Having seized control of Snowpiercer, Wilford sets about consolidating his power, attempting to split those who stood against him and rule by fear.

It’s difficult to say too much about any of the specifics of plot for this episode, partly to avoid spoilers and partly because it’s quite a focused episode, understandably, concentrating mainly on Wilford’s newfound authority and how he chooses to exercise it.

Unsurprisingly, Layton is directly punished, sent to work in the ‘Compost Room’ on Big Alice because Wilford, like all sadists, lacks imagination or subtlety. To him, it’s quite clearly the best and biggest joke to have his former rival tumble down from the highs of ruling Snowpiercer to shovelling literal shit, but if he thinks he’s got his opponent broken, then he’s underestimated him.

Others receive more circumspect treatment. Wilford decides to organise a carnival for the entertainment of the train at large, while running an ‘intimate dinner’ with him for ‘lucky ticket winners’ which is about as randomly selected as usual. Getting Zarah, Bess, Ruth and LJ (with Ossweiler) in a room together to try to divide and rule his new empire doesn’t quite work out the way he intends though. One person in particular is a real revelation here, standing up for the principles they have in the face of Wilford’s assertion that Melanie is gone and they won’t be stopping for her.

Across the train, there’s other measures as well which serve to give notice that changes are imminent. Wilford’s intent is order through fear, and there’s plenty of that doing the rounds for sure. But while he continues to enclose the population of Snowpiercer in the iron fist of his authority, he fails to recognise the very thing which may undo him – the loyalties and friendships which drove the rebellion in the first place. It’s possible that he may be underestimating his opponents every bit as much as Layton underestimated him.

Meanwhile, Josie continues to explore her new abilities, guided by the Headwoods. This is the first element in which the plot starts to go slightly askew for me – it was clear that Wilford intended his own designs when he offered to ‘cure’ Josie’s extensive injuries from frostbite. What’s less clear is why he thinks she will go along with his actual plans for her. It seems a misstep, plotting wise.

Though not as big a one as a sudden change of character from Alex which comes pretty much from nowhere. Sure, Wilford has been taunting her about her mother and does so particularly callously here, but the rapidity and totality of the volte face by her character here is very odd indeed.

That said, overall it’s an excellent episode and one which sets up the finale very well indeed. As the rendezvous with Melanie (which we know they’ll miss) comes inexorably closer, things are set to get very interesting once again on Snowpiercer.

Verdict: Mostly strong with a couple of odd decisions which let down the narrative cohesion slightly. 8/10

Greg D. Smith