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Category: Silo

Silo Nine and Ten – An Excellent Season Two End!

Welcome back Silo Science Fiction Lovers,

Image courtesy Apple TV

Season two episodes nine “The Safeguard” and episode ten “Into The Fire” exceeded our expectations. We give the series a straight “A” for season two. The rebellion in Silo Eighteen become manifest while events in Silo Seventeen reveal important details dovetailing the season two finale setting up excitement for season three!

Showrunner and series creator Graham Yost in recent interviews shared where his superb science fiction series adaptation of the novels is going in Silo season three: “There are a lot of mysteries about Silo 17. The chief one being that all those people went outside, they had an hour to get outside. They didn’t all die in three minutes. What the fuck happened out there? That’s gonna be part of Season 3. You’ll get the answers to all of that. And then there are other things you don’t find out until Season 4”

Viewers will recall that in a July 2013 interview with SFFWorld author Hugh Howey discussed on the meaning behind the title of his first book “Wool”. Howey also shared where we might be going in season four in another interview with SFFWorld conducted in September 2013 that discusses the final book in the series “Dust”: “There are quite a few meanings behind the title of the series. There’s the old phrase ‘Pull the wool over my eyes’ which is the question raised by the (Silo) wallscreens” (screen that viewers witness in the television series on Apple TV.

Image courtesy Amazon

“What is really out there? Who is being deceived? Or are they? There’s also the allusion to sheep, those metaphorical blind followers who just do what they’re told, go where they’re told to go, never question. A third meaning has to do with humans being compared to sheep when we are taken advantage of or ‘fleeced’.”

All of these interviews have contemporary parallels. Readers with the print editions might notice a hidden clue here and there. The cover of the first “Wool” is meant to highlight the multiple meanings. “I’ve only pointed this out to a few people (I prefer to let readers discover these things on their own), but if you look at the center of the cover, the two ‘O’s look like eyes staring out at the beautiful world beyond. Is the wool pulled down over what we see? Or do we see through it? I really hope the answer to this question bounces back and forth for the reader as they progress through the story.”

In the final two episodes viewers were provided answers to many of the questions posed in the novels including what is in “The Vault” of each Silo as well as a surprise ending in the season finale.

The Safeguard:

Image courtesy Apple TV

As we proceed to analyze the final two episodes of season two, it is Important to remember that other than Miscreant Mayor Holland (Tim Robbins) The Head of IT and their shadows Lukas Kyle (Avi Nash), and Judge Meadows (Tanya Moodie), people who live in their respective Silo’s have no clue regarding the other network Silo bunkers that we learn number fifty-one in total.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Each Silo resident believes that they are the last remnants of humanity protected from an external polluted environment where no human being can survive. The extra Silo is likely where whoever or whatever controls the Artificial Intelligence (AI), is a central control hub monitoring the happenings in each Silo. We learn that the AI is referred to as “The Algorithm” takes lethal precautions (The Safeguard) in the event of Silo rebellions or other emergency events. Who or what is inside the fifty-first Silo is not revealed. is it a computer controlled AI or are there other human survivors controlling everything?

Image courtesy Apple TV

Written by Jessica Blaire and directed by Amber Templemore, episode nine sets the pivot point to the season two finale as Sheriff Paul Billings (Chinaza Uche), Hank (Billy Postlethwaite), and Juliette’s (Rebecca Ferguson) father Dr. Pete Nichols (Iain Glen) begin to have serious doubts about Mayor Holland. Billings and his wife Kathleen (Caitlin Zoz) decide to join the rebellion group of Martha Walker (Harriet Walter) who is being blackmailed monitored by Holland to save her lover Carla McLain (Clare Perkins). This factor is unknown to the rest of the main rebellion members Knox (Shane McRae), and Shirley Campbell (Remmie Milner).

Image courtesy Apple TV

Meanwhile Lukas Kyle, who has broken the code of Salvador Quinn and “The Pact”, heads deep into Silo Eighteen where he learns about “The Safeguard”. As he ventures further into a tunnel, he find that it ends in a circular vault door. Unexpectedly, the AI voice demands answers from Lukas. “Lukas Kyle, why are you here?” The AI tells him that only three people have ever made it that far: Salvador Quinn (who we do not meet), Mary Meadows who was murdered by Holland, and George Wilkins (Ferdinand Kingsley) who was Juliette’s lover who was also murdered for knowing too much.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Back in Silo Seventeen, Juliette uncovers the truth about Solo’s past. Viewers learn about three characters teens that attacked Solo (Steve Zahn) and Juliette. The three are named Audrey (Georgina Sadler), Rick (Orlando Norman), and Hope (Sara Hazemi) nicknamed Eater who is treated like a slave. Each are children of the Silo Seventeen survivors of the initial rebellion who never went outside to perish as a result of “The Safeguard”. Audrey and Rick grew up in Silo Seventeen literally looking for scraps of food that keep them alive. They have two children together, one of whom is a baby. Their parents were killed by Solo which is why they seek retribution for their parents murder. In the previous episode. Audrey and Rick kidnapped Solo who is the only person who knows The Vault code where Solo has food.

Image courtesy Apple TV

A major reveal in “The Safeguard” is that Juliette learns that Solo’s father was killed when he was a teenager just like Audrey and Rick who were the only other survivors of Silo Seventeen. As such Solo was actually the victim in all the Silo Seventeen events including the fact that his father was murdered by the Silo Seventeen Sheriff forcing Solo to hide inside The Vault at a young age. We learn that Solo’s fathers real name as the head of Information Technology of Silo Seventeen, was Russell Conroy (Nick Haverson). After locking himself in the vault, Solo, on his dad’s instructions to protect his own life does so. Since he grew up in isolation, this explains Solo’s immature behavior that we have observed.

Image courtesy Apple TV

As the episode winds down we witness Lukas exploring the tunnels in Silo Eighteen just as Juliette had when she went to the bottom of Silo Seventeen. Exactly what is “The Safeguard” and what or who is the overbearing AI who enforces the rules of the Silos? Will Lukas reveal what he has learned in the season finale to Robert Sims (Common) who warned Lucas he is being used by Mayor Holland and his wife Camille (Alexandria Riley)? And will Juliette succeed to head back to Silo Eighteen before the rebellion erupts there?

Into The Fire:

Image courtesy Apple TV

Written by Aric Avelino and directed by Amber Templemore wherein viewers will learn that Juliette and Lukas discovered the same thing when the ominous AI warns it will initiate “The Safeguard” (a release of poison gas) to be activated killing everyone in a given Silo in the process. This is precisely what was perpetrated in Silo Seventeen when the rebellion erupted there. The victims didn’t die from going outside, the all perished from the poison gas!

Image courtesy Apple TV

The episode focus is on the growing rebellion in Silo Eighteen of which Miscreant Mayor Holland has become aware. This apparently includes destroying the Silo Eighteen generator system at the lowest Mechanical level. Holland overhears this because he has a camera in Martha Walker’s room to blackmail her. Mayor Holland believes the rebellion meeting completely, sending his entire force to the generator level to disarm the explosives and arrest all the perpetrators.

Image courtesy Apple TV

What Mayor Holland does not know is that Martha Walker used sign language to communicate and warn Dr. Nichols. The good doctor moves to a level above the generator and detonates a suicide vest to destroy the stair case. The result is that all of Holland’s police force are trapped in the lower levels allowing the rebellion to take place.

