Snowpiercer Review: A Great Odyssey (Season 2 Episode 3)
Snowpiercer is continuing down the track, chugging full steam ahead (puns intended). The stakes are higher than ever and the tensions rises with every episode.
Snowpiercer Season 2 Episode 3, “A Great Odyssey,” manages (far better than its predecessor) to navigate the growing tensions between Wilford loyalists and Layton’s followers, and even some shifting sides or changing allegiances.
“A Great Odyssey” details the events leading up to Melanie leaving the train for a weather station, in hopes of monitoring Earth’s activity and establishing an off-train colony. This story creates several interesting layers.
For one, Wilford clearly wants Melanie off the train. He underestimates her relationship with Layton at first and feels threatened by her, so he sees this as an opportunity to campaign to the people of Snowpiercer unfettered.
In addition to that, Wilford feels threatened that Alex and Melanie’s relationship is growing. Jennifer Connelly and Rowan Blanchard have put together some truly powerful scenes, particularly in “A Great Odyssey” that makes viewers truly feel the sting of their separation. But again — it benefits Wilford and he clearly wants Melanie gone.
Sean Bean gives a truly layered performance on “A Great Odyssey.” His performance shows flashes of his obvious darkness, but also the political savvy that makes him so beloved. Wilford is a truly compelling character, and his arrival couldn’t be more timely for Snowpiercer as a series.
Circling back — Jennifer Connelly and Rowan Blanchard’s evolving relationship as Alex and Melanie is truly a compelling piece of “A Great Odyssey” and the whole of Season 2 thus far. Alex opening up is byproduct of Melanie’s reckoning, which is being honest and true to herself, rather than putting on airs for the train.
The entire Alex/Melanie dynamic through the whole episode builds to their embrace at the end, before Melanie leaves. It works — it’s very powerful and illustrates the growing level of respect and comfort between them.
Melanie’s new attitude also shows itself to Ruth, when Melanie assures her that she can trust Layton. Their moment is so raw and real. Jennifer Connelly is great on this show, but Alison Wright truly does NOT get enough credit for the incredible work she does on Snowpiercer.
Finally, “A Great Odyssey” manages to disguise the political build-up from the stronger character moments and focus on Melanie. Josie’s consciousness leads to some serious discussion and foreshadowing of forthcoming political unrest, and that there may even be a third side in the coming conflicts (Wilford, Layton, Disenfranchised). Till’s investigation gives hints, too, and each character moment contributes to the slow simmer of political conflict soon to boil over.
A few stray thoughts:
- Terence and Pike make for a wonderful pairing. I’m glad to see them getting screen time.
- “Big Alice is a Ben free zone”
- Telling Ruth that Kevin is “ill” has multiple layers. It’s dark, but also totally believable because I, too, am “ill” after rapidly consuming buffalo wings.
- The two trains driving through the mountains is VERY tense. One of the best elements of this show — they build tension well.
What did you think of this episode of Snowpiercer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Snowpiercer airs Mondays 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.