‘Snowpiercer’ Recap: ‘The Engineer’

8/19/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Daveed Diggs as Andre Layton in Episode 405 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘The Engineer’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 405 of ‘Snowpiercer’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

When we last settled in to discuss the final season of the hit AMC series, Snowpiercer, we talked at length about how questions were beginning to grow regarding this series. Specifically, why Admiral Milius seems to have something of a vendetta against Layton and well, everyone we have come to know and love, and how that influences his actions. Since it seems to push him to go to great lengths to get buy in on simple concepts, and well, since we are at the end of the line for the series and there is clearly so much more for the show to cover, last night’s episode of the show served as the perfect time to answer to those questions. As it turns out, Admiral Milius is less of a scheming monster and more of a blunt instrument for the real mastermind of this plan.

A truth that came to light in ‘The Engineer’, courtesy of the arrival of Snowpiercer and Big Alice at the very bunker that Melanie surrendered to months ago. Wherein we came to learn that the place was nothing short of a maze. The kind where access to other parts of the bunker were difficult, by way of the bunker’s layout and through various levels of security and of course… it was a place designed to be free from illness and it restricted the movement of so many. For Layton and his rescue team came to learn that armed guards were at their side nonstop, making escape difficult and of course, that was seemingly the point. Since Milius spoke to how they were now part of the cause, and that Big Alice was essential to the long-term plan of saving the world from the cold with those unique rocket launches.

But what mattered most about this sequence, was that it was the final cog in the master plan that Admiral Milius executed. Because someone wanted this to play out exactly as it had, and they wanted submission before revealing their visage and mastermind status, and rightfully so. Because it turned out that the mastermind of everything here… was none other than… Joseph Wilford. Who managed to survive his exile into the cold courtesy of the Admiral, and who as always, talked his way into survival by offering up his genius to save the world at last. And well, while Wilford once again preached that this was all about unity and the need to work for the betterment of mankind, his words went unheard and he was met with sheer hostility and near violence when Layton tried to knock him out and well, that made Wilford quite giddy and gleeful.

Sean Bean as Joseph Wilford in Episode 405 of ‘Snowpiercer’ – ‘The Engineer’. (Photo Courtesy of David Bukach/AMC.)

Simply because, it was his idea to put everyone through hell on the trains and torture Layton in this manner. All because he loves to mess with people and wanted some measure of revenge for what happened to him, and Milius was just following orders. So, there was satisfaction to be found in discovering that he was able to hurt them, and that Milius executed his plans so well, and once Wilford had his little playtime, he was able to return to Big Alice and bring his finest suits and treats back to the bunker to finish his work. Which was indeed about saving humanity with the rockets, and oddly enough… Alex opted to learn more about this. Bringing forth another impromptu reunion and a sense of sorrow. For that was seemingly that. Wilford had what he wanted and needed, and Layton and his friends would be stuck there, and everyone in New Eden would perish.

But alas, Ben and the others were not content with that, and with some engineering in the very room they were captive, an escape plan did hatch. One that allowed for Ben and Till, and Ruth to get back to Big Alice after some incredible maneuvers inside the complex. But of course, an escape of this caliber did not come without sacrifice and sorrow. Because sadly, a right cross from Ben, one that (satisfyingly) connected with Wilford’s smug face on his way out, sounded the alarm and prompted the two trains to depart early. Which meant, Ben didn’t have enough time to properly figure out how to disconnect Big Alice from Snowpiercer, so… he made a tough choice to save his friends… and exposed himself to the cold to free Big Alice and save New Eden. All of which brought forth, in part… a heartbreaking story when all is said and done. Because Ben will absolutely be missed for certain, and a round of applause is in order for Iddo Goldberg’s amazing work on this series.

But this was also a powerhouse tale, that perfectly brought Wilford back into the fold and that decision, quite frankly, works well for this final season. Since his return and this fight for the future can help bring this story to a proper close. After of course, we get through the tough stuff. Since Josie and Layton were left behind and while he is closer to Liana than before, the failure of this mission for Milius has Layton at arm’s length to her, and of course… without Big Alice, trouble will come to New Eden. For Milius only believes in the mission and everything else is expendable. Which means that conflict between people who believe in only the greater good and folks who want resolution that includes all of humanity is on the horizon, and it will be interesting to see who will come out on top when the never-ending snow finally settles. Until next time.

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