Ep 9. Hatless

In the ninth episode of season one of Justified, titled "Hatless," Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens finds himself in a difficult position when an old enemy resurfaces. Boyd Crowder, a childhood friend turned criminal, is released from prison and finds himself back in Harlan County. As a result, Raylan is forced to deal with Boyd once again, despite their tense history.

Meanwhile, Raylan’s superior Art Mullen is busy trying to track down a fugitive named Owen Carnes, who is wanted for the murder of his wife. Art enlists Raylan’s help in tracking down Owen, but they soon discover that he may be connected to a much larger criminal operation.

The episode takes a dramatic turn when Raylan discovers that the Marshals are planning to raid Boyd’s headquarters. Raylan knows that Boyd is unlike any other criminal and that the raid could turn violent. He decides to confront Boyd and try to get him to leave town before the raid takes place.

Things quickly go awry when Boyd reveals that he has kidnapped Raylan’s ex-wife Winona. He tells Raylan that he will release her unharmed if Raylan agrees to help him escape the Marshals. Raylan is forced to make a difficult decision, and it becomes a race against time to save Winona and stop Boyd before he can cause any more harm.

Throughout the episode, we also see glimpses of Raylan’s personal life. We see him struggling to come to terms with his divorce from Winona and beginning to question his role as a law enforcement officer. The episode ends with Raylan making a decision about his future and coming to terms with his past.

Overall, "Hatless" is a tense and exciting episode that showcases the best of Justified. The episode expertly balances the personal and professional aspects of Raylan’s life, while also introducing a dangerous new villain in Boyd Crowder. Fans of the show will not want to miss this thrilling installment.