Entertainment
Apple TV’s ‘Silo’ Just Set a Huge Sci-Fi Record Ahead of Its Season 3 Finale
Silo Season 3 isn’t quite over yet, but Episode 9, “Farwell” crossed an important threshold for the series. The episode got the highest rating on IMDb in the series’ history, with a near-perfect 9.3 out of 10 score. That’s the best Silo has seen in years, surpassing the previous record of 9.0 for Season 1, Episode 10. It’s a great sign for the series ahead of the Season 3 finale and the final season coming next year. It’s also an indication that most fans are enjoying this season despite its deviations from the original books by Hugh Howey, and the rapid changes to the scope of the story.
Silo Season 3 has thrown a lot at viewers — a split timeline, revelations about the nature of this apocalyptic future, and ramped-up use of sci-fi concepts like nanobots and memory drugs. All that would have been the case even if the show had stuck with the story in Howey’s novels, but that wasn’t the plan. Instead, Season 3 has twisted and revised Howey’s work more than ever, meaning even those who read ahead were in the dark on several occasions. Through all of that, Season 3 seems to be keeping fans hooked and even winning back some who had begun to doubt the show. That’s very good news as we head into the Season 3 finale, then a final season that is sure to be the most jaw-dropping installment we’ve seen yet.
‘Silo’ Season 3 Has Not Played it Safe
When it comes to science fiction book adaptations, it’s easy to sit back and say they should simply translate every line of the novels onto the screen without changes. It would avoid the most common complaints against these shows, and would give the producers a great counter-argument to any criticisms. However, these productions are rarely 100% faithful to the source material for one reason or another, and Silo has embraced change from the start. By approaching change gradually throughout the story, Silo has built something that feels distinct from the book. Changes feel intentional, not dictated by the limitations of TV budgets or writers’ whims.
That approach is paying off now, as Season 3 has changed the story more than either of the previous installments. Some changes are easy to understand at a glance — the show has a more cinematic pace than the books, with more consideration for cliffhangers and tension. However, when it comes to changes like keeping Bernard (Tim Robbins) alive or giving Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) amnesia, the trust between the audience and the writers is critical.
It’s encouraging to see a show where the long-term plan has prevailed without pivoting halfway through. Silo Season 2 wasn’t quite as popular as Season 1, and some commenters online even questioned whether the show had strayed too far. That’s reflected in the IMDb ratings that inspired this article — while most episodes of Season 1 were rated an 8 or higher and none were rated below 7.3, most episodes of Season 2 were rated under an 8. The lowest, Season 2 Episode 8, was rated 6.9 out of 10, and the season average dropped by a full half point.
Season 3 has slowly built that score back up by paying off some of the biggest mysteries in the story. It makes the slow-burn approach feel worth it, and in the process reminds viewers why they love a real-time TV event. It all culminated this weekend in a 9.3 out of 10 episode.
‘Silo’ Will Hit the Ground Running in Season 4
It’s safe to assume that the Silo team has saved some of its most climactic moments for the season finale, but the story doesn’t stop there. The series has already filmed its fourth and final season, which is expected to premiere next year on Apple TV. This is a huge advantage in an era when a two-year wait between seasons is becoming the norm. It means all the excitement of Season 3 will still be fresh in our minds when the series returns.
For that to work, this season will need to end on a major high note, and things are looking good in that department. That’s all thanks to the cast and crew of Silo taking risks with this story. Another adaptation might have played it safe by simplifying the weird technology involved in the apocalypse, or the drugs used to induce amnesia. Some might even have tried to keep the story contained underground where it’s more familiar to viewers, but this crew knew when it was worth opening the hatch.
Silo Season 3 concludes on Friday, September 4 on Apple TV. Season 4 will premiere next year. Howey’s novels are available now in print, digital, and audiobook formats.
- Release Date
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May 5, 2023
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
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Graham Yost
- Directors
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Morten Tyldum, David Semel, Michael Dinner, Aric Avelino
- Writers
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Graham Yost, Hugh Howey, Jeffery Wang, Lekethia Dalcoe
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