Silo’ Season 2 Episode 1 Review
One of AppleTV+’s best sci-fi shows makes a triumphant return with a second season that carries on its legacy for smooth, engaging storytelling.
In the finale of ‘Silo’ season one, the main character Juliette Nichols was sent outside the silo, and we pick up straight where we left off. She’s wandering alone in the wasteland, with no sign of the green, vibrant world she’d expected, when she comes across another silo that’s been deserted. All the inhabitants decided to go outside together, and their bodies are piled around the entrance where they died, leaving the door open and allowing Juliette to enter, and find some protection from the toxic air outside.
The first season ended on a huge cliffhanger. Juliette had been led to believe that the outside world was really safe to live in, with blue skies and green trees, and that the silo’s leaders were lying to the inhabitants. Now, it looks like that was a lie, and in fact there’s nothing outside except a toxic wasteland. Which raises the question of why they’ve been tricking people in this way, and allowing them to go outside, something that needs to be explored in more detail this season.
I’ve always thought Rebecca Fergusson was a good actor but seeing her go throughout this whole episode just wandering around the silo in total silence, makes you realize how good she is. It’s never boring, and you’re drawn to her character, intensely following every action she takes.
Almost the entire episode is focussed on this part of the story. There are a few flashbacks to when Juliette was a kid, working on the recycling line in the down deep, building relationships with the other workers. None of this has much effect on the story so far, but likely will in future, when given more context.
In the first season of ‘Silo’, it took about three episodes to really get my attention and realize I was watching something really good. Now, with all the world set up and a storyline already left hanging, I’m invested straight away in this first episode. Right from the start, it adds new layers to the mystery of the silos, who built them, and who runs them. This isn’t a show that ever rushes to get somewhere, and considering the events of this episode, it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon, but I’m not concerned. I’ve a feeling the payoff will certainly be worth the wait.