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, Raylan makes a final stand in order to take down Daryl Crowe while Boyd faces problems from his Mexican crime associates.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.37 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Boyd (Walton Goggins) returns to the bar and finds Jimmy (Jesse Luken) tied to a chair, held at gunpoint by Alberto Ruiz (Justin Huen).
In order to avoid problem with the gangs in prison, she starts a fight in the mess hall so that she can be protected by the guards.
Before Ruiz kills him, Raylan texts back posing as Daryl, telling them he will meet them at Ava's house.
At the house, a car pulls up, revealing Tim and Rachel (Erica Tazel), who draw their guns at Ruiz and his henchmen.
Boyd attempts to break his partnership with Duffy (Jere Burns) and Katherine Hale (Mary Steenburgen), but they actually want his experiences in bank robbing, which interests him.
[2] On Ava's decision to help bring down Boyd, series developer Graham Yost said, "we needed to get her desperate, but we also wanted to see her on her own and show that she is capable of surviving — it's just really tough.
"[4] In its original American broadcast, "Restitution" was seen by an estimated 2.37 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
But those words ring awfully hollow as a promise of safety to anyone else, and the fact that next season is the end of the line means it's at least possible that Raylan's luck will finally run out.
"[10] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "Most seasons of the show end with a version of 'You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive'.
"[11] James Quealley of The Star-Ledger wrote, "Justified has never struggled with a finale, and 'Restitution' was a fun ride that completed the late season rescue of an otherwise uninspired batch of episodes.
The setup for the final season was excellent, and that last chorus of 'You Will Never Leave Harlan Alive', as our gunfighter walked off in the dark and alone to fight one more day, made me realize why I'll miss this show when it's gone.
"[12] Matt Zoller Seitz of Vulture gave the episode a 2 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "The fifth season of Justified is the first one that I'd rather hadn't happened.
"[13] Holly Anderson of Grantland wrote, "It's served its grander purpose, now, to line up everybody for Season 6, and to telegraph what those last 13 hours are going to involve, and to get us hooting and hollering for what's ahead.
"[14] Carla Day of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.6 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "At the core, Justified has been the story of two childhood friends who went in opposite directions.