Ok, first of all what an intense season finale that was. You thing you've seen it all at episode 9 and then this! Gotta say, lot of people are gonna change their mind about this, you could actually see it was getting better and better almost every episode, and I have a feeling it's going to get even better from next season. Great job, really good acting. Too many questions to answer, honestly can't wait for Season 2!
13 Reviews
Season 2 please!!
jder-2376414 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I had reservations at first about this show but I kept with it and in glad I did!! Great cast and character building... so much going on in the last two episodes...I was hoping to have the cliff hanger with a certain Mr Sharp making an entrance!! Guess I'll have to wait until next year.
9
Edvis-199718 February 2021
Best show in years
mironin-214 July 2020
Season one Review
southdavid20 July 2020
To give a bit of context first, I've not seen Boon Ho's film version of this yet, nor read the graphic novel that both are based on. The 10 episode series (that airs on Netflix in the UK) is decent enough, although I wouldn't consider it "prestige" television at the moment.
Following a cataclysmic ecological disaster, where Earth has frozen, the last remaining human beings inhabit Snowpiercer, a perpetually moving train, made up of 1001 carriages that loops the planet knowing that if they ever stop, the cold will kill them off. There is a class structure on the train, that was based on financial clout in the old world, but seven years into their rotations, the underclass tail residents are ready to for a revolution and to claim a place on the train for themselves.
That plot synopsis written, the first three episodes don't feel like that at all. Though the class struggle is there from the start (and that's what the show really is, a microcosm of how life works. Those in power wielding their influence to maintain a status quo) those episodes focus on a murder, and give the show almost a police procedural nature which (fortunately) doesn't last. The focus then is on Andre Layton, played by Daveed Diggs, trying to organise and inspire a rebellion and to get the tail to rise up (see what I did there?). And like I said, its fine. It's nicely shot, the performances are all good and like the train itself the plot keeps moving.
But it's lacking in inspiration, in anything new or surprising to say. There are, from what I understand, variations from the film version, so there might be surprises if you were expecting those things to happen. . . but nothing, even leading up to the final moments of the final episode of this first season, will be anything you won't have seen coming. And I don't really buy the train as actually existing. The carriage sizes vary wildly, which isn't really reflected in the establishing exterior shots. Some carriages have walkways down on side, or the middle, but not all of them do. The train is 10 miles long, but when the plot requires it, people can appear in whatever location they need to be in.
I don't want to get too negative, I'll be back for the second season presuming that filming is eventually allowed to commence, but I already worry that I've seen everything that "Snowpiercer" has to offer.
Following a cataclysmic ecological disaster, where Earth has frozen, the last remaining human beings inhabit Snowpiercer, a perpetually moving train, made up of 1001 carriages that loops the planet knowing that if they ever stop, the cold will kill them off. There is a class structure on the train, that was based on financial clout in the old world, but seven years into their rotations, the underclass tail residents are ready to for a revolution and to claim a place on the train for themselves.
That plot synopsis written, the first three episodes don't feel like that at all. Though the class struggle is there from the start (and that's what the show really is, a microcosm of how life works. Those in power wielding their influence to maintain a status quo) those episodes focus on a murder, and give the show almost a police procedural nature which (fortunately) doesn't last. The focus then is on Andre Layton, played by Daveed Diggs, trying to organise and inspire a rebellion and to get the tail to rise up (see what I did there?). And like I said, its fine. It's nicely shot, the performances are all good and like the train itself the plot keeps moving.
But it's lacking in inspiration, in anything new or surprising to say. There are, from what I understand, variations from the film version, so there might be surprises if you were expecting those things to happen. . . but nothing, even leading up to the final moments of the final episode of this first season, will be anything you won't have seen coming. And I don't really buy the train as actually existing. The carriage sizes vary wildly, which isn't really reflected in the establishing exterior shots. Some carriages have walkways down on side, or the middle, but not all of them do. The train is 10 miles long, but when the plot requires it, people can appear in whatever location they need to be in.
