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.
Meanwhile, Raylan and Tim investigate deaths that may be associated to Walker while Boyd and Duffy make a visit to a vault specialist, which culminates in disastrous results.
After having sex, Boyd (Walton Goggins) leaves Ava (Joelle Carter) to meet with Duffy (Jere Burns) downstairs.
While investigating more about the ledger and Avery, Raylan and Tim (Jacob Pitts) are told by Calhoun (Brad Leland) that the older couple, whom Walker previously visited a few days ago, has died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Duffy (Jere Burns) introduces Boyd to specialist Lewis "The Wiz" Mago (Jake Busey), who attempts to break open a similar vault but accidentally vaporizes himself when a cell phone rings, much to their shock.
At the end of their day, Katherine asks about Albert Fekus' change of heart, worrying Ava and causing her to exit their hotel room to avoid any more conversations with her.
Raylan and Tim visit Dickie Bennett (Jeremy Davies) in prison learning that he unknowingly sold his ancestral land to Loretta McCready (Kaitlyn Dever), putting her on Avery's radar.
Actor Jere Burns struggled to keep his eyes open due to the spray of fake blood that covered his character.
We all felt it was part and parcel of what Markham is in town to do, and so we liked the idea of Loretta putting down stakes and saying she's taking the money that she got from Mags and she's going to get in that business.
'"[3] In its original American broadcast, "The Trash and the Snake" was seen by an estimated 1.65 million household viewers and gained a 0.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
This one was so much fun – so full of all the people, things and events that have made Justified such a blast for so long – that it feels like it went past the legal limits for entertainment on a Tuesday night.
Her shift from fake joy to genuine tears as Boyd pitches the idea of stealing not just Markham's money, but his plans for Harlan, is fantastic.
"[11] Kyle Fowle of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Justified has always done a wonderful job balancing it's gritty noir and Western tendencies with a solid dose of humor.
"[12] Matt Zoller Seitz of Vulture gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Justified isn't ordinarily the sort of show to hand you a theme on a platter, but we're deep into the final season now, and things are getting deeper and darker by the week, so it makes sense that the series would want to frame its endgame.
"[14] Sean McKenna of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Justified, even if things aren't moving at break-neck pace, finds a way to be entertaining, including with its massive collection of characters.