Brother’s Keeper

"Brother's Keeper" is the ninth episode of the second season of the American Neo-Western television series Justified. It is the 22nd overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Taylor Elmore and directed by Tony Goldwyn. It originally aired on FX on April 6, 2011. The series is based on Elmore Leonard's stories about the character Raylan Givens, particularly "Fire in the Hole", which serves as the basis for the episode. The series follows Raylan Givens, a tough deputy U.S. Marshal enforcing his own brand of justice. Following the shooting of a mob hitman, Raylan is sent to Lexington, Kentucky to investigate an old childhood friend Boyd Crowder, who is now part of a white supremacist gang. In the episode, Harlan residents all convene at Mags' home for a celebration. Mags and Carol both reveal their cards over their plans for the Harlan County land, with Boyd playing a deciding role in negotiations. Despite being credited, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel and Natalie Zea do not appear in the episode. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.79 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, who praised the writing, pace, fights, set-up for upcoming episodes and acting, with many deeming it one of the best episodes of the series. For her performance in the episode, Margo Martindale won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Plot The Bennetts prepare for their picnic party but Mags (Margo Martindale) is angry upon seeing Boyd (Walton Goggins) and Ava (Joelle Carter) arriving. Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) and Carol (Rebecca Creskoff) arrive shortly and Raylan nearly gets into a fight with one of the visitors, Hobart Curtis (Mark Colson). Nearby, Coover (Brad William Henke) uses drugs after overhearing Mags express disappointment at him.