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 2.23 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Nick Mooney (William Gregory Lee) visits Mara (Karolina Wydra) at the hospital, where he tries to have her confess that Boyd (Walton Goggins) was responsible for attacking Paxton (Sam Anderson).
After arresting mob accountant Charles Monroe (Xander Berkeley), Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) visits Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever) in jail, as she sold marijuana to a cop's son.
Raylan confronts Derrick at his apartment, finding him with Jay and Roscoe and tells him to break up with Loretta as he is a bad influence on her.
In December 2013, it was reported that the second episode of the fifth season would be titled "The Kids Aren't All Right", and was to be directed by Bill Johnson and written by executive producer Dave Andron.
On the same day, it was reported that Amy Smart was joining the series as Alison Brander, "a social worker who — being a pretty blonde and all — strikes Raylan's fancy.
"[4] In its original American broadcast, "The Kids Aren't All Right" was seen by an estimated 2.23 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Club gave the episode an "A−" grade and wrote, "At the end of both 'A Murder Of Crowes' and 'The Kids Aren't All Right', Boyd was presented with seemingly insoluble problems.
"[10] James Quealley of The Star-Ledger wrote, "Sure, everything that's going on with Raylan as a character is mucho interesting, but Boyd's the one sucking up all the narrative tension right now and that's not a bad thing.
"[11] Joe Reid of Vulture gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I was thinking about the future of Justified yesterday — where it had been and where it might be going — when word came down that the show's sixth season would be its last.
"[12] Holly Anderson of Grantland wrote, "Those who hold to the cult theory that Walton Goggins's hairstyle can foretell the events of the show will find plenty to unpack this week.
"[13] Dan Forcella of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "'The Kids Aren't All Right' was filled with twists, turns, excitement, romance and Darryl Crowe making it to Kentucky.