Next we are in a meeting between Lukas and Miscreant Mayor Holland. Although we do not hear what is being said, we assume that it about “The Safeguard”. When Holland finds out his forces are trapped, he gets his own hazmat suit to escape the Silo before he can be captured by the rebellious residents.

Image courtesy Apple TV

However, before Holland can step outside through the airlock, Juliette enters Silo Eighteen after her journey from Silo Seventeen where she saved Solo after linking up with him again, promising him that she will return to Silo Seventeen if at all possible. Juliette shares with Holland that that they can still save their underground home if they work together, telling Holland about how “The Safeguard” can be stopped without revealing the details.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Unfortunately, before Holland and Juliette can finally work it out, they find themselves trapped inside Silo Eighteen’s airlock. The airlock’s decontamination flames automatically activate as Holland screams get down!

Image courtesy Apple TV

As Bernard and Juliette drop to the floor to save themselves, the scene does not reveal their ultimate fate. Nevertheless, since Juliette is the main character of the series, she will no doubt survive in season three and beyond.

We cannot say the same for the hated Miscreant Mayor Holland. Based on the books where the Holland character is burned to death.

Image courtesy Apple TV

We will have to wait and see if season three features the Mayor Holland character or not. Why? Because in a sequence prior to this, Judge Robert Sims heads to the Silo Eighteens Vault with his wife Camille and son after Lukas tells them to do so.

To his surprise, the AI voice in the Vault orders Robert and his son to leave, informing Camille that only she may stay. This suggests that the AI has been keeping a close eye on all the events that Camille has been exercising to enhance her political power. The question for viewers to ponder once again is “The Algorithm” AI voice a person or a super intelligent computer monitoring everything from Silo fifty-one? This question is not addressed, but it becomes obvious that Camille has been selected as the new mayor of Silo Eighteen IT to replace Holland. Is this Holland’s final episode in the series? Perhaps.

Image courtesy Apple TV

As we move to conclude this superb season, viewers must recall that earlier in season two, Mayor Holland revealed the Silos were built 352 years earlier. This suggests that it has been over three centuries since the apocalyptic event forced many human survivors to find shelter in the Silo underground structures. Based on the last known rebellion approximately 140 years earlier this and that it had been over 185 years prior to that since the beginning of the Silo’s, viewers can assume the final scenes in the season happened at least three hundred fifty-two years before the “current” events.

Image courtesy Apple TV

What is revealed in the final minutes is a scene that occurs well before the Silo’s future timeline in Washington DC. We meet a journalist named Helen (Jessica Henwick), who works for The Washington Post. Helen is meeting with an unnamed Congressman from Georgia’s fifteenth Congressional district. Helen is seeking to learn more about why the United States was victim of a radiological “dirty bomb” attack by Iran.

This is evidenced by the use of radiation detectors just prior to her meeting with the Congressman. Named in the book as Congressman Donald Keene, but not revealed in the episode, the Congressman incorrectly assumes that he is on a date with Helen. However, Helen asks him about the Iran “dirty bomb” attack.

Image courtesy Apple TV

This meeting with the Congressman can only be a reference for the government plan for dealing with a world war that predates humanities seeking protection in the Silo’s.

We do not learn more at this time since the Congressman keeps quiet and leaves the restaurant. The body language of the Congressman indicates that he obviously knows something Helen does not yet know.

is it about the history of the Silo’s? Likely this is the case based on what happens next.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In a cryptic sequence, the Congressman gives Helen a Pez dispenser. Viewers must then recall that In Silo season one, George Wilkins gifted the exact Pez dispenser to Juliette with a message describing what he had found in Silo Eighteens lower level tunnels. This is the information that ultimately cost him his life and motivated Juliette to seek answers.

Does this mean that Helen was one of George Wilkins’ ancestors in Silo Eighteen? Is the Pez dispenser a symbol of rebellion against the fifty-first Silo AI also known as “The Algorithm”? Is Helen the ancestor in Silo Eighteen who began the process of inquiring about the world humans currently exist in Silo? This exciting sequence of events will have to be explored in season three and perhaps into season four. Will these details about Helen be featured as the season three opener? TeamWHR believes the answer is yes, but all must tune in to Apple TV to find out!

We look forward to Silo season three in the future and hopefully at San Diego Comic-Con in July later this year. In the meantime, please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or your family!

We look forward to you visiting our dedicated review and analysis web site here in the future! Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit TeamWHR on X, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and TeamWHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!“

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kenn of #TeamWHR

January 28, 2025
Silo Seven and Eight – Let’s Hope It’s Not Too Late!

Welcome back Silo Science Fiction Lovers,

Image courtesy Apple TV

Silo season two has brought science fiction excitement to viewers again thanks Apple TV to the talented AMC Executive Production Team of Graham Yost (series creator), Remi Aubuchon, Fred Golan, Nina Jack, Morten Tyldum, Ingrid Escajeda, Michael Dinner, Rebecca Ferguson, each have brought the work of Hugh Howey’s to life on our screens the past two seasons

Outperforming the expectations of TeamWHR, we are pleased that the series has been renewed for a third and fourth seasons to dovetail the trilogy of novels (Wool, Shift, and Dust) by Howey. What is especially nice about Apple TV has ensured that an appropriate ending is mapped out well in advance for each series. This is especially true when compared to the decades of science fiction series on United States broadcast television that sometimes treated viewers like trash, often cancelling series mid stream or without providing an ending worthy of the devotion to their viewers. While some series we covered did receive an appropriate ending seasons, far too often, superb series such as Terra Nova, Alcatraz, Primeval New World, The Event, V Series, and more, did not. Recently the same channel that broadcast Day of the Dead and The Ark left viewers hanging with no satisfactory resolution for either program. Even top rated series such as Stargate Universe and The Expanse (later picked up by Amazon MGM Studios) were cancelled without explanation. Backlash from viewers have sent a message to broadcast networks who have now followed science fiction series to streamers such as Apple TV.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In season one, the Silo creators familiarized viewers with life in a dystopian post apocalyptic world fleshing out the hierarchy where TPTB (The Powers That Be) of Information Technology (IT) live in absolute luxury at the top of the Silo Eighteen levels. Next in terms of relative power are the Judicial and Law Enforcement divisions designed to keep the worker class of Mechnical and Agriculture kept in virtual slavery. Anyone suspected of bucking the situation or arguing with TPTB is falsely promoted to become a viewing portal “Cleaner”, is sent outside in defective hazmat suit, and die.

Image courtesy Apple TV

The hero of the series, Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) is driven to investigate the mysterious death of her lover. Her investigation reveals a conspiracy that ends up with her being promoted to “Sheriff” that ultimate leads to Juliette being sent outside. Juliette escapes her death when allies provide her with proper hazmat suit sealing tape that allows Juliette to find that other Silo’s exist as she explored Silo Seventeen.

Image courtesy Apple TV

As season two began after Juliette went “Outside”, we learn that the Silo Eighteen inhabitants have been lied to for decades leading to a brewing rebellion. Based on the book series, there are fifty Silo’s one for each of the United States, formed by a Unites States Government directive in 2049.

Conversely, when Juliette witnesses an expanse of Silo’s like her own and that Silo Seventeen did rebel before meeting a survivor, viewers know there is much more to learn. Escaping outside, Silo Seventeen inhabitants. all unprotected were killed by the toxic atmosphere. As they superb story proceeds, we will also learn that some residents suspect that rebellion has occurred in the past in Silo Eighteen and are about to burst upon their reality.

