Hell on Wheels (TV Series)

Pilot (2011)

Colm Meaney: Thomas 'Doc' Durant

Photos 

Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  Thomas 'Doc' Durant : [drinking alone]  Is it a villain you want? I'll play the part. After all, what is a drama without a villain? And what is the building of this grand road if not a drama? This business is not for the weak of heart. It's a thorny, brutal affair, that rewards the lion for his ferocity. What of the zebra? What of the poor zebra? Well, the zebra's eaten, as the zebra should be. Make no mistake, blood will be spilt, lives will be lost. Fortunes will be made, men will be ruined. There will be betrayal, scandal, and perfidy of epic proportions. But, the lion shall prevail. You see, the secret I know is this: all of history is driven by the lion. We drag the poor zebra, kicking and braying, staining the earth with its cheap blood. History doesn't remember us fondly. But then history is written by the zebra, for the zebra.

  Thomas 'Doc' Durant : One hundred years hence, when this railroad spans the continent, and America rises to be the greatest power the world has seen, *I* will be remembered a caitiff, a malefactor, who only operated out of greed for personal gain. All true, all true. But remember this: without me and men like me, your glorious railroad would never be built.

• Senator Jordan Crane : So you'll be paying yourself to build a railroad with government subsidies.

  Thomas 'Doc' Durant : Now that, my friend, is inspirational.