AMC's Hell on Wheels

[Marvolo]

When that guy's toes broke off!

 

[squeekness]

I was so grossed out I laughed a little....but it really wasn't funny.

 

[James]

Did anyone else feel Bohanon was the only one surprised by Ah Fong? I knew Fong was [BLACKOUT]a girl the moment she was introduced, it was so obvious I didn't realize at first that the character was supposed to be passing off as a boy.[/BLACKOUT]

Other than that, hoo boy what an episode! I thought the way they showed the same scene twice but from different perspectives was really well done. That whole sequence moving the engine was spectacular, and I really enjoyed Bohanon's semi-confession around the camp fire. It was very telling how he looked around first to make sure no one else was listening, and only told someone that would maybe understand half of what he was saying.

As much fun as it is to watch Bohanon shoot people, the logistics of building the railroad and seeing them overcome various obstacles has always been a highlight of this show.

 

[Golgo-13]

Damn, didn't realise this was back..time to binge watch!

 

[Marvolo]

Did anyone else feel Bohanon was the only one surprised by Ah Fong? I knew Fong was [BLACKOUT]a girl the moment she was introduced, it was so obvious I didn't realize at first that the character was supposed to be passing off as a boy.[/BLACKOUT]

Other than that, hoo boy what an episode! I thought the way they showed the same scene twice but from different perspectives was really well done. That whole sequence moving the engine was spectacular, and I really enjoyed Bohanon's semi-confession around the camp fire. It was very telling how he looked around first to make sure no one else was listening, and only told someone that would maybe understand half of what he was saying.

As much fun as it is to watch Bohanon shoot people, the logistics of building the railroad and seeing them overcome various obstacles has always been a highlight of this show.

I didnt realize it until Bohanon cut Fong's shirt open. When I saw the bandage thats when I knew Fong pulled a Mulan.

 

[James]

I was a little unsure about them moving Bohanon away from Durrant and co. this season, but it's really paying off. Moving focus on to the Chinese workers is great so far, and the new characters and their dramas are all pretty compelling. Plus it's as fun as it ever was watching The Swede play his crazy games.

I'm a little confused as to where they're at geographically though. Right now they're in Truckee, which is in California, and Bohanon even mentions "California law" near the end of last night's episode. But earlier in the episode they were talking about crossing the Nevada desert, which would would put them in western Utah or thereabouts.

 

[Marvolo]

I was a little unsure about them moving Bohanon away from Durrant and co. this season, but it's really paying off. Moving focus on to the Chinese workers is great so far, and the new characters and their dramas are all pretty compelling. Plus it's as fun as it ever was watching The Swede play his crazy games.

I'm a little confused as to where they're at geographically though. Right now they're in Truckee, which is in California, and Bohanon even mentions "California law" near the end of last night's episode. But earlier in the episode they were talking about crossing the Nevada desert, which would would put them in western Utah or thereabouts.

The Great Basin Desert (Nevada Desert) crosses into California. Back in the 19th century when California's boundaries came further east even more of the desert was within California's boundaries.

Here is where California's present state boundary falls in relation to the desert:

The old territory boundary was further east. So they are probably talking about crossing a section of it and not the whole thing.

 

[James]

Thanks Marvolo, I thought it might have something to do with the state lines moving around. If I'm comparing your map to a map of the railroad correctly, I guess the Hell on Wheels folks are currently working their way through the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the patch of "Nevada" desert they're talking about is the 30-40 miles or so between the mountains and Sacramento.

They're a lot further west than I thought, no wonder this is the final season!

 

[Hunter Rider]

I finally caught up on the 4 eps, the first 2 were really good, putting Cullen in a fresh environment with new characters and a different culture has been fantastic, I am less enthused when we go back to see the Irish guys and Durant, I'd prefer they stay in the background and the focus remain on Cullen, Chang, The Swede, Fong and her Dad.

The sequences in the snowy mountains with the train in episode 2 were the best the show has ever done, even topping that slow motion shootout from a couple of seasons ago, spectacular stuff.

 

[Marz69]

I totally forgot about the new season. Time to catch up!

 

[Marz69]

Caught up on the first 4 episodes. I'm really liking the new additions. It gives the show a different feel (in the first couple of eps) and yet it's still about the railroad.

Did anyone else feel Bohanon was the only one surprised by Ah Fong? I knew Fong was [BLACKOUT]a girl the moment she was introduced, it was so obvious I didn't realize at first that the character was supposed to be passing off as a boy.[/BLACKOUT]

.

Spoiler

I thought Fong was a female from the start. But then everyone treated her like a guy, so I figured I was wrong & then moved on from it. And then the revelation

I loved it when mary punched shea. t:

 

[Rowsdower!]

This show continues to be stellar. I love how it's not afraid to change settings and eliminate old characters and introduce new ones as needed. I hope the Swede dies a painful death at the end of this season. That likely won't come for a while, since they are Breaking Bad-ing this season into two parts. But I can't wait to see that bastard get what he deserves. How Christopher Heyerdahl has never been nominated for an Emmy for his role here is beyond me. Easily one of the most fascinating villains I've ever seen on TV or film.

 

[James]

I'm loving this season. Some people on Facebook have been commenting that this season is boring, but I can't see where they're coming from. Every episode has been a blast and the host of new characters and their stories is a really engaging.

