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's secrets are at stake when a mob revenge plot descends upon Kentucky, and Boyd's recent successes are tempered by a crushing defeat.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.39 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
In Windsor, Ontario, Al Sura (Will Sasso) is killed by a hitman named Elias Marcos (Alan Tudyk) after confessing to all the crimes committed by his associates.
Meanwhile, Wendy (Alicia Witt) arrives in Harlan and takes custody of Kendal (Jacob Lofland) from Alison (Amy Smart).
Art (Nick Searcy) watches a meeting between Duffy (Jere Burns) and Picker (John Kapelos) when he notices Marcos nearby.
Daryl (Michael Rapaport) and Baptiste (Edi Gathegi) visit Boyd at his bar, demanding that he returns the money that he stole from Dewey (Damon Herriman).
Raylan sees Art and Vasquez (Rick Gomez) questioning Picker, who reveals that Marcos is Theo Tonin's consigliere.
At the Marshal's office, while they celebrate, Vasquez reveals to Art and Raylan that Picker confessed that a lawman worked on Sammy's pocket and allowed the assassination of Nicky Augustine.
In January 2014, it was reported that the fifth episode of the fifth season would be titled "Shot All to Hell", and was to be directed by Adam Arkin and written by supervising producer Chris Provenzano.
[3] In its original American broadcast, "Shot All to Hell" was seen by an estimated 2.39 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "This is the basic problem with criminal empires: It only takes one murderous psychopath who can't handle the occasional idle death threat to bring the whole thing crumbling down.
"[11] Holly Anderson of Grantland wrote, "This is one of those hours that Justified does so well, in which all the carefully laid strands of the previous month's cat's-cradling are swept up and twisted and discarded or pulled taut into a new web for Raylan & Pals to scuttle across.
It's not a new phenomenon; it's not even new for the show, but it is a cleansing purge for a crowded season roster, and a reminder of how richly patient viewing of those deliberate, sometimes sleepy setup hours can be rewarded.
"[12] Dan Forcella of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Justified has always excelled at using its Elmore Leonardian roots in telling stories of bad guys turning on each other.