Into the White

Season	2
Episode	10
Overall	20
	March 29, 2021
	Graeme Manson & Aubrey Nealon
	Clare Kilner
	46 minutes
Episode Guide
← Previous	The Show Must Go On
Next →	The Tortoise and the Hare

Into the White is the tenth episode of the second season of Snowpiercer. It is the twentieth episode of the series overall.

Synopsis

TNT's: Layton leads a furious attempt to try and pick Melanie up but not without some sacrifices.

Netflix's: As the train approaches Melanie's retrieval point, Layton leads a furious attempt to try and pick her up -- but not with some scarifies.

Intro

“	I was ten when the world became a train. Wilford said he was my family now. Daddy dubs, and I would lead the train with him. Leaders were lonely, you couldn't trust anyone. So I was the Island of Alex, and no one ever came ashore. Until we finally caught up to Melanie, and I saw Snowpiercer and met her people. That's when Dubs got weird. At first, I thought my mom and her people were stupid and disorganized. But now, I think freedom probably has to be messy. Over there I saw Layton lead by listening to others. I saw women with power. And I saw them keep my mother's dream alive. (…) One day, I'll break the cycle, and we'll walk away from Snowpiercer together, 1,034 cars long.	”
	— Alexandra Cavill

Plot

Having been confined to a small cell by Wilford for her outbursts at dinner the previous night, Alex thinks about her perspective on Melanie and the way things are done on Snowpiercer. Alex finally realises that Melanie's way — albeit complex and wild — is the right way to run the trains as opposed to Wilford's totalitarian rule; with this, she finally aligns herself with the rebels and more notably, Andre Layton. Her thought process is quickly interrupted, however, with the arrival of Mr. Wilford who wishes Alex to apologise and come back to his side before being freed from the cell. Alex is quick to rebuke him, however.

In Compost, Layton and Ruth plan their escape following the message from Big Alice's Engine. Layton tells Ruth that the escape must happen later that night and asks if she is in for the whole stretch; Ruth remarks that for Snowpiercer and Melanie, they will do what needs to be done. With this, the two kill the guard shortly after their food is delivered and free themselves from Compost. Wandering up-train, they stumble across Alex in her cell and explain that Melanie is alive and well and that they must steal control of Big Alice in order to collect her. Alex informs them that the Engine and Wilford's room are connected by a secret tunnel, but further informs them that they are approaching the Rocky Mountain test track shortly therefore will need both Engine's to succeed. Alex refuses allowing them to break her out, however, citing that she can manipulate Wilford and Kevin into freeing her.

Wilford becomes increasingly annoyed at Audrey due to her oversleeping after a heavy night of drinking. Things become increasingly more violent when Kevin tells Wilford that Zarah is reluctant to eat but he would happily "slap her". With this, Wilford hits Kevin and the latter is informed that pregnancy comes with protection aboard Snowpiercer.

Breaking into the Engine, Ruth and Layton kill the two Jackboots protecting and watching Javi. They tell Javi that they must collect Melanie as planned, but he tells them that he needs a minute to think.

Josie talks with another fellow amputee in the Headwoods' lab as the two try on prosthetic hands. Josie explains how she felt during her exposure to the cold but that ever since the Headwoods healed her she wants to go outside to see what she can do; she makes no effort to deny that she is the new "Icy Bob".

Having manipulated Kevin into securing her an audience with Wilford, Alex apologises to Wilford on the grounds that she now realises that Melanie was wrong and it was a fools errand sending her out into the Freeze. Furthermore, she remarks that she now sees that she belongs with Wilford, and promises to apologise to all those she offended. On her exit from Wilford, however, she informs Till that they're seizing the Engines and Layton is back.

Back in Big Alice's Engine, Javi remarks that it will be difficult to communicate with Bennett given Sykes is watching him all of the time. Nonetheless, Javi communicates a message to Bennett in code, roughly pertaining to a rail-line switch further up course. Bennett remarks that he has understood the message, and Javi sends Layton and Ruth up-train.

Layton and Ruth are passed through the border of the train under the guise of carnival equipment for the new carriage. When they emerge, they detail the plan to Lights and Boscovic. Boscovic laughs at the fact that he is working with the Tailies, but is on board with the plan nonetheless.

