These Are His Revolutions

Season	1
Episode	8
Overall	8
	July 5, 2020
	Tina de la Torre
	Everardo Gout
	47 minutes
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These Are His Revolutions is the eighth episode of the first season of Snowpiercer. It is the eighth episode of the series overall.

Synopsis

TNT's: Revolution has finally come, and Layton leads the lower classes forward in armed rebellion. Melanie’s house of cards collapses and she’s in danger of becoming the first casualty in the battle for control of Snowpiercer.

Netflix's: While First Class confronts Melanie about who's running the train, Layton and his conspirators mount their biggest attempt to march to the Engine.

Intro

“	I believe some folks on this train forget just how generous and wonderful a man Mr. Wilford actually is. Not me. I could never forget. It's Wilford who runs our Sacred Engine. It's Wilford who has His finger on our pulse, who knows exactly what we need… how much food and water, how much heat and space, how much discipline. It's Wilford who saved us from the bitter Cold. He's the only reason we're alive. Yet somehow, on this train we call home, there are passengers who see fit to challenge Him, passengers who think they know better, passengers who take for granted this great miracle that He's given us. (…) One day, I know I'll see Mr. Wilford again. And when I do, I will thank Him, from the bottom of my heart, for everything that He's done. For me. For all of us. These are His revolutions, 1,001 cars long.	”
	— Ruth Wardell

Plot

SPOILERS AHEAD

Miles enters the engine room and begins flashing the lights as a clear indication to LJ Folger — who watches from her carriage — that their plan is in motion. LJ arrives at the Engine Room and Miles grants her access, where she is able to witness Javi driving the train. Despite Miles’ warnings, LJ approaches Javi, but finds herself unable to hurt him. They enter the bedroom and Miles explains that what Layton said is true; Cavill is the real face of Snowpiercer.

In Third, Layton, Audrey, Bess and the others plan for the revolution. They plan to hit them on Third where they know the territory. Bess explains that she cannot presume to know which side the Breakman will choose, but nonetheless, Layton explains that there will be casualties. Bess arrives in Jinju’s room to ask her to stay in Third that day. Bess is reluctant to reveal anything about the revolution; she warns her to stay out of Third that day and leaves.

Meanwhile, Ruth is again called by Nolan, Lilah, and Robert who each reveal that they have a reliable source who has revealed that Wilford is not in the Engine Room. Ruth does not believe them, citing that Nolan himself has seen Wilford, however, he cites that he hasn’t seen Nolan since they departed. Melanie is called to First where the allegations are brought against her. She tells Ruth, Nolan, and the rest of First that they are out of their minds and Wilford is in the Engine Room, but First are unwilling to listen and a riot breaks out between several members of Nolan’s team. Nolan orders that all available units are called to first, despite Melanie exclaiming that those units are needed down the train keep the peace; Nolan remarks that he doesn’t take orders from Melanie anymore, and orders that she be arrested.

With all of Nolan’s men moving up train — just as Layton predicted — the Tailies and Third enact their plan. Meanwhile, in the Hospitality Office where Melanie is being held, she activates a buzzer that sends an alert to the Engine Room, which Ruth and Nolan’s men are approaching, alerting them to lock down the Engine. Bennett tells Javi to lock it down, but he is reluctant and believes they should tell the truth. Despite Bennett dismissing this, Javi opens the door and allows Ruth and Nolan through; Bennett stops him before they able to enter through the final door, however, and when asked, Javi tells Ruth that Wilford has been dead since departure and that Melanie is running the show; she took the train from Wilford.

Ruth looks around Melanie’s room, heartbroken and betrayed by the recent revelation. Nolan asks if she is alright, and Ruth explains that she feels stupid for not realising that Wilford has been dead since departure; Nolan consoles Ruth as she questions what will become of Snowpiercer.

As the patrols begin moving up-train, the Tail sets in motion Layton’s plan. Layton is brought up-train by Bess, who orders that the door is opened. As the guard tries to confirm with management that Layton be moved, the Tailies cut the communications and Bess knocks out the guard. Bess removes the handcuffs having secured access to and from the Tail. The tail is ecstatic to see Layton has returned to free them but Bess does not receive the same treatment, and is met with resistance. Layton announces that Bess is one of them no, and that she can be trusted despite their reservations. Layton announces that today is the day the march and, more importantly, the day they remember those they have lost to the Tail.

