‘Snowpiercer’ Recap: ‘Dominant Traits’

9/16/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Rowan Blanchard and Jennifer Connelly as Alex and Melanie Cavill in Episode 409 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘Dominant Traits’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

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

Over the course of the past nine weeks or so, we’ve talked at length about the brilliance of the final season of Snowpiercer on AMC, and rightfully so. For this farewell voyage of Snowpiercer (876 cars long) has been mired in fascinating concepts about the human condition, what we learn in truly the toughest of times, since THIS is humanity’s darkest hour, and what should matter to us when times are tough. All of which has almost prompted us to forget that in addition to being a brilliant series, this is a show that also knows how to be as versatile as they come. Since it also knows how to bring forth drama that moves us to tears, such as what happened with Ben this season, it knows how to surprise, and it also knows when… to wow us.

Usually through incredible moments of action and adventure, the kind that are refreshing and unique because of the setting of the show and well, with this being its final year… the writers room saved the show’s greatest and most surprising battle for the end of this storied series. For ‘Dominant Traits’ spent most of its time mired in action. Mainly because… this was it; the Battle of New Eden was underway. That led… to chaos in the town. Wherein Alex finally stood tall against Nima and prevented Big Alice from being taken, and where this band of heroes had to get down and dirty to stop Nima’s forces from wiping the town out, and they were victorious. Which of course, infuriated Nima.

For he was on his schedule and expected to save humanity within a few hours. So, he did what any sensible evil genius would do in trying times… he manipulated, lied and schemed to get Melanie to do his bidding and when she agreed to terms… the time arrived to use brute force to take New Eden. Wherein the town was gassed so the International Peacekeeping Force could take control and so Nima could scoop Alex back up and have her work with Melanie to figure out how best to bring the two trains together so he could launch his doomsday missile. Which truly made it seem as though, the villain was going to win the day and destroy everything in the process since Melanie was indeed afraid that noncompliance was going to lead to harm for her daughter.

Michael Aronov as Nima in Episode 409 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘Dominant Traits’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

But therein lie the surprise, well… several surprises. Because in essence, Melanie was playing the fool to get in with Nima’s good graces and manipulate him to execute a counter offensive to save the world. Which involved fluffing up his incredible ego and playing along. In the hopes of earning his trust to execute the plan, and well… it worked. Because while Big Alice underwent a fast retrofit to prepare to launch the missile, Melanie had just enough to freedom to set her plan in motion. Which involved getting hold of Layton to inform him that she would be rolling Snowpiercer into town and when that happened, he and an attacking force would storm it and get aboard, and it also involved… telling Alex exactly why Nima was so fascinated with her and why… Melanie was good at manipulating the man.

In that, Melanie and Nima knew each other as more than just colleagues. They were friends, and Nima was kind enough to serve as Alex’s genetic donor to help a friend out. But clearly, kindness was removed from his very soul, and the time had come for Alex to know the truth. In the hopes of giving Alex the opportunity to further help with the plan, and she used that truth wisely. To further cater to Nima’s ego to buy Melanie the time she needed to execute the last steps of her incredible plan and well… it all worked. For the citizens of New Eden were able to shock Nima’s forces and managed to retake their town in doing so, before successfully boarding Snowpiercer right before she left. And of course, Melanie and Alex were quick to head into the heart of the train in the hopes of stopping the missile to save everything, setting the stage for a stunning finale.

Wherein Layton and his crew, Melanie and Alex, will do whatever it takes to save mankind from the broken and narrow sighted man that helped to put it in the position it is currently in. But while we wait to see how that fight goes or if this series is going to offer up a shockingly dark ending, we can celebrate one epic tale. For this one, was filled to the brim with tension, and action and adventure and huge moments that were indeed riveting. Serving as a final reminder of the versatility of this series, and wow was it satisfying. Because this one was just fun, and full of tension. But alas, while it was fun to once again be embroiled in a tense and epic story, this is it fans, we are reaching terminus for Snowpiercer’s voyage, and it will indeed be fascinating to see how this incredible story comes to a close. Until next time.

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