‘Silo’ Recap: ‘The Flamekeepers’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Robbins as Juliette Nichols and Bernard Holland in Episode Seven of ‘Silo’ – ‘The Flamekeepers’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Silo’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There is a prevailing belief in our world, that evil… will never push things too far. That somehow, someway, either good will intervene and prevent it from doing its worst, or it will come to understand that it has gone too far and needs to reel things in to properly maintain order through the specter of fear. And we hold to that belief, in part because… it is difficult at times to process the harsh reality, that evil really doesn’t really give a damn about people or what is right. It just wants absolute and corrupt power and will indeed cross every line imaginable to make it happen, and for proof… look no further than our own history or modern times for that matter.
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Since our past and our present is rife with men that wish to divide and conquer the world and kill with impunity to enjoy the spoils of power and their vision of the world. But the fact that they are oft defeated, is what helps us to think what we think, and perhaps it is best we hold onto that to maintain peace in our minds. Because let’s be honest, if evil was given the chance to really let loose and rule, the future would be terrifying indeed as evidenced by the next episode of Silo on Apple TV+. For ‘The Flamekeepers’ is a story that finally allowed for us to see just what those in charge of the Silo and mankind’s future are capable of, and it accomplished that feat, by outright fooling us when all is said and done. 

Simply because, Juliette’s quest in this tale was no different than it has been for a while. For she was laser focused on uncovering anything and everything regarding George’s murder. To the point where she realized that the person that gave him the book, a woman named Gloria, was being held in a unique manner in medical, since she was drugged up and out of sorts, and that prompted Juliette to make her quest a priority once again. For that lead had to provide answers, and that decision put her under fire. Since Bernard wanted to meet with her regarding an issue and she basically ignored her duties as sheriff when a massive riot broke out in the mid-levels. Leaving her embarrassed and on the cusp of being replaced, despite Bernard’s desire to have her try and stand with him regarding some concerns he had about Judge Meadows. 

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Iain Glen as Dr. Pete Nichols in Episode Seven of ‘Silo’ – ‘The Flamekeepers’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Which meant, if she wanted the answers she sought, she had to press hard and find them. And that brought her to Meadows to try and get her to loosen the reins on poor Gloria and when that didn’t work… she simply took matters into her own hands to get Gloria out of medical and that… is when we truly learned of evil’s capabilities and how far it will go to get what it wants. For with her father’s help, she was able to get Gloria to a safe space to clear her head in a risky manner and well… what she had to say about the history and the potential future of the Silo, was terrifying. For we came to learn that Gloria was a part of a group known as the Flamekeepers. Who took part in the prior rebellion and did everything they could to preserve the history of what life was like for humanity before it slunk into the depths of the Silo. 
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But alas, they lost the fight, and they were in fact… persecuted and cleansed in the most twisted manner imaginable. For they were sterilized and cast into roles that made them harmless, a move designed to literally destroy lineage and ensure that no one would learn of the secrets of the world. Which was more or less… a relaxed form of genocide, one handled with a handshake and a smile and that truly spoke to evil’s potential if left unfettered. Since evil here, was willing to destroy generations of humanity to ensure secrecy and power, and that’s about as scary as it gets. Especially since evil pulled off such a feat in a smooth and silent manner, and well… that revelation and the reveal that there are shock troopers ready and willing to go in this Silo to maintain secrets, only added to the unsettling terror of this tale.

As did the ugly future that Juliette now faces. Since Sims is ready and willing to tear the Silo apart to find her and keep the truth hidden. All of which made for one incredible and intense episode. One that truly helped us to understand the nature of evil and truly fleshed out the horrors of the Silo. For those in charge are beyond desperate to keep mankind on this awful path. Why exactly, still isn’t clear, but we may not need to learn those details just yet. Because knowing that evil wants power and total genetic control in this instance is bad enough. But it likely won’t be long now before we learn everything, we’ve been curious about regarding the autocrats that run things from the shadows and their strange reasoning for their special brand of evil. For the stage is now set for a massive showdown in the Silo, and it will be interesting to see what is going to come of the events set in motion here, as we barrel toward the season finale of this incredible and powerful story. Until next time.      

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