I don't want to get too negative, I'll be back for the second season presuming that filming is eventually allowed to commence, but I already worry that I've seen everything that "Snowpiercer" has to offer.
[5.9] The ice spider - W becomes M!
cjonesas15 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Episode 10: A more insane episode with an average flow, semi enthralling atmosphere divided between the Group, the Tail and the anarchists, some generic good to bad acting, some nonsense as the very standard of the show, fillers for good measure, an "olympic" ice spider lady clinging like nothing you've ever seen, catching up 994 wagons in a matter of minutes and a twist-hanger that defy imagination.
Welcome to season 2!
Welcome to season 2!
Do Something Else
feitosaarfneto31 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The plot is really weak. Dialogs are empty, characters are shallow, but this episode is something...
Well, there were 1001 cars, now 994 as the title says. At 6 min from the season finale, Melanie, the engineer, is out in the snow, on top of the last car when the brakes are applied. She drops off the train to the ice below. The trains stops. The train in the back shock heavylly on the first. People at the SnowPiercer are at the back waiting to see what or who comes from the second train after the shock. Someone says no more then minutes passes as they wait: someone is breaking a hole from the second train to reach them. At the last scene of the season, Melanie goes back to focus, walking under heavy snow, trying to reach the first car.
And she is almost at the head of the composition, at about the 3rd or 4th car. Of the 994! Really? She is fast!
Well, there were 1001 cars, now 994 as the title says. At 6 min from the season finale, Melanie, the engineer, is out in the snow, on top of the last car when the brakes are applied. She drops off the train to the ice below. The trains stops. The train in the back shock heavylly on the first. People at the SnowPiercer are at the back waiting to see what or who comes from the second train after the shock. Someone says no more then minutes passes as they wait: someone is breaking a hole from the second train to reach them. At the last scene of the season, Melanie goes back to focus, walking under heavy snow, trying to reach the first car.
And she is almost at the head of the composition, at about the 3rd or 4th car. Of the 994! Really? She is fast!
Snowpiercer - Season 1 Review - Getting there and nowhere
joebloggscity6 January 2022
Based on a Korean movie from a few years back, we have an interesting and cerebral movie about some areligious apocalyptic environmental situation with those on some super adapted train trying to survive this nightmare.
The catch is that this train is an allegory on modern society, with the rich & the poor fighting over survival, rights and dignity with a ruling order that has too often a need to be cruel to be kind but itself is hiding dark secrets (surprise surprise!).
It's actually quite a smart but not necessarily difficult to understand show. The acting is fabulous by the ensemble with the wonderful Jennifer Connelly playing her best role in years as the chief engineer of the train. However it is Daveed Diggs as the smart & yet emotionally weak Andre Layton who is the de facto leader of the rebellion who we follow with interest.
The problem is that we've kind of already seen this story already a few times over recent years. For example the two adapted HBO/Sky TV series Westworld and Brave New World, and so far the first series of Snowpiercer sits somewhere in the void between those two series.
One major difference is this show avoids the long philosophical monologues that punctured some of the other shows, rather relying on action and visuals. It kind of works.
I just found that if you've not seen the other shows or the original film before then you'll enjoy this but if you have (like me) then you're sitting there pinpointing homages & adaptions from elsewhere. Also the story isn't that gripping, and too often I was kind of lost of what was going on and why. I still haven't fully grasped much of the reasons for this & that.
Maybe this first season is a fine first start, but as those other shows have shown, it all can fall off a cliff so quickly after the first season.
It's a fine show, and most will enjoy this. It's an intelligent viewing amongst all the dumbed down reality shows out there. Worth a viewing but I doubt that it will go on to rank amongst the best.
The catch is that this train is an allegory on modern society, with the rich & the poor fighting over survival, rights and dignity with a ruling order that has too often a need to be cruel to be kind but itself is hiding dark secrets (surprise surprise!).