Solo might be hesitant to show you inside his vault, but Steve Zahn is more than happy to give you the grand tour.#Silo Season 2 — Now Streaming pic.twitter.com/lr3jKEGAgM

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) January 15, 2025

The Dive:

Image courtesy Apple TV

The seventh episode directed by Michael Dinner and written by Katherine DiSavino provides focus is on several story arc details. First, we are with Miscreant Mayor Holland (Tim Robbins) who is in a state of panic over the rising level of tension in Silo Eighteen. Having recruited Lukas Kyle (Avi Nash) as his “Shadow” or protector, Lukas is sent on a mission to decipher the code left by a person known as Salvador Quinn with books stored in a secret vault known as “The Legacy”. Here Lukas finds enough clues related to a numeric code based upon page numbers to begin the decryption process which will be revealed in the next episode.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Second, Knox (Shane McRae) and Shirley Campbell (Remmie Milner) continue on their mission to turn more people against Holland after he locked up Carla McLain (Clare Perkins) unjustly.

Recently promoted to Judge, from Sheriff, Robert Sims (Common) also has growing serious doubts about the trustworthiness of Mayor Holland despite Sims many years of loyalty to Holland..

Image courtesy Apple TV

Third, Sheriff Billings (Chinaza Uche) pursues his investigation into the odd occurrences that include blocking entire sections “down below” from being able to visit the upper levels subsequent to food sent to the lower levels being poisoned. The investigation reveals that someone from the upper level of the hierarchy were directly involved.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Lastly, per the name of the episode “The Dive”, Juliette agrees to help Silo Seventeen’s enigmatic character Solo (Steve Zahn) fix a pump to drain his from flooding which threatens his life. To do so Juliette must undertake a dangerous dive to repair the malfunctioning pump.

Nearly drowning in the process, Juliette suffers further from returning to the surface too quickly. Once she recovers from “The Bends” or decompression sickness, Juliette discovers that Solo is missing with traces of blood where he was standing when she performed “The Dive” to fix the pump system.

The Book Of Quinn:

Image courtesy Apple TV

Written by Remi Aubuchon and directed by Amber Templemore, this episode reveals that Solo is not alone in Silo Seventeen and that Miscreant Mayor Holland resorts to subterfuge to turn off a mechanical pump to meet with Martha Walker (Harriet Walter). Using threats and blackmail Holland forces Walker to spy for him to put down the pending rebellion or Holland will harm her lover Carla.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Meanwhile Judge Robert Sims has learned about Mayor Holland’s secret mission concerning Salvador Quinn’s code that Lukas Kyle has figured out. Using his wife Camille (Alexandria Riley), Judge Sims convinces Rick Amundsen (Christian Ochoa Lavernia) to reveal why the Mayor is obsessed Salvador Quinn’s life Sims embarks on war with Holland attempting to lure Lukas to his side by revealing that as soon as Holland gets what he wants, Lukas will be sent back to serve out his life in hard labor within the mines of Silo Eighteen. Lukas takes the message to heart while continuing to learn the significance of Salvador Quinn’s code.

Image courtesy Apple TV

This leads Lukas to a man named Terrance Penbrook (Stuart Milligan), who remembers Quinn was a former head of IT who burned all evidence 100 years ago of rebellions that occurred 140 years ago. This factor maintained peace in Silo Eighteen until the recent uprisings.

Penbrook reluctantly reveals that a long time ago, Judge Meadows (Tanya Moodie) sought them out also looking for Quinn’s books. This ties to Meadows being murdered earlier in the season by Holland after she obtained Salvador Quinn’s copy of “The Pact”.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Lukas finds the book containing several underlined sections that Martha also knows about from her association with Judge Meadows. The code that has been decrypted reads, “If you’ve gotten this far, you already know the game is rigged.” The decrypted message can be seen as a warning. The “game” can refer to only the corrupt administration of the Silo Eighteen, which is rigged by the personal priorities of its rulers that include murder and drugging the population to maintain a rebellion free environment.

Image courtesy Apple TV

The episode winds down when Juliette, upon returning to the surface, learns that her Silo Seventeen friend Solo has disappeared. That is when she finds out that there are more people now inside in Silo Seventeen! She asks an individual about Solo, who tells her that Solo is dead. Juliette must find Solo since he has her hazmat suit needed to return to Silo Eighteen to save it’s 10,000 inhabitants from a useless rebellion. When pressing the mysterious person for answers, he shoots Juliette with an arrow despite defending herself. Suddenly two more people show up. Juliette surmises that they came from another Silo looking for supplies?

Image courtesy Apple TV

At this juncture, what is not revealed is the motive of these three new characters. Even if they are searching for resources, it is troubling that they are so hostile.

Juliette decides they may useful if she can convince them that she is not their enemy, only seeking to return to her own friends and family setting up the final two episodes of season two, episode none “The Safeguard” and episode ten “Into The Fire” when we will learn more about Solo and his past that created his fate!

Questions to consider:
Will Lukas join Judge Sims now that he has uncovered the truth?
Will Juliette find Solo and her hazmat suit or was he really killed?
Who are the three new characters and where did they come from?
Can the growing rebellion in Silo Eighteen be stopped or is it inevitable?

We will be back soon to complete our analysis of Silo season two in the future. In the meantime, please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or your family!

We look forward to you visiting our dedicated review and analysis web site here in the future! Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit TeamWHR on X, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and TeamWHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!“

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kenn of #TeamWHR

January 16, 2025
Silo Four, Five, Six – Who Decides The Future Fate of the Silo’s?
Hello, Silo fans!

Image courtesy Apple TV

Season two of the Apple TV series has become volatile in these last few episodes. I am happy to hear that this series has been renewed for a third and fourth season.

I am also happy Apple TV and other streaming services have taken up the torch from Netflix with a large quantity of quality television shows that give fans an intelligent choice of science fiction series as we previously reported.

Since a favorite of mine, Fringe (2008 to 2013) ended, and now that The Ark has not been renewed, science fiction shows are no longer being broadcast on network television for the time being in the United States.

Nevertheless, I have enjoyed Silo as well as several streaming science fiction series that I have covered for TeamWHR. I have enjoyed watching these three episodes of Silo and was able to follow the story arc along nicely thanks to the awesome AMC Executive Production Team of Graham Yost (series creator), Remi Aubuchon, Fred Golan, Nina Jack, Morten Tyldum, Ingrid Escajeda, Michael Dinner, Rebecca Ferguson, and of course, Hugh Howey, the author of the fantastic book series.

Image courtesy Apple TV

The cast itself is terrific, led by Rebecca Ferguson, who I have been a fan of for a while and who can hold her own against heavy hitters, as demonstrated in the current Mission: Impossible franchise.

Tim Robbins, Common, Steve Zahn, and Harriet Walter round out the other actors in the series. Seeing an Academy Award winning actor like Tim Robbins venture into science fiction television is nice, especially considering that he is primarily a movie actor.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Silo features an excellent supporting cast including Shane McRae as Knox, David Oyelowo as Sheriff Holsten, Billy Postlethwaite as Hank, Iain Glen as Dr. Pete Nichols, Chinaza Uche as Paul Billings, Avi Nash as Lucas Kyle, Remmie Milner as Shirley Campbell, Christian Ochoa Lavernia as Amundsen, Olatunji Ayofe as Teddy, Caitlin Zoz as Kathleen Billings, Tanya Moodie as Judge Mary Meadows, Chipo Chung as Sandy, Angela Yeoh as Deputy Molly Karins, Matt Gomez Hidaka as Cooper, Will Patton as Deputy Marnes, Akie Kotabe as Diego, a return of Amelie Child Villiers as young Juliette, and a superb supporting cast and crews.

