"Thick as Mud" is the fifth episode of the third season of the American Neo-Western television series Justified. It is the 31st overall episode of the series and was written by story editor Jon Worley and co-producer Benjamin Cavell from a story by Worley and executive producer Elmore Leonard and directed by Adam Arkin. It originally aired on FX on February 14, 2012.
Boyd refers to Quarles as a "Carpetbagger" in the episode. Series developer Graham Yost previously explained the meaning behind the comment, noting similarities between the characters.
Damon Herriman's performance in the episode received universal acclaim from critics.
The third season of the American neo-Western television series Justified premiered on January 17, 2012, on FX, and concluded on April 10, 2012, consisting of 13 episodes. The series was developed by Graham Yost based on Elmore Leonard's novels Pronto and Riding the Rap and his short story "Fire in the Hole". Its main character is Raylan Givens, a deputy U.S. Marshal. Timothy Olyphant portrays Givens, a tough federal lawman, enforcing his own brand of justice in his Kentucky hometown. The series is set in the city of Lexington, Kentucky, and the hill country of eastern Kentucky, specifically in and around Harlan.
Season 3 DVD cover
