PrimeWire

Even though the last season was 9 years ago, I may need to watch it again after reading an article about American Primeval. Despite its short runtime, American Primeval really packs a punch, and Hell on Wheels shares a lot of what makes American Primeval such a great Western show. Hell on Wheels includes some great character-driven moments, and its 5 seasons mean that it has a lot more time than American Primeval to really explore what makes each character who they are. Additionally, this longer runtime also helps the series further explain the different groups who were big players in the American West in the second half of the 19th century and each of their often-conflicting goals. Though Hell on Wheels does give more attention to the individual characters and their mindsets than American Primeval is able to do in six episodes, this does not mean that the series shies away from the violence that they encounter. One of the biggest talking points surrounding American Primeval is its brutality, as many modern Western shows are not willing to go to the extremes that the series depicts. However, Hell on Wheels taps into the violence that the newer series has maintained, giving the series a grittier feel much like American Primeval.