Snowpiercer Review: First, the Weather Changed (Season 1 Episode 1)
Fewer shows have had more trouble coming from concept to screen than Snowpiercer. The development and subsequent redevelopment of the property based on the 2013 film has been a long process. Finally, May 17th, 2020 marks the culmination of that drawn-out process.
Snowpiercer Season 1 Episode 1, “First, the Weather Changed,” displays an interesting concept and stunning visuals. Though very different from the film on which it was based in terms of characters, some of the political undertones (and overtones) from the film are very much present.
Snowpiercer‘s greatest strength is that the characters feel rich and layered, all the more for viewers to dig into over the course of 10 episodes. The leads, Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly, are both compelling from the start and it’s obvious they have depth and rich histories. “First, the Weather Changed” simply provides hints and glimpses as to who these characters are, and seems to have great potential.
Snowpiercer is also filled with strong guest and (what I assume will be) recurring performances, highlighted by The Walking Dead‘s Steven Ogg and Breaking Bad‘s Mark Margolis. Putting people in the “jail” is a clever way to have a recurring character not appear in every episode while they’re supposed to be in tight quarters.
“First, the Weather Changed” is by no means a perfect pilot, but what worries me more is the direction they seem to be taking.
Whether you agree with it or not, the Snowpiercer film is an allegory about class warfare, income inequality, and climate change. This is present in “First, the Weather Changed,” but feels a little didactic and forced.
Additionally, the fact that Andre Layton (Diggs) is a homicide detective feels like they’re setting up a basic cable procedural drama. Though technically this IS basic cable, a post-apocalyptic survivor story on a huge train rooted in climate change and class allegory seems like it could be richer than “TNT procedural.”
The procedural introduction and the allegorical undertones feel a little conflicting at this point. The point of doing Snowpiercer should be to do the latter, and the former feels like an attempt to get the average viewer to pay attention week-to-week.
It remains to be seen whether the show will focus on the rich characters and their potential, or they’ll lean too heavily into the procedural elements.
All told, the Snowpiercer premiere has some really strong and promising elements and other middling ones. Hopefully they’ll lean into their strengths to make for a compelling series.
A few stray thoughts:
- (SPOILERS) Jennifer Connelly turning out to BE Mr. Wilford is one of the better hooks from the end of a pilot I’ve seen in awhile.
- Always good to see Alison Wright from The Americans, She didn’t have a ton to do on this episode, but I’m anticipating big things.
- Mark Margolis gives a fantastic one-off performance. So much so that I’m hopeful he may return via flashback at some point.
What did you think of this episode of Snowpiercer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Snowpiercer airs Sundays at 9/8c on TNT.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.
One thought on “Snowpiercer Review: First, the Weather Changed (Season 1 Episode 1)”
that show is AWFULL
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