Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 8 Review: By Weeping Cross
Big Alice fortifies its perimeter in anticipation of an impending attack from Nima on Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 8, “By Weeping Cross.”
Slowing the pace a bit before the episode’s final moments, mostly everyone is given an opportunity for reunification, rest, and reassurance that survival is possible.
Audrey and Till embrace one another after a lengthy stint apart, Layton and Josie live to see another day thanks to a familiar face, and everyone at New Eden makes one final toast.
Where Have You Been, Buddy?
As we enjoy a more relaxed episode, compared to others this season, there aren’t a terrible amount of monumental moments. However, Roche’s reappearance and saving of Layton, Josie, and Liana is a definite highlight, no matter the lingering questions.
Roche has been a center point for many pivotal moments throughout the series, so his return is of great importance.
Their beginning days at New Eden would have looked much different without his authority and the rest of the crew members’ respect for him. Even with Ruth in charge, his leadership skills came in handy to keep everyone in check.
These qualities exemplify why it’s so disappointing that we aren’t given a clear explanation of his whereabouts.
Roche’s aura makes it easy for him to light up a room and ease tension where needed without much effort, and it’s nice to see that in effect. But, it doesn’t make up for the secretiveness of what happened to him.
We want to assume there’s some truth to the wild story he tells in hopes of lifting spirits among those at New Eden, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. After spending a prolonged time in the elements alone and returning in a hellcat without explanations, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s been compromised, even with him saving Layton and Josie.
It’s doubtful Roche is turned into a treacherous character in the last moments of the season, but without a clear explanation of where he’s been, there’s no telling what’s to come.
A Reunion for the Ages
Fixating on Till and Audrey’s relationship, allowing them to relax and enjoy each other’s presence, is the best aspect of “By Weeping Cross.” That sentiment still rings true even though Audrey has trouble fully immersing herself in her current reality.
She was once the bombshell beauty with the vocals of an angel in the night car everyone loved to tune in for. Now, with her disfiguration from Milius and his soldiers, she’s dealing with body dysmorphia and doesn’t want to face those in New Eden, afraid of what the response might be.
Till to Audrey: Look, I’ve never been a hopeful person, and things don’t tend to go my way, but you taught me anything is possible. So, I don’t give a shit how bad it gets or how hard it is because we’re going to make it. I know it.
After fighting prevalently to reunite with Audrey, it’s beautiful to witness the two persevere through the apocalyptic conditions and experience what could be their final days together.
Hopefully, before the closing moments of the finale, we will see Audrey back in the night car one last time, reliving the days when she got to focus on what she loved.
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Ending with Nima’s soldiers raiding New Eden, situations become direr, with only two episodes left in the series. Could we be saying goodbye to another main character before the final moments? Or potentially multiple beloved characters? It doesn’t look like the option is off the table.
Stray Thoughts:
- It doesn’t go unnoticed that after four years of the series, it finally delivers an opening monologue in another language, and it’s long overdue!
- I’m not sure why I continue to get my hopes up, expecting Melanie to appear, even after her long-awaited arrival last week. At this point, I doubt we’ll see her for more than 10 minutes in the final two episodes.
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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Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.