Hell On Wheels is a western drama, television series that aired on AMC. This series focuses on the First Continental Railroad, which was already in construction at the beginning of the series. The completion of this large and expensive project was going to be a major undertaking, but Thomas Durant (Colm Meaney), is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that his Union Pacific Railroad, was going to continue moving westward. He would need all the help he could get and that meant hiring one aforementioned confederate soldier, Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount). Seeing his photo on a wanted poster doesn’t change Durant’s mind, he knows that Cullen will stick with the project, through the thick and thin. 

When Cullen began working on the railway, it’s completion was not his major concern. He was trying to avenge his wife’s rape and murder, but somewhere along the line he was forced to make an important decision, one that could land him behind bars, for the rest of his life. 

There was one thing standing in Grant’s way of grandiose expansion plans and that was no other than Lily Bell (Dominique McElligott). She had in her possession, the land survey that was intended to help move the railways through the Sioux’s land safely. Grant falls for Lily and they soon become partners, but Lily has her eyes set on someone else that is a whole lot more intriguing than Grant. 

Mr. Bohannon, becomes the supervisor of a group of African American workers, who’ve adjusted to his strict rules and enforcing work habits. Building the rails is not an easy job, they will face many obstacles along their way. Small towns were built up around the railroad. Life was difficult for everyone, they faced water and food shortages, outbreak of communicable diseases, and death. Although, there were enough prostitutes to satisfy all the male workers, women were often raped and beaten by strangers and quite often, their husbands. 

We also get the introduction of the tyrant, The Swede, Thor Gundersen (Christopher Heyerdahl). Unfortunately, for Mr. Bohannon Thor becomes more of a pain in the butt than he could ever imagined. On a positive note, Cullen, met and became good friends with one of the African workers, Elam Ferguson (Rapper Common). Together, they battle their way through Indian territory, personal issues, and at times, each other. 

Review

I feel the first three seasons of Hell On Wheels were very strong indeed, but the forth season appears to be lacking something. Without giving to much away, I felt that the writers and producers wasted several episodes on Elam’s transformation. The show is currently on hiatus until Saturday (November 8th), thanks AMC’s ridiculous mid-season interruption. 

I read many complaints made by former viewers of the show, that the writers failed to add some very important details to their screenplay. I did a little research on the history of the making of the First Continental Railroad. I agree with these viewers and feel they should have included the Chinese (Indentured Servants) and Irish immigrants into the equation somewhere or another. Many of the real railroad workers were untrained and discharged army veterans (Union and Confederate). The series does touch on the fact that some of the Negros were free and still faced extreme segregation discrimination. In all actuality, there were more white, Irish, and Chinese workers, than black workers. Another group of workers, not mentioned, is the 2000 men (almost all Mormons), that made up the “work gangs” also participated greatly in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. 

Anson Mount does an excellent job portraying the rugged cowboy, as well does Rapper common, Colm Meaney, and Robin McLeavy (Eva). The most interesting and suspenseful character is The Swede. I’m holding off on rating this series until it’s conclusion.