Former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) travels west to Union Pacific Railroad construction to seek revenge on Union soldiers who massacred his family. He ends up supervising the roadroad's construction run by crooked businessman Thomas Durant (Colm Meaney) who uses every means to stay in charge. Along the way, there is Elam (Common) who leads the negro workers, the surveyor's widow Lily Bell (Dominique McElligott), maddening villain Thor "The Swede" Gundersen, the McGinnes brothers, whore Eva tattooed on her chin by her Indian captors, Reverend Nathaniel Cole and his daughter Ruth, Mormon Naomi Hatch who becomes Bohannon's second wife, and many, many more.
It's a vast compelling story led by two great performers. Anson Mount has the perfect gruff, sincerity, and a great flawed hero. Colm Meaney never disappoints. Common is a revelation and deserves more compelling acting chances. Christopher Heyerdahl is simply incredible as The Swede. The show ran for five seasons. There is a rotation of main characters over the years. This leaves the show with a sense of grinding down especially the last season. It starts with Lily's death at the end of the second season and then Elam's death in season four. The show also takes side trips which could be interesting but diverts from the main railroad setup. The construction also moves which forces the show to keep moving. The landscape is beautiful. It's a solid drama that has to end when the railroad is completed.
It's a vast compelling story led by two great performers. Anson Mount has the perfect gruff, sincerity, and a great flawed hero. Colm Meaney never disappoints. Common is a revelation and deserves more compelling acting chances. Christopher Heyerdahl is simply incredible as The Swede. The show ran for five seasons. There is a rotation of main characters over the years. This leaves the show with a sense of grinding down especially the last season. It starts with Lily's death at the end of the second season and then Elam's death in season four. The show also takes side trips which could be interesting but diverts from the main railroad setup. The construction also moves which forces the show to keep moving. The landscape is beautiful. It's a solid drama that has to end when the railroad is completed.