slipped by so fast. I always wish it was longer. That's what she said. Expand
  7. Apr 3, 2013
    1
    I liked the first three seasons, but I had to struggle through this one. The dialog is long and contrived; you can almost see the pain in the actors' faces as they are forced to explain each and every detail of the plot. But apparently that wasn't enough filler. When they're not dragging out far-from-subtle jokes (so often they even added a comedian to the roster), they're inflating less important characters with 5 minute sob stories. Get used to that cheesy "sadness theme" they play during these; you're going to hear it several times each episode. Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Episode Review: Justified Season 4 Finale

    Episode Review: Justified Season 4 Finale Image
    Published: April 3, 2013
    Critics are raving about last night's finale of Justified. Find out what they liked about the show, and give us your take on the episode and the season as a whole.
  2. 2009-10 TV Scorecard: The Best and Worst Shows and Networks

    2009-10 TV Scorecard: The Best and Worst Shows and Networks Image
    Published: May 3, 2010
    "Modern Family" is among the 2009-10 season's best new TV shows. Find out which other shows made the cut, and which ones were the biggest failures.
  3. Midseason TV Preview: A Look at New and Returning Shows

    Midseason TV Preview: A Look at New and Returning Shows Image
    Published: January 5, 2010
    Read about the biggest and best new series debuting in the coming months, find out when your favorite programs are returning, and watch trailers for over two dozen shows.