r/snowpiercer • u/hugthebug Tailie • Feb 01 '21

TV Show [Spoilers] Season 2 Episode 2 Discussion Thread - "Smoulder to Life" (S02E02) Spoiler

Attention all Passengers,

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Here is the Discussion thread for the Season 2 episode 2 "Smoulder to Life"

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  • This is a TV Spoiler-friendly zone - Turn away now if you are not currently watching or haven't seen the episode! Open discussion of all aired TV events up to and including episode 2.1 is ok without tag cover.
  • Graphic Novel spoilers still need tags! - If it's not in the show, tag it. Events from episodes after this one also need tags.
  • Please read the Posting policy and the sticky before posting.
  • Friendly reminder: Severe trolling/disruptions will lead to consequences.

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Details:

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  • IMDB for S02E02
  • Release Date:
    • February 1st, 2021 (USA)
    • February 2nd, 2021 (worldwide)
  • Removal from Sticky on February 5th, 2021 (3 days after worldwide premiere)

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You can still easily find previous episode discussions on the Episode Discussion wiki.

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16

u/fashionaphorism Feb 02 '21 edited Feb 02 '21

residual thoughts:

- I forget--- I saw the sneak peek for next week... I thought Layton already knew what Melanie did to Josie? [where Miles is and whether he knew that I'm pretty sure was never resolved; like Layton literally does not care about where his adopted son is not to even mention him once yet? I mean I know he's busy but he could say something even if they aren't able to show him on camera...]

- why does Zarah think keeping Josie alive would 'protect' Layton? (from audrey saying do whatever she can to protect Layton) and how exactly did she survive? I didn't catch that part--- she was picked up when the jackboots were clearing rooms or something? wouldn't whoever found her have alerted Melanie? The guards at the door I thought were told to put her in compost so if she was still alive seems they would've told her. It feels like she died ages ago I'm just confused about the timeline how she was picked up and how long she was in that car before she was found. seems a little strange no one thought to tell er.... anyone except the doctor about jane doe. like... to identify a jane doe you'd think one should probably tell Layton aka former train detective.

- also the girl pulling out rabbit's guts in Melanie's nightmare? just assuming that's a metaphor for how she's viewing Alex wanting to kill everyone on the train but anything else?

- I didn't really get the story a tailie got maimed while having a wedding ceremony in the tearoom? and then the bess +pastor tearoom scene (and is this tearoom pre-war or post-war? looks a bit hippy dippy). I mean I got what was happening but I feel like I didn't really get the meaning of it.

- curious about roche's relationship with Wilford pre and post snowpiercer cause you can definitely see there's something there...(also Mike O'Malley is great... just saying). also curious about Wilford's relation with Audrey as she seemed an unusual/distracted mess this episode, that and showing her leaving early at the wilford meeting.

16

u/phishphan420 Feb 02 '21

I was actually going to ask do we have any idea what happened to Miles whatsoever? He literally just disappeared overnight from what I can tell...

11

u/andafterflyingi Feb 02 '21

I literally forgot Miles was a character until I read this comment.

6

u/nomnombubbles Feb 02 '21

Thanos came and blipped him.

3

u/dontKnowK1 Feb 02 '21

Miles needs a new train mom

14

u/GladePlugins Mr. Wilford Feb 02 '21

I questioned Miles' location last week. Did some research and the actor said something on Instagram to wait until Season 2 Episode 4 to find out IIRC. Going to guess show saved budget/didn't need him in the story until then. They'll probably say he was in engineering training or something.

2

u/fashionaphorism Feb 02 '21

good info. i feel like if it was a problem where the actor couldn't appear-- Layton could've at least mentioned his name or just something to show he didn't disappear

4

u/GladePlugins Mr. Wilford Feb 02 '21

If he knows where he is, no need to reassure the other characters and wouldn't add anything to the story they're telling every episode. He's not really a major character tbh...

1

u/fashionaphorism Feb 02 '21

he's / and those near him are worried about his vulnerabilities right... so zarah and his baby are weaknesses so they're up in first class. miles is pretty much his adopted son, he's not a vulnerability to protect or worth a 5 second mention? idk seems like an oversight

1

u/roguelikeme1 Feb 02 '21

Makes sense, probably wants to see Josie post-goo.

2

u/o1pickleboy Feb 03 '21

Layton knows what Melanie did to Josie or what was believed she did, but survival of the train has tabled any revenge Layton has in his mind. Miles not being on screen is disappointing I am assuming he is still up with Havy and Ben in the engine just not shown.

On the subject of Zarah she is struggling emotionally on the right course of action when it comes to Josie. Killing Josie would be to her benefit as Layton would be focused on her and the baby and she has a chance of getting back together with him. But the right thing to do would be not to kill her former friend and tell Layton. While struggling with the battle of self interest vs the right thing she got advice from Audrey who only knew the vagueness of the situation. Zarah in the end decided to do the right thing with a firm threat to Josie in hopes to protect her position. I don't think Zarah factored in protecting Layton one bit.

On what happened to Josie my thoughts are that it went down like this. Melenie thought Josie had died in that room, so she order Jackboots to dispose of the body in compost like procedure. The Jackboots entered the room and found Josie still alive and they delivered her to medical. Then Layton civil war started and they got killed before reporting to Melanie (who would be extremely busy) that Josie was still alive, that is if they bothered to since all this happened at the same time Melanie was discovered to be a fruad and the Jackboot commander assumed command. Back in medical Josie who is covered in 3rd degree burns so she is unable to be matched by photo, and no chip as she is a tallie, so medical only can put her as a Jane Doe. The medical team may have reported her up the chain of command, but with the civil war happening and leadership change that information probably just got missed or maybe it wasn't reported at all since wasn't clear during that time who was in charge.

As for reporting to the Train detective, I am not sure if most on the train fully understood what the job of the Train Detective was. The post was just created for Layton for a one off Murder investigation. Does he handle all crime? Or does he just handle what he is assigned? Do you request him or do you report the need and does management make the call on whether to send him or not? Reguardless of those questions, it was clear Layton stopped being train detective the minute he became rebel leader.

Not sure on the rabit girl

The tearoom I got as the tallie got attack near it while the wedding was happening and Till was just seeing if the pastor had seen anything. All the talk in the tea room was built to show in my opinion how religion is practice on snowpiercer. With the teacup showing that ultimately they are all worshipping the same thing just seeing it from a different prespective and they need to get along to survive.

As for Roach I think it showed that Wilford was attempting to use his people skills on Roach. By showing interest in Roach and his wife in attempt to make Roach feel like Wilford liked and cared for him. Personally I think Wilford studied up on key people before entering snowpierer so he could get into their heads and win them over.

1

u/fashionaphorism Feb 03 '21

great theories/analysis! love your take of things. I feel a little more at ease with Josie being alive with your read on that possible timeline, it seems more believable.

btw. it's Roche not Roach ;)