‘Hell on Wheels’ season 4, episode 12 reaction: Anson Mount, Kasha Kropinski talk further on Ruth’s choice

Saturday night’s “Hell on Wheels” managed to up the ante for the season, and that is pretty remarkable given that we already had such episodes as “Elam Ferguson” that came before it.

However, there are few episodes that accomplished what “Thirteen Steps” did on Saturday, which was take out our heart, stomp on it, and then try to shove it right back in. Not only did Ruth die, but she did so knowing that Cullen Bohannon did not have the same exact feelings for her that she did for him. This particular moment the night before her death is discussed at length in the video below by stars Anson Mount and Kasha Kropinski, who set out to make the discussion as honest as possible. It is their honesty in a way that caused so many clashes within this episode, as neither party wished to stray far from their established principles.

Mount is quick to point out, though, that even if he could not reciprocate the feelings that Ruth had, Cullen was still deeply impacted by some of her final words to him about the importance of family. This is largely his reason for finally stepping down from the railroad, and seemingly setting out now to find Naomi and his child. After spending so much time driven with a singular goal, he is opening himself up to a greater universe.

In the end, Naomi and his family is getting close to being all Cullen has. Many of his friends are dead, and the more he puts himself in a dangerous position, the more likely he ends up abandoning them in some way.

We have more reaction to this “Hell on Wheels” episode via Kropinski over at the link here right now. Also, sign up today in order to get some further TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo via AMC.)