With Snowpiercer quickly approaching the Rocky Mountain test track, Bennett realises that he must distract Sykes long enough for Javi to make the switch of the tracks. A fight erupts and Bennett is badly beaten, but with the turbulence created by the switching of lines, Bennett is able to get the upper hand and Snowpiercer successfully switches tracks from the mainline to the Rocky Mountain Test Track. Despite the success in switching the tracks, Sykes remarks that Wilford will feel the differences in the tracks and the restlessness of the test track. Bennett tells Javi that they must hold on a little longer, and that he is a fantastic engineer.

Wilford quickly becomes suspicious of the movement of the trains, but Alex tries to distract him and calls forward to the Engine. Talking with Bennett, she is informed that they have switched tracks, but she must keep Wilford busy. Alex is unable to do so and, when Wilford looks through the window, he realises they have been played and orders both Engine's stormed. As the alarms sound, Layton talks with Bennett who is informed that they have passed the pick-up point, but Melanie is nowhere to be seen. Bennett tells him that she will be there and they will slow more when she arrives.

Moments later, Wilford is successful in breaking into Big Alice's Engine and Javi is badly beaten. After Javi proclaims that he cannot be killed as Wilford needs engineers, Wilford orders his dog to attack and Javi is further harmed by the dog. As Wilford takes control of Big Alice he begins to accelerate, and Bennett is quickly informed that Javi is no longer at the helm of the train. Despite Bennett's attempts to brake, Wilford is aware that he has more momentum and torque and is able to push the train over the peak and allow gravity to propel them further. As the train passes the peak, Alex is forced to watch as the train passes Melanie in the bleak snow outside.

Following this, Alex becomes angered and slashes Wilford's neck with a razor blade she procured earlier (in a attempt to kill him); she bolts from the Engine momentarily as Wilford is taken to the Headwoods' lab and stitched up. Wilford orders the train searched and that Josie be sent outside to breach the Engine. Despite the Headwoods remarks that she isn't ready, Wilford orders her sent anyways.

Meanwhile, Alex has joined up with Ruth, Andre, and Boki, and the four plan to turn back for Melanie. Boki explains that the aquarium car can be manually unlocked, giving them a 10-cart Pirate Train to turn back and rescue Melanie. Ruth is unsure of the plan given the technicalities and dangers of leaving the train in Wilford's hands, but she is eventually convinced. Whilst Till is further easily convinced, Zarah refuses to go with Layton and explains that the baby will afford her great protection.

As the plan sets in motion, Josie is sent out onto the top of the train, an event that quickly triggers an alert in Snowpiercer's Engine. When Bennett realizes that it is Josie that has been sent outside, he finds himself with another tool in his toolbox to use to his advantage.

Layton begins to set his plan in motion down-train and explains to Wilford that he must not harm Zarah or the others whilst he is gone. Layton takes Miss Audrey as hostage in an effort to convince Wilford. Whilst Wilford is not convinced that Layton will not harm Audrey, things begin to go south when Boki is ambushed by Wilford's men and cannot uncouple the J-Link. Unbeknownst to Wilford, however, Josie remains loyal to Layton and breaches the aquarium car, destroying it completely. Having been delayed by Kevin, Ruth is inadvertently left behind and can only watch through Snowpiercer's windows as the Pirate Train leaves without her.

As the new Pirate Train stops outside Breslauer Weather Station, Layton and Alex are saddened to see that Melanie has used the remainder of the power to keep the data drives warm, but she is nowhere to be seen. Alex finds a handwritten note from Melanie detailing that she realized she could no longer survive but needed to preserve the drives; Melanie is at peace with her decision and hopes her sacrifice will fuel a better world.

Analyzing the data aboard the Pirate Train, Bennett, Till, Layton and Josie are surprised to find that Melanie was successful and there are several points in the world where warming is occurring. With this, the four set off in the Pirate Train to reclaim Snowpiercer from Wilford.

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
• Katie McGuinness as Josie Wellstead
• Sheila Vand as Zarah Ferami
• Roberto Urbina as Javier De La Torre
• Annalise Basso as LJ Folger
• Rowan Blanchard as Alexandra Cavill
• Sean Bean as Joseph Wilford

Guest Starring

• Sakina Jaffrey as Mrs. Headwood
• Damian Young as Mr. Headwood
• Tom Lipinski as Kevin McMahon
• Chelsea Harris as Sykes
• Aleks Paunovic as Bojan Boscovic

Co-Starring

• Miranda Edwards as Lights
• RJ Fetherstonhaugh as Jackboot Clifford
• Angel Giuffria as Hannah
• Kwasi Thomas as Z-Wreck
• Andrea Ware as Jackboot Tyson
• Nikolai Witschl as Cruel Guard

