Did you miss the likes of Mickey, Durant, Eva and Psalms?

Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 4 finally reintroduced the characters we’ve gotten to know over the various seasons but who didn’t take the journey with Cullen to the Central Pacific Railroad.

They seemed to be doing just fine without the southerner, but the Union Pacific Railroad also has its own continued set of problems to deal with.

Times have changed, but there’s still plenty the same.

It was certainly exciting to see some familiar faces again, and not just in a cameo like in Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 1.

Mickey’s got a hold on some money-making ventures, and Eva’s even taking to helping him out with the prostitutes. Though I’m surprised we didn’t see her gambling and working her card skills like she did in what felt like most of Hell on Wheels Season 4.

I’ll be interested to see how Mickey’s cousin Johnny fares as the new foreman, because I’m sure his unlikable and aggressive demeanor are sure to cause some confrontations. And I’m curious if Durant’s “spy” will actually help out his railroad work or just cause more problems.

If anything, I’m looking forward to seeing Cullen interact with all these characters again.

Because while I was glad we did get to see what was going on with the people that Cullen left behind, I was far more interested in seeing what Cullen was up to with the strike and dealing with Chang.

I’m not sure I would have liked the episode as much if the story completely left Cullen out. His journey continues to be the most compelling to watch, especially from where he started on Hell on Wheels Season 1 Episode 1.

His confrontation with Chang is a fascinating one to watch, and to see Chang have the ability to get all the workers to stop working really was a big power move against Cullen. I liked that we as viewers were like Cullen, not knowing what Chang was saying to the workers.

Though, it was pretty easy to figure out when they didn't head off to work.

I liked Cullen’s determination not to give in to the demands, even going so far as avoiding violence by working with Tao.

It was a good compromise, and it was definitely a cheaper move for Collis. I think it was a good understanding for both Chang and Cullen, but there’s no way that will end their back and forth.

Might they team up against the Swede when he makes his big move?

The Swede didn’t do too much else but continue in working Phineas, and I’ve got a feeling we’ll see something go down with the Mormons by the end of the first half of Hell on Wheels Season 5.

This was an OK installment, and it was nice to get to see those characters back in Wyoming. But Cullen still was the driving force of the episode and this series, and I’m more interested to see what’s next on his plate.

We’re you glad to see the old characters back? Sound off below, and watch Hell on Wheels online to catch up on past episodes.

Quotables from Week Ending August 6, 2015

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NOTE: Hell on Wheels Season 5 Episode 5, “Elixir of Life,” will air Aug. 15 at 9 p.m.

Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.