Even though just one season has come out so far, we can definitely say Silo is one of the best sci-fi show adaptations of all time. Apple TV+ brought Hugh Howey’s Wool book to life faithfully and was praised by critics and audiences alike last year. Now the fan-favorite show is returning with a new season 2 later this week. Therefore, before you stream the first episode of the second season, here is a brief recap of Silo season 1 to learn everything you must know before season 2 arrives.
Spoiler Warning: This post includes heavy spoilers for Silo Season 1.
The Mysterious World of Silo
As the show begins, we are dropped into this vast world where around 10,000 people live in a Silo which is buried deep under the ground. Just like the people who live here, we don’t know anything and aren’t given enough detail about this mysterious place. But we know one thing for sure, the outside world is said to be deadly where humans can’t live.
Thus, everyone is bound to live in this apartment-like structure that goes upside down and is governed by a Judicial Department. More importantly, people have to abide by their rules called “The Pact” and anyone who wishes to go outside gets their death wish granted. Also, no one should attempt to research things from the outside world (relics) such as hard drives, books, etc as it is forbidden.
We don’t know who built the Silo. We do not know why everything outside the Silo is as it is. We do not know when it will be safe to go outside. We only know that that day is not this day.
At first, we see the world from the shoes of Sheriff Holston Becker who has a normal life here with his wife Allison Becker. But as they try to give birth to a baby, his wife finds out that there are people (higher-ups) who decide who should become parents here. It just doesn’t stop there as she finds out the hidden truth about their lives in the silo from a hard drive which was with a guy named George. The creators slowly revealed to everyone that people are being secretly watched by someone who plays god here.
Allison tries to make her husband understand the truth but in the process, she opts to go out. She inevitably dies after reaching the outside world as seen through the display equipped with a camera in the cafeteria. His wife’s disappearance sends Sheriff Holston down a rabbit hole where during one of his investigations he meets Juliette Nichols (a mechanic) down in the Mechanical department. Juliette claimed that his friend George (the computer guy Allison met earlier) was murdered when people said he committed suicide. Silo focuses on the lives of these characters who prove the fact that human curiosity to find the truth can’t be stopped by anyone at any cost.
Juliette Nichols’ Reign as the New Sheriff
Holtson’s investigation after his wife’s passing leads him to new clues and information. He agrees to help Juliette find the truth about her friend’s death. But Holston unfortunately follows his wife’s path as he calls out loud to go outside. He meets the same end beside her as soon as he steps outside. But as his final wish, he appoints Juliette Nichols as the next sheriff and leaves his sheriff badge with the word truth inscribed on the back. While she initially rejects it, she accepts the offer later on to discover the truth about George’s death.
It was revealed later that George and Juliette were in love. The former sought forbidden knowledge about the Silo and the outside world which resulted in his death. But the question of how and why took Juliette into a string of investigations of her colleague’s death (mayor and deputy). Each incident leads her to find clues left by the ex-Sheriff Bolston along with her new deputy Billings (the Judicial’s choice for the new sheriff). With the help of the relics, Juliette slowly learns that their lives in the Silo have been a whole lie as Judge Meadows was just a figurehead and someone was pulling the strings and playing them like a puppet from the shadows.
While she thought Mr. Sims (head of security) to be the secret leader, Bernard Holland (head of IT and Interim Mayor) was revealed to be the shadow ruler who has been controlling everything in the penultimate moment. As he gets exposed, Bernard made it clear that Juliette is a threat to Silo and claims that she wanted to go out (but Juliette didn’t utter those words) to eliminate her.
The Truth
When Juliette tried to expose the lies to the people in Silo with the help of a hacker, her efforts ultimately went in vain. Bernard as the head of IT had access to everything to stop the broadcast and ended up catching her. Juliette accepted his offer and she agreed to go outside to clean in return Bernard showed the clip of her boyfriend’s death. It is revealed that George indeed committed suicide which led to the series’ events like a domino.
“I’m not afraid” – Juliette Nichols
All the lives of the characters we have met so far are intertwined and only Juliette was left alive to reveal the truth. Even though Bernard has won the game and though he put an end to a threat, he didn’t achieve what he wanted The judicial has been purposefully letting the cleaners die by providing a faulty tape that lets the toxic air inside. Fortunately, Juliette was equipped with a suit with better heat tapes. It’s all thanks to her friend Walker who made the supplier switch the faulty ones with her better tapes.
Juliette remarked she wasn’t afraid as she stepped out of the Silo. She refused to clean the camera and was able to witness the real dystopian world as the fake footage glitched. Unlike the other cleaners who stumbled to death, Juliette was able to walk well and alive. In the end, it is showcased that there are multiple silos (more than 40) built around the one we have been following so far.
So, we are left with more mysteries to uncover in season 2 which is coming out this week. I still wonder how Juliette will survive. will she enter a new silo? or how can she return? etc. But I’m sure we will learn more answers to the mysteries in the upcoming season. That said, are you planning to watch Silo season 2? Let us know in the comments below.
Aparna Ukil
