I wanted to pick the ones I thought could sell the series best -- the ones I think are critical to watch, because often I think these are the best at creating characters and back story. If it was my personal list, though -- that would be so different! I'm afraid my prejudices would come out way more... but Love and Honor would definitely be in there, even though it's not a C/V oriented episode. I love so much about that one -- the continuity of Buck remembering being cut with the sword, the tension between Nathan and Ezra again, and of course all the stuff with Raphael... the little slut. Stealing Chris from Vin.

If it was my personal list, Wagon Train would definitely be at the top -- there may be a woman running around with Vin, but that thing is so All About the Chris and Vin. Sigh.

I love that Chris never enters the church. Especially considering how important churchgoing was back then, it's a hugely telling thing about him.