Wilford seizes a chance to raise morale. Ruth discovers a threat which might undo all she and the Resistance have worked for.

After a running start, things continue apace in this week’s Snowpiercer, which has great moments and… well, frankly weird moments, if I’m being honest. Mr Wilford has never been the most stable of people but one particular scene this week really makes me wonder about the man’s actual grip on sanity.

On Snowpiercer however, it’s Layton’s sanity which is called into question by Till when he decides to share with her the content of the dream/vision he keeps having about a tree. It’s a very specific type of tree and may have a very specific connection to their mission. But it’s still just a dream, and having risked so much so far to follow him, you can understand why Bess may feel a little worried.

As to their new arrival, in a stroke of narrative convenience she speaks English, so they’re able to learn from her how she survived, how long she’s been stuck in a nuclear plant on her own and what her deal is. Given her particular knowledge and expertise she may well prove useful to the ongoing mission, and god knows they need all the help they can get.

Meanwhile on the main train, Wilford is hard at work on a new weapon that might somewhat foreshorten the coming inevitable conflict with Layton and his crew. Ruth discovers that something is up and manages to get word to the Resistance, but they’re operating on borrowed time by this point and when Ruth takes an enormous risk it only serves to speed that clock along. It’s been an absolute delight watching Ruth discover her inner steel over season 2 and it’s no less so here. It’s highly ironic to think that the woman who oversaw an amputation in the pilot episode is now a heroine of the Resistance but in absolute fairness she’s earned it and she proves that conclusively here.

When some happier news is brought to him, Wilford can’t help himself but use it as a tool. What’s perhaps worse is how one of the people directly impacted reacts. Not because it’s particularly out of character for them overall but because you had half an impression that perhaps they had changed a little bit. This ultimately proves that they really haven’t, and I have a feeling that is a thread which will be comprehensively pulled as this season plays out.

Overall, it does exactly what it needs to, and the final scene before the credits establishes that we are right back into the thick of the conflict. Who will win this round? Only time will tell.

Verdict: Weird moments, high drama and plenty of surprises. Snowpiercer is right on track. 9/10

Greg D. Smith