This show continues to be stellar. I love how it's not afraid to change settings and eliminate old characters and introduce new ones as needed. I hope the Swede dies a painful death at the end of this season. That likely won't come for a while, since they are Breaking Bad-ing this season into two parts. But I can't wait to see that bastard get what he deserves. How Christopher Heyerdahl has never been nominated for an Emmy for his role here is beyond me. Easily one of the most fascinating villains I've ever seen on TV or film.

I was thinking this exact thing while watching the most recent episode. I'm so glad they bought him back after the bridge incident, The Swede is an incredible villain. Heyerdahl's jovial acting and skeletal appearance make the character.

 

[Marz69]

The ending of eps 5, curious as to the ramifications of.

Spoiler

what's going to happen to he/r? Recalling what the father had said that she must never be a woman

 

[Hunter Rider]

Loved the scenes with Cullen and May this week, they were subtle and bittersweet. I worry for poor May though, Cullen is like Jack Bauer, any woman that gets close to him usually ends up dead.

The camera work for the sequence in the river was fantastic, along with the train sequence in the snow in ep 2 I think it makes this season visually the shows best.

Eva is an interesting character, she has been the constant female presence across the shows run and has grown and evolved a lot in that time, probably more than anyone.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I was thinking this exact thing while watching the most recent episode. I'm so glad they bought him back after the bridge incident, The Swede is an incredible villain. Heyerdahl's jovial acting and skeletal appearance make the character.

Yeah, he's fantastic. I want to see Heyerdahl cast as the lead villain in a DC or Marvel film at some point. The guy is so underrated. There aren't many other actors out there who can achieve THAT level of insanity with a character. He's so evil and crazy it's disturbing--and fascinating--to watch.

 

[Golgo-13]

Why the hell do they keep advertising this ep as the last ep….for the year, instead of calling it a mid-season finale..

 

[Marvolo]

Why the hell do they keep advertising this ep as the last ep….for the year, instead of calling it a mid-season finale..

Because it is the last episode of the year, and a midseadon finale implies a short break which this wont be. The final seven episodes will air as a separate season sometime next summer. Probably July-August like these 7 episodes did.

Its similar to how AMC handled the final episodes of Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

 

[James]

I just watched last week's episode (at last), and it was great! I really like the relationship between May and Cullen. So much fun seeing Durant swindle people too, I love that guy.

Yeah, he's fantastic. I want to see Heyerdahl cast as the lead villain in a DC or Marvel film at some point. The guy is so underrated. There aren't many other actors out there who can achieve THAT level of insanity with a character. He's so evil and crazy it's disturbing--and fascinating--to watch.

Absolutely, I'd love to see him show up in a Marvel movie.

 

[Hunter Rider]

The ending was weird, I guess The Swede knew that Brigham would work out he had manipulated the young loon into offing him so he could control the leadership from behind the scenes, but why suddenly make a move for Cullen's family?

At any rate the first ep when the show returns looks like it will be an awesome game of cat & Mouse that will finally conclude the feud between these two great characters, shame we have to wait so long to see it.

I also just realized who is playing Brigham.

 

[James]

The ending was weird, I guess The Swede knew that Brigham would work out he had manipulated the young loon into offing him so he could control the leadership from behind the scenes, but why suddenly make a move for Cullen's family?

At any rate the first ep when the show returns looks like it will be an awesome game of cat & Mouse that will finally conclude the feud between these two great characters, shame we have to wait so long to see it.

I also just realized who is playing Brigham.

I think that was his plan all along, he just had to speed it up a bit when The Lion came out still kicking. The Swede wanted to control things, as you say, from behind the scenes, meanwhile he was also scheming to find the offshoot Mormon sect in order to take out Cullen's family -something I didn't realize until this episode -the Swede's schemes sure are well thought out!

With his main plan down the toilet, The Swede cut his losses and decided to at least wrap up his bonus plan.

Sucks we have to wait until next year!

 

[James]

I forgot to mention Eva securing her employment -no one's going to be challenging her for the top spot again any time soon!

...though cousin Johnny is worrisome...

 

[squeekness]

I forgot to mention Eva securing her employment -no one's going to be challenging her for the top spot again any time soon!

...though cousin Johnny is worrisome...

I had thought for sure he was the one who had stolen the bag of money, not Josie, but I was wrong.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I think that was his plan all along, he just had to speed it up a bit when The Lion came out still kicking. The Swede wanted to control things, as you say, from behind the scenes, meanwhile he was also scheming to find the offshoot Mormon sect in order to take out Cullen's family -something I didn't realize until this episode -the Swede's schemes sure are well thought out!

With his main plan down the toilet, The Swede cut his losses and decided to at least wrap up his bonus plan.

Sucks we have to wait until next year!

That was the thing that I felt was a bit unclear, unless I missed something, when exactly did the Swede find out where Cullen's family were and how did Cullen know he knew as he set off the minute he saw Brigham was badly wounded.

Damn right, I want to see it now!

 

[James]

That was the thing that I felt was a bit unclear, unless I missed something, when exactly did the Swede find out where Cullen's family were and how did Cullen know he knew as he set off the minute he saw Brigham was badly wounded.

Damn right, I want to see it now!

I think the Swede knew where Cullen's family were with the offshoot group of Mormon's because Brigham Young knew, The Swede just wasn't aware of their exact location. Cullen worked it out pretty quick, though I don't expect he knew for sure so much as he just figured that'd be the Swede's next stop.