Silo Season-Finale Recap: A Sort of Homecoming

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In last week’s episode of Silo, there was a scene that, to me, perfectly showcased Rebecca Ferguson’s exceptional performance this season. This takes place when “Hope” (formerly known as Eater) shares her tragic background with Juliette, while they’re searching through apartments for possible solutions to the Vault’s door code. Juliette isn’t entirely empathetic towards Hope’s past, and she’s quite busy. You can see it in her expression, particularly her eyes, that she’s preoccupied with other concerns. Despite the other person in the room baring their soul, Juliette remains distracted, constantly on edge.

In all seasons, Ferguson’s portrayal of Juliette reflects a consistent theme, whether it’s dealing with Jimmy’s unpredictable actions or attempting to persuade the scavengers from Silo 17 to allow her to accomplish her mission. Unlike some actors who focus solely on the current scene and neglect the past, Ferguson seamlessly integrates the weight of season one into season two. As soon as she learns that Silo 18 is on the brink of total social collapse and potential massacre, Ferguson’s Juliette shows a relentless sense of urgency. She feels compelled to return immediately and urges everyone in Silo 17 to expedite their actions.

In summary, the final episode of Silo is filled with thrilling action and the very turmoil in Silo 18 that Juliette had been apprehensive about. The storyline reaches an unforeseen peak and a shocking cliffhanger, wrapping up with a surprising ending that seems to appear unexpectedly. Ferguson is due much recognition for incorporating subtle, emotional, human elements into this suspenseful blend. Often, genre TV series overemphasize characters stating the importance of situations, hoping we’ll empathize. However, it’s effortless to share Juliette’s concerns; she doesn’t need many words to express them.

In this episode, many of Juliette’s scenes revolve around her readying herself for departure and grappling with the uncertainties of Silo 18. Coincidentally, Jimmy recalls the essence of “the Safeguard,” reminiscing about how his parents managed to stop a gas pipe meant for mass destruction during an uprising from carrying out its intended function. In a tender moment, Jimmy checks the seal on Juliette’s spacesuit after discovering holes in his father’s, and they exchange a few awkward embraces as she explains that she can’t guarantee her return but will certainly make the effort.

It could be said that Juliette’s growing frustration with Jimmy and the residents of Silo 17 throughout the season adds poignancy to her acts of kindness in the final episode. Despite her unwavering determination to return to Silo 18, she acknowledges that these people require something from her before she leaves. In an effort to grant them what they need, she manages to coax “Eater” into revealing her true identity.

This situation stirs up a passionate address from Juliette, following an accusation by Audrey that Hope is responsible for another mishap. She emphasizes to everyone that since the Vault has been opened, they possess the means to coexist harmoniously. Meanwhile, back in Silo 18, those dear to Juliette, including her father, are at risk of perishing if not already deceased. She urges them all, “Observe what you possess, channel your anger towards one another rather than against each other.

As Juliette’s worry about the situation at home escalates, she feels a jolt when Silo 17 trembles from a massive explosion heard outside. The cause of this deafening sound? A catastrophic blast, orchestrated by her father in collaboration with Mechanical, which leveled two entire floors of stairs.

However, let me take a step back. The events unfolding in Silo 18 this week are filled with unexpected turns, as it seems much of what’s transpiring is actually part of bigger schemes that we, the viewers, aren’t yet aware of.

Let’s take the big plot twists and character beats one by one:

In the initial part of the episode, the rebels carry on their strategy talks within Walker’s apartment, unbeknownst to them that their conversation is being relayed to Bernard via a concealed camera. An awkward situation arises for Walker when the entire team is apprehended and she is publicly acknowledged for her contributions in their presence, including her ex-spouse. However, things take an interesting turn when Walker confides in Bernard that there’s a unique sign language used among the Mechanical populace to communicate over the din of the generator. It becomes clear that she has been surreptitiously updating Knox about the ongoing events all along.

After Bernard accuses the sheriff of orchestrating the rebellion, the deputies arrest him and improvise a temporary jail within a cafeteria, following instructions. However, as they had strategically planned, the deputies later release Billings and the rebels by resigning en masse.

