'Silo' Season 2 Episode 2 Recap: Why Does Judge Meadow Want To Leave Silo?

Irrespective of what ideology the mass subscribes to, what their perceived notion of truth might be, or how much freedom they might think they have, authority always controls the narrative. For a confined hell like the silo, where a single piece of information can result in harrowing repercussions through violent unrest, as seen in the first episode of the ongoing season of Silo, the assessment proves to be truer than ever. In the first episode, Juliette’s struggle for survival by venturing into a neighboring silo 17 came into narrative focus. As it was revealed, the quest for truth resulted in a vicious civil war that resulted in death if most of the silo 17 denizens and the surviving populace ventured outside, where they met their gruesome end almost instantly. Previously, Juliette’s point of view guided viewers into the second season, and this time the current episode shows the other side of the story—as to how Juliette’s actions have created a ripple effect, which can put silo 18 in grave danger.

Spoilers Ahead

Uncharted Territories

The episode begins right from the ending of the first season, when Juliette was able to survive outside and went over the hill. Right off the bat, the incident raises questions in the minds of denizens as to how much of their knowledge is a lie purported by Judicial. Bernard, who continues watching Juliette’s suit-cam video as she comes across the huge pile of bodies outside silo 17, finds himself ill-equipped to deal with such an unprecedented situation. He finds no solution in the founders’ diktats either and learns about the growing tension after meeting with Sims. Asking the security chief to detain Martha and Carla, whom he considers responsible for Juliette’s survival, Bernard prepares to address the masses later on to mitigate any possibility of rebellion. To take greater control, Bernard decides to have the sheriff and deputies of the Silo work directly for Judicial for the time being to control any possibility of unrest. 

Tension Rises in Down Deep

Down Deep erupts in confusion and anger, as Juliette, one of their own, has survived and challenged the established order. While Knox, chief of mechanics, tries to calm the crowd, Shirley, who holds a grudge against him for giving up Juliette in the previous season, tries to fuel the anger of the masses by questioning people’s right to truth. Realizing that this can easily escalate to an ugly situation, Martha disperses the crowd by using a water cannon. Elsewhere, Paul, now the sheriff, is approached by Sims, who lets him know about the new arrangements. Paul finds it difficult to accept that Bernard is defying the dictates of the founders, especially in a situation that they are clearly clueless about how to deal with. 

Shirley can’t help but ask Martha about the possibility of Juliette’s survival, despite knowing how much she is agonized since Juliette’s departure, given Martha considered her as her own daughter. In the meantime, Deputy Hank arrives to take Martha into custody, as she will be questioned by Judicial regarding her involvement in Juliette’s survival. As Martha finds Carla to be captive as well, she convinces her to not reveal anything about the heat tape exchange to Judicial, despite knowing the possibility of getting punished by the authorities irrespective of whether their involvement is proved or not. 

Bernard’s Big Speech

Before making the public address, Bernard meets up with Judge Meadows, who has found the willingness to stay sober ever since learning about Juliette’s actions. Meadows is revealed to have been Bernard’s shadow before she joined Judicial, and it is hinted that Bernard respected her due to how good she used to be as his shadow. At present, Bernard requests her presence during his speech addressed to the denizens of the silo, as the presence of the judge, who is theoretically the most powerful presence in this confined existence, will instill a sense of confidence in the people. However, Meadows refuses to assist Bernard, citing a comparison with herself to the wizard of Oz, who pretended to be all powerful but was an imposter through and through. Bernard tries to lure her with promises of riches and what not, but the only thing Meadows wants is a way out—literally and figuratively, as later revealed.

Bernard plays a masterstroke during the speech, as instead of trying to refute the legitimacy of the incident that took place, he glorifies Juliette as a martyr and spins a tall tale about how the IT department used specialized tape with Juliette’s permission, which had allowed her to survive longer than usual. At the same time, he maintains that Juliette has perished during the journey. Bernard motivates the masses to hope for a future when technological advancement will allow them to finally leave the silo for good without fearing the toxic contamination of the outside world. Like shrewd politicians, Bernard is able to twist even an adverse narrative in his favor, and the fact that the crowd has bought into his false promise is evident from the thunderous applause. Judge Meadows surprisingly makes a public appearance and shares her support for Bernard’s ideals. 

A Resistance From Down Deep

Shirley, still disgruntled about the entire mess, isn’t willing to accept Bernard’s lies, and she reveals that Judicial is trying to take credit despite being responsible for sending people to their demise by providing them with bad tape previously to begin with. A raider decides to apprehend Shirley, but Knox and Deputy Hank manage to get her out of trouble. However, Shirley is adamant to expose the truth, and secretly she starts gathering forces by approaching others who want to destabilize the authoritative control. Anticipating a resistance being formed by Shirley, Knox meets one of his friends from forge and warns him not to comply with anyone’s request to make weapons. Knox sends Juliette’s shadow, Cooper, to keep a close watch over Shirley, as he fears her actions might get people in the Deep Down in trouble. On the other hand, Martha and Carla are surprised when Hank releases them but realize Bernard’s ploy after knowing about his big speech. Cooper ends up joining Shirley’s resistance out of his respect for Juliette, and Martha comes to know about their intentions as well. She warns Shirley and her team about grave repercussions, but at the same time, shares her belief about Juliette’s survival. 

Why Does Judge Meadows Want To Leave Silo?

After successfully gaslighting 10,000 people and narrowly avoiding a crisis, Bernard is somewhat at peace, although he knows this is merely a temporary solution. In the top level of the silo itself, graffiti of ”JL’—Juliette Lives has been appearing even before a single day has passed since her departure, which is indicative enough of the fact that people will not remain content with promises much longer. Sims, ever eager to become Bernard’s shadow, offers his assistance, but Bernard asks him to hold his position as security chief for the time being. Sims returns to his family and expresses his disappointment with his wife while speculating about the connection between Meadows and Bernard. 

Bernard pays another visit to Meadows, who reveals the only reason she decided to be present during his speech is because she wanted to see him fail. However, she is impressed by Bernard’s gift of gab and offers her assistance in exchange for Bernard providing her with some of the good tape to ensure her freedom. Judge Meadows wants to leave Silo for good once the present situation is taken care of; it is her equivalent of a hot air balloon, which the Wizard of Oz used to escape his predicament. 

It seems that years of sharing lies and deceit as Bernard’s shadow had done a number on Meadows. Later on, after becoming judge, Meadows was practically a stooge who had to abide by all the heinous decisions taken by Bernard and Sims, all the crimes that were carried out in her name, even though she didn’t have an option to share her opinion or decisions about them. Which explains her resorting to alcoholism for the last two decades. Juliette’s escape might have ignited the will to finally become free in Meadows, and irrespective of her possibility of survival, going out of the silo is Meadows’s way of breaking away from this diabolical mess. I am not sure whether Bernard will allow it, given how important a person Meadows seems to him, and this will result in interesting dynamics in the series’ future. 

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