Welcome back to The Binge, CraveOnline’s recurring feature that looks at the best TV series streaming online.
A few decades ago, Westerns were common on TV. Now, we’re down to one. AMC’s Hell on Wheels is entering its fifth and final season next month, and it might be a while before another Western takes its place.
In its first season, Hell on Wheels was often compared to HBO’s masterpiece, Deadwood. But aside from a similar period setting, the two shows have little in common. Deadwood was known for its Shakespearean dialogue, courtesy of David Milch; whose words were elevated by a very talented cast.
Hell on Wheels was never going to be Deadwood, and dialogue hasn’t always been its strongest part. The engine that drives Hell on Wheels is heart. Series star, Anson Mount has done a fantastic job of making his character, Cullen Bohannon an empathetic character even when he behaves in decidedly unheroic ways. At the start of the series, Bohannon was driven to avenge the murder of his wife and child during the last days of the Civil War. But over the course of the show, Bohannon has evolved. And when he feels emotional pain, Mount makes the audience feel it as well.
This show also has two of the great villains on TV: Colm Meaney’s Thomas “Doc” Durant, is more amoral than an outright villain. But he’s a fun schemer to watch. The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl) is also highly entertaining, even though his moustache twirling villainy gets more outrageous every season.
The series chronicles the construction of Union Pacific Railroad, and Hell on Wheels hasn’t shied away from what that meant to the Freed slaves, the immigrants, and the native people who angrily defend their land. Some of the details are quite upsetting to watch and to think about, but the show is stronger for it.
Hell on Wheels Season 4 is coming to Netflix on July 4, but every episode from the first three seasons is already available for streaming. AMC is giving Hell on Wheels the “Breaking Bad treatment” for its final season, which means we’re going to get seven episodes this year and another seven episodes next summer,
Ahead of Hell on Wheel’s fifth season premiere on Saturday, July 18; here are our picks for the best episodes of Hell on Wheels. To fully enjoy the series, it’s still highly recommended that you start at the beginning.
Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1
Cullen Bohannon’s quest for revenge takes him to Hell on Wheels, the mobile camp that follows the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. We also meet Thomas “Doc” Durant (Colm Meaney) for the first time, in addition to Lily Bell (Dominique McElligott); a woman who narrowly survives an attack by local tribes with information vital to the railroad’s success.
Derailed
Season 1 Episode 8
Bohannon deals with the Swede in his own fashion before teaming up with Elam (Common), Joseph (Eddie Spears), and a handful of Union soldiers for an intense search for a group of murderous natives.
God of Chaos
Season 1 Episode 10
Elam and his lover, Eva (Robin McLeavy) discover that their plans for the future aren’t compatible, as the town of Hell on Wheels humiliates the Swede. Meanwhile, Bohannon tracks down one of the last men who killed his wife, only to discover a heartbreaking reality.
Blood Moon
Season 2 Episode 9
The tension between Elam, Eva, and Eva’s husband reaches a boil as a flash forward to the near future shows Hell on Wheel in ruins, and Bohannon questioned by a skeptical army officer. In the present, Lilly maneuvers to force Durant out of the railroad, as a contract is placed on her life.
Bad Moon Rising
Season 2 Episode 10
The destruction of Hell on Wheels comes to pass when the Sioux attack, but Bohannon’s world is shattered by a tragedy closer to his heart as one of his adversaries finds a way to strike at him through another person.
One Less Mule
Season 3 Episode 6
Elam and Eva reconcile their hope for the future, but Bohannon’s job and his life are threatened when Durant and Jasper Prescott (Matt Hurley) move against him.
Fathers and Sins
Season 3 Episode 9
The Mormons from Fort Smith attack Hell on Wheels to avenge the man that Bohannon killed. In the aftermath, Bohannon is gone and Elam steps up as a leader to resume construction of the railroad.
Bleeding Kansas
Season 4 Episode 11
The spotlight falls on Ruth (Kasha Kropinski), as only the survival of an evil man can save her life. Reverend Cole (Tom Noonan) reappears as Ruth shares her life’s story even as it nears its end.
Thirteen Steps
Season 4 Episode 12
Bohannon and Campbell (Jake Weber) attempt to sway Ruth, but nothing will change her mind about accepting her fate. In response, Bohannon makes a stunning choice about his future with the railroad.