Image courtesy Apple TV

This analysis will be a bit different from my normal routine television reviews. I will review the fourth, fifth, and sixth Silo episodes with a short synopsis of the top aspects of the story arc in each episode.

It will not be an in-depth scene by scene analysis as I usually do, but I will share with you my opinions and observations for the exciting episodes four, five, and six that follows our analysis of season two episodes one, two and three and hope you enjoy my Silo series analysis as much as I do writing it!
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The Harmonium:

I,mage courtesy Apple TV

While Juliette (Ferguson) is trying to figure out how to fix her hazmat suit, Solo (Zahn) is tagging along in a way and trying to distract her from her task at hand.

I find Zahn’s character on the spectrum, giving her random facts about elephants and talking about 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. I am not sure if all of that is his intention because he is the only one in that silo or if what he is doing is intentional.

Image courtesy Apple TV

With the episode directed by Aric Avelino and written for the screen by Sal Calleros, both move the story forward to inform the next episodes.

With Holland (Robbins) and Sims (Common) discussing their plan to impeach Judge Meadows (Tanya Moodie) with the hopes of bringing the Silo to a united front, there may be the opposite effect, and chaos may happen.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Miscreant Mayor Holland has a plan of his own and has a corrupt plan to take even more control over the citizens of the Silo who are on the verge of rebellion. I had read that the character of Holland in the books is the opposite of the actor portraying him. Tim Robbins is a great actor, but another actor closer to Holland’s characteristics should have been cast. Considering his insecurity in life, it would make more sense to me and make what Holland is doing much more sinister.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Holland’s intentions toward Judge Meadows are nefarious as he “invites” her to his place to try on her new suit. His intentions are not what they seem. Unfortunately, Meadows finds out the hard way that Holland tricks her, and the dinner she ate, which he provided, had poisonous mushrooms. As she lay dying, he tells her that her death will unite the Silo.

Juliette tells Solo about the outside and how she is scared and lonely. No doubt Solo feels he has been alone for some time and can relate. Solo reminds me of a person who wants some company, and when he finds that company, he takes it upon himself to talk and talk about random things that do not make sense.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Knox (Shane McRae), Shirley (Remmie Milner), and Walker (Walter) go to see Judge Meadows, but only Knox and Shirley enter the room and find Sims there. Once they discover the judge is dead, a knife sticks out of her chest, “The people of the Silo have to take care of themselves,” Holland says to them in the room. Knox and Shirley exit calmly and tell the others to do the same, not to arouse suspicion that something is wrong. Sims lies to the crowd gathered outside Judicial and tells them that Mechanical killed Meadows, hoping to cause a rebellion uprising or riot—justice for his benefit.

Image courtesy Apple TV

The visuals of the Silo in general are wonderfully done. In specific, the spiral staircase that depicts various levels from down below to “up top” where the ruling IT group with the evil Miscreant Mayor Holland and his cronies work and live are very well done.

However, much of the series is very darkly lit. I assume that is intentional to show the bleak nature of the situation in the Silo, but it can be a bit difficult, in fact rather harsh at times. This often makes it hard to see what is happening in some of the scenes.

Descent:

Image courtesy Apple TV

With the mob incited in the previous episode by Sims, the mob is looking for Mechanical. Holland goes to visit Sims at his family home. He tells him that he will no longer be his shadow and that because he forced Holland’s hand, which led to the judge’s demise, Sims will now oversee the Judicial and become the new judge. There is a bounty for Knox and Shirley, one thousand credits each. That is enough incentive for the people of the silo to act. With Sims now judge, his priorities shift, although he has no idea that his wife Camille (Alexandria Riley) has a hand in helping Knox and Shirley hide. It is unclear if Camille would turn Knox and Shirley over or if she had other ulterior motives in mind. The director, Amber Templemore, and writer, Jenny DeArmitt, help move the story further into the chaos we see in the rest of the episode.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Holland is unhappy when hearing that Camille was spotted with the fugitives, but he has other plans. He recruits Lukas Kyle (Avi Nash) to help decipher the hard drive Juliette and Lukas had worked on together. Although Juliette never revealed to Lukas what she saw on the hard drive, Lukas is tasked with trying to piece together what was left of it. Lukas helping Holland is the catalyst for Kyle getting some time from his sentence in the mine. What Kyle discovers is love letters from Salvador Quinn to his wife. Holland’s reaction to hearing that made me wonder if he knew who Quinn was. It was also discovered that there are tunnels in their silo, but do not know where they lead. Holland keeps Lukas on to help figure out what those tunnels are for and where they might lead.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Sheriff Billings (Chinaza Uche) is suspicious of all the chaos and the sudden change in Sim’s role.

With Hank (Billy Postlethwaite), Billings discovers that Kennedy (Rick Gomez) is still alive and hiding in Mechanical. Kennedy convinces Billings that he knows all the “dirty secrets” of the silo and more and will tell him everything if he can get him some help for the bullet lodged in his shoulder.

Image courtesy Apple TV

While searching through the remains of an old silo to repair her hazmat suit, Juliette comes across some evidence that Solo may not be who he says he is. She finds a picture of Solo and Tiny, but the picture looks nothing like who she thinks Solo is.

When Juliette confronts Solo about what she sees, he berserk and tells her he is the IT shadow. With Solo leaving Juliette alone, she continues to find a helmet to help fix her suit. She eventually finds one, but with her injured arm now in a full-blown infection, she collapses.
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Barricades:

Image courtesy Apple TV

This is the shortest of the three episodes I reviewed, just forty-five minutes. Holland knows more about what is happening than he lets on. Everything is “going as planned,” from the contaminated food to the barricade’s chaos. He wants Kyle to determine what that cryptic message is on Juliette’s hard drive. What does the code mean? And what does that mean for the Silo?

Image courtesy Apple TV

With Amundsen (Christian Ochoa Lavernia) not doing his job correctly, the barricade gets pushed to 120, allowing Mechanical to get the needed food. This may pose a problem for Holland, but it is only temporary. Diego (Akie Kotabe) meets with Sims and tells him that Mechanical has a saw that can cut through concrete. I assume that this fact is or will be significant in the upcoming episodes. Undoubtedly, that info will throw the proverbial monkey wrench in Holland’s plans. The director Michael Dinner and writer Jeffery Wang, worked together to keep the tension taut in this episode.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Sims is out of the loop and shares his concern with his wife Camille. They decide to cooperate, at least for the time being. Judge Sims then goes to warn Holland about what Mechanical is planning on doing.

Next, when Judge Sims sees Lukas Kyle in Holland’s office, he knows something is wrong because Lukas Kyle was sentenced to harsh punishment. Lukas should be in the mines serving his sentence, not helping Miscreant Mayor Holland.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Instead Lukas therefore continues to decipher the code embedded in the hard drive but cannot quite get all of it and needs more information.

Upon hearing this, Mayor Holland immediately makes Lukas Kyle his shadow with privileges including access to “The Vault”. I am sure that since Solo was in “The Vault” in his own Silo that more of this will be explained in later episodes.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Patrick Kennedy explained to Billings that when Juliette Nichols was on the run, the computer went down, and it was not a system reboot like he thought it was, but something else he could not explain.

