AMC's Hell on Wheels, Season 4

[auntiehill]

I think there's also the fact that Eva saved his life when he was shot; she stayed with him, even after the crazy preacher took over the train. Because Eva is so transparent in her neediness, Durrant doesn't have to worry about her motives; he knows them already.

I *would* like to see Eva become a card-shark ( or is it card-sharp?), because she definitely needs a skill of some kind---ANY kind--or her life is never going to improve.

 

[The Old Mixer]

She has a skill, but yeah, she seems to want to find another one....

If Durant does have a genuine soft spot for her, it could make things all the more interesting if she tries to take advantage of him.

 

[The Old Mixer]

So, new episode....

Anyone else thinking that "O'Brien must suffer" isn't just an O'Brien thing...?

(Loved his little counteroffensive earlier in the episode, brief as the moment lasted.)

I thought that the old war friend whom Bohannon didn't seem to remember would turn out to be the mysterious sergeant who'd been the last man on his list, but they didn't go there.

And it looks like maybe Eva has picked up her new skill....

Oh yeah, and major spoiler for an expected event in the next episode's preview...and nice to see the return of an entertaining guest character from last season.

 

[Mister Fandango]

I actually thought the new guy was going to end up being Bohannon's brother or other close relative, mostly because they shared the same sorts of inflections in their voice. Though other than forcing a reason for Bohannon to bring up his past to his wife, I'm not exactly sure why they wasted to much effort introducing the character and the Mexicans just to essentially kill them all off in the same episode. Was very odd.

And how shocking that Brigham Young turned out to be a corrupt douchenozzle, especially considering the actor they gave the role to. I was actually hoping to see some cunning scheme on the Swede's part, but instead he just turned to groveling and begging, none of which actually worked. His escape from the noose was solely because Young wanted a railroad of his own.

 

[The Old Mixer]

The Bohannon part did seem very episodic (and struck me as such even in the preview--"Guest character comes to town, hilarity ensues")...but there was an intended purpose to it, according to the inside look on AMC's website, of the former comrade representing Bohannon's darker past self...hence Bohannon expressing a desire to see him hang at the end.

And ah yes, the Swede...I thought they went the right way with that...we knew that the Swede wasn't going to meet his end, but it would have been worse to portray an historical religious figure as an easily-manipulated tool, IMO.

 

[auntiehill]

Interesting episode; I was very worried for a moment there, about the wife and baby.

Oh, yes, the Swede cannot die so easily; he's far too important to the story. I do wish, however, that they hadn't given away such a HUGE spoiler for next week's episode. It would've been nice to be a least a little surprised.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Something about that spoiler:

Spoiler: Next week, if you didn't watch the preview

I notice that the only full-on facial shot of him appears to be in a dream or vision of Eva's. I suspect that he's been badly disfigured. Hope that doesn't mean they're recasting him or something.

 

[auntiehill]

^ I wondered about that myself.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Well that was...interesting.

Anyone notice what they did with the credits?

Pity they brought back Two Squaws just to kill him off.

Good to see we'll be getting back to the railroad next episode. I want to know what happened with Durant.

 

[auntiehill]

Holy CRAP!

Wow...did not expect THAT. How long was that bear tooth that went through his skull? That's some serious brain damage, definitely enough to void your warranty. Looks like things will not end well for him.

Poor Two Squaws. I liked him.

 

[Green Shirt]

Need to check On Demand to see if the ep is up yet.

 

[3chordboy]

Well that was...interesting.

Anyone notice what they did with the credits?

haha, yes i did. makes up for Common's name being the only one missing from the opening credits this season

 

[The Old Mixer]

Looks like things will not end well for him.

With all this set-up, I hope they have a plan that doesn't involve killing him off.

 

[Mister Fandango]

I have no doubt that they have long term plans for him. I'd almost be willing to wager the idea was Common's to begin with. He wanted to be more on an even footing with Bohannan, so why not be a fabled bear-killer with a cool eye-patch (that you know he's gonna have sooner than later)?

 

[auntiehill]

^He definitely needs an eye patch.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I could see an eye patch coming, but maybe they'll keep the exposed blinded eye...it's more unsettling.

I have to wonder about where they're going with his general state of mind, though. Judging from next week's preview, I don't think the bear-killer stuff's going to cut it back in what passes for civilization....

 

[3chordboy]

the next episode is just called "Elam Ferguson" so given his current state of mind, perhaps the title hints that we'll get Elam back in some form. this show often likes playing the long game so doubt it would be a quick fix

 

[publiusr]

They could just do the Hanna Barbara route and bonk him on the head for a reset they way they did Fred Flintstone.

Works just great for I.E.D. victims and defensive lineman, right Moose?

 

[The Old Mixer]

Well...fuck...!

 

[Anwar]

This show is NOT willing to pull punches, we gotta give it that.