Ep 4. The Game

The show Hell on Wheels, season three, episode four is called The Game. The episode is a continuation of the events from the previous episode, which saw Durant continue his efforts to expand the Union Pacific Railroad while facing multiple obstacles along the way. The episode takes place in the year 1867, in the American west during the time of great change and industrialization.

The episode begins with the arrival of two new characters. One is a flamboyant gambler named Sidney Snow, who is traveling through the west in search of the perfect game. The other is a quiet and reserved businessman named Campbell, who has come to Hell on Wheels with a particular agenda in mind.

Meanwhile, Durant is grappling with the aftermath of the previous episode's events, which saw his railroad workers go on strike. In order to keep the construction moving forward, he enlists the help of Cullen Bohannon, the former Confederate soldier turned Union Pacific foreman.

Cullen, who is still recovering from his injuries, reluctantly agrees to help Durant, but begins to suspect that the railroad magnate is keeping important information from him. As the episode progresses, Cullen finds himself caught in a web of deceit and double-crosses, as he struggles to protect his fellow workers and uncover the truth about Durant's true intentions.

As the episode unfolds, the tension between Durant and Cullen grows, with both men wary of each other's motives. Meanwhile, Sidney Snow sets his sights on the railroad workers, challenging them to a high stakes poker game. Despite reservations from some of the workers, Cullen agrees to participate, hoping to win enough money to help them all weather the hard times ahead.

The poker game becomes a key moment in the episode, as tensions rise and the stakes get higher and higher. At the same time, the arrival of Campbell provides another twist in the story, as his presence seems to threaten Durant's plans for the railroad.

As the episode comes to a close, the various threads of the story begin to converge, with Cullen and Durant's rivalry coming to a head. At the same time, Sidney Snow's true intentions are revealed, and the fate of the Union Pacific railroad hangs in the balance.

Throughout the episode, the show's strong attention to historical detail shines through, with vivid depictions of life in the late 19th century American west. The performances are strong across the board, with Anson Mount delivering a particularly powerful performance as Cullen Bohannon.

Overall, The Game is a well-crafted episode that continues to build on the momentum of the series. With its complex characters, intricate plotting, and stunning visuals, Hell on Wheels remains one of the most compelling dramas on television today.