Again, I assume this will come into play in later episodes. With that information, Billings finds Martha, Knox and Shirley and asks them what happened to Meadows. Upon learning the truth, he attempts to confront Holland about what he discovered, but Holland cuts off all communications. He tells Hank, “I do not stand with Judge, the mayor, or you. I stand with the law.”

Image courtesy Apple TV

In the final minutes of this episode, we finally see Juliette as she wakes up in bed. With Solo’s help, as he tends to her wound, she does not waste any time and wants to return with the helmet she found to repair her suit. However, Solo has other plans in mind. Juliette knows that she must help Solo stop the water from rising or it will eventually kill him. We will have to wait and see exactly what Juliette decides to do in the next episode titled “The Dive”.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Will Juliette help Solo in exchange for getting an undamaged hazmat suit, or will something else happen? I hope that what happens in the next few episodes helps fans piece together what the powers that be have in store for the Silo and what Juliette’s fate will be. I am sure those who read the books know where the series is going, but the writers may take a few liberties and change a bit of the story. I guess we will have to wait and see as we look forward to seeing the creators and cast at San Diego Comic-Con in 2025.

Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. Kenn will be back in the near future for Team WHR with more on Silo analysis. Join us as we prepare for the excitement in the new year when I visit the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival 2025 in April and in July when Kenn and I visit San Diego Comic-Con 2025!

Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

See You on The Other Side!

Until next time,

Regards,

Lori
December 30, 2024
Silo Second Season Superb in Episodes One, Two and Solo Makes Three!!
Welcome back Silo Science Fiction Lovers,

Image courtesy Apple TV

Silo began its second season on November 15, 2024 after a well received season one that we reviewed previously. The drama is gripping and realistic centering on a future world where humankind has destroyed and polluted the surface with the remnants of our species seeking shelter in what viewers were led to believe was a single mostly underground Silo.

Subsequent to watching season one, TeamWHR decided to review and analyze Silo. This as a result of having been greatly impressed by the depth of the story arc from Hugh Howey’s successful novels that were created for television by Graham Yost. Silo as a science fiction series features fabulous character acting, creative costumes, superb set design, and vibrant visual effects that bring this delightful dystopian adventure to life on our screens each week!

The series stars Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols, Tim Robbins as Mayor Bernard Holland, Harriet Walter as Martha Walker, Common as Robert Sims, Shane McRae as Knox, David Oyelowo as Sheriff Holsten, Billy Postlethwaite as Hank, Iain Glen as Dr. Pete Nichols, Chinaza Uche as Paul Billings, Avi Nash as Lucas Kyle, Remmie Milner as Shirley Campbell, Christian Ochoa Lavernia as Amundsen, Olatunji Ayofe as Teddy, Caitlin Zoz as Kathleen Billings, Tanya Moodie as Judge Mary Meadows, Chipo Chung as Sandy, Angela Yeoh as Deputy Molly Karins, Matt Gomez Hidaka as Cooper, Will Patton as Deputy Marnes, a return of Amelie Child Villiers as young Juliette, and a stellar supporting cast and crews.

Image courtesy Apple TV

We were delighted to learn at the end of the season one episode ten “Outside” that Juliette discovers there are multiple Silos. A large city pictured in the distance represents opportunities for continuing the saga in future episodes and years up ahead.

When Juliette escapes her own Silo that had become a virtual prison for anyone who doesn’t follow the rigid protocol of Miscreant Mayor Holland and his henchmen, she sets out on an adventure to discover what has happened to humanity. Not all of what Juliette finds is pretty!
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The Engineer:

Image courtesy Apple TV

In the first episode of season two, we begin with scenes of a rebellion in what we learn is Silo number 17. At first viewers are led to believe it may be Juliette’s Silo number 18. However that proves to not be the case… yet!

Subsequent to masses of people charging the authorities, several people are shot dead. Nevertheless, the rebellion in Silo 17 proves to be an apparent success as the people crowd up the spiral staircase crowding together to get to the hatch in order to get outside.

Image courtesy Apple TV

The first few minutes finds us the Silo 17 rebels carrying a flag with a young person in front running up the staircase. This will prove to be his, and their final fatal mistake.

All of the Silo 17 inhabitant’s (except one we learn about later) break out on to the surface outside the structure. Unfortunately, none are wearing hazmat suits. This indicates that life inside Silo 17 is not the same as Silo 18 where rebels are given defective hazmat suits to go outside to “clean” the viewing portals. This is how rebels are murdered by Miscreant Mayor Holland and his administration. Everyone who escaped Silo 17 are killed within minutes by the toxic atmosphere on the surface that seeps into the defective hazmat suits.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In the process, Juliette, learns that her Silo number is 18. “Outside” she approaches the hatch structure of Silo 17, we observe a horrific scene, thousands of dead bodies that have decayed in the toxic environment.

Juliette seeks refuge in what she believes is an abandoned silo. After the catastrophic Silo 17 rebellion evidenced by the huge numbers of long since dead human beings littering the ground, this is a logical conclusion, albeit an incorrect one for Juliette to make.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Believing herself to be the sole individual inside, viewers will find out later that Silo 17 has a single survivor.

Juliette makes unsettling discoveries as a result of the rebellion that challenge her sanity in solitude.

Juliette flashes back to when she was a young adolescent girl when they were being brainwashed by authoritarian establishment that even when she was young, she did not believe the propaganda that were being fed to the Silo 18 inhabitants.

Image courtesy Apple TV

As our hero explores the devastation in Silo 17, Juliette uses her engineering skills from when she was in the Mechanical Department before becoming a Sheriff in Silo 18, fabricating a bridge across a chasm to a place known as the vault.

However, in the process of her explorations, her hazmat suit is damaged beyond repair.

Suddenly Juliette hears music that she immediately seeks out.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Here we learn that there is a survivor in Silo 17 locked behind an armored door known as the vault who refuses to come out. Juliette makes unsuccessful attempts to open the vault door.

The person is heard threatening to kill Juliette if she tries to open the door. The slow burn episode draws to a close with the person peering out at Juliette. We will learn later in episode three that this person is named Solo.
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Order:

Image courtesy Apple TV

Episode two takes us back to Silo 18 where we learn that a rebellion similar to that which occurred in Silo 17 is taking shape when people realize that Juliette survived outside suspecting that they have been lied to for years.

As we discovered last season, Judge Meadows is not really the omnipotent political person that Silo 18 people believe her to be.

Image courtesy Apple TV

This episode provides viewers with an insight into Judge Meadows motivations and character. We learn that she does trust Miscreant Mayor Bernard Holland who has been lying to everyone for decades.

Mayor Holland knows that trouble is brewing because Juliette escaped alive. He visits Judge Meadows in her apartment begging for her help. Holland has a plan and he wants her to join him while he addresses the people of the Silo 18.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In the meantime, Martha Walker and her accomplice are arrested by Robert Sims who knows that they were likely involved in Juliette’s escape.

Both of these characters suspect they will be executed since they had worked together to provide the effective hazmat suit tape to Juliette which ultimately facilitated her successful escape from Silo 18.

Mayor Holland says “Nobody knows me better than you” making it evident that at one point both shared a common bond that has diminished over time. We learn that this bond dates back to twenty-five years in the past when Judge Meadows was his protector, known as a “shadow” in the series.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Viewers are not told what caused their relationship to break apart, but we do learn that it caused Judge Meadows to start drinking heavily. Holland says “I’ll never fucking understand you.” Our only other clue is Judge Meadows makes a request to go outside to find Juliette. Mayor Holland agrees since he wants to know the mystery of what Juliette is doing outside Silo 18’s enclosure.

