As First Class becomes distracted by a startling revelation, the Tailie Rebellion begins. Can Melanie Cavill possibly keep a lid on all this for much longer?

The previous episode showed us that Melanie is a complex character, capable of acts of immense cruelty in order to protect the status quo of the Train, but suffering immensely under the mental pressure of carrying those acts out. This time around, she finally runs out of room to manoeuvre as Layton’s revelation of her secret traps her from all sides. What’s instructive is how she responds.

It’s impossible to know whether the things she says to one of those she finds turned against her are true, or simply part of the façade that she cannot afford to let go. But they have the ring of truth about them, and certainly would explain both her capabilities and some of what have seemed the ‘odder’ parts of her personality to this point if they were. We also get to see the true colours of several other of the people around her in this episode, and it ain’t all pretty.

But it’s also true that her actions hold to the central tenet that’s been clear from the start – that she values Snowpiercer and its mission above all else, even her own safety. Trapped in a situation from which she cannot escape, her first thought is always the continued safety of the Train itself and its ongoing mission of preservation.

Meanwhile at the other end of the train, the revolution proper begins while First are occupied with their own business, led by Layton who is now a man on a very specific mission. Standing alongside him on that mission is Till, who has proved to be one of the most interesting characters of the show to date, and who sacrifices an awful lot to join this rebellion. A confrontation with the other Brakemen led by Roche shows exactly the reason Layton is so revered among his own, able to think and speak as well as he can fight.

And boy is there fighting. This is easily the most graphically brutal episode yet (and that in itself is saying something) with hard, messy close quarters combat as the revolution pushes its bloody way further and further through the Train. It bears mentioning that a lot of this takes place in scenes involving a lot of black and white flashing, which may make for headaches and uncomfortable viewing for some. It also serves somehow to emphasise the gruesome details of what’s happening.

There’s a surprise at the end that I genuinely didn’t see coming, and as the credits roll, it certainly seems that the revolution has momentum. Whether it can carry that through to a total victory, and what might happen next if it does, are questions I look forward to seeing answered.

Verdict: Brutal, unflinching and fascinating. It’s certainly made its mark for me. 8/10

Greg D. Smith