In Review: Snowpiercer (S3 – EP9) A Beacon for Us All

Synopsis: In A Beacon for Us All. Reunited with old friends, the train throws a party. Alliances are tested as the truth is finally revealed.

The Story

Having locked onto Melanie’s Beacon in last week’s episode. Layton and the crew finally catch up with Melanie Cavill, who has kept herself alive via a drug that can keep a person in suspended animation. However, the joy of having Melanie back on the train is short-lived when Melanie begins to question the science behind the discovery of habitable land. Meanwhile, celebrations for the arrival at New Edan move ahead at full steam. While L.J. Folger works behind the scenes with Dr. Headwood to get some poison to Mr. Wilfred so he can escape custody.

While the train celebrates. Wilfred makes his escape while Melanie Cavill makes an announcement, which exposes Layton’s lie. Once again. The train is divided.

The Acting

Jennifer Connelly makes a welcome return as Melanie Cavill and doesn’t waste too much time in establishing her place within the Snowpiercer universe. The dynamic between Melanie and Layton changes as Melanie doesn’t have faith in Layton’s lie as she doesn’t think that the science behind the discovery of New Edan is concrete enough for the lives of the train to depend upon. The scene she shares with Mr. Wilfred (Sean Bean) is a great foreshadowing for Melanie’s decision.

We also get a great scene from Annalise Basso that reminds us just how dangerous LJ Folger still is.

Overall

A Beacon for Us All is a fantastic episode as it not only brings back Melanie Cavill who had been assumed to be dead but in doing so changes the dynamics of the train. It’s a brilliant setup for next week’s season finale in which we’ll get to at least see some of the fallout from Melanie’s decision.