Initially, Judge Meadows refuses to cooperate. When Mayor Holland begins his speech to the entire Silo, he tells a lie that they have invented a new hazmat suit sealing tape that is what allowed Juliette to survive. Surprisingly, Judge Meadows joins Mayor Holland at the podium. She even speaks after he lies to the Silo residents about inventing a new kind of protective hazmat suit tape. What’s up with that?
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Image courtesy Apple TV

Robert Sims knows that Mayor Holland did not invent the new hazmat sealing tape, but the cover story was told to the entire Silo 18 residents that allows him to release Martha. Viewers suspect Sims will monitor them for any evidence of a rebellion.

Little does Sims know that Judge Meadows will seek out people in the Mechanical Division who are indeed planning a rebellion of their own as the “Juliette Lives” graffiti is observed all over Silo 18 that caused Mayor Holland to panic in the first place. Two things become obvious. Mayor Holland is a blatant liar. Judge Holland no longer trusts him. All this editor can says is that Judge Holland better maker certain she doesn’t use the defective hazmat sealing tape when she makes her journey to find Juliette!
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Solo:

Image courtesy Apple TV

We return to Juliette Nichols in Silo 17 in an episode aptly named for our new character, the self named man known as “Solo”. We do not know exactly how long Solo has been alone, but it has been decades at least. Solo looks not only crazy and lonely, he is apparently suffering from severe stress due to prolonged periods of time without interacting with any other human beings.

Unfortunately Juliette is trapped without a hazmat suit in an otherwise abandoned Silo 18. We return to her chatting with Solo through the vault door. Solo welcomes the conversation with Juliette. We learn that Solo is alive only because he was told by his protector to lock himself inside the vault. In the past, while the rebellion was set loose, outside of the vault, everyone perished one way or another.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In a poignant confession Solo says “My name is Solo. Just Solo, because I’m in here all by myself” “So I’m Solo. And no one forced the people out. They chose to leave. And when they did, it was a nice day. Everybody was smiling. And then that dust started to blow again. And I think the poison went away for a bit, but it came back and a lot of it. And that’s when they all died.”

Solo continues to reveal to Juliette a story about a person named Ron Tucker, a man who wanted to go outside but refused to clean, instead Ron was witnessed writing “Lies” on the camera lens before disappearing round the corner.

Image courtesy Apple TV

“Two days later they painted on the screen Lies, right over what he had written! And that’s when the fighting started (inside Silo 17). “So Russell put me in here. Russell was the head of Information Technology (IT) and I was his shadow. And Russell told me don’t, no matter what, NEVER let anyone in the vault. Ever!”

Despite sounding crazy, Solo’s story is believable. Viewers have already witnessed Juliette seeing the bodies outside Silo 18. We know other than Solo, Silo 18 is not only a shambles from the rebellion, it is now abandoned.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Solo, is still hiding in the vault, is telling Juliette about people rebelling and then going outside, only to die, makes sense. Solo being associated with Silo 18’s IT department rings true. Therefore it is logical that only IT staff would be allowed access to the vault. However, there are several gaps in Solo’s story. When Juliette asks Solo about the bodies just outside the vault stating “they aren’t as old as the other ones” Solo declines to respond to this as well as several other probing questions. When Solo relates the details of the day that everyone went outside to their death, his eyes look away from Juliette just before he says; “It was a nice day.” It is obvious that there are things Solo is not relating to Juliette in full. Additionally, there are undoubtedly questions of those bodies Juliette found outside the vault door.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Near the end of the episode Juliette see recalls seeing other graffiti but now sees the words “We will get in sooner or later” emblazoned across the doorway that faces Solo’s viewing portal. The implication is that people have tried to get inside the vault before, but failed. Yet whomever they were, they wanted to send Solo a message he could not avoid seeing.

As the episode winds down to a conclusion, Juliette returns after searching for an undamaged hazmat suit that Solo told her about. On her return, another surprise, Juliette finds food waiting for her outside the vault door. This means clearly that Solo had to place it there. Juliette asks why? Solo says “I wanted you to eat the food”.

Additional questions to consider:
Why didn’t Solo want to help the people who wrote that threatening note?
Did Solo know them during his time working in the Silo 17 IT department?
Where they people that did not want to participate in the rebellion?
Did they die as the toxic atmosphere began to permeate Silo 17?
Did they threaten Solo who poisoned the food he gave them?

Image courtesy Apple TV

If Solo is telling Juliette the truth about what happened in Silo 17, why does he behave so oddly to some of Juliette’s questions? It becomes obvious that there is more going than meets the eye.

As they continue to chat Juliette realizes that Solo is very lonely and has been for a long time. Telling Solo that she is leaving, we can detect that the pitch of his voice becomes elevated.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Realizing that he will be all alone once again, Solo panics, and opens the vault door. Now allies, the two sit down to get to know each other better as the screen fades to black.

We will be back with more analysis and reviews as this delightful dystopian adventure unfolds delivering superb science fiction excitement! Since there is so much more story to tell, TeamWHR, like all Silo lovers will be waiting in eager anticipation each week to learn what is coming over the remaining seven scheduled episodes in season two.

We will be back to continue our analysis of Silo in the future during season two. In the meantime, please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or your family!

We look forward to you visiting our dedicated review and analysis web site here in the future! Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit TeamWHR on X, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and TeamWHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!“

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kenn of #TeamWHR
December 6, 2024
Silo Superb Science Fiction Dystopian Drama Set for Season Two!
Welcome Silo Science Fiction Lovers,

Image courtesy Apple TV

Apple TV has become one of the few places where good science fiction drama series can not only be created, but thrive since the recent dearth of such programs on United States broadcast television. With the final episode of recently completed season two of The Ark, no science fiction programming is available until Alien Earth premieres in 2025 on Hulu and hopefully FX Networks.

Thankfully streaming services such as Apple TV have filled the broadcast television science fiction void with series like Silo, based on the successful novels by Hugh Howey. Following their success of For All Mankind created by Ronald D. Moore and the fabulous Foundation series based on the famous Isaac Asimov novels Both series have been renewed for a fifth and third seasons respectively.

Now comes Silo, created by Graham Yost who is well known in the science fiction community for his time as an executive producer for the great Falling Skies series that encompassed five fabulous seasons from 2011 to 2015.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Silo begins it’s second a season on Friday November 15, 2024 after a well received season one. The series stars Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible series) as Juliette Nichols, Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption) as Bernard Holland, Harriet Walter (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens) as Martha Walker, Common (Rapper) as Robert Sims, David Oyelowo (Star Wars: Febels) as Sheriff Holsten, Billy Postlethwaite (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Angela Yeoh (The Batman) as Deputy Molly Karins, and Will Patton (Outer Range) as Deputy Marnes.

Image courtesy Apple TV

This superb science fiction series features a large ensemble cast that makes the dystopian drama of life underground both frightening and exciting in a place where mining minerals is mandatory.

How do we know? As seen in season one, children are observed drawing with colored chalk that is made from mined gypsum. Everything the survivors deal with to survive including food production that must occur inside the Silo.
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Season One – Going Outside:

Image courtesy Apple TV

Subsequent to a past apocalypse on the surface that has apparently poisoned the planet, sets the tone for Silo making it a very believable science fiction story.

