Snowpiercer season 3 began this season with two trains, one a breakaway led by Layton, and the other an oppressive regime led by Wilford. “The Original Sinners,” the finale of season 3, concludes with two trains again but this time it’s by choice.
1. Two Trains
This time, the separation isn’t a desperate move to counter Wilford. This time, it’s a bittersweet parting of the ways for the passengers of Snowpiercer.
Melanie, the eternal engineer, leads the original Snowpiercer with a group that feels safer and more secure on the train. This includes Ben, Audrey, and Miles. Layton’s people grab for hope, taking Big Alice and half the train to the spot of the possible New Eden. They know it’s a long shot and that the track may be bad and they may all die but they’re driven to reach for something beyond the train. Layton, Zarah, Josie, Ruth, and Roche are all for taking the risk. So is Alex, who leaves her mother.
It’s a gut-wrenching choice for everyone but the point is, for the first time on this train, everyone chooses their destiny.
2. Bye, Wilford
Just when everything looks like it’s all going to hell, Wilford commanders the Night Car as a self-appointed savior, the lever of power on the train between Melanie and Layton. Initially, it looks like one of them will have to ally with him to take charge. Melanie even strikes a deal.
But, thankfully, Melanie and Layton come to their senses, realize they’re falling into old patterns, and team up to capture Wilford. Instead of killing him, they send him off in the tiny engine that Melanie used to survive, along with a supply of suspension drugs. Reason has finally prevailed, though I’m still wondering why they just didn’t kill him. (Plot possibilities for season 4, perhaps, but I feel like the show is stuck in always turning to Wilford as the villain.)
3. Let’s Talk About Till.
Till has been quietly falling apart all season. She threw all-in with Layton, she’s been his steady and focused right hand, but that’s mostly because she’s falling apart. She lost her relationship from season 1, she lost Roche to the drawers, and, basically, she lost herself. The latter half of this season has been her slowly putting herself back together. First, with helping Roche recover from the grief of losing his wife, and helping Audrey heal from the damage done by her abusive relationship with Wilford. Audrey in turn helps heal Till. They fall in love. Happy ending? It doesn’t look to be because Till wants a fresh start in New Eden and Audrey feels most useful in the Night Car.
At the end, Till makes a leap of faith back to Audrey. It’s a lovely moment.
4. New Eden Exists
In a fast-paced episode, it seemed we would end on a cliffhanger, with Big Alice hanging by a thread over a frozen trestle bridge. (By the way, when claiming the track was dangerous, perhaps someone should have mentioned this bridge sooner?) Instead, the train comes to a stop. Layton’s group walks out of the train and into an area that features fresh water and sunshine.
But the land still seems barren. I have many questions about how they’ll survive. How cold is it? Will plants be able to grow? Where’s their source of heat now that the train has stopped? Season 4, already in production, promises to answer these questions.
5. The Actual Cliffhanger.
The ending of “The Original Sinners” flashes forward to six months, with Melanie leading Snowpiercer. A rocket/missile? of some sort explodes in the distance. This seems to indicate danger but it also indicates that there are other survivors out there. Possibilities include Wilford finding a group and preparing to get revenge on Melanie, a new group of survivors, or some sort of automated program.
At the beginning of the season, I expected death and darkness, and there was some of that, especially with Pike’s fall and death. “The Original Sinners” also dispatches serial killer Lilah Jr. by having her choke to death.
But, overall, season 4 promises hope to all the survivors. I’m eager for those answers.
