uncisnumberone The overall historical context of the Transcontinental Railroad push between 1866 -1869 is accurate. I liked the realistic emphemera, equipment, and ethnic characters which were correctly portrayed while in their occupational roles. Irish, Blacks, Chinese, and Mormons were shown in realistic context. The American Indians were shown as "being in the way of progress." They are the real heroes whose land and freedom was usurped. However, another blooper was evident. A portrayal of Ulysses S. Grant wearing a four-star general's uniform when he was introduced as the current Secretary of War. Edwin Staunton was the Secretary of War until late 1867. Grant took over briefly in Fall of 1867 when Staunton was sacked by President Johnson. The explanation could have been better to the viewer. The main compliment is that the series was excellent in that it helped the viewer visualize the hardships in our economic and political history. We pushed our innovative transportation growth to unimaginable levels while making it possible for massive immigrant growth, and the ultimate realization of our national identity as Americans.

keelhaul-80856 This show was absolutely epic and nearly perfect for several seasons. However, I feel that killed off the main love interest WAY too early. After ALL THAT TENSION AND SUSPENSE about the protagonist and Lily, they let her get whacked with barely one sexcapade. I think this was a HUGE MISTAKE in the series, as they built a ton of development around this romance and Lily's importance to the railroad and fling with Durant, just to kill her off in some weird Indian attack stirred up by an old abolitionist and the creepy Swede guy. Killing Lily in season 2 was just a point where this show sort of jumped the shark. I continued to watch until the end, because I loved the characters, action, Rebel antihero, whores, race relations, and to see how they played out the railroad race in the end. This show had a lot of great things, but it seemed to lose its edge and bearings after a few seasons. Common's character and some of the interesting black characters that made the first season or 2 interesting, were lost in the mix and Common dies. The Irish brothers and their saga were interesting, but again, killing off Lily and then Common was premature. Then Bohannon just keeps leaving and coming back with privileges as if some ex-rebel from the South would have this much clout with big execs on a railroad, or as if he was the only expert on rail construction and security. Yes, he is a bad ass, but some of the plots just got silly.The Swede escaping and taking over the Mormon Fort and manipulating everyone was possible, but not very likely. He became a constant nuisance, and his relationship with Bohannon and others didn't make a whole lot of sense.The Asian girl story near the end of the series was done poorly.Ruth's character didn't do a whole lot for me, either.Joseph's story could have been more developed.The entire final season was released SO STUPIDLY!!! They could have easily condensed the material to a few episodes. There was NO REASON to wait all that time for the 2nd half of the season, which had nothing else of worth to do or say, and was entirely predictable and painful to wait through with no huge payoff or sensible direction. Overall, I am giving it a 9 rating, because it was a really cool story to build around, an unusual hero from the Civil War South, who had owned slaves(almost universally portrayed as the evil sadist in every film or show today), his having to deal with repercussions of the war, deaths, and race relations with a black friend and diverse workers, and a lot of bad ass gun play and smooth remarks from that Southern drawl, and tons of women and whisky and good episodes with grit. However, seasons 3-5 went off the rails, pun intended, and by the end of season 5, the whole thing was more of a 4 or 5. Still, one of the greatest Westerns ever on TV, and up to the AMC caliber we have come to love.

Gitta Voss Great story! Interesting because of the historical facts about the railroad, exciting because of the great characters and not at all predictable story. Beautiful characters, who develop throughout the series in an interesting way. The character of Cullen Bohannon, who is a real man not just a hero, but a man who makes mistakes and wins some and loses some, the character of Thomas Durant, a ruthless man played in a fantastic way by Colm Meaney, Elam and Eva black man and white woman who love each other in a time when that was nearly impossible, and of course the terrible Gundersen, a cruel man with a war syndrome who makes the series also very exciting. I can say I learned a lot from this series about the time the railroad was built. Very interesting! Loved the series, enjoyed it from the first minute till the last.!!!

Jo I have always loved tales of the American Frontier set in the 1860s. This series has educated me on the historical aspects I was unaware. The characters and the awesome cast who portray these people expose a fascinating depth. The writers have invited us to discover them layer by layer as well as translate historical facts into a human reality. The characters and this show are beguiling. I was indeed captivated from season one episode one and became addicted. Each episode shares a hardship that labels those who were brave enough to venture to the frontier as true survivors. I can't help but reflect upon the fact, had I lived in those times and conditions I would not have fared well. Thus grateful for modern living conditions in a country like Australia. My country, like America was built by those who embarked upon hazardous journeys' to arrive in a destination of extremes with only optimism and faith to drive them forward. My appreciation of our pioneers has expanded, for their sufferings have allowed us to thrive or at least have that opportunity. Do watch this !!