Girls – “It’s Back” (Season 2, Episode 8)

I’m still not quite sure how to feel about “It’s Back,” an episode that’s equal parts messy and compelling. It reminded me of a later-era Sopranos episode, gently pushing against the boundaries of traditional television storytelling; feeling like no other show on television. It’s full of sharp writing: I loved how the show contrasted Shoshanna’s…

Justified – “The Bird Has Flown” (Season 4, Episode 4)

Justified has been pleasantly understated and understatedly pleasant over the first episodes of this already-impressive season; even moments like Boyd cleverly poisoning (and, as we found this week, killing) his preacher rival felt almost light-hearted. “The Bird Has Flown” brings some weight and consequence back with two plotlines, each wringing genuine pathos out of situations…