Justified’s typically laconic pace shifts into second gear in “Kin,” with the mysterious Drew Thompson suddenly getting everyone interested in finding him. Raylan wants to find Drew to stop Arlo getting out of prison, Boyd wants to find him for a hefty reward from Wynn Duffy, who’s after Drew because Dixie mafioso Nick Augustine wants to find him because, once upon a time, Drew Thompson shot Nick’s boss, Theo Tonin (someone who’s long lived on Justified’s margins), in the eye.

It’s a lot to take in, but the episode doesn’t feels rushed (mostly – the establishment of Stephen Tobolowsky’s character as a dirty agent before immediately shooting him in the face was a touch hasty).

I haven’t even mentioned the forces conspiring against Boyd, who seemed out of his element tonight, whether it was his ineffectual bluffing amongst the hill people or his apparent trust in completely-untrustworthy Duffy. It seems Boyd’s days are numbered, with the sheriff, Duffy and Johnny all deadset on taking him down, but Boyd has always been at his best when backed into a corner.

This episode put a lot of balls into the air, plot-wise, and I’m looking forward to finding out how they all land.