Ep 3. Range War

Cullen Bohannon, the main character and former Union soldier, finds himself in the midst of a range war when a landowner named Bryce approaches him for help. Bryce, along with the other small ranchers, is being forced off his land by a wealthy cattle baron named Campbell to make way for the railroad.

Cullen initially refuses to get involved, but he soon discovers that his own land is at risk due to the expansion of the railroad. He decides to help the small ranchers and leads them in a battle against Campbell and his men.

As the range war heats up, tensions rise between the two sides, and Cullen is forced to make difficult decisions. Meanwhile, tensions also arise within the town of Hell on Wheels as the railroad company begins to exert more control over the workers and the town itself.

Eva, a former prostitute turned madam, struggles to keep her business afloat as the railroad company begins to crack down on the town's less savory establishments. Her relationship with Elam, a former slave turned railroad worker, is also strained as he becomes increasingly involved in the range war.

Joseph, a young Native American, faces his own challenges as he struggles to find his place in a world that sees him as an outsider. His loyalty to Cullen puts him at odds with his own people, and he must decide where his loyalties truly lie.

As the range war comes to a head, lives are lost, and Cullen is left to pick up the pieces. The episode ends with him contemplating the future and wondering if his actions were worth the cost.