The relationship between Elam and Bohannan is a compelling one. Here we have a former slave owner and former fighter for the Confederacy, yet he’s quickly growing to befriend a former slave. They’re clearly here now to watch each other’s backs, though perhaps neither one of them would rather want to admit it. It could be their relationship is merely one of survival and never one for getting happily drunk together.
Something I didn’t really touch upon in the premiere review — mostly because it was really a “preview” and not riddled with spoilers — was the Lily Bell story going on. She’s clearly holding onto maps that are precious to Doc, but is it because Doc and his team need them to figure out where the hell they’re supposed to be going, or that they don’t want them to fall into the wrong hands? And, should they fall into whatever hands that are wrong, what would that mean for the railroad operation?
Off that subject, I’ll make a prediction that Lily makes her way to Hell on Wheels before long, and she’s quickly a love interest for Bohannan.
One thing I’m not too sure about yet is the storyline of the Irish folks. I know that the Irish were a big part of the railroad construction, so it’s great there’s some authenticity there. But what are we supposed to be getting out of them right now? Something I thought I’d learned from history books in my younger years was that the railroads were worked on heavily by the Chinese. I know they were not paid well and were treated poorly. I believe a point of this came up in the premiere, and I’m betting this aspect of the railroad construction comes up in future seasons, when the railroad reaches further west. Or … are they heading east, and the Chinese laborers already happened? I’m not sure yet.
One thing that I really loved about this episode was the introduction of The Swede. I loved this new foil for Bohannan, right up to his “Beauty,” the scarred face and badass getup. This is also where, in a way, Hell on Wheels resembles Deadwood. The Swede notes that there’s no official law in Hell on Wheels yet, so he was appointed as a means for keeping some sort of peace about the floating town. I believe Deadwood had been a lawless town until Bullock was appointed town Sheriff. Though even as there’s now law in HoW, apparently there’s no one there to cry foul when a man is hanged for suspicion of committing a crime (even though we all know at least Bohannan was guilty). Oh, The Swede is unlikeable, but I love the character being here.
“You know why that man didn’t finish eatin’ your sorry ass? ‘Cuz you Yankees all taste like shit.” – Bohannan
“How do you put your trousers on, son?” – Doc
“Sir?” – Bohannan
“Over those big balls of yours.” – Doc
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Nov 13, 2011 @ 23:00 EST5EDT
