Justified Preview: “Alive Day” 

[Warning: General spoilers ahead.]

Well, “Alive Day” isn’t an exactly accurate description of this week’s Justified, but as with every episode, it’s always the goal. They’re just not wholly successful.

This week, we follow Boyd, his boys, and unstable Uncle Zachariah (who takes a moment beforehand for a quiet, sweet reunion with Ava) into the mine while Raylan and Tim are pulled into the mystery (but not really) of who killed Calhoun. And we get a lesson on the history of, and pecking order within, Avery’s crew.

It’s not as jam-packed as last week’s episode of speaking parts for damn-near everybody, but it’s certainly an episode that escalates the storyline, which is wise since we’re almost halfway through.

Other things to look for:

• Boyd responds to finding Raylan in Ava’s house in a spectacularly Boyd fashion.
• Avery suggests something to Katherine that catches her off guard.
• Art pops in to see Rachel and asks questions that have me wondering whether maybe he was taking a page from Raylan back in the day.
• Ava bonds with Earl to get info on Boyd.
• Choo-choo takes responsibility, and then doesn’t.
• Ty gets in over his head.
• Boyd receives an unexpected phone call.

Here’s a sneak peek of Justified, which airs Tuesday night at 10/9c on FX.