Summary
City Primeval director Michael Dinner aims to utilize the revival's past references to enrich the development of the characters.The revival seeks to forge its unique identity by relocating the setting from Miami to Detroit, symbolizing a rejuvenating beginning.
Raylan's teenage daughter and new characters bring depth and growth to the story, avoiding excessive reliance on nostalgia.
Justified: City Primeval director Michael Dinner discusses the influence of the show's history on the revival episode and hints at future appearances. Timothy Olyphant returns as Raylan Givens in FX's Justified: City Primeval, where a nod to the original series is made in episode 2, "Riverbrook." The reference highlights Raylan's dangerous flaws and resurfaces throughout the revival.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dinner discussed the reference in episode 2 of Justified: City Primeval and the overall approach of the show towards past mentions. He expressed hesitance in heavily referencing the original Justified series, as he believed they had already done a successful job with it. He further explained that the initial plan was to immediately throw the main character into the story, without a gradual buildup. However, they decided to change the pilot's opening to focus on Raylan and his journey to Detroit. They did not want to delve too much into the previous series, as they felt they had already accomplished their goal. While they did introduce some familiar characters throughout the eight episodes, it was primarily to develop the character rather than drive the plot.
In this case, with Clement,
Justified: City Primeval Isn't Trying To Repeat The Past
his interest in Raylan is piqued. The fact that a U.S. Marshal is investigating him, rather than just a cop in Detroit, captivates him and fuels his ego. Therefore, he conducts some thorough investigation, delving into the past occurrences. It deviates from his usual character, and our intention was to establish a conflict between Clement and Raylan that would intensify throughout the eight episodes.City Primeval distinguishes itself from the original in several crucial ways. The most notable change is the decision to pick up the story a decade after the conclusion of Justified and relocate it from Miami to Detroit. This move is highly significant, as the original series was deeply intertwined with the vibrant Miami backdrop, shaping its essence. The shift acts as a clear indication that the revival is not content with rehashing past successes but is committed to forging a fresh identity and embracing transformation.
An even bigger shift in the revival of Justified City: Primeval season 1 is the introduction of Raylan's teenage daughter, Willa, played by Vivian Olyphant, Olyphant's real-life daughter. This new character brings about fundamental changes in Raylan. He is no longer the hot-headed person he was in the original Justified pilot; he is now a father, making efforts to establish a better connection with his family. The revival also introduces a variety of new characters instead of relying solely on familiar ones.
In the recent years, there have been numerous reboots and revivals, but only a few have achieved success. Justified City: Primeval takes a different approach by not relying heavily on nostalgia. This decision may prove to be a wise storytelling move if Raylan Givens returns for more thrilling adventures in the future.
Source: THR