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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 4 Episode 6 - Bear Man
    7.3/10(813 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(933 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(995 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(935 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(886 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(1455 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(561 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(1105 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(643 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 3 Episode 8 - It Happened in Boston
    7.9/10(629 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 3 - White Justice
    7.9/10(547 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 7 - The White Spirit
    8.0/10(716 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 4 - The Game
    8.0/10(647 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 7 - Cholera
    8.0/10(641 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 1 - The Elusive Eden
    8.0/10(695 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(626 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 4 Episode 13 - Further West
    8.0/10(603 votes)

    #17 - Further West

    S4:E13

    As the railroad prepares to leave Cheyenne behind, Cullen returns to Fort Smith to retrieve his family.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 1 - Chinatown
    8.0/10(649 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 4 - Struck
    8.0/10(549 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 9 - Return to the Garden
    8.0/10(543 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 8 - Derailed
    8.1/10(884 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 1 - Viva La Mexico
    8.1/10(743 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 2 - Durant, Nebraska
    8.1/10(758 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 4 - Scabs
    8.1/10(720 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 8 - The Lord's Day
    8.1/10(716 votes)

    #25 - 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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Bear Man" is the worst rated episode of "Hell on Wheels". It scored 7.3/10 based on 813 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".