AMC's Hell on Wheels

[Hunter Rider]

I just caught up on the first 3 eps, I loved the scenes at the start with Cullen out in the snow. Of the new players thay've introduced I like Maggie and she seems more like Lilly than the journalist Lady. Toole's brother is gonna be dangerous (I've never heard of his "Irish custom") and Major Mendix is a frightening combination of intellectual pyscho.

I was sorry to see Barlow killed off so quickly.

The Swedes return was odd, I actually thought the big man that tried to rape the journalist might turn out to be the Swede in disguise, but instead of him looking all creepy and scary he pops up with a friendly old man look.

That Mormon dude that let his son hang will hopefully show up again so he can be shot, but was that one of his wives or daughters Cullen was getting frisky with in the barn?

I'm also surprised at the interest Cullen is showing in Ruth.

 

[Asgard]

Looks like the family the Swede has embedded himself in are headed for Hell on Wheels.

Cant wait for Cullen to see him alive and then dead.

I wonder who took Eva and Elam's daughter...Im thinking Toole, but maybe its that prostitute thats headed to Omaha.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Watching Jimmy Two Squaws try to negotiate with the Indians for Cullen before he got cooked reminded me of C3P0 and Han Solo with The Ewoks in ROTJ.

The Journalist Lady Louise bringing up Cullen's original revenge story got me to thinking, did he ever complete the list?

I also find it interesting how Cullen is seemingly wanting to be saved by Ruth and religion.

Looks like the family the Swede has embedded himself in are headed for Hell on Wheels.

Cant wait for Cullen to see him alive and then dead.

I wonder who took Eva and Elam's daughter...Im thinking Toole, but maybe its that prostitute thats headed to Omaha.

My guess is the Swede is gonna kill the father and make it look like an accident, then he will become the Preacher for the place they are heading to as the boy said his dad would be the most powerful man there.

Toole seems very likely but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a red herring and it's that dying hooker that has taken the baby.

 

[Asgard]

The Journalist Lady Louise bringing up Cullen's original revenge story got me to thinking, did he ever complete the list?

Yeah, he killed everyone involved. He also killed Frank Harper who was part of the unit that killed Cullen's wife, but he was discharged from the army before that event took place and wasnt part of the killing.

I also find it interesting how Cullen is seemingly wanting to be saved by Ruth and religion.

Maybe hes just lonely and wants some company during the cold, lonely nights.

Toole seems very likely but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a red herring and it's that dying hooker that has taken the baby.

Wouldnt be surprised either.

 

[squeekness]

My guess is the Swede is gonna kill the father and make it look like an accident, then he will become the Preacher for the place they are heading to as the boy said his dad would be the most powerful man there.

This is what I was thinking as well. He'll make up some excuse about the family getting killed on the way and arrive by himself or something.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, I think the Swede is definitely going to kill that kid's father and attempt to take his place. For a moment I thought he already had when they showed him wearing his hat. He might kill the wife and the kid too; guess we'll see.

Either way, I see the Swede getting some protection from the Mormons, who will likely already have a bone to pick with Cullen due to that guy's son being hung in the first episode (which, ironically, is more his fault than it is Cullen's). So once Cullen finally meets up with the Swede again, it will be harder for him to kill the bastard.

As for who took the baby... yeah, it might be the dying prostitute or (of course) Toole's brother. I also wonder if it's that creepy guy who tried rape the reporter in the first episode.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Yeah, he killed everyone involved. He also killed Frank Harper who was part of the unit that killed Cullen's wife, but he was discharged from the army before that event took place and wasnt part of the killing.

Thanks, I couldn't remember if he'd given up that crusade after killing the wrong guy.

Maybe hes just lonely and wants some company during the cold, lonely nights.

Heh, not sure it's headed in that direction but who knows, I mean that Mormon girl in the barn looked about the Ruth age, maybe Cullen is going for a different type this season.

This is what I was thinking as well. He'll make up some excuse about the family getting killed on the way and arrive by himself or something.

I actually think he'll keep the wife and boy alive and in his twisted mind they'll replace the family he lost.

As for who took the baby... yeah, it might be the dying prostitute or (of course) Toole's brother. I also wonder if it's that creepy guy who tried rape the reporter in the first episode.

That's an interesting theory as they kept his face hidden but with such a distinctive size it would seem odd if they only used him for such a random scene.

 

[Asgard]

Yup, looks like some of us were right in thinking it was the prostitute and her boyfriend that took Elam's daughter.

Psalms was pretty awesome in the ep as he laid out how life was for him as a slave. Pretty intense.

The big shocker of the ep is that Toole was the father of the baby and that Elam knew. Really good exchange between Cullen and Elam. I especially liked the last bits of dialogue.

Tell you true, Elam.

You'd do best to unwrap
your heart from her right now.


I can't do that.


It's too late.


I'm in it now.

 

[squeekness]

I didn't find it shocking that Elam knew the baby wasn't his. It was pretty obvious the kid was all white. He just wanted that baby so badly.

 

[DrDoom]

Yeah, I didnt think it was a point of contention whether or not the baby was white.

 

[Asgard]

I was thinking the baby was born lacking melanin and her skin would gradually darken as she got older.

 

[James]

I'm all caught up now, this season is turning out great! The moment that baby turned up I knew it was going to get kidnapped at point, and I'm glad it was strung out over a few episodes. Nice quick resolution.

