[Yamer]

I took those two episodes as not only writing a character out, but also as furthering a couple of vital characters and setting more of a tone for how this season is shaping up. Cullen's resolve was shattered, as long with his perceived integrity among the black railway crew. It enhanced Eva's sense of loss (in more ways than just that of Elam). It created a clear idea of how Cheyenne has grown from a camp into a town and now evolved into a community on the brink of civilization's imposition on their established way of life.

To me, everything means just a little more following those two episodes.