The formality of the Golden Spike officially completed the railroad – which was really done on Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 13 – but Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 14 was far more about highlighting where characters might be headed after all was said and done.

A sort of epilogue, if you will.

It wasn’t the most exciting episode, and there were some moments that seemed to drag a bit – almost like the character’s themselves in dragging out the inevitability of moving on from life on the railroad – but it did find a a decent way to finish things all out.

The big action sequence was a rowdy fight that while silly was still entertaining. There was something refreshing about watching the workers who’ve toiled on the railroad get into one last brawl. It was a nice contrast from the stuffiness of setting in that Golden Spike, and seeing Mickey, Cullen and Psalms laugh about it was good to see, especially after all the hardships they’ve been through.

One last little uncivilized celebration.

Eva’s storyline for Hell on Wheels Season 5 wasn’t that interesting, and I’m not sure the writers knew what to do with her, so I wasn’t that invested in how her story concluded.

And her parting with Mickey, which was the right move, felt a little over dramatic.

That said, it felt like a decent ending for her to ride off into the sunset on her horse. There was a certain feeling of freedom for her.

But it was Cullen’s struggle to figure out his next play that was the most investing.

After all, he’s carried this show with some underrated acting coming from Anson Mount. He could go from charming to menacing, from funny to dramatic, and so often, just his expressions conveyed everything you needed to know.

Plus, as a character, we got the most depth with him over his five-season journey.

The moment in the church confessional, with a great callback to Hell on Wheels Season 1 in that bullet hole, truly highlighted Cullen between his past life of revenge and death and one where he could hope to be redeemed, be saved.

Clearly, he was conflicted, but he knew in his heart where his true path was to go: to find Mei.

It wasn’t a surprise, but it was pleasing to know that things ended for him on a hopeful note. He wasn’t shot and killed at the last second or simply chose to work on a new railroad.

I even expected he might throw his hat into the water, shedding that past persona, before heading off to China.

And while the Durant hearings served more to give Cullen a sense of what path to take with the railroad done, Durant’s big speech worked as the final note for the series.

The last episode unfortunately wasn’t the most memorable of series finales, but it did wrap things up for Hell on Wheels, and especially for Cullen, in a decent way.

Certainly, Hell on Wheels Season 5 was a strong last outing, from its new direction and characters to the conclusion of Cullen and the Swede’s battle to making us continue to care about Cullen through all his ups and downs.

Lives were lost. Blood was spilled. The railroad was completed. And Cullen found a way to move forward. Even with some of its misgivings, Hell on Wheels was a ride worth taking.

What did you think of the series finale? Did Cullen make the right choice? Sound off below, and see the whole series again when you watch Hell on Wheels online at TV Fanatic right now!

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After almost five complete seasons of Hell on Wheels, the railroad has been finished.

Took them long enough, right?

Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 13 focused mostly on that last stretch of the race between the two sides, and it was entertaining to get to see how it all concluded.

Of course, Cullen reuniting with past friends and co-workers was a highlight. And it was interesting to see how his relationships with the various characters lasted even after he decided to work for the Central Pacific Railroad.

There was a certain badass feeling when Cullen and Mickey teamed up to go find the “Pirate.” The two have come a long way since that day they met on the train on Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 1.

The detour to re-recruit their workers felt like the episode was trying to throw one more wrench into the plan of getting the railroad done, but it was wrapped up rather quickly (again, look at Cullen’s relationship with others).

Granted the whole “Pirate” mystery might have played out as a bigger surprise if Jim was fired from his job during Hell on Wheels Season 4. His return would have had a greater impact if we hadn't just seen him a few episodes ago.

His rise to his new position and reputation felt rushed.

The Psalms reunion was a nice callback to when Pslams got Cullen a job, and it was influential in him helping out Cullen instead of Durant to finish the railroad at the end.

It felt a little cheesy that they switched sides at the last minute, but it also was good to see Cullen, the hero of the show, get to be the one that would lead his crew to victory.

You never bet against Cullen Bohannon.

It was funny, though, how Durant bumping into Cullen at the party led to his insistence that he beat Cullen. And what a great smirk and laugh as Cullen basically ignored Durant.

Sure, Durant wound up getting his victory after his dirty play against Collis. No surprise there, but we do know that in the future, Collis gets the last laugh.

But it was the character focus on Cullen that really stood out. There was such a loneliness that surrounded him while he sat eating his breakfast or preparing to get back to work.

Sure, he finished what he started, but at what cost?

