Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 7 Review: A Moth to a Flame

Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 7, “A Moth to a Flame,” wraps up one problem while introducing another to build momentum for the final episodes.

From beginning to end, the episode engages the audience, focuses on key plot points, and delivers unexpected turns that leave viewers reeling.

Melanie finally makes her long-awaited appearance, Layton and Wilford work to escape their captivity on the third floor, and Nima shows his true colors.

Trading in Two Problems for Another

Milius and Wilford have simultaneously been pains in the ass for our beloved leading characters, with me fantasizing about their deaths weekly. However, “A Moth to a Flame” exceeds expectations by tackling both problems in one swift sequence.

Despite the impending doom in the distance, thanks to Nima’s newfound position, Wilford and Milius’ deaths feel almost cathartic.

After spending the past four years dealing with Wilford, his atrocious actions, care for no one but himself, and secret motivations, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cheer at my screen as he takes his last breath. The only hesitations deriving from his death are how tame it is compared to the violence he’s inflicted heavily upon those relying on him in the past.

If anyone deserves to suffer, it’s Wilford. But, in true fashion, he gets the last word and last laugh, even in his final moments.

As for Milius, his death is fitting and one he certainly deserves. Despite us getting the much-needed pivotal moment in his past that explains why he is the way he is in the present day, it almost feels redundant.

All the flashback does is solidify that our feelings toward Milius have been warranted. We already know that his role in the series is that of a villain, and his actions have not hidden that fact.

Repairing What He Destroyed

“A Moth to a Flame” drives home the point that the series’ end quickly approaches by tackling one vital plot point after another. Nima inadvertently reveals to Melanie that he was the one who caused the great freeze, which comes as a pivotal moment for the plot, but it’s not one of pure shock.

Nima has made multiple comments, whether alone or in conversations with Milius, alluding to his part in the world coming to an end. So, it isn’t necessarily the jaw-dropping moment the series sets it up as.

In fact, his switching sides so swiftly after spending portions of the episode worrying about how Melanie will react feels out of place. He’s been adamant about not hurting civilians, being open about research, and not wanting to step on Melanie’s toes all season.

Suddenly, all that flies out the window the second Milius and Wilford are gone. It’ll be interesting to see how the dynamic between him and everyone changes in these final episodes. 

Putting Michael Aronov in a different capacity after being in more of a subdued role all season gives him a chance to showcase the various layers of skills in his bag, and I’m excited to see him deliver.

Missing Woman Found!

In an episode revolving around many fast-moving plot points and working to wrap portions of storylines up, it’s nice to see Ben’s death grieved by Melanie. It would be easy for the series to introduce this fact and skip past it as the pacing doesn’t completely fit in with the episode, but it makes it exponentially better.

Melanie has spent months collecting data to save the world, under the impression she’ll get to return to him, only to have Ben ripped away in her absence. Jennifer Connelly’s gut-wrenching performance when she learns of his death makes it even more significant and emotional.

The bond between Alex and Melanie is also a highlight. Scenes between the two have been rare this season, and with the final moments of “A Moth to a Flame,” it feels safe to assume we won’t be getting much more in the final episodes.

This episode has real potential to be the season’s pinnacle. The bar has been set high, and the next three episodes have a lot to live up to.

Stray Thoughts:

• It doesn’t come as much of a shock that Layton, Josie, and Liana are all left for dead in the same episode when they finally reunite. In previous seasons, it would feel safe to say neither character is in danger of dying, but that’s not the case as the series comes to a close. My only hope is that Layton makes it out of the season alive.
• We need to spend more time in New Eden next week. As much as I love the developments with snowpiercer and the potential earth-saving cure, there needed to be more time spent focusing on those sweeping the tracks for additional explosives.

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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