Season Guide
Hell on Wheels Season 5
Season 5 Review
⚠ Spoiler alert Season notes below reveal how the story develops.
Season 5 of Hell on Wheels premiered 2015-07-18 and ran 14 episodes through 2016-07-23.
Episodes
1
SummaryCullen is in California with the Central Pacific Railroad, and must deal with the new workers.Our TakeMiddle of the road. Watchable, but you'll forget the details by next episode.
2
Summary Cullen enlists new workers to help him move a locomotive on a sled. Our Take Cullen hauling a locomotive across the frozen plains gives this episode a solid centerpiece,…
3
Summary Cullen must deal with the violence in Chinatown, caused by disgruntled workers. Our Take This one feels like filler dressed up as a crisis. The Chinatown unrest gets resolved…
4
Summary Cullen solves a Chinese labor strike in the wake of violence. Meanwhile, Durant pulls Mickey deeper into Union Pacific business. Our Take This is a solid middle-of-the-road hour that…
5
Summary Unexpected violence erupts in Chinatown during the festival of Tin Hau Don; Cullen confronts the Swede; and Durant involves Maggie in his latest scheme. Our Take The Chinatown festival…
6
Summary Cullen and Mei take a dangerous journey through the California wilderness, escorting precious cargo. Meanwhile, Eva nurses Louise back to health. Our Take This is a quiet, road-trip kind…
7
Summary Cullen and Durant reunite in Salt Lake City to meet with President Grant about the future of the railroad. Meanwhile, Swede enacts his plan against the Mormons. Our Take…
8
Summary The Swede’s murderous rampage on the Hatch homestead results in a long overdue showdown with Cullen. Our Take The Cullen and Swede confrontation we've been waiting five seasons for…
9
Summary Cullen faces life changing decisions in Utah as Truckee adapts to life without him. Meanwhile, Durant’s lies compromise his new partner. Our Take A slow, heavy hour that mostly…
10
Summary Cullen’s nitroglycerin experiment provides an explosive backdrop for the railroad life in Truckee. Meanwhile, Durant’s plan turns deadly. Our Take A mostly satisfying wrap-up hour that leans on spectacle…
11
Summary Mickey’s dirty business with Durant leaves him with blood on his hands. Meanwhile, Campbell’s return to town complicates Louise’s life. Our Take A middling hour that mostly spins its…
12
Summary Chang discovers Mei’s secret and forces her to flee Truckee. Meanwhile, Cullen’s search for her brings new realizations while exorcising old demons. Our Take A quieter, more introspective hour…
13
Summary The race to finish the railroad comes down to inches, forcing all parties to contemplate the end of the line and what the future holds for them. Our Take…
14
Summary The golden spike, government hearings and unpredictable actions mean new beginnings and endings for the survivors. Our Take A serviceable but not entirely satisfying sendoff for a show that…