Mining is only part of what these survivors of humanity have to do to survive where the inhabitants deal with extreme stress of living in a confined space that causes some to go crazy and seek escape to go outside “Outside” even if the only job available is to clean the view plate portal.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In the first season, to establish the observed results of going “Outside”, several characters are killed off before Juliette is somewhat accidentally involved to investigate the phenomena. As viewers learn, going “Outside” results in deaths of all who want to do so. This is due to the deficiencies of the “heat tape” used to seal the hazmat suits that apparently the secret mayor Bernard Holland and his team know about. When people want to go Outside, they are always granted permission to “clean” the view plate windows people on the inside often look through.

Image courtesy Apple TV

Of interest is that living underground ensures one thing, that some will want to escape the tyranny of Mayor Holland, forcing him to ensure they never return to upset the balance of life in the Silo. Mayor Holland’s struggle is his obsession to stay in control of everyone the Silo. This drama declines in season one when the slowness of these details falters as he must decide who will be eliminated by sending them “Outside” to certain death.

As thrilling as season one was for humanity living in such an underground sanctuary, season one story arc was a bit slow as viewers internalized the characters and their lives. None survive the ordeal of going “Outside” until Juliette uses non defective “heat tape” she found that properly seals her hazmat suit.

Image courtesy Apple TV

This is how we are ultimately introduced to the main character of the series, Juliette Nichols, a technical expert and computer hacker who successfully escapes the tyranny inside and and doesn’t perish “Outside” in the process of seeking freedom.

The tagline “Julliette Lives” is the set up for a superb season season two of Silo that begins in only ten days on Apple TV!
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What We Expect in Silo Season Two:

Image courtesy Apple TV

One thing is certain in season two, just like season one; Silo inhabitants are convinced that they must avoid going outside. The exception is Juliette Nichols, the hacker who beat the odds by having non defective “heat tape” to protect her from the poisonous atmosphere when Mayor Bernard Holland orders her “Outside”.

“Julliette Lives” is where things start in Silo season two. Based on the latest chapter adapted from Hugh Howey’s popular book series, the action picks up right after the season one cliffhanger. Season two introduces Steve Zahn (War For the Planet of the Apes) as a survivor named Solo from another Silo when Julliette sees there are more than one Silo and take refuge in one.

Image courtesy Apple TV

If everything in season one was about the few souls who are searching for the truth, while Mayor Holland and his gang are about hiding the truth from the inhabitants, in season two viewers learn what happens when political power changes hands.

As for the supporting cast, other than who we see in the season two trailers, it is not known if we will see all of the season one ensemble cast who were at the point of rebellion when Julliette escapes the Silo. IMDb shows only that the Juliette character is scheduled for nineteen episodes. Season one hinged on Juliette’s plowing forward to find out what lies beyond. Based on the five minutes sneak peek released by Apple TV, where a rebellion has indeed broken out, Juliette will likely devote her efforts to learning about building communication with the other Silo’s survivors.
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Image courtesy Apple TV

The first few minutes of the sneak peek finds us with a torch carrying young person running past signs that are reminiscent of the Fallout series that took the world by storm. It is also similar to the dystopian Snowpiercer series that completed a fourth season thanks only to AMC which brought the third season Warner Discovery (TNT) cancelled series to viewers for closure.

In the extended five minute trailer, the rebellion in the past at other Silo leads to the death of everyone who went to the surface. Juliette finds their skeletons on the surface as she heads to another Silo to meet the new character.

Image courtesy Apple TV

In Juliette’s mission to learn what else of humanity has survived outside her own Silo, she meets the new character named Solo, portrayed by Steve Zahn. Zahn realistic acting takes the science fiction dystopian drama in a new direction by being someone who appears to be nice guy from an abandoned Silo raising the question; are there any other active Silo’s? Or is Juliette’s that only one that is still fully functioning?

Image courtesy Apple TV

While Juliette will apparently invest much of her time in the first episode investigating the rebellion that occurred in the other Silo, she will also literally be building a relationship with Solo after leaving Mayor Holland behind to deal with a potential rebellion, Zahn’s arrival will undoubtedly provide a refreshing perspective juxtaposed against Juliette’s world where the people she knew that escaped only wish in their dreary lives to only get outside to clean a Silo portal window.

Since becoming interested in Silo as a series, I can offer that Apple TV science fiction series have proven to be desirable dystopian worlds to explore and invest time in since it is unique from other worlds such as Snowpiercer and Fallout.

Image courtesy Apple TV

The adventure is about what people seeking to escape their own lives in real life reality. What is fascinating is that Juliette Nichols and her new pal Solo, who promises to provide additional perspective, will also perhaps some much needed comic relief. No doubt they will explore the other Silo in detail to reveal where the series is going.

Since the other Silo rebellion is from that appears to be a failed experiment, it should reveal what the Silo’s are really all about. This factor is similar to Fallout where the world fell apart with only a small percentage of the world’s population surviving to enjoy the spoils of their protected shelters.

The season two questions that arise are;

Will the new rebellion end up the same way as the skeletons found near a tattered flag on the surface?
How many of the season one characters will join the rebellion or will they perish as in the past?
Will Robert Sims question what Bernard Holland has been brainwashing everyone with?
And critically, will Juliette be able to help her former friends to avoid the horrible fate of the other Silo(s) as she learns about the truths of the outside world?

Image courtesy Apple TV

As we prepare for Silo season two, Graham Yost, in his genius at story telling, will provide viewers many other avenues of discovery that are just up ahead for all the survivor’s (if any) in all the Silo’s.

Clearly as the dystopian adventure unfolds, viewers will be impatient biding their time for other doors of knowledge to be discovered that have yet to be opened to learn the chapters of the past history regarding the Silo’s. This factor will deliver excitement since there is so much more story to tell. No doubt viewers will be waiting in eager anticipation to learn what is coming in each new episode!

We will be back to continue our analysis of Silo in the future during season two. In the meantime, please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or your family!

We look forward to you visiting our dedicated review and analysis web site here in the future! Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit TeamWHR on X, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and TeamWHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!“

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kenn of #TeamWHR
November 5, 2024
What Does It All Mean? – Netflix – Apple TV – AMC – Peacock Streaming Bundles and What Happened to Network TV Original Science Fiction Content Like Stargate?
Fellow Science Fiction Television Series Enthusiasts,

Images courtesy Netflix and Apple TV

Have you ever pondered the fate of science fiction TV shows on regular television networks? Streaming has now become the preferred mode of consumption. In the past, we enjoyed shows like Star Trek, the original Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Lost in Space, and Land of the Lost, all broadcast on network television. While it was delightful to tune in on a specific day of the week to catch our favorite science fiction stories, this is apparently nearly no more as TeamWHR reported recently.

Streaming giants like Apple TV+, Peacock, and Netflix are now leading the way in offering science fiction shows to fans. It is a fact that the number of science fiction shows pales in comparison to the abundance of cop, doctor, and reality shows that have long dominated streaming apps. These shows have always been the norm for network television, making it a tough environment for new scripted science fiction shows to break through. Even when we do get a new science fiction show, it often struggles to gain the same popularity as the more generic, cookie-cutter shows. In this article we will discuss our favorite streaming series with a fond look back at the good old days of science fiction on network television in the United States.

Image courtesy Warner Brothers Television

Shows like Fringe, Farscape, and Firefly were captivating science fiction series that garnered devoted followers but faced challenges due to their ratings. Despite their compelling storylines and high production values, these shows struggled to capture a broader audience. Audiences were primarily familiar with the iconic franchises of Star Trek on television and Star Wars in film. As a result, other science fiction shows found it challenging to resonate with viewers beyond the established realms of these two celebrated series.

