‘Snowpiercer’ Recap: ‘Life Source’

8/5/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Alison Wright and Daveed Diggs as Ruth Wardell and Andre Layton in Episode 403 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘Life Source’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukack/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘Snowpiercer’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

If there is one particular concept that shows up often in stories about the end of the world, it would have to be… the need to sacrifice for the greater good, and it makes sense as to why this appears so regularly in these stories. Simply because… civilization is gone in these stories, along with some of its more unwholesome and selfish trappings. Not to mention, humanity is often in short supply in these stories, so it stands to reason that everyone in that scary situation, would understand the odds, the fragile nature of life, and the need to sacrifice to keep the species going. But this concept, while unique and supremely hopeful in nature, does beg quite the important question.

In that, would it truly be so easy for humanity to just forget about its old ways and embrace a new mantra that quickly? After all, we still hold to old traditions that mean nothing in the 21st century, and so many are unwilling to leave old ideas and processes behind. Which means that there is a very good chance, that if the world were to crumble… we would hold onto certain aspects of life that could be seen as counterintuitive to that concept, and well… would a push to not accept the notion of the greater good cause harm? Or would it remind us of what makes humanity worthwhile? Well, it just so happens that the next episode of Snowpiercer on AMC answers both of those questions.

In fact, ‘Life Source’ let us know… the affirmative would apply to both questions. Because ignoring the greater good could remind us of what matters and what we should be fighting for as we rebuild the world, and that positive exploration was handled by Layton and the New Eden council. Because Layton was NOT doing well with the reality that his family life was ripped to shreds and in the midst of his grief, he felt… the best thing that could be done, was to pull Big Alice from the power grid and use the train to find his daughter, who he believed was likely aboard Snowpiercer and that was of course, an idea immediately met with disdain, and that only grew when Javi figured out how to get the old girl off of the grid, and maintain safety for the community.

Clark Gregg as Admiral Milius in Episode 403 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘Life Source’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukack/AMC.)

All because, the belief that the greater good mattered above anything else, held true here. Yet, it wasn’t the consensus. In fact, Sam made it clear that while people were following Ruth’s lead on the matter, they had questions and concerns. Because now, a young life, the future of humanity, took a backseat over the greater good and that did not seem right, and that Layton should in fact be setting an example for the next generation by saving a single life. Which prompted Ruth to put it to a vote, one where Layton echoed similar thoughts to Sam and… was granted his chance to save his daughter. In the name of what makes us great, which is indeed something one would hope we would carry on if the going got tough, and that made for a beautiful and refreshing twist. One counterbalanced… by the admiral.

Because aboard Snowpiercer, life continued to be hell. In fact, Till, after she got out of the ship’s new brig, known as ‘The Hot Box’, confirmed that life on the train was awful. With people working twelve hours shifts and working to the bone and well, to alleviate that pain, she and Ben volunteered to take part in a special project for Milius and Nima. One that supposedly related to a new type of super fertilizer, but upon closer inspection… it was obvious that Milius needed their help in preparing a chemical agent. One likely designed to harm anyone that tried to board the train, all because Milius was so worried about the Greater Good and the mission, that he was willing to cause harm to what little of humanity was left. Which showcased how this concept can bring about great harm when viewed in a skewed and desperate manner.

All of which, not only pondered deeply upon an idea that few stories in this vein have ever pondered upon but set the stage for the show’s moral conflict this season. Courtesy of an intricate and intense story that leaves us both hopeful and worried, that Layton can save the day and keep New Eden safe, and hopefully overcome the evil on the train. Since we always want to see good win the day and well, that hope will stay with us as the battle aboard Snowpiercer gets underway, for Big Alice is near, and her arrival will bring forth quite the philosophical battle to accompany the physical one. One that will explore, can we change for the better quickly if the stakes are high, or will our love of the status quo bring about the end of everything. Until next time.

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