Hell on Wheels Preview: “White Justice” 

[Warning: General spoilers ahead.]

Following the mega reveal at the end of last week’s episode, this week’s Hell on Wheels explores how Mei Mei became Fong, the brewing discontentment about Chinese dominance of the railroad jobs, and whatever the hell it is that The Swede is up to.

It’s a taut hour as you can sense the Ugly American plot coming long before it arrives, and its aftermath leaves Chang (Byron Mann) with a tenuous grasp on his buttoned-down demeanor. We saw his scars earlier this season. I’m guessing when his backstory unfolds, we’ll find out exactly how little he should be trifled with. Bohannon also has to make a choice about what’s best for his railroad, and for Fong, and her father throws a gauntlet into that discussion.

With so precious few episodes this season, I appreciate the measured way we’re getting to know each of these new characters before we shift back to Wyoming to check on that crew. When we spoke with John Wirth, he mentioned that was very much intentional.

Hell on Wheels airs Saturdays at 9/8c on AMC. Here’s a sneak peek of “White Justice.”