It is the 48th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Taylor Elmore and Leonard Chang and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
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.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.32 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the writing, character development and Shelby's surprise reveal.
Mullen (Nick Searcy) is furious at Marshall Nelson Dunlop (Mel Fair) for letting Raylan escort Mosley to the prison.
After house shopping with Boyd (Walton Goggins), Ava (Joelle Carter) is visited by Cassie (Lindsay Pulsipher), who is looking for Ellen May.
After a prostitute warns him, Johnny (David Meunier) confesses to Boyd and Ava that Ellen May is alive and that he extorted Colt for money in exchange for his silence.
Meanwhile, Raylan defuses a situation with Bob (Patton Oswalt) and the two Clover Hillers, who are shacked up with guns after a couple of their friends were killed by the Detroit mob.
In February 2013, it was reported that the ninth episode of the fourth season would be titled "The Hatchet Tour", and was to be directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by supervising producer Taylor Elmore and Leonard Chang.
That was partly suggested by something that [EP Fred Golan] had read about, a guy was running for Congress and then it was found out he was living under a stolen identity.
"[4] In its original American broadcast, "The Hatchet Tour" was seen by an estimated 2.32 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Thankfully, while all of that's going on, 'The Hatchet Tour' is also digging deeper into what this season is really about: not the identity of Drew Thompson, but how the tangled history of Harlan's many family feuds continues to influence the lives of Raylan Givens and Boyd Crowder.
"[8] Kevin Fitzpatrick of Screen Crush wrote, "Even without the big reveal, 'The Hatchet Tour' makes for another outstanding installment of the season as both Boyd and Raylan are sent somewhat off the rails in their respective quests, finding ample story for Tim as well.
"[11] Joe Reid of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "It turned out that all the readers had figured it out weeks before.
Cut to last week, in the Justified comments, when everybody had all come to the decision that Shelby was obviously Drew Thompson, and I once again realized that this was a parlor game that I should've been playing all season.