Pretty disappointing that AMC chose to spoil The Swede's return, that was a real dumb move. Maybe it built more hype and there's still the great mystery of what the mad bastard is up to, but the 'reveal' shot of him was totally ruined.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Great scones between Cullen and Elam, Psalms and Toole, and Eva and Ruth, excellent acting all round. I really like the way the Cullen and Elam friendship is kind of always strained but remains in tact.

The Swede is the worst bedtime story reader ever! That kid will have nightmares for weeks. I was half expecting the camera to pan round and show his Mom and Dad dead.

 

[James]

The Swede is the worst bedtime story reader ever! That kid will have nightmares for weeks. I was half expecting the camera to pan round and show his Mom and Dad dead.

When The Swede had the dad's hat on, I was pretty sure that was it for the boy's folks.

 

[James]

Alright class, did we all see last night's episode of Hell on Wheels?

Spoiler

Swede is as bananas as ever.

Bohannan shooting that fellow amongst the trains was brutal and beautifully shot.

The scene between Bohannon and General Grant on the hill was great. I loved them reminiscing about the war, especially coming from either side. Seeing Bohannan give a genuine laugh was good fun too.

Nice touch at the end, firing the Irish chap. Triumphant episode for out hero overall.

One thing I've really been enjoying these past few episodes is the growing friendship between Ruth and Bohannan. Their conversations about sin and morality give some great insight into Bohannan's character.

 

[Wolfwood]

Alright class, did we all see last night's episode of Hell on Wheels?

Spoiler

Swede is as bananas as ever.

Bohannan shooting that fellow amongst the trains was brutal and beautifully shot.

The scene between Bohannon and General Grant on the hill was great. I loved them reminiscing about the war, especially coming from either side. Seeing Bohannan give a genuine laugh was good fun too.

Nice touch at the end, firing the Irish chap. Triumphant episode for out hero overall.

One thing I've really been enjoying these past few episodes is the growing friendship between Ruth and Bohannan. Their conversations about sin and morality give some great insight into Bohannan's character.

Spoiler

At first I was pretty disappointed that they brought the Swede back, but man, his return really paid off in a horrific way. I wonder if this is all going to lead to another confrontation with Bohannon or if something else will befall the Swede.

I really expected Bohannon to talk that guy out of wanting to kill him after what he went through in the episode, but it is tragically fitting for his character that he simply shot him.

Now that Elam and Eva are relatively happy, I expect something horrible to happen to them.

 

[James]

Spoiler

I really expected Bohannon to talk that guy out of wanting to kill him after what he went through in the episode, but it is tragically fitting for his character that he simply shot him.

Me too! All that weighty conversation about killing and reflecting on his past, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for him to show mercy...then blammo. I'm glad it went that way, unpredictable is always more entertaining.

 

[squeekness]

Figures the one time he does it for self defense no one is around to see.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Cullen Bohannan is fast becoming one of my all time favourite characters, such a complex guy and I thought this was one of the best episodes to center so strongly around him. The scenes with him and Ulysses S. Grant were great.

Looks like no matter how honorable and ruggedly handsome he is he's gonna be **** out out of luck when it comes to romancing Louise though.

I'm glad Grant saw through Durant, he's a good character but he's bordering on cartoon villainy at this point with how obvious he is.

Dat Swede! I thought his muderlizing might be a bit more subtle, I wonder what the crazy bastards next move is.

 

[James]

Looks like we found out what the Swede's next move was.

Baby!

 

[James]

Anyone else still keeping up with Hell on Wheels?

Exciting stuff! Yesterday's episode was beautifully shot, some amazing direction throughout. The gun battle was fantastic.

Can't believe the season finale is next week, that came around fast.

 

[Wolfwood]

Well, I liked 90% of the finale, except for...

Spoiler

That ****ing bear. Seriously, that was so out of left field that it had me busting up. And if that's really how Elam dies I'm going to be so pissed.

 

[James]

Spoiler

I doubt Elam's dead. I think the Indian who ran away will find him, in fact I was fully expecting him to show up in that last shot of Elam on the ground.

Heck of a season finale, lots of stuff got set up. Some of the best moments were watching Bohanon and The Swede make nice, but the absolute highlight of this episode was the look on Bohanon's face when he found out he'd made the Mormon girl pregnant. Hilarious.

Not sure Durrant messing with General Grant is going to bode well for him in the future.

 

[Golgo-13]

Yeah, the look on Bohannan's face when he found out the girl was pregnant was gif worthy!

I thought the 'act' was interrupted and they didn't actually get to do it..all the way. I was thinking for a second the father was the one who actually got her pregnant, but Bohannan didn't protest so either he actually is the father....or he's taking care of the girl and the child out of guilt for hanging the boy....?

I like where Bohannan is at the end of this season. One of my favorites characters on tv. Everytime i see him, i keep wishing Mount was the next Batman.

And Elam can't be dead....

 

[squeekness]

Yeah, the look on Bohannan's face when he found out the girl was pregnant was gif worthy!

I thought the 'act' was interrupted and they didn't actually get to do it..all the way. I was thinking for a second the father was the one who actually got her pregnant, but Bohannan didn't protest so either he actually is the father....or he's taking care of the girl and the child out of guilt for hanging the boy....?

I like where Bohannan is at the end of this season. One of my favorites characters on tv. Everytime i see him, i keep wishing Mount was the next Batman.

And Elam can't be dead....

I was thinking this myself. Maybe they did it more than once? I was sad at how it ended that Bohannon got so screwed over. I was wondering why once the rail was completed that the posse of men who first volunteered to go after Bohannon never did. Or why General Grant did nothing as well.