‘Silo’ Recap: ‘The Harmonium’

12/6/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Tanya Moodie as Judge Meadows in Episode 204 of ‘Silo’ – ‘The Harmonium’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Silo’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

For the most part, science fiction, shows us a future where humanity, has accomplished wonders. For instance, it is home to so many stories where humanity lives amongst the stars and thrives in the cosmos because of stunning technological advances, that exist through unity. For these stories also showcase a future where all mankind no longer worries about the silly trappings we deal with now. It’s about the collective species and what we can accomplish as a whole, and those are great stories to read. Since they truly inspire us to be better, to see if we can’t plant seeds for a better tomorrow, and that’s also why… some science fiction stories shock us to our core.

Because as mentioned, a bright future is not shared by all stories in this genre. For there are tales of a tomorrow where humanity is devastated because its shortsightedness, or because we could not overcome our worst impulses. Or… we enter into a comfortable status quo with technology that allows for us to just… exist. And some stories in this vein… ponder upon… the scariest question of all. In that, what if we are unable to grow as a species? What then would we become? Well at it turns out, the world of Silo on Apple TV+ took the time to answer those questions by bringing them into the fold during this week’s episode.

For ‘The Harmonium’, an ironic title to say the least, showed us a world where old haunts still reign. Which came forth via Juliette’s journey in this tale. Because she was trying to work with Solo to get a new suit and was roadblocked often by him. In part because he had grand knowledge about the world that he wanted to share with her, but also because… he was terrified of change. All he knew was the Vault and while Juliette got her suit, she knew she needed more help, and it was made unclear if she would receive it. Because of fear, since Solo went back to the vault and was rude in doing so and while he did peek back out… that fear is strong. All of which spoke to how fear could hold us back as a species since this man had companionship at last, and even a chance at a new Silo and a new life but chose to hide in fear because of what those who came before taught him.

Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols in Episode 204 of ‘Silo’ – ‘The Harmonium’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

But while that was a subtle examination of the core theme, the more direct one was handled back in Silo 18. Because Judge Meadows made quite the decision without consulting with Bernard. In that, she agreed to hear a plea from Knox and other reps from Mechanical. Mainly because she wanted to quell the trouble and really make everyone feel as though they matter, and also because she understood the power that Mechanical yielded. But that of course, brought about fear, the kind that Robert indulged by calling for her impeachment and of course, Bernard felt helpless and as though the Order and the Pact were being ignored and well… that inspired him to go to some wild extremes to make sure that things could be handled by the book.

Which prompted him to invite the judge to dinner. To straight up murder her. Because Bernard could not have her take that meeting and upset the old plans and old traditions. So, he poisoned her meal and at least gave her something beautiful to enjoy via a VR headset before she passed. Wherein her body was moved to her quarters by Robert and where a knife was plunged into her cooling flesh. All so that when the big meeting got underway, Mechanical looked to be the villain, and the Silo could be turned upon them, and well, Bernard’s plan worked. For Knox and his team were forced to haul to the Down Deep in a desperate attempt to live and well, that’s a juicy cliffhanger for us to end with, one that showcased… a world that hasn’t changed.

Since the Silo clearly has held to class warfare and wealth inequity. Issues we face today, and much like how things are now, that is used to manipulate individuals and bring about conflict and chaos. All because there is a class that wants a status quo and will do what they must to have it, and that made for a sobering story. One that showed us that if were to hang onto old haunts, we would create a more miserable existence than we could have ever imagined. Since the worst parts of our modern world are amplified in the Silo, and at this point, it would seem that each Silo is doomed to suffer for generations on end. Giving rise to real misery and real sorrow and a future that none of us want, and truly, it will be interesting to see if this series continues to lean into that horror or if a glimmer can be found as season two of this saga rolls along. Until next time.

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