I believed he was proud of getting that job done, but so much loss has come in getting there.

It was a rather tragic ending seeing him break down on the floor (and I almost thought he was dying at one point) instead of being happy for what he had done.

Think of everything he's gone through just to get there. Losing his wife and child. Losing Lily Bell. Giving up Naomi and his son. Nearly dying in his battle with the Swede. Having to kill countless times. Even losing Mei.

It was certainly satisfying seeing Cullen get to be the one completing the railroad, but there’s definitely been quite a toll to get to that point.

And in that respect, it makes me glad that the completion of the railroad wasn't in the last episode of the series. Instead, we hopefully should get a chance to see what Cullen will do now that the railroad is no more.

One last stop for Hell on Wheels, and then it’s the end of the line.

Can Cullen find purpose now that the railroad is done? Will he go after Mei? Sound off below, and be sure to watch Hell on Wheels online before the finale!

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He’s lost his wife. He’s lost Lily Bell. He let go of Naomi. And now, Mei has let go of Cullen.

The budding romance built on the railroad of shared experiences came to a heartbreaking end on Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 12.

We all knew Chang eventually was going to find out “Fong” wasn’t a boy, but I wasn’t quite sure how everything after would play out.

Would Chang die? Would Mei?

Chang has been a fantastic addition to Hell on Wheels, proving to be a worthy antagonist to Cullen. The Swede has held that title for a while, but he also had multiple seasons to build up that bitter battle between them.

And that in some ways makes it disappointing that Chang was killed off.

The depth of Chang as a character was really kicking into gear, and the flashbacks to his past were a fantastic look at his journey. He’s been ruthless and calculating, working his way up the ladder in his quest for power and prestige.

The opening alone made you want to dislike his character. It’s just crazy to think of people being treated as property (something that even Cullen brings up later with regret), but watching Chang bargain for a bride was disgusting. And I know that that’s how things were back then, but seeing it play out was affecting.

On top of that was his brutal attack after she ran away from him (and stabbed him).

Actor Byron Mann has been standout, and it was great to see him have a lot to do during the episode (from the action to the sit-down between Chang and Cullen to those flashbacks). Clearly, his character was going to have to face off with Cullen, but it almost felt too soon.

It makes you wonder if this wasn’t the final season if he would have lasted longer…

Though it is interesting how Chang hunting for Mei paralleled the Swede hunting Naomi. Except where Cullen refused to kill the Swede, Cullen finally broke from his new ways to shoot dead Chang and his associates.

Cullen clearly wasn’t pleased at having to do so, even fearing Mei would recoil from “who he is,” but he did try alternative ways to save her from Chang before the shooting.

But rather than returning to his killing ways solely for revenge, he was doing it for his love and care for Mei.

Plus, what a cool shot of him as the doors opened after him having dispatched his enemies.

And Mei still chose to love him, but she also chose to move on knowing her staying would put Cullen in that neverending battle. They wouldn't stop looking for her.

I’m glad her character wasn’t killed off – and I guess there’s hope that maybe one day they can reunite – but it was a tragic twist nevertheless that left Cullen alone on the railroad.

If this was indeed Angela Zhou’s last episode, I’d be remiss in not pointing out how she also has been a solid addition to the show. She only got one season to make an impression, and she delivered. Mei’s journey has been an interesting one, including her relationship to the railroad, Cullen, and just trying to survive in the world where being a woman could get her killed.

Mei will definitely be a character remembered from the series, and there’s a sad note going forward knowing she won’t be with Cullen.

This was an engaging episode that refocused back on Cullen’s story. I cared about the characters involved, and though the relationship/breakup of Cullen and Mei felt somewhat quick, the twist of her leaving was one I didn’t see coming.

Aside from completing the railroad, it really makes me curious how Cullen’s journey will end.

Should Mei have stayed? What’s next for Cullen? Sound off below, and be sure to watch Hell on Wheels online before the final two episodes of the series!

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I guess if you know some history or Googled information about Durant, you’d know he makes it to the end when the two railroads meet, but the flashforward on Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 11 took away any real suspense Durant would survive the ordeal during the hour.

Instead, it was his short-lived love interest, Maggie, that was shot and killed. I just wished I cared more about this sidestory.

Much like Martin’s death on Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 10, Maggie’s death just didn’t have an emotional impact. She was another minor character that didn’t get a ton of screen time and seemed to be more of a plot device for Durant.

It’s sadder that her character didn’t get the time to really be developed, though the hour certainly highlighted her good nature and determination to help out a man she cared for.

