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 now part of a white supremacist gang.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.92 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Meanwhile, Boyd (Walton Goggins) is serving breakfast to his crew when Ava (Joelle Carter) notifies him of Helen's death.
Raylan finds Arlo (Raymond J. Barry) loading a shotgun, intending to take revenge against the Bennetts, deducing Dickie (Jeremy Davies) killed her.
After Raylan leaves due to a tip regarding Arlo, Mags calls Doyle (Joseph Lyle Taylor) about the escalating problem.
After the funeral, Raylan discovers that Jed changed his testimony and now claimed to be Helen's killer, forcing the police to release Dickie from jail.
In its original American broadcast, "Reckoning" was seen by an estimated 2.92 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Add to that his part in the chain of events that led to Helen's murder and there's no escaping the guilt and grief that defines much of this first-rate episode.
"[4] James Poniewozik of Time wrote, "In a recent Justified post, I noted how the show had developed its cast so well that it can hold my attention even without Raylan Givens.
"[6] Todd VanDerWerff of Los Angeles Times wrote, "In the generally terrific episode 'Reckoning', a stellar penultimate hour for what's been a wonderful second season of Justified, not a single gun goes off.