Abhiroop Das
Apple TV’s science-fiction series ‘Silo’ steps beyond being a close adaptation of Hugh Howey’s trilogy in season 3, carving out a new arc for Juliette. After surviving the return journey to Silo 18, Juliette is heralded as a messianic figure, but the only problem is that she doesn’t seem to remember a thing, and has no means to save the people, even if a part of her subconscious nags her to. In the previous episode, Juliette breaks free of the Order’s manipulation and makes a run for the Down Deep, eventually remembering just enough to reaccess a secret passage only she and George knew of. However, at the bottom of this opening, she is met with none other than Bernard, who is injured but alive. This episode, titled ‘Memory,’ answers the burning questions of the time, leading up to a cathartic moment for fans and Juliette alike. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Juliette Finds a Secret Ally in the Form of Robet Sims
‘Silo’ season 3 episode 5 begins with a flashback to the real version of what happened after the season 2 finale. As the fire rages on inside the closed chamber, Shirley, Knox, and the rest of Juliette’s friends break the door open, somehow extinguishing the flame. Both Juliette and Bernard are rescued alive, and an elaborate pulley is constructed to get them down to safety, as people at every level watch with a mix of awe and disbelief. What this doesn’t explain, however, is how Bernard landed here, in the deepest bits of the Down Deep, whereas Juliette today stands as the town’s mayor. Before Bernard can explain, Robert Sims himself steps out of the shadows, confirming that the glimpse of him we see in episode 4 isn’t a random hallucination.
Robert’s account of the story serves to flip our entire understanding of the events thus far. Far from being Juliette’s sworn enemy, he is actually one of her biggest allies, and it all begins with a clash between him and Camille. After Bernard is found alive, the Order commands Camille to put an end to his life, and Robert is put up to the task. Though he does go through with the entire strangulation procedure, he stops at the last second, cutting open the plastic bag and letting Bernard live. The reason? Bernard’s final words before this are about getting Juliette’s help in saving Silo 18, as she alone knows how to stop, or at least stall the silo from turning into a gas chamber. However, with no memory of the past, Juliette becomes a work-in-progress, one who needs everyone on board.
Shirley, Knox and the Outsiders Join the Cause as One
Using his connections, Robert secures Bernard underground, where no officer has ever walked before. Next, he sets his friends to plant the idea of Juliette becoming the silo’s mayor, securing not only that she lives, but also that she is close to him at all times. Though Camille and the Order seem to prefer Juliette as the easy-to-manipulate figurehead for now, behind closed doors, Robert brings together a team of allies who can help jog her memory. Their biggest accomplishment so far is a small box full of Juliette’s belongings, including relics like the page from the nature book. While all of these stimulate independent images in Juliette’s head, nothing comes together to make a fuller picture, rendering this exercise null.
Elsewhere, Shirley, Knox, and the others sit down with Martha Walker, who turns out to be one of Robert’s allies. The discussion isn’t about Juliette’s well-being, however, as Martha at last reveals to the group the truth about the Silos, and that there are about 50 of them. The news is enough to shatter Shirley and Knox’s worldview instantly, but it doesn’t take them long to realize that Juliette likely went to one of these silos and found out the truth about the world. As they head down with this renewed knowledge to meet Roberts, yet another party shows up. The Outsiders, who have had a change of heart since talking to Lucas Kyle, find themselves directionless but able, which makes them a perfect addition to Robert’s team.
Juliette Remembers What She Must Do to Save Silo 18
For now, the common enemy of this little group is none other than Camille, though accepting that is still hard for Robert. Having kept Bernard’s existence a secret from her thus far, he intends to continue working from the shadows till Juliette regains her memories. Robert believes that the Order’s forceful use of Vitamin D+ will likely trigger another memory reset for the world, one where he might not even remember his son, and vice versa. Though he blames Camille for this, Bernard, who was formerly in the same position, is quick to defend her, bringing up the enormous weight of holding on to that responsibility. However, with Juliette not having anything concrete to remember, the plan has to be on hold for now, and with that, she makes her return journey upwards.
Though Robert’s job is to escort her upstairs without raising any suspicions, he cannot help but break down mid-way. Juliette’s intervention has unintentionally served as a way to renew and strengthen his bond with his son, and Robert wants to thank her for that. He has secretly been using George’s PEZ dispenser relic as a comfort toy for him and his son, but now Robert feels that it’s time to return it to Juliette. In a surprise turn, this does the trick, as holding the relic reminds Juliette of the message George left on it, and with that, the dam breaks, and memories flood in. Juliette now remembers the poison and how to stop it, but some details still remain. As Camille closes in, Juliette rushes downstairs, with Robert betting it all on this moment. From there, we make a sharp cut to the past, where Daniel and Helen are still driving towards the friend’s location, when the car suddenly takes control of itself, driving the duo likely to their doom.
Read More: Is it Possible to Live Outside the Silo?
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