Warning! Spoilers ahead! I have not read the book series this show is based on, so this is a highly speculative review and summary
This episode expands on the characters and the rebellion in Silo18 and gives some crumbs towards mystery building in Silo17.
In Silo18, There are several subplots and storylines that are going on simultaneously. First is Lukas's search for the key and deciphering Quinn's code. This takes us on a winding path as he meets with the descendants of Salvador Quinn and we get another wrinkle to the character depth of Judge Meadows. We learn that Judge Meadows had been on a similar journey and path years ago when she was shadow. He ultimately figures out that the book everyone has is the Pact which can help break the code.
The politics of the Silo come into play as we see Bernard craftily manipulate his way through the system to get what he needs, first in dealing with Lukas and then with dealing with Walker. Using her love for Carla as a means to control her. It seems to work as it appears she has given him key information on when and where the insurgent force will strike in the Silo - even if they are only looking to refill on supplies and medications. Bernard demands that Walker keep her camera on and for her to stay in her workshop.
Finally is the meddling of Sims and his wife Camille as they try to figure out what is going on behind the scenes with Lukas, with Amundsen and ultimately with Bernard. Sims appears to be at the end of his rope with frustration and being kept in the dark. While Camille does her best to put get what she needs to place her family in the right situation, no matter who wins between Bernard and the rebellion.
The story of Sheriff Billings and his wife is an interesting one as it shows how they reconcile their faith in the pact and their need for survival. Everything continues to point towards what is the truth and at some point the idea of self preservation comes into play in each of these stories.
In Silo17, Jules comes up from the water, heads up the stairs before experiencing the bends this causes her to feel muscle aches joint pains and tinnitus. She recognizes this, then decides to head back down into the water and breathe more air to clear her bends. After this she heads back up the stairs to look for solo. at some point, she has an encounter and is shot in the right shoulder with an arrow. She runs off and tends to her wounds then returns and has a scuffle with the assailant only to find two more one of which has another arrow pointing at her the show ends on this cliffhanger.
Trivia and analysis
- Salvador Quinn saved the Silo. Before him there were rebellions every twenty years or so and every rebellion risked the opening of the airlock.
- Quinn realized that part of the problem was that people knew about the rebellions that had come before so he came up with a radical solution: Sever the Silo from its history. He cut off access to the servers, confiscated the books, then blamed the rebels.
- He (Quinn) put something in the water, a chemical compound to make them forget, over the course of weeks, months and years. The consequence of this was 140 years of peace.
- They made a point to show the wall being graffiti as a record of history in the down deep
- Corn and vegetables served in the Silo. I always make a point to show the foods served in science fiction.
- The relics in Judge meadows apartment makes another appearance, they are fond of showing them in the show, could it be foreshadowing of their use?
- There now seems to be a Hunger Games vibe to the Silo17.
This episode had the lowest ratings of the season and it did move at a slower pace in terms of action and favored politics. This seemingly never goes over well in a science fiction show and I remember getting super annoyed during the remake of Battlestar Galactica a couple decades ago doing similar. However, it is necessary for the story and for the plot and granted there are only two episodes left, that seems to set up a non-stop reveal session from here until the end.
Quinns Code
On page 77, Lukas is able to spot some underline letters that clue him in on how to decipher the code. Proceed twenty paces forward then two. Directing Lukas to page 99 which he then further decodes to mean..
If youve gotten this far you already know the game is rigged.
Jules and The Bends
Coming out of the water, Jules experiences the bends, or decompression sickness, as she tries to figure out what happened to Solo. The depiction was pretty cool with the muscle aches and the ear-ringing. Though she probably would have needed to go deeper than just barely under the surface of the water to alleviate the nitrogen bubbles that have built up in her body, it is an interesting tip of the hat to science that probably serves in a way to pace the story of Silo17 to line up with all the explained events in Silo18.
Unanswered Questions
- Who is Salvador Quinn and what is the significance of his letter? It must be important for Judge Meadows to mention it and say she cant tell him and for half of it to be in code. He was a previous head of IT who created a message that is currently being deciphered.
- The display showing the illusionary perfect world died as Jules walked a certain distance but Bernard was still able to see what she saw. How come? The assumption was the wifi signal was too weak. It could be the video as made for the display simply did not take into account a person would go that far and past the simulation.
- How long has Silo17 been dead?
- Did someone cut the rope from Episode 1? If so, it likely wasn't Solo, he could barely walk across the platform. Who was it? It appears to be answered in this episode as we see three people in their twenties at the end of the episode.
- Dr. Nichols will likely be caught, since he is being watched so closely. What purpose does this serve for the plot? He seems to be in a dont care or under the radar point of view at the moment, but he keeps being put in some questionable situations, now in the down deep.
- Who is part of the ring of people that hacks the Silo's security network? It appears its just a large amount of normal citizenry that are intentionally breaking the cameras.
- Who was helping Jules escape by turning off the cameras at key opportune moments?
- What is the syndrome?
Review of previous episodes:
Season 1
Season 2 Episode 1 - The Engineer
Season 2 Episode 2 - Order
Season 2 Episode 3 - Solo
Season 2 Episode 4 - Harmonium
Season 2 Episode 5 - Descent
Season 2 Episode 6 - Barricades
Season 2 Episode 7 - The Dive
Season 2 Episode 8 - The Book of Quinn