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The Worst Episodes of Hell on Wheels

Every episode of Hell on Wheels ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Hell on Wheels!

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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 Worst Episode
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    Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 9 - Timshel
    6.6/10(9 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    6.7/10(11 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    A former confederate soldier journeys to the transcontinental railroad to seek vengeance.

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

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  3. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 6 - Bear Man
    7.1/10(8 votes)

    #3 - Bear Man

    S4:E6

    Following an attack by a bear, Elam struggles to survive in a Comanche village and find his way back to Cheyenne.

    Director:Clark Johnson
    Writer:Max Hurwitz

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  4. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 2 - Mei Mei
    7.3/10(9 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 5 - Searchers
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #5 - Searchers

    S3:E5

    Cullen helps Elam track down a dangerous criminal; the town prepares to move down the tracks.

    Director:Neil LaBute
    Writer:Bruce Marshall Romans

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  6. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 12 - Any Sum Within Reason
    7.6/10(8 votes)

    #6 - Any Sum Within Reason

    S5:E12

    Chang discovers Mei's secret and forces her to flee Truckee. Meanwhile, Cullen's search for her brings new realizations while exorcising old demons.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 3 - A New Birth of Freedom
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #7 - A New Birth of Freedom

    S1:E3

    When Lily goes missing, Durant organizes a search party. A subsidiary request prevents Cullen from his continued search for the sergeant involved in the murder of his wife.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:John Shiban

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  8. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 4 - Jamais je ne t'oublierai
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #8 - Jamais je ne t'oublierai

    S1:E4

    Cullen's search for the sergeant nears its end; Durant keeps to his hidden agenda while assisting in Lily's recuperation.

    Director:Alex Zakrzewski
    Writers:Jami O'Brien, Jamie Linck O'Brien

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  9. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 5 - Bread and Circuses
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #9 - Bread and Circuses

    S1:E5

    A bare-knuckle brouhaha between Elam and Cullen is spurred by Durant's latest attempt to deal with the railroad's financial crisis.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Mark Richard

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  10. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 6 - Pride, Pomp and Circumstance
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Pride, Pomp and Circumstance

    S1:E6

    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.

    Director:Michael Slovis
    Writer:Bruce Marshall Romans

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  11. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 2 - Immoral Mathematics
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #11 - Immoral Mathematics

    S1:E2

    Lily encounters natives in the wilderness. Cullen is questioned in regards to his recent actions against others. Meanwhile, Durant continues his push for political gain through his persuasions.

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

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  12. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 4 - Scabs
    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Scabs

    S2:E4

    A tragedy leads Cullen to defuse an internal threat to the railroad.

    Director:Catherine Hardwicke
    Writer:Chris Mundy

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  13. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 6 - Hungry Ghosts
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Hungry Ghosts

    S5:E6

    Cullen and Mei escort precious cargo through the California wilderness; Eva nurses Louise back to health.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 8 - Derailed
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #14 - Derailed

    S1:E8

    Durant dispatches Cullen and Elam on a mission of vengeance. Lily struggles to find her place.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writer:Mark Richard

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  15. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 1 - Viva La Mexico
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #15 - Viva La Mexico

    S2:E1

    In the Season 2 premiere, Durant and Lily steer the railroad further west, while Cullen and Elam land on opposite sides of the law.

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

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  16. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 1 - Big Bad Wolf
    8.0/10(8 votes)

    #16 - Big Bad Wolf

    S3:E1

    After a hard winter, Cullen and Elam travel to New York to secure their positions on the railroad as Durant fights for his legacy from prison.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writer:Mark Richard

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  17. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 3 - Range War
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #17 - Range War

    S3:E3

    Cullen and Elam search for their stolen food on the prairie; a stranger's arrival threatens Elam's family.

    Director:Dennie Gordon
    Writers:Mark Richard, Reed Steiner

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  18. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 1 - The Elusive Eden
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #18 - The Elusive Eden

    S4:E1

    Cullen awaits the birth of his baby, laboring under The Swede's thumb at Fort Smith. Durant deals with the fallout from a railroad accident.

    Director:Neil LaBute
    Writer:Mark Richard

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  19. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 11 - Bleeding Kansas
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 7 - Revelations
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 10 - God of Chaos
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 7 - The White Spirit
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #22 - The White Spirit

    S2:E7

    In the aftermath of tragedy, Lily and Cullen struggle to maintain order in Hell on Wheels. Meanwhile, Elam makes plans for the future.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writers:Bruce Marshall Romans, Jami O'Brien

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  23. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 7 - Cholera
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #23 - Cholera

    S3:E7

    When a cholera epidemic hits Hell on Wheels, Cullen must find fresh water before his workers die. Durant faces political fallout.

    Director:Deran Sarafian
    Writer:Tom Brady

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  24. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 4 - Reckoning
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #24 - Reckoning

    S4:E4

    Cullen deals with trouble at home as he takes railroad matters into his own hands. Campbell makes a move against Durant and Mickey.

    Director:Dennie Gordon
    Writer:Jennifer Cecil

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  25. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 8 - Under Color of Law
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #25 - Under Color of Law

    S4:E8

    Cullen makes a decision to ensure his family's safety. Campbell hires a new federal marshal to clean up the streets.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Timshel" is the worst rated episode of "Hell on Wheels". It scored 6.6/10 based on 9 votes. Directed by John Shiban and written by John Shiban, it aired on 1/8/2012. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Pilot".