"Hell on Wheels" on AMC HD - Page 2

I agree that AMC's recent track record creates a credibility problem for it. Still, AMC bought and is still showing new episodes of Breaking Bad and Mad Men, two of the finest TV series ever made, so I'm not quite ready to give up yet. But, as you said, "strike two."

The thing is, there should have been room for 'Rubicon' on AMC's schedule, even as a loss-leader. A smart show like that just enhances the brand they're trying to build. HBO has a similar, smart, terrorism-fighting-with-plenty-of-intrigue series on right now in 'Homeland'. Surely, there was room for two of those kinds of shows in a TV landscape that currently contains about a dozen shows regarding people's predisposition to collect junk and stash it in their attics. And cupcakes, lots of shows about making cupcakes. Sheesh.

This goes to show that no network suit ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the American television viewer. (Apologies to H.L. Mencken.)

I think you mean Showtime.

I do love me some Homeland, but I wasn't a fan of Rubicon. That's not necessarily the show's fault though. There was something about the way it was shot that turned me off...can't put my finger on it.

Yep, 'Homeland' = Showtime. My bad.

Good episode tonight.

Just finished watching my recording of tonight's episode...I agree with you!

The Swede is an interesting character, as *was* Mr. Johnson (i.e.,Ted Levine). I hope they don't kill him off right away.

+1, Gotta Love the action, simplicity, stunning visuals and excellent character development.

I agree. The Swede is quite the character.
Ted Levine did a good job as always.

Ted Levine is pretty much in the top 5 most versatile actors ever. I think Johnny Depp is about the only one I can think of who has a greater range of quality characters.

I thought so also, was wincing when she was stitching her wound...

Good to see Christopher Heyerdahl working.

I saw at least two of the 'regulars' from Sanctuary this week - Heyerdahl and Ian Tracy, who played one of The Swede's gofers this week.

I was thinking: "That's gonna leave a nasty scar".

I always think of him as Halling/Todd the Wraith. I picked up on an another little interesting tidbit. Both Tom Noonan and Ted Levine played serial killers (The Tooth Fairy & Buffalo Bob) in film adaptations of the Hannibal Lecter books.

Much better episode 2 than episode 1 IMO. I'll continue watching for a bit after this week. I really wasn't too high on the show after the pilot, glad this episode improved ..

I liked this week's show, too. Christopher Heyerdahl was excellent as Durant's creepy chief of security, "The Swede." Our Hero should watch his back whenever the Swede is nearby. I don't know what to make of the beauteous Lilly Bell, who seems to escape from more perils than Pauline and Little Eva combined. Anyway, I like the show, even if it does fall way short of deathless art.

Agreed, but I think should could have made that "needle" a tad smaller

The Swede was great... even if he did steal Neo's Matrix jacket

Heyerdahl is really a terrific actor along with being an imposing physical specimen. One of my guilty pleasures is Syfy's 'Sanctuary' where he plays two different roles, sometimes in the same episode, and does both exceedingly well.

How was tonight's episode? I had a mistaken DVR recording error, so I won't be able to watch it tonight. I can watch the episode tomorrow.

I loved it... this show is one of my watch now's not from dvr...

Great show, I like the ever-present danger and cunning of Bohannan.

All the characters seem to be emerging as distint and interesting.

This was definitely a "character-driven" episode with a lack of action (compared to the first two installments). I only wish they would have given us more character development on The Swede; he was only on for a few minutes and his performance paled in comparison to the last episode.

I did enjoy the two *sermons* (the preacher's message was surely upstaged and even contradicted, in part, by the railroad chief, though most in the audience probably didn't have a clue about the contradiction because of the subtle and masterful way in which it was presented).

Just caught it.

Good stuff. I'm surprised he did not want the bounty reward.

He's got one thing on his mind: REVENGE! So, he rides off into the sunset gunning for the sergeant. If he had stuck around (for the reward), he would have had to wait until morning to satisfy his number one desire.

haha. Sounds a little like what Dexter would say

This show (Hell on Wheels) isn't that bad, but when you want to discuss AMC TV failures, it begins and ends with their reimagining of "The Prisoner." That was one of the biggest disappointments ever for TV IMHO.

Frankly I am surprised people forget about that huge AMC TV flub. Yes AMC has made some bad decisions about keeping shows on and what not, but AMC's "The Prisoner" was a horrible mess that people should not forget in terms of evaluating AMC TV, even though it was a mini-series.

By this logic there would be no networks nor channels watchable... they all have mistakes.

Or Emily Thorne!

I'm a sucker for any Count of Monte Cristo-esque revenge story. That's why I'm loving "Revenge" and loving this show.

The fact that the lead bears more than a slight resemblance to Jim Caviezel makes it even easier to quickly get invested in his plan for revenge.

This is one of those shows that you get so into when watching that the hour flies by in what seems like 20 minutes.