[TV] AMC's Hell on Wheels

[spigot]

Didn't see a thread on this, but AMC's got a new western show called Hell on Wheels. When I first saw an ad for it, for some reason I totally thought it was a Red Dead Redemption TV show. Looks like it could be good.

[EngineNo9]

Damn, I was assuming there would be some awesome cars in a show called Hell on Wheels.  

[ydejin]

Looks like it has potential.  This one has some pretty large boots to fill coming after HBO's Deadwood.

[hepcat]

While I love me some Deadwood (and curse the people who cancelled it), I would be happy if this one was less about dialog and more about cowboys shootin' each other.  Deadwood was oftentimes more a political drama couched in Shakespearean themes than it was a true western.  While I loved that about the show, I do like some good old fashioned western action from time to time. 

That's not to say I would be turned off if Hell on Wheels does turn out to be like Deadwood in its approach to westerns.  I'm just saying having a good old fashioned western each week would be nice too.

...although now that I think about it, I guess Justified kind of gives me that. 

[PeteRock]

Did anyone watch the premier following The Walking Dead on Sunday?  While I'm not a big western fan, I was at least intrigued by the trailers leading up to the premier and it was easy just to leave AMC on following Walking Dead.  Despite knowing little about the lead character just yet, they did a good job of establishing the universe, showing the various elements and conflicts present in the show's setting, and AMC didn't shy away from racially charged language as it was a prominent aspect of the time period.  Although even though I understand the relevance of the "n-word" during the period, I wasn't any less shocked when it was first uttered due to the societal knee-jerk reaction that almost always follows.  Kudos to AMC for not giving the word continued power.  

Even though the episode was primarily to establish the backstory, setting, and environment, I enjoyed it so far and plan to tune in to subsequent episodes.  While American Horror Story failed to grab me, Hell on Wheels succeeded in keeping my interest.  I also really like the actor playing the lead role.  I want to learn more about him and see how he handles his revenge.

[Jimmy the Fish]

I knew pretty much nothing going into the pilot episode and so far I really like it. The background of the transcontinental railroad barons is a sub genre of westerns that doesn't get much exposure on film and TV so it's certainly interesting from that angle. The thing I really like though is that the attention to detail of the time period is really well done, from costumes to hardware and of course the background characters. Nothing about all that seems sanitized for TV. If anything seems cliched, it's the main character, of all things. He's a quiet, stoic Clint Eastwood type but he portrays the role well so it doesn't bother me. It is interesting that they are not shying away from the racism inherent in that time period. Kind of refreshing really and makes the show seem all the more realistic.

I love westerns myself, and Hell on Wheels is something I will definitely keep watching.

[ydejin]

While I love me some Deadwood (and curse the people who cancelled it), I would be happy if this one was less about dialog and more about cowboys shootin' each other.  Deadwood was oftentimes more a political drama couched in Shakespearean themes than it was a true western.  While I loved that about the show, I do like some good old fashioned western action from time to time. 

That's a fair enough complaint/comment about Deadwood.  No argument from me.

[hepcat]

Got it sitting on my DVR and will watch tonight.  Looking forward to it.  Although this clip I found from the show makes it seem a little different than I originally thought.

[CeeKay]

totally forgot about this,  will have to see when they are repeating it.

[jament]

Such an intriguing time period with the dispersement of Civil War soldiers into regular life, the tension between guys that fought on opposite sides and racism and Indians and the new frontier.  I thought they did a great job with the elements and appreciated that they didn't spend time narrating the backdrop, building into the characters instead. 

I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

[hepcat]

While I enjoyed it, the villain role seems a little two dimensional at this point.  Right now he's Snidely Whiplash.  I fully expected him to be tying the map maker's wife to a railroad track in one of the "Next, On Hell on Wheels!" scenes after the show was over. 

But if anyone can turn it around, it's Colm.  He's definitely an actor's actor. 

Other than that, I'm in love with the aforementioned map maker's wife.  hubba hubba. 

[PeteRock]

I enjoyed the 2nd episode last night even more than the first.  While I understand the need to introduce some of the characters, the 2nd episode introduced a few more, it also went into more detail with a few characters introduced prior, but it also took a few turns I wasn't anticipating.  I love the setting and how the railroad itself as as much a character in the show as the personalities brought to life by the actors.  Mr. "Swede" is a creepy fucker and will probably be quite the sickening antagonist, Colm is fantastic as the obsessed and driven businessman (he's great when he arrives on-scene at the Indian slaughter), and Common's ex-slave character is an interesting compliment to Bohannon.

Despite not being a wild west aficionado, I've enjoyed what I've seen so far and am happy to have something to get me through the Walking Dead mid-season break.  If it weren't on immediately after Walking Dead I may be less inclined to make time to watch Hell on Wheels, but in its current time slot it works out well and keeps me from falling off the wagon.

American Horror Story, on the other hand, tried to be too cutting edge in the beginning and completely undermined any interest I may have had in the show.  But Hell on Wheels has managed to grab me and so far keeps getting incrementally better.  Unfortunately, based on the limited participation and traffic in this thread, I'm wondering if anyone else is watching or if Hell on Wheels may suffer a premature cancellation. 

[hepcat]

I'm still watchin' it.  But I AM a wild west aficionado.

