***SPOILER WARNING: Spoilers may be found in the post below about VARIOUS ITEMS. And I'm going to add in a bit of filler text here to limit how much of the main article gets shown in a preview. That should take care of most of it. Hopefully. And away we go. SPOILER WARNING. ***
Almost missed this one. Three weeks in and I completely forgot that there was actually new TV on Saturday night. Luckily, AMC loves to replay their shows at least once on the same night.
Overview
A fire that consumes a shipment of railway ties forces Bohannon to go into Indian territory to negotiate with a nearby Kiowa tribe. What they want is a supply of wood on the tribe's land to make ties from. He takes Elam and a local "translator" with him. The "translator" is an American who's decided to live in the woods and marry two Native Americans in a hut -- he is hilarious.
Obviously, the deal doesn't go well and both Elam and Bohannon are captured when they arrive at the Kiowa camp. After some negotiation and a game, both Elam and Bohannon are set to burn at the stake. They make it out alive after the "translator" intervenes. And the chief lets the railroad have the supply of wood too.
Meanwhile at Hell on Wheels, Durant is visiting and in town "doing things". Eva's "ex-husband's" brother still wants to marry her and/or take her baby. The journalist learns of Bohannon's past -- the murders -- from Durant. The Swede has his own storyline developing it seems. He still hasn't had any contact with the railroad and remains with the family, obviously scheming.
Highlights
Every scene with Jimmy (?) the "translator" was hilarious, from his introduction at home to his interactions with the tribe and Bohannon.
Also, not so much a scene, but casting note: Adam Beach guest stars as the Kiowa tribe chief -- fairly well known Canadian Native American actor.
Impressions
The episode seems a bit like filler in the overall storyline. Instead of crime of the week, this seems like one of the railroad problem of the week stories.
Regardless, it's entertaining. The translator really is hilarious. Great looking hut that he calls home. I think Adam Beach is a bit underused though. Did not expect him to show up on this. And thanks to what I know of Native Americans from Hollywood movies and TV shows, he doesn't look old enough to be a chief. I tried to look up on Google if he actually speaks Kiowa. Seems like the answer is "no".
Related
Hell on Wheels: Season 3, started Aug. 9/13
Hell on Wheels: S3E3 "Range War" Impressions
Hell on Wheels: S3E5 "Searchers" Impressions
Hell on Wheels: S3E6 "One Less Mule" Impressions
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