Image courtesy SYFY

The rise of streaming services has brought about significant changes for science fiction scripted shows. Once exclusive to regular television networks, these shows now have a new home on popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Apple TV. This shift has led to increased budgets and more compelling story lines for us, that science fiction series enthusiasts enjoy. With tech giants entering the arena, the genre is experiencing a revival. Despite the occasional unsuccessful endeavor, the future of SciFi on streaming platforms looks promising, and we can look forward to more innovative and captivating shows in the years to come:

Netflix:

Image courtesy Netflix

This streaming service had been late to the game to produce original science fiction series. This was a result of focusing on movies and licensing content from other entertainment studios. Additionally, Netflix mistakes were often caused by poor choices in producing questionable political propaganda programs that turned off viewers.

Netflix wisely changed their offerings beginning in 2016 to produce Stranger Things that has particularly captivated audiences and is set to enter its fifth and final season in 2025.

Stranger Things stars Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, Paul Reiser, Finn Wolfhard with a strong supporting ensemble cast including Sean Astin. Stranger Things is one of the lucky series that have survived the dreaded wave of cancellations recently affecting many science fiction genre shows on network television.
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Image courtesy Warner Brothers Television

Original high quality science fiction series have been rare, with many current shows adaptations of existing source material. A standout in the genre was Fringe, which brought a fresh and original concept to the screen. While it explored familiar science fiction themes, it added a darker twist and more profound meaning, setting it apart from its counterparts. Despite facing challenges in its final seasons, dedicated fans rallied to secure a short final season, highlighting the immense impact of fans on the success of the scripted science fiction series. This rarity of original content makes us appreciate the unique and innovative nature of science fiction television shows.

Image courtesy Amazon MGM Studios

Scripted science fiction series often face a challenge in presenting original story lines, making it a rare occurrence. While many fans gravitate towards common themes in these shows, deviating from the norm can lead to uncertainty among the general television audience. When a science fiction show gets canceled by a network, it usually spells the end of the series. However, the rise of streaming platforms and vocal fan bases has changed this narrative.

Shows like The Expanse have been able to find a new lease on life, with the opportunity to be revived and complete their final seasons. This was evident when The Expanse, initially canceled by the SYFY network, was later revived by Amazon MGM Studios on Prime Video highlighting the power of dedicated fans and streaming services. This empowerment of the audience is a significant shift in the fate of scripted science fiction shows.

AMC:

Image courtesy AMC TV

Snowpiercer stars Daveed Diggs, Alison Wright, Iddo Goldberg and Jennifer Connelly originally airing on TNT, will be revived on AMC and AMC+ a streaming service. After being canceled for financial reasons, it has been saved and given a second chance at AMC.

The show will begin its fourth season soon, which is exciting news for existing fans and potential new ones. It is noteworthy that Snowpiercer is based on a movie from 2013 with the same name starring Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton and Ed Harris.
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Orphan Black Echoes:

Image courtesy AMC Studios

Produced by AMC TV Studios, this series is seen on AMC and AMC+ in the United States. Created by Anna Fishko with episodes directed by John Fawcett, Orphan Black Echoes is a spin off of the original Orphan Black (2013-2017) that Fawcett also directed. This superb new series featured on AMC, Orphan Black Echoes, follows a cloned woman and the women she encounters as they weave their way into each other’s lives and embark on a thrilling journey to determine the mystery of their identities. Starring Krysten Ritter, Keeley Hawes, Amanda Fix, Avan Jogia and featuring a stellar supporting cast, based in part on the hit series Orphan Black starring Tatiana Maslany who is featured in a photograph during the pilot episode of Orphan Black Echoes.
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Image courtesy Amazon MGM Studios

There is a beloved series that fans have been eagerly hoping to see revived – Stargate SG-1. With a massive fan base and a history of rumors about its return to television, the time seems ripe for Stargate’s comeback. With the proliferation of streaming platforms, there is a real opportunity for Stargate to make a triumphant return.

Given its well-established fan base spanning decades, there’s little doubt that Stargate would face challenges in its revival in 2018 with a streaming series named Stargate Origins. It seems like we are in a waiting game now, anticipating the moment when Stargate will finally make its comeback. This potential for revival with an announcement expected soon, hopefully at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 giving us hope for the future of science fiction shows on streaming service networks.
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Peacock:

Image courtesy XFinity NBC Comcast

Xfinity (owned by NBC Comcast) has created an exciting new streaming bundle called “Xfinity Streamsaver” that includes entertainment content from Apple TV, Netflix, Peacock and hopefully other streamers such as Paramount Plus and AMC+.

This means that fans of each platform have a fantastic opportunity to explore various series across the streaming world if they have an Xfinity account.

The new streaming bundle allows viewer users to discover new shows they may not have encountered before or have not had the chance to watch.

Apple TV:

Image courtesy Apple TV

A noteworthy streaming service provider is Apple TV who has created several original scripted science fiction series. One such series is Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, developed by Matt Fraction and Chris Black. The series features talented actors such as Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kurt Russell, and Wyatt Russell. Following the massive success of Godzilla Minus One, “Monarch is set after the battle between Godzilla and the Titans. It reveals that monsters are real and follows one family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to Monarch.” The first season is worth watching, mainly if you are a Godzilla fan. The success of this series raises hope for the possibility of more Monsterverse original content.
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Image courtesy Apple TV

A recent hit, Dark Matter, not to be confused with Dark Matter (2015-2017) on SYFY, has taken the science fiction world by storm. The captivating SciFi series Dark Matter can be found on Apple TV and was brought to life by creator Blake Crouch, adapted from his novel. The show stars an incredible cast, including Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, and Jimmi Simpson.

The story line follows a “physicist in Chicago who finds himself thrust into a parallel version of his own life. He faces the daunting task of fighting to regain his original life and prevent an alternate version of himself from taking over his family.” Since Dark Matter is a standalone story, Apple TV has not announced whether the series will continue. This may be an opportunity to explore the narrative further with an original concept.
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Silo:

Image courtesy Apple TV

Another hit streaming series on Apple TV is Silo created by Graham Yost. Silo is based on the novel “Wool” by Hugh Howey that is set in a bleak dystopian future where humanity clings to survival deep underground within the confines of a colossal silo.

Starring Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols, Common as Robert Sims, Tim Robbins as Bernard Holland and Harriet Walter as Martha Walker. In the story arc of season one viewers find Juliette, an engineer tasked with unraveling the mystery behind the death of a colleague uncovering startling secrets that threaten the very fabric of their enclosed world which if larger than it seems!
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Image courtesy Tubi

Regardless of what happens with any of the current scripted science fiction series we have discussed available on streaming services, there is no doubt that the science fiction genre will continue to thrive including on the streaming service Tubi venturing into original content with ads. Let us hope platforms like Tubi will be at the forefront of new and original content.

I hope that as streaming platforms bundle together, we will see an increase in original content. I am hopeful that the mega studios, with their combined power, will recognize the value of original content. As fans, we deserve it. While we enjoy spinoffs and video game adaptations, original content is always the best source of entertainment. I hope the studios allow proven writers to shine again with original stories.

Well, science fiction series fans keep watching those fantastic shows, and someday we will get the new Stargate series that everyone has been longing for!

Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my Turner Classic Movies Film Festival feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back in the near future with new analysis as Team WHR prepares for San Diego Comic-Con 2024!

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See You on The Other Side!

Until next time,

Regards,

Lori
July 2, 2024

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