Hell on Wheels Quotes in Surveys and Quotes (Not REAL Writing!)

There was excellent writing in the five seasons of Hell on Wheels. Saturday’s finale had these two gems:

“You’re not yet an old man, Mr. Bohannon. But you are no longer young. I advise you to reflect on what to do next. Whose company you choose to keep. Your subsequent venture will likely determine the shape of your life.”
- John Campbell to Cullen Bohannon, “Hell on Wheels”

“If it’s a villain you want — I’ll play the part. After all, what is a drama without a villain? What is the building of this grand road if not a drama? Make no mistake: Blood will be spilled. Lives will be lost. Fortunes will be made. Men will be ruined. There will be betrayal and scandal. And perfidy of epic proportions. But the lion shall prevail.

“You see, the secret I know is this: All of history is driven by the lion. We drag the poor zebra, kicking and braying, staining the earth with his cheap blood. History doesn’t remember us fondly. But, then, history is written by zebras for the zebras.

“One hundred years hence, when this railroad spans the continent and America rises to be the greatest power the world has seen, I will be remembered as a caitiff — a malefactor — who only operated out of greed for personal gain. All true, all true. But remember this: Without me and men like me, your glorious railroad would never have been built.”

-Thomas “Doc” Durant, “Hell On Wheels”

Last updated July 25, 2016