Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The AMC series "Hell on Wheels" is a wonderful glimpse of life after the Civil War during the building of the Transcontinental Railroad -- a story line that has only been briefly touched-on in past westerns. Being raised during the Civil War myself (my parents were re-enactors) ;) hee haw! I can confirm the scenes are spot-on with mud up to their shins, dirty canvas tents, era furnishings, period firearms, and mix and match uniforms remnants being the fashion statement of the time - very well done. The Cast and Story Line: Interlaced within the 1865 details is the unlikely friendship between an ex-confederate soldier and a former slave (flawlessly portrayed by Anson Mount and Common respectively). Their bond grows with each episode as their commonality becomes apparent and they have each other's back in revolving dilemmas. Lily Bell (wonderfully portrayed by Irish actress Dominique McElligott) is half lady / half wildcat and cute as a button - we all want her to find happiness - hopefully with bad boy Cullen Bohannon as their attraction is apparent. Colm Meaney is perfect as the railroad tycoon, Thomas Durant, trying to control everything in a world of chaos. And villain "The Swede" played by Christopher Heyerdahl is the man you will love to hate. He is just deliciously sadistic and self righteous - someone who really needs to be tarred and feathered! The bumbling Irish brothers are always good for a laugh - love them and their 8-12 toes! Robin McLeavy plays Eva "the hooker" and she has had a horrible existence too and is fighting for her chance for a better life as her love, Elam, is also. She is tough and adorable at the same time. Reverend Cole (Tom Noonan) is a total loon; the man is as clueless as the day is long. He blurs the line between right and wrong continuously; but he can swing a sword like a ninja when he has to protect someone he cares about. Eddie Spears is Joseph "the resident Cheyenne "; he is intriguing too as he is also trapped between his past and his future, like many other characters in this unfolding story. But luckily he has caught the eye of Rev. Cole's daughter, Ruth, and who knows where that is going in season two. Finally, the realistic details drew me into this series, but the intriguing story line and wonderful actors make this show just awesome. The accompanying soundtrack is also an unexpected treat. AMC has a winner with this series and it is a must have in your DVD collection.