‘Silo’ Recap: ‘The Book of Quinn’

1/3/2025

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Harriet Walter as Martha Walker in Episode 208 of ‘Silo’ – ‘The Book of Quinn’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘Silo’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

We often believe in this life, that evil can be soundly defeated through the simplest of means. Such as violence and resistance and it makes sense why we hold to that. After all, a massive World War to fight the evils of fascism and the ideals of the Third Reich, was thought to have ended the Nazi threat once and for all. Not to mention, we consistently see nations rise up and vote out monsters in waiting or overthrow the ones currently in office. All of which should teach those idiots the lessons they need to learn about how the gross notions they harbor regarding control and manipulation of everyday, good people, aren’t wanted in this world.

But that’s the problem with evil. It doesn’t learn. It wants what it wants, so it is patient, and it adapts to make sure that it can rise up and claim what it wants. Which is why monsters find their way back into office and why Nazis are still around and why despots still come forward. Which means, vigilance and new approaches are always required to bring it down and its ability to permeate and linger is top of mind today, because it was put on display in the next episode of Silo on Apple TV+. For in the midst of the stalemate between the up top and the down deep, the dark machinations that Bernard Holland has desired to enact in Silo 18, out of his loyalty to The Pact, were thrust forth in an unsettling manner in ‘The Book of Quinn’.

For he truly wanted full control, and he truly wanted there to be no more wins for the people he labeled as rebels. So, he came to realize that he would need to exert some kind of control and leverage over someone down below, and he realized that Martha Walker would be that person. That was why he arranged a meeting with her and plucked at her greatest weakness, Carla McClain. For Walker was still worried about her love and truly… would do anything to keep her safe. A fact Bernard was aware of, and he guaranteed that safety if Martha agreed to be his spy down below. To prevent more wins, and to finally gain control of the situation and Martha did agree to this and that led to arrests and a reminder, that evil does indeed find a way to gain the upper hand and sometimes… it finds control in even more diabolical ways.

Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols in Episode 208 of ‘Silo’ – ‘The Book of Quinn’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Because in between Bernard’s powerful manipulation of Martha, Lukas Kyle went on quite the unsettling journey. Because he dug deep into the mythos of Salvador Quinn. Even going so far as to kick Sims’ agents out of the late Judge Meadows’ apartment to search it, and he played tough guy with Quinn’s descendants, in order to know what Quinn wrote in that book. Only to discover that all this time a hopeless message awaited him. One that informed him that the game was rigged, and that control was in place and oddly, Bernard even backed that up. Since he spoke to how Quinn helped to quell rebellion through chemical manipulation and through sacrifice. Making it clear that there may be little for Lukas to learn, but that such a quest might benefit Bernard. Since he may be using Lukas to gain knowledge from a master. Which also backs up how evil can learn and adapt in its quest for control.

However, that was not the only harrowing journey present in this tale. For back in Silo 17, Juliette was dealing with a bevy of problems. First, the bends. Since she did indeed suffer through them and was forced to swim back into the water to alleviate them, as Solo advised her to do. But that kept her from helping Solo in the slightest and when she was able to finally do so, more trouble befell her. Because someone put an arrow into her shoulder and once that was removed and treated, she went back to help Solo because he was the only person who knew the location of her gear. But despite dropping her attacker, she was still unable to reach him and aid him. Because she came to learn that there were more survivors present in Silo 17, and they have a bone to pick with Solo.

All of which made for another intense story. One that was truly harrowing in a lot of ways. Because it was just hideous to see Bernard reach his potential and work hard to solidify control over Silo 18, but that was the point. To remind of us how bad people persist and how cunning evil can be and how well it works and how hard it can be to fight back, especially when the situation seems hopeless. That means the next two episodes of this season may focus heavily on how we fight back and find agency in such dark times. But while we wait to see if that’s the case, we can celebrate this riveting tale. One that let Tim Robbins shine as the heavy and truly set the stage for a big finish in the Silo, one that might happen with or without Juliette. Since her temporary stay in Silo 17 has been a disaster, and it will be interesting to see how these juicy plotlines come together for resolution as season two of this incredible show, wraps up. Until next time.

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