Immoral Mathematics

Lore & Background

The episode's plot follows multiple storylines. Durant arrives at Robert Bell's camp after the massacre and discovers Bell's body and that of his attacker, along with a pocket watch containing a picture of Lily. The survey maps are nowhere to be found. Cullen Bohannon is introduced to "The Swede," Durant's head of security, who questions Bohannon about Johnson's murder. Bohannon declines to implicate anyone, taking the fall, and is chained inside a freight car where he sees a loose floorboard nail and tries to pry it out. Joseph Black Moon finds the Cheyenne braves responsible for the massacre, one of whom is his brother Pawnee Killer. Joseph later finds an ailing Lily and helps her evade his brother's group.

The Swede taunts Bohannon while describing his past as a former bookkeeper and Army quartermaster taken as a Confederate prisoner of war, where he began using "immoral mathematics" to control people. Bohannon kicks the Swede's meal to the floor, uses a spoon to pry up nails, and escapes. Reverend Cole aids Bohannon in eluding the Swede, then instructs him to beg God's forgiveness; Bohannon refuses, stating he does not deserve forgiveness. Elam later hammers the chain free from Bohannon's wrists. The Swede finds Durant's caravan, and Durant asks him to offer a $100 reward for Lily's return, ordering him not to say a word about the missing maps. Durant, upon entering his Pullman coach, is greeted by Bohannon, who boldly requests Johnson's job and ends up getting it. The Swede draws his gun but Durant orders him to stand down, proclaiming Bohannon as his new foreman. Bohannon finds in his jacket a stitching that belonged to his deceased wife and ponders getting revenge on the last man that killed her.

Reader's Guide

"Immoral Mathematics" received mixed reviews. Adam Raymond of New York Magazine stated the episode "spent the majority swinging more hammers in an attempt to get to a place that’ll allow this train to finally get out of the station." IGN rated the show 6 out of 10; Seth Amitin said, "it looks like Hell on Wheels still isn't sure what it's going to be. The Swede is an extraordinary addition to the series, though, and hopefully the series continues to build and progress as it goes on." TV Fanatic's Sean McKenna approved: "Thankfully, 'Immoral Mathematics' managed to focus itself on one central storyline and scatter a few smaller ones throughout. It chugged along at a much quicker pace and kept me interested for pretty much the entire episode." Compared to the previous pilot episode, the second episode dropped in viewership to 3.84 million viewers but still did strong in the 18-49 age range with a 1.5 rating. The T'suu T'ina Native Indian Reservation in southern Alberta was the location for most of the exteriors.

Did You Know?

• The Swede, played by Christopher Heyerdahl, describes using 'immoral mathematics' to control people after being a prisoner of war.
• Joseph Black Moon finds his own brother, Pawnee Killer, among the Cheyenne braves responsible for the massacre.
• The episode dropped in viewership to 3.84 million viewers from the pilot, but had a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 age range.