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.
The series revolves around the inhabitants and culture in the Appalachian Mountains area of eastern Kentucky, specifically Harlan County where many of the main characters grew up.
In the episode, an attack on Alison sends Raylan to Harlan in search of payback, while Boyd scrambles to arrange protection for Ava.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.33 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Swift betrays Boyd for having abandoned his white supremacist roots, and his sister and her gang attack Ava, hacking off some of her hair.
In January 2014, it was reported that the sixth episode of the fifth season would be titled "Kill the Messenger", and was to be directed by executive producer Don Kurt and written by co-producer Ingrid Escajeda.
"[4] In its original American broadcast, "Kill the Messenger" was seen by an estimated 2.33 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "I don't think that's the case, although tonight's storytelling decision does put considerably more pressure on Justified to deliver the goods when that shit storm of biblical proportions finally hits.
"[8] Kevin Fitzpatrick of Screen Crush wrote, "All in all, probably one of the more entertaining and event-filled episodes of the season to date, though perhaps lacking some of the tension from last week's installment.
"[9] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "'Kill the Messenger' was as long as last week's 'Shot All to Hell' and had zero fatalities, but it was a much more satisfying, cohesive episode overall.
But it comes in the wake of one of this series' best episodes, and it focuses largely on a set of villains who pale in comparison to the rest of Justified's rather impressive rogues gallery.
"[12] Holly Anderson of Grantland wrote, "The climax action of 'Shot All to Hell' takes place offscreen, but you can hazard a guess that's probably close to right.
Once you attach a high expectation of quality, the level of difficulty ramps up so quickly that it is easy to understand some trial and error coupled with a need to try new things.