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Silo season 2, episode 4 review: Bernard always plans ahead

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As a seasoned viewer of dystopian dramas, I must say that this week’s episode of Silo left me both captivated and concerned. The way the story unfolds, with its intricate web of manipulation, deceit, and power struggles, reminds me a bit too much of my own life in the corporate world.

In Silo’s second season, the mechanical character visits Judge Meadows in episode 4. It was clear from the start that things were bound to take a turn for the worse.

Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from Silo season 2, episode 4.

This most recent installment serves as an insightful demonstration of propaganda techniques and the dangers of misplaced trust. It also underscores the power of information scarcity in shaping people’s decisions, often leading to manipulation. Notably, this episode mirrors real-world scenarios, showing us how misinformation spread through social media can influence choices and behaviors.

Just as before, this installment divided its focus between the two enclosures. In it, we followed Juliette’s quest to return to her own home and rescue her community – her enclosure. However, this storyline might drag on if not handled carefully.

Solo helps Juliette until he panics in Silo season 2, episode 4

In my past critiques, I expressed some doubts about how the character of Solo would be portrayed. However, after watching Steve Zahn’s performance, those concerns have been completely alleviated. Indeed, I believe that Zahn was an excellent choice for this role.

This episode revealed the impact of confinement within a single room on his mental health, suggesting an anxiety similar to agoraphobia, but not quite as severe that he’s unable to leave at all. Instead, he exhibits intense fear and apprehension when away from his room for extended periods, constantly worrying if he forgot to lock the door behind him.

Juliette claims he did something, though she’s unsure if it’s true because she wasn’t focusing and hasn’t yet grasped why it matters to Solo so much. She’s attempted to understand him, but her questions seem off the mark. A lot has transpired in this room over the past few decades that Solo has been here, but I don’t believe Juliette is aware of how long he’s been on his own.

It’s reasonable that she’s upset because he left suddenly. After all, she put a great deal of effort into obtaining a suit that would help her return to her own silo. Still, it’s important for her to give him some leeway. In truth, she was pushing his buttons excessively when he entered the wrong code out of panic. He needed a moment to cool down and focus on the numbers he was inputting.

It takes time, but given that she’s just started living in Silo 17, she hasn’t had the chance to fully grasp what Solo has been through because he hasn’t disclosed much. As she learns more about him, I believe her impatience towards his behavior will lessen.

Judge Meadows doesn’t get to go outside

Poor Judge Meadows yearns for a simple pleasure – stepping outdoors for a short stroll of about 200 feet in one direction. This is an opportunity that only Juliette has managed to enjoy thus far. Yet, it seems as if Judge Meadows was on the verge of realizing this desire.

It was evident that she shouldn’t have relied on Bernard. After all, he always had something hidden up his sleeve. His failure to jot down measurements when fitting her for a suit strongly suggested that he had no intention of letting her leave the silo. Sending her outside and over the hill would have been lethal for the silo, and that wasn’t an option for Bernard.

Despite Bernard’s flaws, his actions are primarily driven by a desire to safeguard the larger community. He is well aware of the catastrophe that befell Silo 17 due to a botched cleaning operation in the past. Even though he was young then, the devastation caused by an unsuccessful clean-up remains etched in his memory. Currently, he is grappling with the repercussions of Juliette’s failed cleaning attempt. If Judge Meadows were allowed outside now, what might happen inside the silo could be further complicated.

I must admit, it took me aback when Bernard decided to poison Meadows. She recognized it instantly and knew it wasn’t in the wine. He wouldn’t risk her drinking something he couldn’t trust. So, you might wonder, what was it then? It turns out, he opted for mushrooms. Given his choice, it makes sense that he would pick an ingredient thriving beneath the soil – the antithesis of Meadows. It feels as if there’s a deeper significance to using mushrooms, symbolizing that Meadows will forever be one step ahead in this game.

At least Bernard offered her some compassion in her final moments. He can care about people, but he chooses not to get close to many. He can’t; not with the weight of what he knows. I wouldn’t want to be in his position in the silo, and I don’t blame Meadows from walking away from The Order and everything it held.

I find it interesting that Lukas is reappearing in the plot. Meadows seems to understand that Lukas is overly curious and might get himself into trouble. I believe by shortening his sentence instead of eliminating it altogether, she ensured his protection. He’ll undoubtedly face hardships in the mines, but at least there, Bernard won’t hear him asking about the outside. However, could it be that Bernard eventually figures out Meadows probably told him something?

Knox and Shirley walk into a trap in Silo

The death of Meadows is just one shocking turn, though. The second shocking turn comes with how Meadows’ death is being used within Silo 18.

Meanwhile, Knox and Shirley formed an alliance. Knox revealed that the names on the wall were linked to past uprisings that didn’t succeed. Every time, Mechanical was accused of being behind these failures. Although it’s possible Mechanical was involved, there was always some connection implicating Mechanical in one way or another.

As a gamer, I find myself in a complex situation: Knox and Shirley need to expose the truth within the silo, but we’re unsure about Bernard’s influence. In our eyes, Judge Meadows holds the reins of power. This is where manipulation and disinformation start to unfold. Being intelligent individuals, Knox, Shirley, and even Walker share this concern. However, none of us have realized yet that it’s Bernard we should be wary of.

Bernard has managed to make people dislike Mechanical, yet Mechanical is a crucial part of our system. They hold all the control over the power and can cut it off at any moment, as seen during their encounter with the crowd outside Judicial. However, they wield little influence, especially when they are in positions of authority.

People dislike them intensely. Bernard has managed to persuade them that these individuals are stirring up a revolt and causing death. However, things are actually quite different. If Bernard were on social media, I shudder to imagine the extent of manipulation he could employ. Still, I grasp why Bernard is acting this way. He’s well aware of the risks associated with an uprising within the silo. But that doesn’t make his methods justified.

However, Bernard consistently maintains his advantageous position. He skillfully manages to intensify disdain towards Mechanical and suppress this rebellion effort. Meadows’ demise serves a purpose. Upon being summoned, Shirley and Knox discover she was stabbed in the chest. Indeed, they are being set up for Judge Meadows’ murder, and naturally, people will trust Sims’ account over that of Knox and Shirley.

Mechanical must reunite again, this time collaborating with Supply. It’s crucial for their self-defense against potential framing and to bring an end to another isolated situation.

In summary, this episode was another impressive addition to the series, skillfully advancing both Silo narratives without becoming overly prolonged. However, it’s important to note that the Silo 17 plotline may require careful handling to avoid stretching it excessively.

Silo airs Fridays on Apple TV+.

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2024-12-06 17:28

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