Hell on Wheels started as one man’s single-minded journey to avenge the death of his family. As the series enters its final season, though, it has been transformed into a deeply meditative look at a changing world, an intricate retelling of a brutal time in American history and powerful examination of the characters that helped create it.
Sydney Snow (Johnathon Scarfe) disappeared at the end of “Two Trains”, escaping Cullen (Anson Mount), Mickey (Phil Burke), and Durant (Colm Meany) during their brutal shootout. But the villain still hangs over the show, especially in “Return to Hell”, Hell on Wheels’ mid-season finale.
The last two episodes of Hell on Wheels, “Life’s a Mystery” and “Reckoning” were startling disappointments with only a few bright spots. This is especially true in comparison to just how good the first three episodes of the season were and how brilliant the third season was. Until the final minutes of “Life’s a Mystery”, it seems like Hell on Wheels has lost its direction.
The first three episodes of this season have been an exceptional continuation of last season, the series best group of episodes, but “Reckoning” is missing something.
When you consider that “Chicken Hill” is only the third episode of season four, it’s quite remarkable how much has already happened this season. Last week’s episode featured what was perhaps the finest scene of the entire series, Cullen (Anson Mount) and the Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl) facing off in a furious, frantic confessional that resulted in Cullen escaping with his family and the Swede presumably dying. This reviewer has on many occasions praised Heyerdahl for helping to create such menacing, terrifying, and compelling character. It would be a shame to lose him for good.
The third season of AMC’s Hell on Wheels has been its best yet- powerful, quick witted, thrilling, and consistently entertaining. Director Neil LaBute, who directed one of the season’s most effective episodes, “Searchers”, returns to the season finale.
Hell on Wheels, Season 3, Episode 9, “Fathers and Sins” Written by John Wirth and Reed Steiner Directed by Billy Gierhart Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on AMC From the moment Cullen (Anson Mount) made the decision to hang the young Mormon teenager in the season premiere, it’s been obvious that there was going to …
Hell on Wheels, Season 3, Episode 8, “It Happened in Boston” Written by Mark Richard Directed by Rosemary Rodriguez Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on AMC “It Happened in Boston” picks up directly where last week’s Hell on Wheels ended, with Elam (Common) returning from burning the cholera victims to find that Eva (Robin McLeavy) …
Hell on Wheels, Season 3, Episode 7, “Cholera” Written by Tom Brady Directed by Deran Sarafin Airs Saturdays at 9pm (ET) on AMC With only three episodes left before the season finale, Hell on Wheels has taken Cullen (Anson Mount) to the point of near death and face to face with the young Mormon boy …
Season three of Hell on Wheels has been moving along steadily. It has been deliciously tense, powerfully acted, and full of exceptionally well put together stories. The season has been slow, yes, but with only four episodes left it’s also been very rewarding. With “One Less Mule”, it’s clear that the season is headed towards a breathless finish.
With the exception of last week’s episode, Hell on Wheels has been the best it’s ever been and “Searchers” might just be the season’s greatest episode. Directed by Neil LaBute, the highly emotional episode notches up the usual tension, fear, urgency, and sadness to an almost unbearable level.
“The Game”, Hell on Wheels’ fourth episode, slows the show’s pace to a near crawl until its last few moments, when Eva and Elam face a tragedy. The episode may start off with humor as Cullen and Elam attempt to find timber by visiting the Arapaho tribe, but this being Hell on Wheels, things quickly devolve.
Hell on Wheels, Season 3, Episode 3: “Range War” Written by Reed Steiner Directed by Dennie Gordon Airs Saturdays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC When a show changes show runners there is usually a difficult transition that causes it to suffer. The arrival of John Wirth caused some concern amongst fans when it was …
It’s no secret- last season’s Hell on Wheels had a lot of issues, mainly the forced relationship between Cullen and Lily Bell (after all, this is not a show conducive to a dewy romance). Fortunately that arc wrapped up in the season two finale and judging by the premiere season three promises to be one heck of a year.
ComicCon offers all kinds of experiences for attendees. You can stay completely in the world of film or immerse yourself in comics or even spend the weekend exploring tutorials and self-help panels. This year, due to a number of factors and in a pleasant surprise, my Con ended up being very music-heavy. I had the …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 9: “Blood Moon” Written by Mark Richard and Jami O’Brien Directed by Terry McDonough Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 10: “Blood Moon Rising” Written by John Shiban Directed by John Shiban Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC After a season full of massive character development, dirt, …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode: “The Lord’s Day” Written by Mark Richard and Chris Mundy Directed by Rod Lurie Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC With only two episodes left, Hell on Wheels is closing on what’s been a pretty epic season. Durant (Colm Meany) returns to the camp with his wife …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 7: “The White Spirit” Written by David Von Ancken Directed by Bruce Marshall Romans Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC The haunting images start early in this week’s episode of Hell on Wheels as The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl) prepares himself for a Native American ritual. Where last …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2 Episode 6: “Purged Away with Blood” Written by Tony Gayton and Tom Brady Directed by Joe Gayton Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC “What I got Doc, is a whole lotta heartache”, Eva (Robin McLeavy) tells Doc early in this week’s episode of Hell on Wheels, “Purged Away …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 5, “The Railroad Job” Written by Mark Richard Directed by Michael Nankin Airs Sunday at 9 pm (ET) on AMC I think it’s safe to assume that by this point Cullen (Anson Mount) has his fair share of ghosts. This week’s “The Railroad Job” opens with the ex-Confederate soldiers …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 4: “Scabs” Written by Chris Mundy Directed by Catherine Hardwicke Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC After the shocking murder committed at the end of last week’s episode, Hell on Wheels has found this season’s tone- dark, dank, and twisted. Hell on Wheels has always had one …
Hell on Wheels, Season 2, Episode 3: “Slaughterhouse” Written by Jami O’Brien and Bruce Romans Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan Airs Sundays at 9 pm (ET) on AMC Well, that certainly lived up to the name “Slaughterhouse”. Returning to the Hell on Wheels camp after being saved from hanging by Durant (Colm Meaney), Cullen (Anson Mount) …
Hell on Wheels, Ep.1.10: “God of Chaos” Written by Tony Gayton, Joe Gayton and Bruce Marshall Romans Directed by David Von Ancken Airs Sunsays at 10 PM ET on AMC Hell on Wheels has been picked up for a second season, and one hopes the writers give the show a badly needed reevaluation. Lucky for …