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The Best Episodes of Hell on Wheels

Every episode of Hell on Wheels ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Hell on Wheels!

Binge this in 14h 21m•Peaking at 8.9/10

The epic story of post-Civil War America, focusing on Cullen Bohannon, a Confederate soldier who sets out to exact revenge on the Union soldiers who killed his wife. His journey takes him west to Hell

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 10 - Return to Hell
    8.9/10(772 votes)

    #1 - Return to Hell

    S4:E10

    Cullen, Durant, and Campbell try to negotiate a settlement on how the streets will be policed. An act of terror strikes Cheyenne.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writer:Jami O'Brien

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  2. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 8 - Two Soldiers
    8.9/10(825 votes)

    #2 - Two Soldiers

    S5:E8

    The Swede's murderous rampage on the Hatch homestead results in a long overdue showdown with Cullen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 10 - Blood Moon Rising
    8.8/10(906 votes)

    #3 - Blood Moon Rising

    S2:E10

    Cullen fights to save Hell on Wheels.

    Director:John Shiban
    Writer:John Shiban

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  4. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 7 - Elam Ferguson
    8.8/10(1065 votes)

    #4 - Elam Ferguson

    S4:E7

    Cullen attempts to reconnect with Elam upon his return. Durant takes matters into his own hands while putting an old problem to rest.

    Director:Rod Lurie
    Writers:Mark Richard, Tom Brady

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  5. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 9 - Two Trains
    8.8/10(710 votes)

    #5 - Two Trains

    S4:E9

    Cullen goes head to head with the new marshal to recover his arrested railroad workers. Campbell confronts Louise over a story.

    Director:Marvin V. Rush
    Writer:Bruce Marshall Romans

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  6. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 14 - Done
    8.8/10(711 votes)

    #6 - Done

    S5:E14

    The golden spike, government hearings and unpredictable actions mean new beginnings and endings for the survivors.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 13 - Railroad Men
    8.7/10(585 votes)

    #7 - Railroad Men

    S5:E13

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 5 - The Railroad Job
    8.6/10(806 votes)

    #8 - The Railroad Job

    S2:E5

    Cullen's past catches up with him and threatens the fate of the railroad.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Mark Richard

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  9. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 6 - One Less Mule
    8.6/10(717 votes)

    #9 - One Less Mule

    S3:E6

    Durant files an injunction against Union Pacific, threatening Cullen's position; Elam deals with a dangerous newcomer.

    Directors:Deran Sarafian, David Straiton
    Writers:John Wirth, Lolis Eric Elie

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  10. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 9 - Fathers and Sins
    8.6/10(705 votes)

    #10 - Fathers and Sins

    S3:E9

    With General Grant's deadline only two days away, a gang of riders attacks Cheyenne while Cullen and Elam pay Durant a visit.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Reed Steiner, John Wirth

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  11. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 7 - False Prophets
    8.6/10(610 votes)

    #11 - False Prophets

    S5:E7

    Cullen and Durant meet with President Grant to discuss the future of the railroad; the Swede puts his plan against the Mormons in action.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 7 - Revelations
    8.5/10(943 votes)

    #12 - Revelations

    S1:E7

    With Elam's life in the balance, Cullen must decide how much he’s willing to risk. Meanwhile Durant faces financial ruin as Lily confronts the family of her late husband.

    Director:Michelle MacLaren
    Writers:Tony Gayton, Joe Gayton

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  13. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 9 - Blood Moon
    8.5/10(734 votes)

    #13 - Blood Moon

    S2:E9

    Cullen prepares for battle while the town celebrates.

    Director:Terry McDonough
    Writers:Mark Richard, Jami O'Brien

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  14. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 2 - Eminent Domain
    8.5/10(764 votes)

    #14 - Eminent Domain

    S3:E2

    An unexpected roadblock forces Cullen to make a difficult choice as a reporter arrives in Hell on Wheels. Elam struggles with his new boss.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:John Wirth

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  15. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 5 - Life's a Mystery
    8.5/10(675 votes)

    #15 - Life's a Mystery

    S4:E5

    Cullens's family is at risk when a stranger arrives, stirring up old feelings; The Swede faces the consequences.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writers:Mark Richard, Tom Brady

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  16. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 12 - Thirteen Steps
    8.5/10(711 votes)

    #16 - Thirteen Steps

    S4:E12

    Cullen grapples with Ruth's unexpected decision; Louise jeopardizes her reputation to fight for a story she believes in.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Tom Brady

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  17. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 11 - Gambit
    8.5/10(587 votes)

    #17 - Gambit

    S5:E11

    Mickey's dirty business with Durant leaves him with blood on his hands. Meanwhile, Campbell's return to town complicates Louise's life.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writers:John Romano, Miki Johnson

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  18. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 6 - Purged Away with Blood
    8.4/10(750 votes)

    #18 - Purged Away with Blood

    S2:E6

    Despite fighting to save his own life, Durant must try to keep the railroad from going under. Meanwhile, Cullen comes to the aid of an old comrade.

    Director:Joe Gayton
    Writers:Tony Gayton, Tom Brady

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  19. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 2 - Escape from the Garden
    8.4/10(664 votes)

    #19 - Escape from the Garden

    S4:E2

    As Cullen plans an exit from Fort Smith, he challenges The Swede; when a new adversary arrives, Cheyenne feels his presence.

    Director:Neil LaBute
    Writer:Mark Richard

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  20. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 11 - Bleeding Kansas
    8.4/10(669 votes)

    #20 - Bleeding Kansas

    S4:E11

    Cullen and Durant fight to save the life of a criminal. Meanwhile, Louise tries to provide support as Ruth copes with a great loss.

    Director:Seith Mann
    Writer:Michael C. Martin

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  21. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 9 - Timshel
    8.3/10(883 votes)

    #21 - Timshel

    S1:E9

    A looming railroad deadline throws Cullen and Lily together; Joseph and Elam deal with what their violent mission has wrought.

    Director:John Shiban
    Writer:John Shiban

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  22. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 10 - God of Chaos
    8.3/10(887 votes)

    #22 - God of Chaos

    S1:E10

    In the Season 1 finale, Cullen's past and future collide, impacting his life on the railroad.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writers:Tony Gayton, Joe Gayton

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  23. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 10 - Get Behind the Mule
    8.3/10(741 votes)

    #23 - Get Behind the Mule

    S3:E10

    Cullen grapples with consequences while Elam mounts a rescue attempt. Durant receives Gen. Grant and the U.P. board in Cheyenne ahead of the deadline.

    Director:Neil LaBute
    Writers:Mark Richard, Jami O'Brien

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  24. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 3 - Chicken Hill
    8.3/10(639 votes)

    #24 - Chicken Hill

    S4:E3

    Cullen goes back to work on the railroad and butts heads with his new boss. Durant and Campbell battle over a valuable piece of real estate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 2 - Mei Mei
    8.3/10(646 votes)

    #25 - Mei Mei

    S5:E2

    Cullen and Fong find themselves in peril as they transport a locomotive over the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Swede gains Phineas' trust.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Tom Brady, John Wirth

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Best Episodes Summary

"Return to Hell" is the best rated episode of "Hell on Wheels". It scored 8.9/10 based on 772 votes. Directed by Billy Gierhart and written by Jami O'Brien, it aired on 10/4/2014. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Two Soldiers".