The series is based on Elmore Leonard's stories about the character Raylan Givens, particularly "Fire in the Hole", which serves as the basis for the episode.
Following the shooting of a mob hitman, Raylan is sent to Lexington, Kentucky to investigate an old childhood friend Boyd Crowder, who is supposedly now part of a white supremacist gang.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 4.16 million household viewers and gained a 1.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) approaches mob hitman Tommy Bucks (Peter Greene) at one of his parties.
"[7] Both Natalie Zea and Joelle Carter were credited as guest stars in the pilot and were promoted to series regulars beginning with the second episode.
[9] In its original American broadcast, "Fire in the Hole" was seen by an estimated 4.16 million household viewers and gained a 1.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Seth Amitin of IGN gave the episode an "amazing" 9 out of 10 rating and wrote, "This show could have a great four or five-season run if everything comes together for it, and maybe snag a few Emmy's along the way.
"[13] Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger praised the episode, "The pilot, in which Yost liberally borrows Leonard's trademark lean dialogue from "Fire in the Hole", has a swagger to it, and also a sly sense of humor.
Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "It will be telling, in the weeks to come, if Justified can develop the world beyond its magnetic center — or if it will even leave Raylan's side at all.
"[16] Luke Dwyer of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "A lot of meaning can be drawn out of the title of the series premiere of Justified, 'Fire in the Hole.'
The moment and decision by Boyd was an interesting one because, although it happened early in the show, it demonstrates a human side to someone already painted as a maniac.
"[17] Nancy deWolf Smith of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "The pitch-perfection of such an hour, lush and brightly lit, is sublime.
"[18] TV Guide critic Matt Roush said, "The show is grounded in Olyphant's low-key but high-impact star-making performance, the work of a confident and cunning leading man who's always good company.
"[19] Chicago Tribune critic Maureen Ryan stated, "The shaggily delightful dialogue, the deft pacing, the authentic sense of place, the rock-solid supporting cast and the feeling that you are in the hands of writers, actors and directors who really know what they're doing—all of these are worthy reasons to watch Justified.
"[20] In a more mixed review, Mike Hale of The New York Times noted the show's "modest virtues", but was critical of the first season's pace and characterization, writing: "Justified can feel so low-key that even the crisis points drift past without making much of an impression...