Snowpiercer (TV series)

[The Nth Doctor]

Just when we finally learn everything about Milius and who he truly is (I'm not at all shocked that he killed his way up the chain of the command...but I was surprised that he murdered his backstabbing wife), BAM, he's dead.

And just as the Sean Bean curse finally catches up to Wilford, we find out who the true villain is this season: Nima.

I'm not quite sure I buy the late-act turn, especially for someone who is such a nervous, fragile wreck. Maybe it was partially a front, although he certainly maintained must of his erratic nature when he moved against Melanie. He definitely embodies the poison of pride as described by Wilford but I'm note sure if the show earned that change...even with yet another bombshell: Nima created the very substance that caused the Freeze in the first place.

As if there weren't enough bombshells in this episode, we're lead to believe that Javi accidentally killed himself while trying to disarm one of the bombs placed on the bridge in front of Big Alice.

Yet again, like I said after Zhora's death, I hoped the show's final season wouldn't lean too hard on dropping lots of bodies before the end. But it looks like I'm not going to get that wish...even if we all knew the Sean Bean curse would ultimately catch its prey at least.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

As we go barreling into the final two episodes, it is quite odd that the endgame doesn't involve either the main series-long antagonist or the main new antagonist of the final season. As much as I love this show, I do find it weird that it decided to completely shift gears and make the awkward scientist the final antagonist of the show. Like I said last week, I'm still not sure if I buy this late-act turn but I do see the meaning behind and it does help that he's the one who just happened to cause the end of the world in the first place.

Not much else to say about this episode other than I loved all of the little denouements, quiet reflections, and sorrowful tributes to fallen friends (so much love for Ben and Zorah!) before the impending storm, the last, great fight for survival. I especially loved Roche's probably-not-true, rousing story about his survival and swift rescue of Layton, Josie, and Liana.

And, hooray! Javi didn't die!

...but someone big is definitely going to die before the end, whether it's Layton, Josie, or Till. No matter who, it's going to hurt.

 

[Commander Troi]

Yeah, next week is going to be brutal.

 

[Commander Troi]

Well! That was about as ugly as I thought it might be, but not as ugly as it could've been.

Nima being Alex's bio-dad was the only reveal in this show that I saw coming a mile away. It was obvious from how he treated her.

Taking bets on how many main characters make it through the finale. I think Till and Josie and Javi and Alex will survive. I get a gut feeling Layton will die heroically. I'm not sure about anyone else.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Honestly, I thought it would be a lot uglier. I particularly expected Oz to die to complete his well-earned redemption (he still could...). But as you said, we still have the finale to get through. I'm not so certain Till and Josie will survive, although I agree Layton is the obvious choice for the big heroic death.

...but maybe they'll go against expectations and have him survive. I also wouldn't be surprised if Melanie dies instead.

I likewise wasn't surprised by the Nima reveal. It makes perfect sense, especially in regards to nurture vs. nature. That said, I emphatically disagree with Nima's suggestion that you can't escape your blood connection.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

As promised, we got our happy ending...and without any more deaths (Nima aside...). Who would've thought preventing an even worse apocalypse all came down to a metal pin (that was conveniently easy to pull out quickly!)? I love that the series ended with one final (and long overdue) performance from Audrey before panning out to a faraway blooming of hope.

Instead of one last final bloodbath, the last uprising through the train concluded without anyone dying (...except that one guy that Ruth gutted at the onset!), going against all expectations and I'm grateful for it. Zarah's and Ben's deaths were enough and I greatly appreciate the series showed restraint. It even allowed Josie to hold onto her soul by sparing Mrs. Headwood.

Speaking of Ruth, what I sight to behold in seeing her leading the charge up the train. It's amazing how far she and so many other characters (Boki, Oz, Sykes, and probably a few others I'm forgetting) have come since the early days of the original uprising. It's in this moment that I'm a little sad that LJ didn't live long enough to find her own peace. Perhaps she was already too far gone?

I also loved the small tribute to those past fallen. Old Ivan. Mama Grandé. The Last Australian. Pike. Fallen but not forgotten...and yet, poor Jinju remains forgotten.

The show was far from perfect but, man, I loved the incredible journey we went through with these amazing characters. I look forward to revisiting the show some day in the future to see just how well the show holds up as a whole.

 

[Commander Troi]

I was just as glad we didn't have a huge bloodbath and gave them something of a happy ending.