James Gunn may have just unveiled the next beloved superhero for audiences to adore. David Corenswet embodies Superman and Clark Kent, while Rachel Brosnahan portrays a determined reporter seeking justice, and Nicholas Hoult plays a billionaire harboring a grudge. Although all three characters are compelling, it’s Mister Terrific, portrayed by Edi Gathegi, who truly captivates viewers with his brilliant performance. Gathegi showcases his talents through an exhilarating fight scene and several moments of heroism, marking a significant evolution from his previous role in FX’s acclaimed neo-Western series Justified.

Featuring the talented Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, Justified stands out as one of the finest shows of the 2010s. It chronicles Givens as he enforces his distinct brand of Wild West-style justice against criminals and fugitives. Season 5, often regarded as the weakest of the six seasons, introduced Gathegi as Jean Baptiste, a fascinating supporting character. Despite his intriguing introduction, the character was underdeveloped and relegated to the background until a shocking death abruptly ended his journey.

Discover Edi Gathegi’s Role as Jean Baptiste in ‘Justified’ Season 5

Primarily set in Harlan County, Kentucky, Raylan Givens finds himself drawn back to his hometown, a place he endeavored to escape at the series’ onset. Here, he regularly encounters conflict with his estranged father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), his childhood friend turned local criminal Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), and Crowder’s sister-in-law, Ava (Joelle Carter), who often complicates Givens’ dealings with Crowder. As Season 5 unfolds, the narrative relocates to Florida, where the Crowe family, led by Daryl Crowe Jr. (Michael Rapaport), resides.

In the opening episode, “A Murder of Crowes,” the stage is set for the dramatic conflicts of Season 5. When Givens travels to Florida to scrutinize the Crowe family, Jean Baptiste’s character, a Haitian gator poacher with significant connections to Daryl Crowe Jr., emerges as a mysterious figure. Unlike his aggressive counterpart Daryl, Baptiste is characterized by his quiet demeanor and composure. In a gripping scene, a gator leaps from the water to seize his bait, but Baptiste remains unfazed—a testament to his calmness under pressure. Unfortunately, despite the anticipation surrounding Baptiste, the character’s potential remains largely untapped, leading to Gathegi’s dissatisfaction with a narrative that failed to evolve, culminating in a shocking and premature death.

The Surprising Death of Jean Baptiste That Shocked ‘Justified’ Writers

In Season 5, Episode 5, titled “Shot All to Hell,” a suspenseful confrontation leads to an unforeseen death. During a tense exchange, Jean Baptiste faces off against Danny Crowe (AJ Buckley), the unpredictable brother of Daryl, who intimidates their younger sibling. Danny brags about the infamous 21-foot rule, asserting that a person armed with a knife can fatally strike someone with a gun before they can react. Baptiste calls his bluff; however, Danny, realizing the danger, initially backs down. In a shocking turn of events, he suddenly resorts to a dirty trick and shoots Jean Baptiste without warning. This unexpected demise leaves viewers unsatisfied, cutting short a character that had the potential for deeper development. Moreover, the writers hadn’t intended for the scene to unfold in this manner, adding to the shock.

Showrunner Graham Yost provided insights into the behind-the-scenes decision during an interview with Entertainment Weekly’s “Post Mortem” segment. “Landing Edi Gathegi was a significant achievement for us, but the character’s trajectory just wasn’t aligning with Edi’s vision,” Yost explained. “Initially, we thought Jean Baptiste would survive until later in the season, but Edi wasn’t enjoying the arc.” Consequently, the decision was made to eliminate him in Episode 5. Yost elaborated, “We weren’t entirely certain how we would execute his death when we witnessed the animosity in the scene between Jean Baptiste and Danny; it became evident that it could work.”

By altering the scene, the narrative shifted focus toward the younger Crowe sibling who witnessed the murder and Givens’ attempts to sever him from the family. Nevertheless, Jean Baptiste’s absence left a palpable void throughout the rest of the season. He had the potential to evolve into one of the more memorable villains in Justified, and the Crowes’ storyline felt reminiscent of the previous Bennetts arc.

Key Differences: What ‘Superman’ Achieved That ‘Justified’ Failed To

Superman effectively showcases Gathegi’s impressive talents as Mister Terrific, presenting one of the most captivating and multi-dimensional characters in the film. His character is involved in a thrilling fight sequence that exemplifies Gunn’s unique style, featuring the song “5 Years Time” by Noah and the Whale playing in the background. In this sequence, audiences are treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of Mister Terrific as he triumphantly defeats a swarm of henchmen. Unlike in Justified, where Jean Baptiste’s character was scarcely developed, Gathegi’s role in Superman is both substantial and impactful.

When Jean Baptiste first appears in Justified, it seems poised to introduce a formidable adversary for Givens, setting the stage for an epic confrontation between Gathegi and Olyphant. However, this potential is abruptly snuffed out by his shocking death that prematurely concluded a character with immense promise. While we cannot rewrite the past for Jean Baptiste, it is a relief to see that Gathegi has finally secured an opportunity to shine within the DC Universe.

All episodes of Justified are available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S.

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