The world inhabited by the characters in Apple TV+’s Silo is claustrophobic, devoid of vibrant colors, and incredibly bleak. Based on Hugh Howey’s book series, Silo’s dystopian future finds humans forced to live underground to survive. The surface world is uninhabitable, and the thousands who call the vast underground silo home have learned to adapt to their confinement and exist peacefully in this insulated environment.
Episode one sets up the rules the citizens must abide by, including restrictions on pregnancies. Possessing items from the past (historical artifacts) is strictly forbidden, and what information exists about the history of the silo is kept under lock and key. Punishment is swift and severe for anyone who disobeys the rules. Yet some members of this confined society are quietly skeptical about the limited information they’re being fed.
Some citizens of this sheltered society come to believe the world above isn’t a toxic, lifeless land. However, once a citizen requests to go outside, there’s no turning back. The request must be granted, and anything that happens outside is no longer under the jurisdiction of the silo. A window to the outside world reveals that people who choose to leave perish within 100 feet of the exit. Their dead bodies serve as a dire warning to those inside that it’s best not to ask questions.
The 10-episode season delves into the history of the silo and the rebels within who suspect they’re being tricked into remaining inside. The first episode, “Freedom Day,” focuses on Allison (Rashida Jones), an IT worker, and her husband, Holston (David Oyelowo), the sheriff. Allison and Holston are overjoyed to win the lottery and be allowed to try to have a child, but the sheer joy of possible parenthood quickly shifts into despair as Allison uncovers restricted information that shatters their world.
The compelling narrative of Allison and Holston concludes abruptly, leading to Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) taking on the responsibility of being the primary storyteller. Juliette’s a highly skilled engineer who ensures the smooth operation of the silo. Her intelligence and ingenuity aid her in uncovering the extent of the deceitful practices taking place within the silo. She meticulously pieces together evidence, hoping to solve the mystery and bring to light the falsehoods that serve as the basis of the silo’s existence.
Rebecca Ferguson does a remarkable job playing Juliette, a strong, determined woman who’s physically and emotionally capable of facing down the powerful leaders of the community. Juliette wants answers – as does the audience since Silo spends much of the season being an incredible tease – and Ferguson perfectly captures her tenaciousness.
Even after rising from the bottom levels of the silo where the lower-class dwell to the position of sheriff, Juliette’s frequently thwarted in her quest for the truth. Ferguson does a terrific job of channeling the frustration of being so close to understanding what’s happening, only to have the answer snatched away when it seemed to be within her grasp.
Creator/showrunner Graham Yost (The Americans, Justified) has loaded the epic sci-fi production with a first-rate supporting cast that includes Common, Tim Robbins, Iain Glen, Harriet Walter, Will Patton, Avi Nash, and Chinaza Uche. Equally important in this world-building is the work of the production designer Gavin Bocquet (Star Wars: Episode I, II, and III). Bocquet’s designed the silo as functional not fancy, with spiraling staircases and levels dedicated to different tasks (keeping the power on, growing the food, etc.). The deeper into the earth that the silo descends, the starker and more oppressive the living spaces become.
Juliette’s search for the truth behind the construction of the silo is the main focus of the season, but it’s not the sole storyline. Multiple deaths divert Juliette’s attention while also adding to the clues regarding the status of the world outside the silo.
The audience is kept on their toes as the characters conceal secrets, leaving Juliette and viewers constantly reassessing motivations. With so much going on, there are numerous unresolved questions, and the first season lingers a little too long on the physical upkeep of the building to the detriment of more intriguing elements of the plot.
Despite a few slower episodes, season one of Silo maintains a gripping sense of impending danger throughout. Although it could be argued that eight episodes would have been more effective than 10 for telling this story, Silo still manages to captivate and enthrall as a compelling sci-fi mystery.
GRADE: B+
Silo premieres on Apple TV+ on May 5, 2023. The first two episodes arrive on May 5th followed by a new episode each Friday. The season final’s set for June 30.
