You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive

I love Justified. It's one of the best scripted shows on TV. The penultimate fifth season has just finished, and while it may have been a little uneven in parts, the final episodes were once again nothing short of breathtaking. The best thing about the show is that you never know what's going to happen next. The writers have their way of coming up with completely unpredictable twists and solutions, thus keeping the audience constantly on their toes. The world of Justified is inhabited by a wide range of colourful, fascinating characters, most of whom don't get enough screen time, but the heart of the show lies in the relationship between U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens and his rival, criminal Boyd Crowder, the main duo portrayed brilliantly by Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins. Their chemistry is terrific, and so is every scene they share.

A lot of the show's plot takes place in Harlan, Kentucky, and so far, all seasons but one have ended with various covers of Darrell Scott's song You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive. It's a powerful song about the town's coal mining history, but it also sums up Justified perfectly. It has been covered by Brad Paisley or Patty Loveless, among others. Here's the original version.