Some people need to be needed so bad, it stops mattering who needs them, or for what.

Tim has grown on me immensely. I love how fully drawn the supporting characters are.

Yes, this.

I've also been thinking about how completely Raylan has been burning his bridges with all his good will contacts... he's used up pretty much all the slack that Art and Tim will ever be inclined to allow him, and I don't think Rachel is thinking too highly of him right now either. (And I'd need to go back and rewatch, but didn't Art more or less say that he doesn't need to worry about investigating whatever Raylan was up to in the evidence room, even though he knows it was something shady, because he figures Raylan's going to get himself killed sooner rather than later? I don't recall the exact quote, I just remember feeling a chill going up my spine and sitting up a little straighter on the couch when that happened. And then thinking "damn you, Winona.")

Yes, Winona has successfully isolated Raylan from everyone else in his life. However, it didn't take much to do so.

I think Raylan's tired. Really, really tired.

doesn't he also seem depressed? to me he does.

definitely- almost suicidal, which is what I think Art was talking about, actually.

Yeah, I'd agree that he intends to use the street to kill himself. But I don't think he's beyond ties. He's enough of a charmer that I think he could work himself back into goodwill, if he wanted to. The fact that he doesn't want to makes me feel like it's fatalism.

I don't know Helen or the backstory since I picked it up so late. But I find the web of relationships fascinating.

I was kinda shocked that Dickie went that direction. But I think that's part of the consequence of Mags cutting him off. He's a loose cannon. And he's a fuckup, but a brutal fuckup, which makes him dangerous even in his incompetence.

Plus he feels the need to prove himself with violence, since he doesn't have Coover for the heavy lifting.

I wasn't shocked at all. Arlo (well Boyd, but Arlo helped) took everything Dickie had - the weed business and his pride. Helen was on the Givens side of the feud, Arlo's, and in cahoots with Mags to squash Dickie's honor by keeping a lid on the feud. Of course he shot her.

Oh, you're right. Yeah, he has his own reasons for that, not just wanting to get Arlo.

I also love that Arlo pegged that Dickie made him. And Helen's speech to Ava is more poignant. Not knowing didn't protect her here. In fact, Arlo put her in danger by not letting her know what was afoot.

And it's interesting from the previews, but did it seem like Raylan wasn't too eager to avenge Helen? Because if he did, and took out another of Mags sons, I doubt Mags would continue to be so beneficent to him.

Oh! And I forgot to mention I thought Mags inquiries about Loretta were telling. I'm definitely convinced that Mags thought Loretta could be the daughter of her heart. And that was never going to happen, but Mags still feels for her.

And Helen's speech to Ava is more poignant. Not knowing didn't protect her here.

Oh, that's true. And sad.

The previews left me with no idea what Raylan is going to do! Well, lots of ideas, but no confidence that I am right with any of them. I am eager to find out, I tell you what.