The essential episodes of Hell on Wheels
Watch these 25 in order and you've got Hell on Wheels — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A Western about a former Confederate soldier (Anson Mount) and his quest for revenge on the Union troops who killed his wife. In the premiere episode, he heads west to take a job helping to construct the first transcontinental railroad.
- 02
Durant challenges the Cheyenne to a competition in an effort to bring a halt to ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, Elam and Cullen try to prevent bloodshed in town.
- 03
A looming railroad deadline throws Cullen and Lily together; Joseph and Elam deal with what their violent mission has wrought.
- 04
In the Season 2 premiere, Durant and Lily steer the railroad further west, while Cullen and Elam land on opposite sides of the law.
- 05
Durant confronts a formidable threat to the rolling city, while a horrific crime leads Lily and Elam to join forces in order to attain justice.
- 06
A tragedy leads Cullen to defuse an internal threat to the railroad.
- 07
Cullen gears up for battle as the town celebrates.
- 08
Cullen battles to save Hell on Wheels in the Season 2 finale.
- 09
In the Season 3 opener, Cullen and Elam travel to New York to secure their positions on the railroad. Meanwhile, Durant fights for his legacy from prison.
- 10
Cullen is forced to make a difficult decision; a reporter arrives in Hell on Wheels; and Elam has trouble with his new boss.
- 11
An attack on the cattle pens sends Cullen and Elam into the prairie in search of their stolen food. Then, a stranger's arrival threatens Elam's family.
- 12
After a railroad accident, Cullen and Elam forge deep into Indian territory to secure a new lumber source. Meanwhile, Durant tells Louise a secret about Cullen.
- 13
Cullen helps Elam track down a dangerous criminal. Meanwhile, chaos erupts in Hell on Wheels as the town prepares to move down the tracks.
- 14
Cullen challenges the Swede while planning his exit from Fort Smith. Meanwhile, a new adversary arrives and makes his presence felt in Cheyenne.
- 15
Cullen goes back to work on the railroad and butts heads with his new boss. Meanwhile, Durant and Campbell clash over a valuable piece of real estate.
- 16
Cullen faces trouble at home as he takes railroad matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Campbell makes a move against Durant and Mickey.
- 17
Following an attack by a bear, Elam struggles to survive in a Comanche village and find his way back to Cheyenne.
- 18
Cullen goes head-to-head with the new marshal in an attempt to free his arrested railroad workers. Meanwhile, Campbell confronts Louise over a story.
- 19
Cullen solves a Chinese labor strike in the wake of violence. Meanwhile, Durant pulls Mickey deeper into Union Pacific business.
- 20
Unexpected violence erupts in Chinatown during the festival of Tin Hau Don; Cullen confronts the Swede; and Durant involves Maggie in his latest scheme.
- 21
Cullen and Mei take a dangerous journey through the California wilderness, escorting precious cargo. Meanwhile, Eva nurses Louise back to health.
- 22
Cullen's nitroglycerin experiment provides an explosive backdrop for the railroad life in Truckee. Meanwhile, Durant's plan turns deadly.
- 23
Chang discovers Mei's secret and forces her to flee Truckee. Meanwhile, Cullen's search for her brings new realizations while exorcising old demons.
- 24
The race to finish the railroad comes down to inches, forcing all parties to contemplate the end of the line and what the future holds for them.
- 25
The golden spike, government hearings and unpredictable actions mean new beginnings and endings for the survivors.
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