Snowpiercer Review: Trouble Comes Sideways (Season 1 Episode 6)
Snowpiercer has struggled to this point with finding real stakes. Until now, nothing has really threatened the formula of the show.
Snowpiercer Season 1 Episode 6, “Trouble Comes Sideways,” gives viewers a first taste of true excitement by way of raising the stakes. There is an engineering issue that causes a train car to come loose.
When you really think about it — of course the train was never in any true danger. This is supposed to be what is left of humanity living together on a train, I don’t suppose the train will actually fail anytime soon. But for the first time on Snowpiercer, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and pulse pounding action brought on by the imminent failure of the train.
“Trouble Comes Sideways” starts out in normal (whatever that is) Snowpiercer fashion, exploring the class systems and Melanie trying to squash a coming work stoppage. This is certainly the most on the nose reference to modern society. But then “Trouble Comes Sideways” (see what I did there?).
Even though only third class is involved with the impending work stoppage, the whole train is quickly frightened by the state of emergency they enter. Which does beg the question: did Melanie plan this?
There is no hint of her planning something like this in the episode, but it makes me wonder if this isn’t the most on-the-nose reference to our modern society that Snowpiercer has made thus far. Let me explain — they were about to have a work stoppage due to some negative reactions to the commutation of LJ’s sentence. Conveniently, the train comes under a lot of stress right after “Mr. Wilford” has made some threats.
So was it planned? There’s no hint of that. But it is reflective of our society in the sense that events like that can distract from others, despite the seriousness of both (like protests from a pandemic, and so on).
Still, the train in danger combined with Layton’s escape story is easily the most thrilling episode Snowpiercer has done to date. The excitement is palpable from the viewer perspective. They’ve tried excitement from several different angles thus far, but this one really works.
It shouldn’t go without mention, but Daveed Diggs may be at his best form thus far on “Trouble Comes Sideways.” Coming out of stasis causes anger and confusion and to see him succumb to that is extremely compelling. Even though it has the least social relevance, Layton’s escape is the best story from this episode.
A few stray thoughts:
- I continue to be surprised by the brazen nudity on this show. It just keeps turning out to be more than I expect from a basic cable show. Maybe it’s been awhile since I’ve seen a basic cable show.
- I appreciate that Layton doesn’t sit on the secret of Mr. Wilford. He immediately tells Josie, which bodes well for the continued rising of stakes.
- Alison Wright got some actual work to do on this episode and it’s GREAT!
- Josie and Zarah’s conflict is one worth exploring further.
- Even during a crisis – LJ is still a psychopath.
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.