Reviewer Rating: 3.5/5.0
3.5
Tyranny is a cunning creature, and within the confines of a silo it lurks under the guise of pseudo-democratic governance.
The mask has long been removed, but it often takes time for people to recognize or understand the ugly reality of the false institutions they rely on.
Still, others crave meaning and purpose, embracing any authority that brings a moment of hostility. That’s what happened on “The Silo” Season 2 Episode 5.
Things are falling apart and Bernard’s mask comes off of its own volition. The fake smile and sense of friendliness disappeared, replaced by a perpetual smug frown that belied blind rage.
Blindness refers to Bernard’s diminishing control. His prey continued to take cover as the barrier collapsed under the weight of the mob.
Handing out points will no longer appease the masses and the carefully orchestrated plot to sow division is bearing fruit, just not in the way Bernard expected.
Amid the chaos, Dr. Peter Nichols delivers a heartbreaking speech to the egotistical tyrant himself, then walks away in silence.
In the face of such uncompromising attitude, Bernard’s attitude creates a potentially vengeful future for the poor doctor, who has lost everything due to the silo’s wrong order.
Even the most innocuous remarks, such as “my people” (the employer’s term of friendship for his employees), were enough to send Bernard into a passionate assertion of sovereignty and dominance.
For the reader, a missing piece of the puzzle falls back into place due to Bernard’s paranoia and need for shadow. Speaking of Bernard’s paranoia, Robert Sims has officially become his nemesis, navigating his way through the newfound power dynamics of the judiciary.
As the Silo descends into complete chaos, Sims’ wife takes matters into her own hands, aiding and abetting Knox and Shirley as the mindless mob attacks them.
Sims still pretend to follow Bernard’s rules, but they plot and brood when alone.
While Robert and Camille Sims didn’t get much playing time, it was clear that Bernard was losing control even as he desperately tried to figure it out.
If the collapse of Silo 17 tells us nothing, it is that there is no such thing as permanent control—permanent domination over people. Eventually, their curiosity will break their compliance, and the regime will be unable to use any means of control to prevent it.
Much of The Silo Season 2 Episode 4 revolved around the journeys of Knox, Shelly, Walker, and Kara, and not much changed in Episode 5.
Only a handful of subplots thrive within the limited environment of the Silo, which makes the constant jumping around unsettling. It also steals any real investment in each storyline.
Even more frustrating is the slow pace of the plot. We only spend a few seconds at a time with Sheriff Billings, Bernard, Robert/Camilla, Juliet and Knox/Shirley.
The case of Juliet is particularly egregious, as she again makes very, very little progress in any direction that conveys progress.
Some scenes are longer than others, and perhaps only Shirley and Knox make real progress toward their singular goal. Yet despite their efforts, they spent as much time going up as they did down.
We’re already halfway through the season, and it’s not hard to imagine The Silo Season 2 ending still staying within the confines of the first book. If you’ve read my previous reviews, you’ll know that the first book is pretty thin.
We’re not talking about a Stephen King or Brandon Sanderson doorstop here. Even The Stand (both series) managed to fit everything into a limited series.
I’m all for rich plots and complex characters, but it often feels like they’re just hanging out in their own islands, accomplishing so much that has nothing to do with anything.
This is a gorgeous wax paint job on a Suzuki X-90, one of the worst cars ever built. It looks beautiful, the characters are perfect, and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Juliet begins the main plot (although she probably gets less screen time than most of the other subplots), still looking for a way to assemble an outfit that will get her out.
Finally Juliet got sick and didn’t wear a suit. Maybe she’ll call and watch episode six.
Even though there are some interesting things going on, it’s still frustrating to watch, especially in terms of Shiloh’s secrets, subtle hints of underlying mysteries, and Bernard’s back-and-forth with either Lucas or Dr. Pete.
Robert and Camilla plotted and continued to plot. Bernard plotted and continues to plot. Juliet searched and continued to search. Billings investigated and will continue to investigate. Knox/Shirley escapes and continues on the run.
I’m sure you can see the pattern by now. Once again, at the risk of a dead horse, Apple TV+ seems to be just trying to pick out an eight-season juggernaut out of three relatively slim books.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not boring to watch. Yet this is the kind of TV that makes you lean forward in your seat, trying to telepathically convey a single message: “Go, go, go.”
As an avid reader and Hugh Howie fan, I found the casting of these characters to be mostly perfect. Bernard is a bit of a grouch in the book, but Tim Robbins has a naturally grouchy face, albeit one with a slightly warmer and more commanding attitude.
I will never be able to read Juliet Nichols again without seeing Rebecca Ferguson in the role. Even characters who shouldn’t be around at this point, like Sheriff Billings, feel natural in their roles and exude “a sense of belonging” in Shiloh’s world and story.
It’s great to see things starting to develop with a real sense of flow. With five episodes left, I hope I’m wrong about this story not going anywhere before season three.
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