The Televangelist: ‘Hell on Wheels’ Season 1, Episode 7

It might not be the most original show on TV, but it’s darn fun to watch.

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  • AMC.com
  • I am the hero, and I have come to save the day



Last week, TV Guide mentioned “Hell on Wheels” in their year-end list of clunkers. While it might not make the Top 10 best of the year, I hardly think it deserves such derision. The gap between excellent TV and tripe has widened to such an engulfing chasm that it can be difficult to remember that quality is a continuum, not a duality. The short criticism of the show focused on it not being daring or original enough. I question whether this person has ever seen a Western, a genre made on our love of the cliché. But I would also argue that “Hell on Wheels” has offered, or at least suggested, a consideration of atypical narratives, particularly as the season moves on.

Last night’s “Revelations” mixed in a few surprises with more derived fare. The show that has finally shown us evil Yankees could not help but cast a shadow upon some pretty nasty Confederates too it seems, with the young boy Elam being taught to read as more of a parlor trick than to give him a chance at a better life. But literacy is a powerful thing, and Elam is shown not only reading the Bible, but memorizing and orating from it to the fellow slaves while hiding his abilities and understanding from his Master/Father. Bohannon’s difficult past was touched upon as well during the fireside scene, but in addition to hearing more details of his beloved wife’s murder, we hear for the first time the mention of his son, engulfed in flames while hiding from the soldiers. Though the addition of Bethel, Bohannon’s childhood nurse who raised his son and died protecting him, hit the “and the moral of the story is...” bell pretty hard, it was still an affecting moment. And in the end the show stayed true to its Western roots - the two men never mention the exchange, and get up the next morning to set about learning how to shoot and set up an ambush. Giddy-up!