My prediction for breakout character will be the converted Indian.  He's straddling both the old world and the new and I think it's going to make for some fascinating views on life during that time.

[hepcat]

The Sergio Leone inspired musical interlude as the boys rode out on the Indian hunt brought a smile to my face in tonight's episode.  This show is the perfect companion piece to Justified and is holding me over until the given's clan returns.

[rickfc]

The Sergio Leone inspired musical interlude as the boys rode out on the Indian hunt brought a smile to my face in tonight's episode.  This show is the perfect companion piece to Justified and is holding me over until the given's clan returns.

My wife and I are loving this show. It is all kinds of awesome.

[theohall]

Bohannon is all kinds of awesome in this.  Even if he does get his butt kicked on occasion.

[hispanicgamer]

So far so good and I am a fan now of Hell on Wheels. I also second the use of the transcontinental railroad as the backdrop of the series. Good TV.

[rickfc]

Bohannon is all kinds of awesome in this.  Even if he does get his butt kicked on occasion.

I think that's part of the awesome. He's not an untouchable hero. He's hellbent on getting his revenge regardless of who or what gets in his way.

[CeeKay]

looks like this is hitting DVD/blu ray on May 22nd, and since it has been renewed for a season 2 I guess I'll have to make it a point to catch up on it.

[CeeKay]

started watching this on Netflix.  not bad after two episodes, can't wait to see how they flesh out some of the characters.

[rickfc]

started watching this on Netflix.  not bad after two episodes, can't wait to see how they flesh out some of the characters.

Keep watching it. The characters on this show are amazing.

[Scraper]

started watching this on Netflix.  not bad after two episodes, can't wait to see how they flesh out some of the characters.

Keep watching it. The characters on this show are amazing.

Yes they are, I love "The Swede".

[rickfc]

started watching this on Netflix.  not bad after two episodes, can't wait to see how they flesh out some of the characters.

Keep watching it. The characters on this show are amazing.

Yes they are, I love "The Swede".

Oh, yeah. I really cannot think of a character on this show that is weak and not fleshed out well.

[hepcat]

I'm ready for the new season.  Bring it!

[rickfc]

I'm ready for the new season.  Bring it!

 

11 days and counting!

[CeeKay]

I'm ready for the new season.  Bring it!

 

11 days and counting!

holy hell, it's that soon?  I figured September or so.  at least I have plenty of time to catch up.

[CeeKay]

finished season one, pretty decent series.  is season 2 going to be just 10 episodes, or are they planning on doing more?

kinda annoyed that it's on the same time as True Blood and Falling Skies, but I can catch True Blood on HBO Go.

[rickfc]

finished season one, pretty decent series.  is season 2 going to be just 10 episodes, or are they planning on doing more?

kinda annoyed that it's on the same time as True Blood and Falling Skies, but I can catch True Blood on HBO Go.

Not sure how many episodes it'll be.

[PeteRock]

I just started playing Red Dead Redemption for the first  time and it seems to have rekindled my interest in Hell on Wheels.  I'm thinking about trying to get through the first season over the next few days in anticipation of Sunday's Season 2 premier. 

[rickfc]

I just started playing Red Dead Redemption for the first  time and it seems to have rekindled my interest in Hell on Wheels.  I'm thinking about trying to get through the first season over the next few days in anticipation of Sunday's Season 2 premier. 

DO EEEEEEEET. Awesome show.

[rshetts2]

If anyone missed this the first time around and wants to catch season 1, AMC is doing a season 1 marathon on Sunday starting at 11 am est.  Once the marathon finishes, they will show the season 2 premiere episode.

[hepcat]

I love the season 2 teaser trailer they've been playing in which a friend warns Bohannon not to go apeshit on some annoying bar patrons...and of course, Bohannon goes apeshit on the annoying bar patrons.   

[rickfc]

I love the season 2 teaser trailer they've been playing in which a friend warns Bohannon not to go apeshit on some annoying bar patrons...and of course, Bohannon goes apeshit on the annoying bar patrons.   

Link?

[hepcat]

I saw it while watching Breaking Bad Sunday night, but I can't seem to find it on the 'net.  It's just Bohannon kicking the crap out of some guys in a bar, but it's brutal.

[rickfc]

I saw it while watching Breaking Bad Sunday night, but I can't seem to find it on the 'net.  It's just Bohannon kicking the crap out of some guys in a bar, but it's brutal.

  Cannot wait for the season to start.

[hepcat]

Interesting twist with Bohannon jumping to the other side of the law.  Didn't see that one coming.

Also, why am I seeing so much of THIS guy lately?



Seems Ryan Robbins is the new Garret Dillahunt.

[theohall]

the last 20 minutes of the premiere really dragged.  It was like the writer's did not know what to do, so they made a ridiculously long montage and put in the Bohannon thing towards the end.

[CeeKay]

just caught up on a good portion of the season, all except the most recent episode.  damn if they didn't go out of their way to make most of the characters unlikeable so far, but still enjoying it.

[Scraper]

Damn you Dishnetwork, Damn you!

[hepcat]

<pulls everyone but Scraper aside>

Hey, let's mess with Scraper and tell him that Hell on Wheels killed off all the major characters and introduced a crime fighting dog and his young nephew who solve old west ghost stories each week with the help of a plucky group of kids who drive around in a multicolored covered wagon.