Warning! Spoilers ahead! I have not read the book series this show is based on, so this is a highly speculative review and summary.
The penultimate episode. They just keep getting better and the pace is going so quickly that you hardly believe the show is ending when it does. This goes not only for the show and the season as well as the characters are further developed through superb acting and plot devices. Whenever I watch a season of sci-fi I am always impressed by the amount of wrap up that is done as well as the amount that remains, the overarching story and whichever mysteries may remain. As I had said in last'weeks episode, now is time to savor what we can while we can.
The show with it's suspense and story continue to improve as does its ratings.
Jules was last seen jumping from the ledge as the cliffhanger from last week and this week's show opens with her safely landing on a crosswalk below. The show then proceeds on a never ending cat and mouse chase after Jules while we learn more about Bernard Holland, Lukas Holland, Robert Sims, . The plot advances a good bit as we learn more about the powers that be in the Silo.
Jules holds Camille and Anthony Sims hostage
The show centers around several plot lines the first is a hostage situation where Jules invades the home of Sims, handcuffing Camille Sims, attempting to keep young Anthony Sims innocently unaware while she attempts to gain access to the hard drive. The wife, who had been a raider for 12 years escapes from her handcuffs and could easily overpower Jules. However she decides to let her go. It is not clear the reason why however one reason could be to spare her son from accidental violence from the Raiders. An alternative explanation could be that the video that plays from George Wilkins either inspires sympathy for Jules as he states he never meant to put her in any danger. Another explanation could be that the hard drive contains truth that everyone needs to see and Camille Sims believes that too.
Judicial and IT
From the opposing side, we see Bernard and Robert Sims point of view from what could be considered command central, the room full of cameras that keep track of Silozens. We see their negative characteristics in full display, especially Bernard through the dynamic acting of Tim Robbins. He goes from a congenial boss with a sinister smile to a raging, banging the fist on the table madman interrogating Lukas. I am still such a fan of Bernard in this series, maybe even more so these past few episodes.
Paul Billings grows
We see the story of Billings unfold as he is now the defacto Sheriff. His wife, Kathleen Billings, says the poignant "one sheriff was already sent out to clean and the other was on their way, and neither of them had children!" He later explores Jules's apartment on his own and finds the guidebook to Georgia. The beauty of Chinaza Uche's acting is on full display now and we go from highly suspicious of Billings to being won over through the season as we participate in his moral dilemma. We see that Billings in a way has become more like Jules, in trying to figure out how she would think and in bending some of the rules. He pushes away the Pact, a book he spent most of his life on and winning the competition for it four times as well as teaching a class on it and pulls out the ripped page from the Georgia tour book. He too is becoming more alone despite having a family. He is quickly becoming my favorite supporting character as well.
In the final scene Jules finally receives redemption from her true love and that he truly did love her and was not using her.
The show leave us with a mystery of sorts, that the outside world must be seen. But questions remain if the Jane Carmody video is truly the outside or just yet another recording?
Character Development
Paul Billings - went through the most changes this week as his world is slowly rocked by the syndrome as well as the realization of truths from relics. He is at odds with his wife and his moral compass is changing. The pact which was central to his world is now less important and its even unclear if he should believe in it. The foundations have come crashing down.
Jules Nichols - while her family has lost so much at the hands of the raiders, the silo and Bernard. In the past few episodes she and her father have begun to heal and have received much needed redemption and validation. While always feeling a bit isolated and very alone throughout her life she is even more so now that she is a wanted person. She does not have a lot of options at this point.
George Willkins - a jerk to most women but seems to have truly fallen for Jules. Is he a good person?
Dr. Pete Nichols - the ever loving support and father of Jules. poses the question to Robert Sims "Let me ask you, Mr. Sims, if you were in my position, would you help the people hunting your child?"
Bernard Holland - the big bad. Or is he? He seems desperate to keep his grasp on the Silo but does he truly believe they are on the verge of extinction? Does he answer to an even higher authority? The fob he carries seems to be indicate someone is paging him but who?
Robert Sims - Wants badly to be Bernard Holland's shadow. He is a family man and this trait is viewed as a weakness by Bernard. Tells Dr. Pete Nichols that no one person is more important than the 10,000 citizens of the Silo shortly before assigning special raiders to his family.
Camille Sims - Wife of Robert Sims, a sort of gray figure at this point. It is not clear if she has motives other than just material success and position.
Numerology?
The Sims Family apartment 17-114, 17 and 114 stress new beginnings. I dont have much to comment on this unless this hard drive video from George marks a new beginning, especially if she is able to find that door.
Number 18, the number on the fob as well as the hard drive: " pay close attention when engaging with others since sometimes people might try manipulating situations without actually revealing their true intentions upfront until later stages (if ever.)"
Interesting tidbits
Justin Carlson is the name of the kid Billings beat up who also had the syndrome
Sysop (system operator), pronunciation of sysop was a point of debate in the 1980s where some would say it as "sis-op" or "sye-sop", in the end "sis-op" appears to have won.
Answered mysteries
George tells Jules she must find that door and it is likely the way out of the Silo. This remains one of few options of escape left for her at this point.
She must overcome a seemingly fear of water to get to the door, the one George tells her where the water is "nothing to worry about"
Final mysteries
- Who is Jane Carmody and why was she sent out to clean?
- Who is Walk's love interest?
- What is really outside?
- Is there more to the red light fob that has number 18 on it or is it just to summon Bernard to the camera room?
- Who is part of the ring of people that hacks the Silo's security network?
- Who is helping Jules escape by turning off the cameras at key opportune moments?
We now are upon the final episode... Next week will be a doozey.and guaranteed to end on a cliff hanger for the off season. Truth has been a theme in the show since the very first episode and the overarching plot is looking for the truth.
I will leave you with this: There is also a facebook group that is the official fan group which author Hugh Howey frequents as well.
Review of previous episodes:
Episode 1 and 2 - Freedom's Day and Holston's Pick
Episode 3 - Machines
Episode 4 - Truth
Episode 5 - The Janitor's Boy
Episode 6 - The Relic
Episode 7 - The Flamekeepers
Episode 8 - Hanna
Episode 9 - The Getaway
Episode 10 - Outside