Hell on Wheels backdrop
Action & Adventure•Drama•Western

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 16h 24m•Peaking at 9.1/10

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

Airs on
AMC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 9 - Timshel
    6.8/10(900 votes)

    #1 - Timshel

    S1:E9

    A looming railroad deadline throws Cullen and Lily together; Joseph and Elam deal with what their violent mission has wrought.

    Director:John Shiban
    Writer:John Shiban

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    6.9/10(1491 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    A former confederate soldier journeys to the transcontinental railroad to seek vengeance.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writers:Tony Gayton, Joe Gayton

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 6 - Bear Man
    7.1/10(838 votes)

    #3 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 2 - Mei Mei
    7.3/10(657 votes)

    #4 - Mei Mei

    S5:E2

    Cullen and Fong find themselves in peril as they transport a locomotive over the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Swede gains Phineas' trust.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Tom Brady, John Wirth

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 5 - Searchers
    7.4/10(664 votes)

    #5 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 12 - Any Sum Within Reason
    7.6/10(552 votes)

    #6 - Any Sum Within Reason

    S5:E12

    Chang discovers Mei's secret and forces her to flee Truckee. Meanwhile, Cullen's search for her brings new realizations while exorcising old demons.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Hell on Wheels

    READ
  7. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 3 - A New Birth of Freedom
    7.9/10(1019 votes)

    #7 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 4 - Jamais je ne t'oublierai
    7.9/10(957 votes)

    #8 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 5 - Bread and Circuses
    7.9/10(959 votes)

    #9 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 6 - Pride, Pomp and Circumstance
    7.9/10(910 votes)

    #10 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 6 - Hungry Ghosts
    7.9/10(577 votes)

    #11 - Hungry Ghosts

    S5:E6

    Cullen and Mei escort precious cargo through the California wilderness; Eva nurses Louise back to health.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 2 - Immoral Mathematics
    8.0/10(1132 votes)

    #12 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 4 - Scabs
    8.0/10(743 votes)

    #13 - Scabs

    S2:E4

    A tragedy leads Cullen to defuse an internal threat to the railroad.

    Director:Catherine Hardwicke
    Writer:Chris Mundy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 1 - The Elusive Eden
    8.0/10(718 votes)

    #14 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 8 - Derailed
    8.1/10(908 votes)

    #15 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Hell on Wheels Season 2 Episode 1 - Viva La Mexico
    8.1/10(765 votes)

    #16 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 1 - Big Bad Wolf
    8.1/10(835 votes)

    #17 - Big Bad Wolf

    S3:E1

    After a hard winter, Cullen and Elam travel to New York to secure their positions on the railroad as Durant fights for his legacy from prison.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writer:Mark Richard

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 3 - Range War
    8.1/10(668 votes)

    #18 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Hell on Wheels Season 3 Episode 7 - Cholera
    8.1/10(660 votes)

    #19 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 4 - Reckoning
    8.1/10(650 votes)

    #20 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 8 - Under Color of Law
    8.1/10(658 votes)

    #21 - Under Color of Law

    S4:E8

    Cullen makes a decision to ensure his family's safety. Campbell hires a new federal marshal to clean up the streets.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 4 - Struck
    8.1/10(565 votes)

    #22 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 9 - Return to the Garden
    8.1/10(559 votes)

    #23 - Return to the Garden

    S5:E9

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 11 - Gambit
    8.1/10(601 votes)

    #24 - Gambit

    S5:E11

    Mickey's dirty business with Durant leaves him with blood on his hands. Meanwhile, Campbell's return to town complicates Louise's life.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writers:John Romano, Miki Johnson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 11 - Bleeding Kansas
    8.2/10(684 votes)

    #25 - Bleeding Kansas

    S4:E11

    Cullen and Durant fight to save the life of a criminal. Meanwhile, Louise tries to provide support as Ruth copes with a great loss.

    Director:Seith Mann
    Writer:Michael C. Martin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Timshel" is the worst rated episode of "Hell on Wheels". It scored 6.8/10 based on 900 votes. Directed by John Shiban and written by John Shiban, it aired on 1/8/2012. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Pilot".