Following disconnecting the communications line, Walter and Lights attempt to return to the Tail. They’re intercepted, however, by Oz and the rest of the Brakemen’s, who question what Walter is doing. He attempts to cover his tracks, however but fails when Oz recognizes Lights from the Tail. He orders that the Brakemen’s call Nolan and request his Jackboots up-train, but when they try, they find that the lines have been cut; Oz orders that they go on foot.

Murray and Miss Audrey arrive at medical where they converse with Henry. Henry opens one of the drawers and it is revealed that Strong Boy — one of the Tailies — is found inside.

The Brakemen arrives at the Folger carriage, where he reveals that the Tailies are up to something. At that moment, Nolan realizes that the Tailies are distracting them as they squabble over Wilford. Nolan orders that all his men move down train. Meanwhile, Ruth approaches Melanie, citing that she feels betrayed by Melanie and her lies over the numerous years — Ruth questions if Melanie was laughing at her all of the years, but Melanie reassures her that their friendship was real. Ruth questions what happened to Wilford and Melanie explains that Wilford never believed humanity could be saved, therefore she took the train that she designed and left Wilford trackside to die. Ruth has trouble believing Melanie, and reveals that she is to be executed the following day in an attempt to restore order.

Layton, Bess, and the Tailies march forward where they are informed that the Jackboots and Brakemen have gotten wind of their plan and are forming in Third. Bess and Layton approach Roche and the Breakmen, asking them to step aside given the fight is not with them. Roche tells the Breakmen to hold the line, assuring them that the Tail is lying about Wilford. Despite this, Layton and Bess are able to convince Roche that they are telling the truth, and Roche orders the Breakmen to stand aside and allow the Tail passage.

In the subsystem, Nolan and the Jackboots prepare to flank the Tail. Unbeknownst to them, numerous Tailies lie in wait with ballista, resulting in numerous Jackboot deaths. Nolan orders that they continue pushing as he takes a team to flank them from behind. When Nolan and his team pass through the Nightcar, however, they are met by Bess, Layton, and numerous Tailies who attack the Jackboots causing huge casualties on both ends. Realizing that they are close to defeat, Nolan orders that the Jackboots fall back and enter retreat. Moments later, the Jackboots return and throw teargas into the Nightcar forcing Layton to order a retreat. Numerous Tailies are left behind as Layton orders the door to the Nightcar sealed.

Meanwhile, Pike is pulled from the drawers by Ruth and Nolan. Pike reveals that Layton is an idealist and will not take the defeat well; Pike advises that they keep pushing to see Layton break.

Cast

Main Characters

• Jennifer Connelly as Melanie Cavill
• Daveed Diggs as Andre Layton
• Mickey Sumner as Bess Till
• Alison Wright as Ruth Wardell
• Lena Hall as Miss Audrey
• Iddo Goldberg as Bennett Knox
• Susan Park as Jinju Seong
• Sam Otto as John Osweiller
• Sheila Vand as Zarah Ferami
• Roberto Urbina as Javier De La Torre
• Mike O'Malley as Roche
• Jaylin Fletcher as Miles
• Annalise Basso as LJ Folger

Guest Starring

• Happy Anderson as Dr. Henry Klimpt
• Kerry O'Malley as Lilah Folger
• Steven Ogg as Pike
• Timothy V. Murphy as Commander Grey
• Aaron Glenane as The Last Australian
• William Stanford Davis as Mr. Riggs
• Reneé Victor as Mama Grandé
• Vincent Gale as Robert Folger
• Karin Konoval as Doctor Pelton
• Jonathan Lloyd Walker as Big John

