‘Snowpiercer’ Recap: ‘North Star’

8/12/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Mike O’Malley and Sam Otto as Sam Roche and John ‘Oz’ Osweiler in Episode 404 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘North Star’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 404 of ‘Snowpiercer’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It really is quite amazing what the hit AMC series, Snowpiercer is accomplishing in its final season. For not only is the series staying true to everything we love about it, but it is also putting on a masterclass on how best to wrap up a show. For it keeps finding ways to give every character we love, screen time, so they get a proper farewell, and the show keeps setting the stage for a high stakes finale that could determine the fate of all of mankind. Which is making for wondrous television to say the least, the kind that has us engaged and on the edge of our seats. If anything, this wondrous aspect of the show is top of mind today, simply because it was on full display again during last night’s episode.

For ‘North Star’ split its time between two key storylines. One of which, involved New Eden, and handled the character spotlight. Wherein Sam Roche was put to the test as the new temporary mayor of the city, and what a test he endured. Because the weather in the city was erratic, possibly confirming the worry that this pocket of warmth might be temporary, and that in turn meant the power grid was being tested to its limits and without Big Alice around, that worried Javi to no end, and worried the townsfolk as well. To the point where someone needed to lead, someone needed to enhance calm and Sam, stood tall and made that happen, and kept finding ways to keep the people united. Reminding us, what a great character he is and how much he cares about people, and what a great job Mike O’Malley does in bringing him to life, and oddly enough, there was more story to tell in New Eden.

Because Oz found something horrifying during one of his patrols, specifically… a severed and frozen human hand. Which prompted a grand investigation to understand how it appeared and why, and of course who it might belong to. Which led… to some scary revelations and quite the unique possibility. In that, Javi and Sykes came to discover that the hand belonged to someone who was at some point aboard Snowpiercer. Since they had the same implant that Javi was given aboard the train, and Roche and Oz came to discover… there is a genuine mystery in the rocky hills surrounding New Eden. Simply because, Sam saw something out there. Something that truly snagged his attention and potentially took him off the chess board for a moment. What, we simply don’t know. But we will ponder on that in just a minute, because the other plot thread here, handled raising the stakes.

Daveed Diggs as Andre Layton in Episode 404 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘North Star’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

For while Mayor Roche was doing his thing, Layton and his team were closing in on Snowpiercer, and refining the bold plan they created to get aboard their old home. One that meant running silent and running dark when approaching the train, so it could be quietly boarded. But before the opportunity arose to board it, Milius radioed Big Alice and offered up a friendly invitation to Layton to come aboard. A move that put Layton on edge and in a world of confusion. Because he expected something far darker to take place, and of course… he was right to think so. Since the trap was laid and well, rather than accept the invitation and risk guile from a man that operated as a dictator, Layton and Josie figured out how to get aboard and start the search for Liana, and well… that led to all kinds of surprises.

Such as the fact that it was going to be impossible to use stealth to find Liana, since everyone aboard the train recognized Layton and Josie and asked for their help in escaping Milius’ clutches. But also, we learned a lot about the soldiers under mask in this story, such as how they are horribly scarred and have all kinds of surgical attachments to them to keep them alive, the kind that Nami exploited for his own personal safety and gain, and to also… garner trust with Layton. Since the wily doctor continued to support Milius because of the gravitas and fear the man has engendered from day one. But above all, the biggest surprise present in this segment was the fact that Liana was not on the train, and that Snowpiercer and in turn, Big Alice, made their way back toward the very bunker where Milius dropped off Melanie… all because Milius made it clear, he wanted both trains in his service, and wanted to challenge Layton and Josie.

All of which makes it clear that Milius has big plans and has done his homework and knows who he is up against at all times, and how to best them. But why? Why constantly play these games to make progress toward saving mankind, when he could just be honest? Those are of course, questions that will have to wait for another time… but they do indeed up the ante here and build toward something bigger. Not to mention… there’s correlation to be had here that the bunker, isn’t that far from New Eden. After all, Big Alice caught up to Snowpiercer quick, and Oz found a hand from someone clearly on the train at some point, and Sam went missing. Not to mention, Milius’ men disappeared real quick with Liane. Which could mean, Mayor Roche just stepped into that bunker and Liana is in there, warm and safe, as is Sam. But while we wait to see if that’s the case, we can applaud one brilliant tale. One that really did let so many shine, and truly engaged us like never before. To the point where we are counting down the minutes to next week’s tale, to see what surprises await everyone regarding that bunker. Until next time.

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