Under Knox’s leadership, the rebels decide to divert the attackers by creating a distraction, allowing them time to set up an explosive device. Once detonated, the raiders would be trapped in the Down Deep, forcing Bernard into negotiations. Everything proceeds as planned, but then Patrick Kennedy manages to persuade several of the rebels that he had seen a lush, green landscape beyond the silo before Juliette went out. This could lead to all of them leaving the silo, possibly activating the Safeguard.

As a film enthusiast, immersed in the intriguing world of Silo 18, I found myself gripped by the enigmatic voice from the tunnel, labeled as “the Algorithm” in captions. Upon deciphering its message, I was filled with a sense of impending doom for every resident of our silo. Stepping down from my shadowship role, I chose to spend my remaining hours with my cherished mother.

However, an unexpected turn of events transpired when Bernard appointed Robert Sims as the new shadow and bestowed upon him the access code for the Vault. Encouraged by my belief in their potential, I implored Sims to seize this rare opportunity while it was still within reach.

When his family entered the room, the Algorithm addressed them warmly, finding solace in their determination to save Silo 18. Yet, another dramatic twist unfolded as the Algorithm requested that Robert and his son depart so it could converse with Camille in private.

With the imminent activation of the Safeguard, Bernard hastily dons his hidden garment. Alone and brooding for a brief moment, he grips a firearm tightly in his hand. However, suddenly, on the monitoring screens, everyone witnesses Juliette venturing into the crater. She deliberately wipes the camera lens before displaying a warning: “Dangerous Area – Keep Out.

It’s important to clarify that while Juliette plays a significant role in this finale, it’s not accurate to attribute every emotional and thrilling moment solely to her. Her father has a powerful scene as he hands his watch to Deputy Hank, preparing for Dr. Pete to complete his mission and detonate the stairs. Additionally, Walker’s revelation that she had deceived Bernard is quite impactful, especially when she counts down to the explosion, only for nothing to happen immediately – the bomb actually explodes a few seconds later after Bernard makes a sarcastic comment about the drama.

In this episode, Juliette plays a crucial role, particularly in the emotional scenes within Silo 17 and during the tense finale. Faced with the challenge of forcing open the door to Silo 18 using a crowbar, she is taken aback when Bernard orders it opened. There he stands at the bottom of the stairs, fully suited up and armed, prompting a conversation about the Safeguard, its potential deployment, and by whom. (Bernard: “I know who, but I don’t know why, and I couldn’t care less.” Juliette: “I believe I’ve figured something out.”) In a swift turn of events, Juliette manages to subdue both Bernard and herself in the airlock just before it seals. The season concludes with them potentially facing destruction from the airlock’s fiery purge wall.

Quite a cliffhanger, isn’t it? If the season had stopped at that point, discussions among Silo fans about the repercussions would have continued throughout the lengthy off-season.

In a different turn of events, we’re presented with an additional scene, this time unfolding in the bustling cityscape of Washington D.C., seemingly our contemporary era. Here, a greenhorn Georgia congressman finds himself on a date with a journalist from The Washington Post. However, their romantic evening takes an unexpected twist as she questions him about a recent Iranian bomb explosion involving dirty materials and any potential U.S. response. This scene is both captivating and amusing, taking on added significance when the congressman, in a rather abrupt manner, departs after presenting the journalist with a trinket he had bought from a convenience store – a rubber duck Pez dispenser that will become a priceless artifact in Silo 18.

In what circumstances might an old-fashioned sweet wind up in a survival shelter centuries from now? That story will have to be told when the third season rolls around, I’m afraid.

I might be as jittery and preoccupied as Juliette until then.

The Down Deep

It’s challenging to give an exact number of days since there’s no sunlight underground and Juliette spent some time unconscious due to an infection. However, my approximation would be that the events portrayed in this season might have taken approximately a week.

Jimmy’s Safekeeping is filled with an array of marvels: pop-up books, nature sounds, canned pineapples. It’s worth noting that Juliette has never ventured into Silo 18’s Safekeeping and has seldom encountered such relics gathered in one spot. Once more, I tip my hat to Rebecca Ferguson, who skillfully portrays the character’s intrigue towards this collection — all while demonstrating Juliette’s ability to remain focused amidst it all.

Well, that concludes Silo’s second season! This year, there was quite a bit of excitement surrounding the show, and I hope that momentum continues into a potential third season. The ending of this episode suggests that if we do get another season, it’s going to be quite a ride!

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2025-01-17 10:54