Silo Season 3 Episode 1 Review: A New Mayor in Charge

Silo Season 3 Episode 1, “Who Are You,” perfectly sets the tone of where we find these characters three months after the events of the season 2 finale.

Now living with amnesia after barely surviving the incinerator, we find Juliette as the new mayor of silo 18, voted into office during her recovery process.

Despite the struggles that come with amnesia and the need to navigate her role as a leader, she’s not letting them deter her from her goal: regaining her memories.

Elsewhere, the series is finally shedding light on the events leading up to the creation of the silos 300 years prior.

New Leadership in the Silo

“Who Are You?” is a slower start to the season, detailing all the new changes, and setting up the current climate within silo 18.

Outside of Juliette forgetting everything she once knew, Camille has taken over as head of IT, replacing Bernard. However, instead of dying at the hands of the flames of the incinerator, we now know Bernard’s last breath is cut short by Robert.

It’s no secret that their relationship was not in the best state at the conclusion of last season, so the revelation of Bernard’s death isn’t much of a surprise.

In fact, Robert is likely the character viewers will want to keep an eye on this season. He and Camille might be in a loving relationship, but near the end of season 2, it became abundantly clear that he wanted the power that came with being Bernard’s successor.

With Camille assuming the position he sought instead, and getting guidance from The Algorithm, it’ll be interesting to see how Robert’s feelings evolve throughout the season. Could we see the two eventually develop into foes? Or will Robert grow to overcome his need for power?

Either way, the Sims are in for a world of hurt once Juliette remembers the truth. And thankfully, it doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait long for her to start resisting and questioning Camille’s orders, as she announces toward the end of the episode that she remembers entering another silo.

Despite implanting false memories to keep Juliette’s mind in a permanent haze, there’s nothing Camille and The Algorithm can do to get rid of the natural determination inside of her. Being complacent has never been part of Juliette’s character, and a little amnesia isn’t going to change her natural curiosity.

A Family Distraught

The most gut-wrenching moments on “Who Are You,” by far, are the interactions between Juliette and her forgotten loved ones. Not only can she not remember them, but her every move is also being watched, which leaves little room for free conversation.

Everywhere Juliette goes, she has someone attached to her hip, making it that much harder for Shirley and Knox to attempt to connect with her. It’s not stopping them from trying, though. That effort is made evident through Knox’s questioning as they descend the staircase, and Juliette finds the secret note in her food tray.

Rebecca Ferguson has natural charisma, making the chemistry she shares with her co-stars that much more electrifying. I’m very much looking forward to Juliette regaining her memories, because I already know that Ferguson is going to deliver one of the best performances of the season.

The ultimate goal for fans might be to uncover the truth about the silo, but it’s the emotional connections between these characters and actors that keep the audience coming back.

A Look Into the Past

One of the more intriguing aspects of the new season is the Before Times storyline. It follows Daniel, a congressman from Georgia; Charlotte, his sister; and Helen, an investigative journalist, as they work separately to learn the nitty-gritty of Iran’s involvement in a dirty bomb detonating in the United States.

Providing a sense of urgency and a deeper connection to the matter, Charlotte is a naval aviator with a direct role in the retaliation mission against Iran.

However, as we quickly learn, the United States has no clue what they’re truly up against. It’s still unclear exactly what we see Charlotte and her fellow pilots fly through, but it’s evident it’s no ordinary cloud.

Rather, an electrical storm that caused their previously fired missiles to detonate on the wrong target, and their aircraft to crash-land. In the same dilemma as Juliette, Charlotte is left with a bout of amnesia after a traumatic brain injury.

With very few answers available, the Before Times timeline is undoubtedly going to be the most fascinating for fans to explore as the season unfolds.

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While “Who Are You” does an impeccable job at answering a slew of questions, it leaves plenty for the viewers’ imagination.

Stray Thoughts:

• Unlike in season 2, where The Algorithm spoke more like an AI bot, this season, it’s conversing in a more human-like tone. Could this be a hint at someone within the government still actively monitoring day-to-day actions within the silos?
• Will we learn the fate of Solo and the others in silo 17 early on, or will we be forced to wait till the backend of the season?
• With Kennedy and Lukas Kyle as fugitives and likely leading the outsiders causing a ruckus in silo 18, I hope our first interactions with them are both eventful and informative.

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Silo airs Fridays at midnight on Apple TV.

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