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An authentic western series without superfluous, romantic subplots. In spite of the many western series and films, there has hardly ever been such a thorough study of the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Comparable to "Deadwood" but not quite as good. Although the series has no outstanding strengths, the western drama does so much right that the first season becomes a gripping and entertaining experience.

Clearly this series is aiming for a mythical aura, and for me it has achieved that thus far over the first 3 episodes. I doubt I have ever seen such a beautifully shot TV show anywhere, and yet I am not sure how a series on AMC can afford to look this good given how their resources have to be spread over so many episodes. (For brief moments, this looks like DAYS OF HEAVEN.) Yet this is not merely a visual feast, it is one that attempts to delve into a critical juncture in American history, right after the end of the Civil War, a point of no return if there ever was one. The tropes here are familiar: rebels who have never really surrendered (THE SEARCHERS) and railroads leading the encroachment of civilization on a pristine wilderness (ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST). All of the contradictions of the USA in a peripatetic microcosm, a moving city with prostitutes and evangelicals practically living on top of each other. (No pun intended.) And then there is the corruption driving the whole project forward. None of this is new, but it always depends on the presentation with the Western. They present it beautifully in this case. I'm hooked.

If you are squeamish and don't like harsh and realistic violence, give this a miss. This show is not for the faint hearted.

The violence though, is not overdone IMO and gives the viewer a likely realistic view of what happened in the Wild West with no holds barred.

Cullen Bohannan is the lead character in the series and he is played brilliantly by Anson Mount with his brooding good looks and fearless portrayal of a man trying a avenge the murder of his wife near the end of the Cival War.

So many characters make this a stand out series and I look forward to each episode.

The story of Hell On Wheels may not be original or anything new but it is brilliantly put together and does not hold back where it needs to.

The best show of 2011 for me and I hope it continues for more than one season.

Watching this has reminded me of a series of Brutal Western stories I used to read by George G. Gilman called Edge.

Add to that is is reminiscent of my days as a Civl War reenactor.

They've hit the period history right between the eyes.

They have also portrayed the Corruption and the beauty of the times. The Scenes in Kansas are as good as it gets on the small screen. . The west made for hard people, or dead ones. And the writers and directors have pulled no punches in portraying things as they were. The Harlots don't look like they live in downtown Las Vegas, and the Protagenist makes mistakes.

This series has shown extreme promise in its first two episodes, and some Excellent human drama. I'm hopeful the writers will not allow that to go to their heads, and keep it gritty and harsh, without going over the top.

I Love this show. Best I've seen in a long time. I had no interest in a following a western, in fact was put of by genera, but decided to give it a try anyway as the trailers seemed pretty good.

The characters are complex, the cinematography outstanding, and the shows plot lines are solid.

I love the soundtracks... the fact that you seldom if ever hear "country music", but instead Dixieland, blues, folk and rock sometimes layered over scenes that you may not immediately equate with the music you are hearing and as a result make the scene more memorable.

Overall, each episode is a feast to the eyes and ears. Yes, the material may not be mind shattering, but that I think is not what one should expect from a western.

It has picked a period where it was able to mash up a lot of different "western" inspirations... railroad, civil war, calvary, Lynch mobs, cowboys and Indians, etc. and has tied them together very well.

Can't wait for season 2.