‘Snowpiercer’ Recap: ‘Bell the Cat’

8/26/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Rowan Blanchard and Sean Bean as Alex and Wilford in Season 4 of ‘Snowpiercer’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 406 of ‘Snowpiercer’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particular question that comes up often in our modern world… is what would it take to humble the rich and the powerful? Because let’s be honest… they are indeed quite egotistical in nature and truly believe they’re better than the everyday people of the world. And they do tend to avoid accountability and consequences for their actions because of the reverence society places upon fortune and glory. So, we often ask that question in the hopes of finding a smidge of catharsis since no one has answered it to date, since it helps us to imagine how the world might be a better place if it did happen. Which is also why, this question pops up in storytelling often, to also help give us that peace and to ponder upon how it might happen, as was the case in the next episode of Snowpiercer on AMC.

For ‘Bell the Cat’ focused primarily on one Joseph Wilford. Who we learned was scooped up by the advanced technology of the International Peacekeeping Force after being cast out into the cold and brought to the bunker to heal using the many potions that Nima and others developed in this place. Which of course, should have humbled Joseph since he was given a second chance at life. But we also came to learn, that a brush with death will not ever be the catalyst for the epiphany we crave for men like Wilford. No instead… it would have to entail meeting a force as strong as they. One that would teach them their place, and in present day, Admiral Anton Milius turned out to be that force in question. A discovery that came forth courtesy of the fact that Joseph was once again, all about that fancy lifestyle.

Because he worked as slow as possible on the tasks he was given since he thought he was above such matters. After all, he was the genius behind Snowpiercer, long may she roll, and he also gave life to Big Alice. So, reverence should be paid! But Milius saw him as another asset and another person who needed to earn his keep and Wilford was not doing that. In fact, in the Admiral’s eyes, he was becoming a nuisance, since he often needed to be the center of attention and distracted the troops from their duties. So, Milius deemed that it was time to be done with Wilford. So, he ordered Wolf and the team, take Wilford to the lower levels. Where we learned about how the scars and the need for respirators for some came into play. Since down there, one of the attempts to save the atmosphere went horribly wrong.

Michael Aranov as Nima in Season 4 of ‘Snowpiercer’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

So, it became a place of outcasts to the public, and a source of experimentation for those in the know, and Wilford was left down there to die, and nearly did. Because Layton was tossed down there too, and he was more than happy to knock a little sense into Wilford’s skull before being set back and well… this was a move that seemingly humbled Wilford like never before. Because we finally saw fear in his eyes, we finally saw him understand how his standing no longer mattered in the new world and that now he was just a man and might need to do more than be a status symbol. So, he in fact, offered to help Layton escape and to get him near his daughter. A deal Layton took, and it was a deal that may come to fruition. Since Alex was able to save them both from Milius, who learned they were alive and was ready to just waste the whole lot and move on.

Which, spoke to how… the rich and powerful could be humbled, and while that process may be easier said than done, this was an answer, and catharsis, and of course… time will tell how well the lesson sticks since well, Wilford has yet to show he can truly be trusted or truly cares. But perhaps the crisis at New Eden will aid in giving him a shot at redemption if he gets the chance to be involved. For Oz found Whiggins, and his stump while searching for Roche, and through some clever work came to discover that Whiggins stood idly by as the IPF set explosive charges along the ridge. The kind that would bury and kill everyone no problem. Leaving us to wonder why and leaving us to wonder if Big Alice will arrive safely. Since Snowpiercer is now ready to return to action and Milius is eager to have that second train to bring the mission to its close at long last.

All of which brought about, just an amazing and satisfying episode. Since we’ve waited a long time to see Wilford meet an equal, and while Milius may not be of sound mind… since we saw him struggling mentally here… he did humble the giant ego of Joseph Wilford, and we did get to see Layton finally drop a little payback on him with his fists. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and now our attention is focused upon the fate of New Eden, if its leader can stand up to snuff, whether or not Roche is okay and of course… how this story is going to end. Because if there’s one truth about this saga, it is that it reflects life in the respect that nothing ever goes according to plan, and it will be interesting to see if the chaos that Milius set in motion can be overcome in order to save humanity. Until next time.

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