What are you watching, Gunjan Sinha?
In January, Apple TV released in Germany season 2 of its dystopian science fiction thriller Silo. A killer virus, nuclear war, environmental destruction – the themes covered in most science fiction movies and books are almost always the same. But I never get tired of them.
Silo, which is based on a series of novels by Hugh Howey, takes place sometime hundreds of years in the future – exactly when is not revealed, not to viewers nor to the residents of the Silo – a conical structure buried underground with 144 levels and no elevator.
No-one living in the Silo knows what happened to the world outside, except that is unlivable and toxic. The cafeteria has a window, but the view is of a completely barren landscape. It’s a hierarchical society living under the guise of the rule of law. People in power jockey for control, and information is tightly controlled. Anyone found to have committed serious crimes is sentenced to “clean” the window in the cafeteria, which is essentially a death sentence. They are sent out wearing a suit and helmet to protect them long enough to clean the window. But after a few minutes, they collapse and die.
During season one, Juliet Nichols, the intrepid protagonist of Silo, begins finding clues that the narrative they are being told is a lie – that perhaps the image of the barren landscape through the window is a simulation; perhaps outside, there are actually trees, sunshine and oceans. Her insubordinance and snooping eventually get her sentenced to “clean.” What happens when she goes outside? You’ll have to watch season 2 to find out.
