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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!

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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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 6 - Bear Man
    7.3/10(817 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 4 - Jamais je ne t'oublierai
    7.6/10(937 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 3 - A New Birth of Freedom
    7.7/10(998 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 5 - Bread and Circuses
    7.7/10(940 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 6 - Pride, Pomp and Circumstance
    7.7/10(890 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.8/10(1462 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 6 - Hungry Ghosts
    7.8/10(562 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 2 - Immoral Mathematics
    7.9/10(1110 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 5 - Searchers
    7.9/10(647 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 3 - White Justice
    7.9/10(549 votes)

    #10 - White Justice

    S5:E3

    Cullen contends with violence in Chinatown set off by disgruntled railroad workers. Meanwhile, the Swede manipulates Phineas in his plot against the Mormons.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writer:John Romano

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  11. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 7 - The White Spirit
    8.0/10(719 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 4 - The Game
    8.0/10(650 votes)

    #12 - The Game

    S3:E4

    Cullen and Elam try to secure a new lumber source following a railroad accident; Durant tells Louise a secret about Cullen.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Jami O'Brien

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  13. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 7 - Cholera
    8.0/10(645 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 8 - It Happened in Boston
    8.0/10(633 votes)

    #14 - It Happened in Boston

    S3:E8

    After his workers defect to the Mormons, Cullen recruits Durant to help get them back. Meanwhile, Sean and Mickey's past comes back to haunt them.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 1 - The Elusive Eden
    8.0/10(699 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 4 - Reckoning
    8.0/10(630 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 1 - Chinatown
    8.0/10(651 votes)

    #17 - Chinatown

    S5:E1

    Cullen is in California with the Central Pacific Railroad, and must deal with the new workers.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writer:Jami O'Brien

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  18. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 4 - Struck
    8.0/10(551 votes)

    #18 - Struck

    S5:E4

    Cullen solves a Chinese labor strike in the wake of violence. Meanwhile, Durant pulls Mickey deeper into Union Pacific business.

    Director:Clark Johnson
    Writer:Max Hurwitz

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  19. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 9 - Return to the Garden
    8.0/10(544 votes)

    #19 - Return to the Garden

    S5:E9

    Cullen faces life-changing decisions in Utah as Truckee adapts to life without him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 8 - Derailed
    8.1/10(887 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 1 - Viva La Mexico
    8.1/10(746 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 2 - Durant, Nebraska
    8.1/10(761 votes)

    #22 - Durant, Nebraska

    S2:E2

    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.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:John Shiban

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  23. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 4 - Scabs
    8.1/10(724 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 8 - The Lord's Day
    8.1/10(719 votes)

    #24 - The Lord's Day

    S2:E8

    A new arrival stirs things up in Hell on Wheels, while Eva gets caught between Elam and Mr. Toole.

    Director:Rod Lurie
    Writers:Mark Richard, Chris Mundy

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  25. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 3 - Range War
    8.1/10(652 votes)

    #25 - 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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Bear Man" is the worst rated episode of "Hell on Wheels". It scored 7.3/10 based on 817 votes. Directed by Clark Johnson and written by Max Hurwitz, it aired on 9/6/2014. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Jamais je ne t'oublierai".