Co-Starring

• Doron Bell as Lieutenant Gardiner
• Paul Belsito as Tunnelman Hedges
• Simon Chin as Jackboot Jefferson
• Miranda Edwards as Lights
• Gary Hetherington as Walter Flemming
• Yee Jee Tso as York Lam
• Tom Kirk as Clay
• Stephen Lobo as Martin Colvin
• Jane McGregor as Astrid
• Cassandra Naud as Fiona
• Kurt Ostlund as Strong Boy
• Michel Issa Rubio as Santiago
• Dylan Schmid as Patterson
• Kristie Sita as Third Class Woman
• Manoj Sood as Rajiv Sharma
• Brent Stait as Jakes Carter
• Kwasi Thomas as Z-Wreck
• Kenneth Tynan as Junior Brakeman
• Andrea Ware as Jackboot Tyson

Quotes

Melanie: "This is Chicago, and we should be there in a day and a half." Miles: "This is our slowest revolution, isn't it? Twenty-two hours off average." Melanie: "We lose a little bit of time each revolution. So it's on us to reverse that." Miles: "Because if Snowpiercer stops, we all die." Melanie: "That's right." Miles: "Melanie, what was your daughter like?" Melanie: "She was… smart. Like you. Sweet. Much nicer than me." Miles: "What happened to her?" Melanie: "She was with my parents at the end, Allie was supposed to get on the train with them... but she didn't make it." Miles: "My parents didn't made it either, but I had my tail mom Josie." ―  Melanie lets Miles control the train. “ He's dead. He's been dead since departure. Melanie took the train. I had nothing to do with it. You have to believe me. I'm sorry. ” — Javi tells Ruth and Nolan Grey that Mr. Wilford is dead. Ruth: "All these memories that I have of us. Moments that I took to be true. From sharing a meal together, on our feet during an all-night committee meeting or playing "good cop, bad cop" to settle the squabbles in the First. Or when you gave me my persona; commendation from Mr. Wilford? For my outstanding dedication to the company." Melanie: "You earned that." Ruth: "All those years. Were you just laughing at me? You made a fool of me. Over and over." Melanie: "The friendship was real." Ruth: "Did you kill him, Melanie?" Melanie: "Wilford wasn't who you thought, Ruth. He was a fraud." Ruth: "He build the Eternal Engine." Melanie: "No, he didn't. I did. I built this train, Ruth. I put everything I had in it. And Wilford sold tickets. He didn't believe it was possible to save humankind, and He was never even going to try. " Ruth: "That's not tru." Melanie: "He was going to waste it! All He wanted was to live as well as He could for as long as He could surrounded by accolades and… boozes and whores in the Nightcar. We wouldn't have made it one revolution. So I took Snowpiercer... and I left him trackside to die. I'm sorry I lied to you, Ruth. I'm sorry for all the things that I did wrong. But I'm fighting to do what I know is right." Ruth: "You're a filthy liar. And a murderer. Order will be restored." ―  Ruth confronts Melanie.

Trivia

• The title of the episode is a line in Ruth Wardell's opening dialogue explaining how she (and many others) believes that Mr. Wilford is still on the train, while later in the episode it is revealed that he isn't.
• At the beginning of the episode, Snowpiercer is about a day and a half from Chicago and the end of its current revolution.
• According to Javier De La Torre, the real Mr. Wilford has been dead since departure and Melanie "took the train." Melanie later tells Ruth Wardell that she is the true mastermind behind Snowpiercer while Wilford was a fraud who "sold tickets" and didn't believe in saving humankind.
• It is revealed in this episode that Melanie left Wilford because he was selfish, didn't believe in saving humanity, only wanted to live out the rest of his life in luxury and they "wouldn't last one revolution," leaving him behind to die.
• While it's never been explained why Pike was brought out of The Drawers before the revolution, Grey must have been planning to kill the Tailes, after being told Mr. Wilford was not aboard by LJ.

Body Count

• Jackboot Jefferson (decapitated)
• At least 15 Jackboots (impaled with large spikes fired by Big John)
• At least 14 Jackboots (battle in the Nightcar)
• 37 revolutionaries (battle in the Nightcar)
  • Patterson (speared through the back)
  • Fiona (throat slit by Nolan Grey)
• At least 2 Jackboots (axed by Big John)
• Big John (axed to death by Jackboots)

Gallery

Images

Promotional Images

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Videos

• File:Snowpiercer 1x08 Promo "These Are His Revolutions"
• File:Snowpiercer Melanie's Secret Is Exposed - Season 1, Episode 8 Clip TNT