Too bad Durant didn’t really listen and quit his scheming like she asked.

And even in the future, Durant couldn’t help but continue to focus on money and schemes. It’s just who he was until his last breath.

Though, at least Mickey felt like something of a wildcard.

I wasn’t entirely sure what he was going to do, especially when it came to dealing with his cousin. And I liked his proposal to head out and leave the area, even though he never followed through on it by the end.

It has been interesting seeing his rise in power and position since his introduction on Hell on Wheels Season 1, but remember when he killed his brother? And remember when he said all women were whores while trying to get extra handsy with Eva, who had just been raped, on Hell on Wheels Season 4 Episode 1?

Mickey clearly seemed to feel some guilt during the hour, even bringing up the death of his brother, but I’m still surprised that Eva was willing to have sex with him. Does she not remember what he tried to do to her before?

I know she was trying to comfort Mickey, but it just felt like an odd decision.

The aftermath of the kidnapping kind of left me scratching my head.

Though I was glad to see John Campbell again. I liked his antagonistic presence on Hell on Wheels Season 4, and it was fun to see a former character return. I wonder if this was a one-shot episode for him?

But wow was the absence of Cullen sorely felt. He truly does carry the show, and while he’s off at a different area than Durant, keeping him out of the episode was a huge negative.

I’m far more invested in seeing Cullen’s story, and not even weaving that throughout the episode made me wish the kidnapping would wrap up quicker.

I’m even surprised he was missing considering we’re close to the end of the line for the show.

It’s fine delving into the other characters, but this story involving Durant and the kidnapping just wasn't that exciting. I found myself not caring about the events unfolding and further recognizing that Cullen is the true lynchpin of this show. Without him, it's just not the same ride.

What did you think of Maggie's death? Did you miss Cullen during the episode? Sound off below, and be sure to see it all again when you watch Hell on Wheels online now.

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Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 10 put Cullen back to work, determined and focused to get the job done.

And while there were explosions and death during the hour, it wasn’t as exciting as it should have been.

Using nitroglycerin to blow a hole through the mountain at a much quicker pace was a great, if not dangerous, idea.

Cullen needed to make up for lost time, and the dangerous tool seemed to be the best option. And I liked how it initially required Jim’s expertise to teach Bohannon while also revealing how he lost one of his eyes.

But even with the conversation about being careful with the nitroglycerin or the fatal accident that stopped Jim from helping further, I never felt concerned for the main characters or if the job would get done.

First, there was the sex scene between Cullen and Mei, which seemed like a dumb decision especially since they were so close to the nitroglycerin. I know that he’s become invested in being with Mei, but c’mon, man.

Then there was when the two of them worked together to put another explosive into the mountain, ever so carefully drilling in a new hole. But who was worried that Bohannon was going to die?

Sure, he had the look of concern on his face, and he might have believed it was possible, but there just wasn’t really any tension there. There’s no way Cullen is dying with episodes left of Hell on Wheels Season 5.

As for Mei dying, that wasn’t going to happen either because the two just got together. Plus, Chang is probably going to find out about her not being a boy that will spin everything on its head and put her in danger then.

Though I do wonder if Cullen and Mei will get to be together even after the series is over. All his talk of losing everyone he’s cared about and just keeping the scars? Let’s hope that path diverts when it comes to Mei.

I also was surprised that Cullen didn’t reflect a bit more on leaving Naomi and William behind, especially when it came to Jim’s decision to choose his family over the railroad.

Cullen is clearly determined to finish the railroad, but I thought at least some moment of him thinking of his son or something would have come up. Granted, he is pretty good at keeping his feelings quiet when around most people.

The Durant ordeal was destined to end badly, but it does make me wonder the repercussions from killing Martin.

My problem with Martin’s death though was I never really cared about his character. He was there from time to time, and often I forgot who he even was.

It’s disappointing he had to die because the story required the kidnapping to go south to throw a bigger wrench into Durant’s problems.

It makes you wonder how Maggie and Mickey will respond. And will the ransom even be paid for Durant like he said it would?

I’m glad to see the focus has returned to the railroad, and I’m getting more on board with the Mei and Cullen relationship. Unfortunately, the hour just felt like it was chugging along. I’m just ready to move on toward the next stop on this final leg of Hell on Wheels Season 5.

What do you think of Mei's relationship? What will be the repercussions of Durant's plan? Sound off below, and be sure to watch Hell on Wheels online now!

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