Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 6 Review: Bell the Cat

Taking a step back and slowing the pace, Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 6, “Bell the Cat,” focuses on the forging of new alliances in hopes of survival.

Layton must decide between taking out his frustrations on Wilford or joining forces to make a timely escape, new revelations in Nima’s experiments are exposed, and Milius’ frustrations grow to new levels.

Meanwhile, Till and Ruth must overcome their emotions and calm the nerves amidst Big Alice after Ben’s death. Back in New Eden, Oz, Javi, and Sykes are on the hunt for Roche while simultaneously trying to ensure the survival of everyone without the engine.

An Unsavory Alliance

Wilford has never been one to shy away from the spotlight or bite his tongue to avoid being heard. While that lifestyle might have been welcomed aboard the Snowpiercer and Big Alice, he vastly underestimates the lengths Milius will go to achieve his goals.

After his time trying to butter up to the soldiers, it all comes back to bite Wilford in the face when the lower levels, alongside Layton and the group of scientists trapped by Milius, become his new living quarters.

Despite being knocked down a peg and given a fraction of the beating he’s owed from Layton, Wilford still finds a way to rope Layton into doing his bidding by using Liana, and frankly, it’s tiring.

The entire situation with Layton and Wilford joining forces to escape Milius’ clutches feels too much like a redemption arc for Wilford. I enjoy a good performance from Sean Bean as much as the next person, but Wilford’s return is the biggest mistake of the season, behind Melanie’s absence.

My only hope for this union is Layton’s betrayal and attempt at getting revenge for Wilford’s horrific actions throughout the series. Even if Wilford’s connection with Wolf comes in handy for their escape from Milius next week. 

Torture by Foot

Never in a million years would I expect to see a bit of bondage play turning into semi-torture with the landscape of this final season, but it turns out to be one of the best parts of “Bell the Cat.”

The most admirable characteristic of the entire interaction is the drive behind Oz’s actions. Stumbling upon Whiggins would’ve never happened if Roche hadn’t gone missing, and this exploration for him would not have occurred if Roche hadn’t practiced humility and patience with Oz in prior episodes.

Everyone worries about Roche and his livelihood, but Oz is the only one compelled enough to endure the rough terrain of the snowy mountainside to find him because of the bond they’ve formed.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hesitant towards Oz’s intentions in his beginning interactions with Whiggins. However, he quickly wins me over when it’s apparent his actions are a ruse to get pertinent information from Whiggins.

His perseverance leads him to find the truth of Milius’ plans to bomb the mountainside and bury everyone in an avalanche, which is single-handedly the reason why everyone in New Eden may live past the series finale.

After the lengths he’s gone to retrieve his friend, I hope the series gives us a sentimental moment between Oz and Roche once he’s located.

Stray Thoughts:

• Snowpiercer isn’t the type of show that heavily focuses on the passengers’ deaths; instead, it attempts to move relatively quickly to portray the series’ raw grittiness. That said, for storyline sake, there could have been some flashback scenes of Ben with those closest to him intermixed throughout as they said their goodbyes on Big Alice.
• Going almost the entire season without spending any real time with Melanie and having her come back into the picture only to be the savior for all is an abysmal decision. If there wasn’t time for Jennifer Connelly to film or Melanie was never expected to be a pivotal piece of this last season, they should have killed her off. The thrill of survival would be much more compelling if the weight of the responsibility were upon Alex and Layton instead. 
• Layton’s first interactions with the scientists of the lower level almost feel like a moment in a horror film, and I wish there were more aspects of the genre incorporated into the series.

What did you think of this episode of Snowpiercer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Snowpiercer airs Sundays at 10/9c on AMC.

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