Timshel

"Timshel" is the ninth episode of *Hell on Wheels*' first season, airing on AMC on January 8, 2012. Written and directed by John Shiban, the episode follows Cullen Bohannon and his search party as they battle the Cheyenne who attacked the surveyor’s camp and derailed a train. After a melee of bows, arrows, and gunfire, Joseph kills Pawnee Killer with an arrow, ending the fight. Griggs wants to continue tracking the Cheyenne villagers, but the others refuse. Joseph and Elam suggest taking scalps as proof of victory for Durant, who offers a $20-per-head bounty. Cullen declines, but Elam accepts. Durant then recruits Elam for off-the-books work.

Joseph honors his dead brother with a funeral pyre, attended by his father, Chief Many Horses, who mourns the loss of both sons—grieving more for Joseph’s embrace of the white man’s world. The McGinnes brothers restart their theater with pornographic slides. Bohannon confirms his boxing match was fixed, and Sean McGinnes offers him $100 to kill the Swede.

Elam and Eva discuss their future in his tent, interrupted by Mr. Toole, who survived Elam’s bullet through his neck. Toole begs forgiveness; Elam insists he apologize to Eva. Durant sees the Swede conspiring outside his railcar about a man the Pinkertons located. Later, the Swede toasts Bohannon for killing the Indians, but Bohannon rallies the bar to reach the 40-mile mark, which they achieve the next day. The camp celebrates, and Lily orders a brandy with Bohannon. Durant interrupts, offering Bohannon a “bonus”—information that the Swede is sending telegrams to authorities with evidence of Bohannon’s past murders.

Joseph returns to the church, where Ruth consoles him over his brother’s death; they kiss by lantern-light. Griggs returns to camp, intent on killing Joseph, but finds Reverend Cole instead. The reverend pleads for forgiveness, but Griggs insists Joseph must die. As Griggs turns to leave, Joseph Black Moon shoots and kills him.

The episode title has multiple meanings: it is a Mumford & Sons song from their album *Sigh No More*, heard during the closing scene, and a Hebrew word (*timshel* or *timshol*) translating to “thou will rule,” “thou can rule,” or “thou mayest rule.”

Reception was mixed.