Into the Fire

Wow this episode blew me away. Just like season one, season two was gripping with mystery and intrigue, every episode kept me hooked wanting more. Granted, it's annoying that every episode is a cliffhanger for the next, but it was worth waiting for. Granted that not much was happening during the season, until the last episode where significant events unfold, and again, culminate with another big cliffhanger for the next season. I wish they put more substance by giving the audience real clues about what's happening, intead of keeping us in the dark about what this person whispered, about what this person was told, etc... Anyways, looking forward to season three, highly recommended show.

There is a lot that happened this season but it happened at a pace that I didn't find intriguing. I love slow-burn media but this was almost on the verge of boring. The story was dragged with sloppy dialogs, it was difficult to sit through some episodes. But it was the last 2 episodes that got me back into the show.

The finale was intense and exciting, bringing back the energy of season 1. There is quite a bit of revelations here that are coming to complete fruition in the next two seasons which was recently confirmed. From the synopsis I read about the books, I'm excited to more of Juliette next season and how the lore is going to expand. I realized that Juliette is what I care to see more of and what she's going to do next. Rebecca has done a great job carrying the role, can't wait to see more.

The way this episode ended really crystallized one of the problems with this show: that for a sci fi series, where anything can happen, it seems to lack very much imagination and ambition. So we get two full seasons that are 90% the same sort of thing happening over and over, with the same dark, dirty look to it all.

Another problem, which I have no idea about since I never read the books, is that the most obvious solution to the mysteries is that a nuclear war wiped out the planet and some people managed to survive in 51 silos (one for each state plus DC?) If that's the situation that we are waiting eons to discover, I can't see how it could be anything but a disappointment. Any answer besides the most obvious one would be better.

Another problem involves the tunnel voice (computer?) and what it said to Lukas Kyle. He's the point of view character in that scene and the audience sees and hears what he does. Except for what the computer says. That's a cheap way of extending a mystery, to hold back what a POV character knows. And then they do it again when he talks with Bernard! This show is really trying my patience.

I consider the first season of Silo to be one of the finest ever constructed in TV drama--the perfect mix of mystery, sci-fi, and strong character work. Sadly, season two does not nearly reach those lofty goals--in large part because of how slow the proceedings move forward for most of these ten episodes.

For a very basic overview, Silo S2 is bifurcated into two portions (which I will not spoil here):

-Juliette's (Rebecca Ferguson) explorations outside the silo.

-The social and political unrest inside the silo, largely due to the machinations of Bernard Holland (Tim Robbins).

The first few S2 episodes are fine. Very much a slow burn, but probably necessary after the whiz-bang S1. A good way to get re-acclimated to the show's characters and themes.

But then, the main problem with S2: for the next 5-6 episodes, very little happens. Juliette's explorations make tedious (if that) progress, and this series is not meant to rest upon the political machinations inside the silo itself. In this stretch, I was giving episode ratings as low as 4 or 5 stars. It was becoming more of a chore than a joy to watch the weekly episode drop.

The final two episodes do (finally) pick up the pace at least a bit. Still nothing to match S1's brilliance, but enough to be engaging for a full 50-60 minutes. The finale's coda always opens an intriguing new plot point that I hope will be expounded upon in subsequent seasons.

For whatever reason, Graham Yost's series stalled out and hit a sophomore slump. With only bits of mystery and sci-fi present (until the final episode) and Juliette on a stagnant solo quest, it was up to the in-silo material to carry the freight--and it simply wasn't strong enough to do so for a vast swath of the season.

I have not given up on the series altogether (though mid-season here I was more tempted than I even want to imagine). The announcement of a four-season confirmed run and the S2 finale give me a spark of hope that Yost & Co. Can perhaps find the S1 magic once again.

Season 2 of Silo started a bit slow, but the finale made everything worth it. The last episode had a lot of emotional moments, big surprises, and answers to some of the mysteries while leaving us excited for the next season.

The characters felt real, and their stories were handled really well. Losing a major character was tough but added to the show's seriousness. The season took its time to build up, which felt a little frustrating at first, but by the end, it all made sense.

Overall, Silo Season 2 was a mix of drama, suspense, and great storytelling. It might not have been as fast-paced as Season 1, but it still proved why this series is so good. Can't wait for Season 3!