It's actually quite a smart but not necessarily difficult to understand show. The acting is fabulous by the ensemble with the wonderful Jennifer Connelly playing her best role in years as the chief engineer of the train. However it is Daveed Diggs as the smart & yet emotionally weak Andre Layton who is the de facto leader of the rebellion who we follow with interest.
The problem is that we've kind of already seen this story already a few times over recent years. For example the two adapted HBO/Sky TV series Westworld and Brave New World, and so far the first series of Snowpiercer sits somewhere in the void between those two series.
One major difference is this show avoids the long philosophical monologues that punctured some of the other shows, rather relying on action and visuals. It kind of works.
I just found that if you've not seen the other shows or the original film before then you'll enjoy this but if you have (like me) then you're sitting there pinpointing homages & adaptions from elsewhere. Also the story isn't that gripping, and too often I was kind of lost of what was going on and why. I still haven't fully grasped much of the reasons for this & that.
Maybe this first season is a fine first start, but as those other shows have shown, it all can fall off a cliff so quickly after the first season.
It's a fine show, and most will enjoy this. It's an intelligent viewing amongst all the dumbed down reality shows out there. Worth a viewing but I doubt that it will go on to rank amongst the best.
too bad that the end collapses
nataraj17 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
That final episode was one of the weakest in the first season.
With the world as we know it collapses, everything is possible. But not necessarily credible. Or helping the story.
Ruthie gushes endlessly about her Mr. Wilford (who is still invisible), Melanie finds her deepest craving, Leyton faces another ultimatum, and LJ is disoriented with her parents gone.
So what else is new?
Up to now, it was action backed up by feelings, emotions, goals, betrayal ... yes, the whole show had it all. And lost it in the last episode.
And the script is incredibly bad:
The train is under attack from a train behind it. Best course of action? SLOW DOWN! Seriously, what were the authors thinking?
In the early episodes we learned that Snowpiercer must NEVER STOP. When it is stopped, nobody seems to care.
The most technologically advanced train in the world is pirated by an early prototype? Obviously there are much better engineers than Mel on the other side.
And all the vital communication systems to control the train are easily accessible from outside? No protection at all. Engineers unable to stop the hackers? Well if you expose all interfaces ...
This is a hastily thrown togehter bunch of very bad script plus no regard for continuity. I can accept suspension of disbelief in a Sci Fi movie. But not such utter nonsense
With the world as we know it collapses, everything is possible. But not necessarily credible. Or helping the story.
Ruthie gushes endlessly about her Mr. Wilford (who is still invisible), Melanie finds her deepest craving, Leyton faces another ultimatum, and LJ is disoriented with her parents gone.
So what else is new?
Up to now, it was action backed up by feelings, emotions, goals, betrayal ... yes, the whole show had it all. And lost it in the last episode.
And the script is incredibly bad:
The train is under attack from a train behind it. Best course of action? SLOW DOWN! Seriously, what were the authors thinking?
In the early episodes we learned that Snowpiercer must NEVER STOP. When it is stopped, nobody seems to care.
The most technologically advanced train in the world is pirated by an early prototype? Obviously there are much better engineers than Mel on the other side.
And all the vital communication systems to control the train are easily accessible from outside? No protection at all. Engineers unable to stop the hackers? Well if you expose all interfaces ...
This is a hastily thrown togehter bunch of very bad script plus no regard for continuity. I can accept suspension of disbelief in a Sci Fi movie. But not such utter nonsense
Train wreck finale
matt_hew25 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So they've reworked the original story, added a load of additional, pointless sub plots and clichés and finally after running out of track change up the ideas (making previous episodes redundant) and shoe horn in a force majeure event to desperately create a premise for a second season. Train wreck!
The dumbest plot I've ever seen
javakka14 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The script wasn't very intellectual from the start, but this is just brain dead dumb. So much stupidity in a single episode. By the end I was simply screaming "JUST DISCONNECT THE LAST CAR" at the screen, but who cares, since the authors seem to have forgotten what happened a couple of series back, and decided to shoehorn a mediocre cliffhanger into an already failing plot.
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