Quotes

Wilford: "Do you know what an oubliette is?" Alex: "A Frech dungeon." Wilford: "A special dungeon, underground, with a tiny hole in the roof. They just drop you in forever. Means "forget" Melanie, Layton, drop them all in the oubliette, Alex." Alex: "You don't want me to forget them, you want me to renounce them." Wilford: "Uptrain, when you're ready." ―  Wilford to Alex in the brig. Ruth: "Our friend is quite careful." Layton: "Yeah, well, our way out is through him. Tonight, if we're gonna have any shot of getting back to Melanie." Ruth: "Qualities that got us this far won't get us past Wilford. To best a man like that, you need to be utterly ruthless" Layton: "We've both done terrible things" Ruth: "Not terrible enough" Layton: "Well, I have got a foul and murderous plot to get us out of here, if you'd like to start there." Ruth: "I Would." Layton: "I've watched Wilford. I've seen him take it right up to the edge of killing us all. So the question is not "Are you willing to sink to his level." It's "Are you willing to risk everything." Ruth: "For Snowpiercer and for Melanie, everything." ―  Layton and Ruth trying to get out of The Compost. Bennett: "Here they come, Javi. Now we just gotta hold them off." Javi: "Yeah, that's easy for you to say. Your door's thicker than mine." Bennett: "Whatever happens, you're one hell of an Engineer, my friend." Javi: "Top three in the world, right?" ―  Bennett and Javi risking their lives for Melanie. Alex: "Please turn the train around. She survived, and she has the science." Wilford: "Ah, yes. Let's do pretend this is all about science." Alex: "People deserve to know what she discovered." Wilford: "It's a folly! A fantasy! She couldn't accept the truth that I saved her life, and yours, and everyone's. It breaks my heart to see you fall for her games. That after everything, you're so much more her than me." Alex: "No, it's not true. I'm both." Wilford: "No. You're just a tool I collected on the way." Alex: "Don't say that!" Wilford: "A handy little lever to pry your mother out, and you did your job. Now you can join her trackside." Alex: "You could never be the leader she is!" ―  Alex confronts Wilford after he left Melanie trackside carelessly. “ You're gonna behave yourself while we're gone. No vengeance. No reprisals. You keep your hands off these people. ” — Layton says goodbye to Wilford “ Shit. ” — Ruth is left behind “ I had nothing here to return to. I'm only human, so of course I used up my resources. Ate my rats to extinction, and the cold crept in. There isn't enough power to keep me alive more than a few hours but on a trickle charge, the drives could last months for you. I knew when the train blew past in sparks and flame, Snowpiercer braking and Big Alice pushing, that Wilford was sabotaging it all somehow. But you were there in the window, Alex. I knew you'd come back. I can feel your reading this as I write, so now I can put on my helmet and walk into the white at peace. You are my hope, Alex. Learn to love the people that got us this far, and together, one day, you will build a better world. ” — Melanie's goodbye letter to Alex Bennett Knox: "She did it. She did it. These are warm places. She did it so we could survive." Josie Wellstead: "Oh my God. It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful." ―  Layton's crew examines Melanie's data “ Let's go get our train back. ” — Layton prepares to return for the people that they left behind

Trivia

• The title of the episode is not stated in the opening dialogue. However it is hidden in Melanie's goodbye notes to Alex. "...Alex. I knew you'd come back. I can feel your reading this as I write, so now I can put on my helmet and walk into the white at peace."
• According to Boki, "Big Alice has enough juice for systems to survive..." which means Big Alice recharged Snowpiercer's Battery Cars and is powering them.
• Layton creates his own Pirate Train out of the first ten cars of Snowpiercer with Bennett Knox, Josie Wellstead, Bess Till and Alexandra Cavill willingly on his crew. In addition, they have Miss Audrey and Sykes as prisoners.
  • Zarah Ferami decides to stay behind due to the danger while Ruth Wardell is accidentally left behind after she is delayed by Kevin McMahon.
  • As revealed in The Tortoise and the Hare, the Pirate Train also carries Martin Colvin who became an inadvertent stowaway, having been asleep in his cabin at the time of the hijacking.
• According to Bennett, with the smaller train, the Engine is now a Ferrari and will be running hot. This allows it to come to a complete stop without risking freezing.
• Melanie's data shows warm areas in most of Central America, parts of the top and bottom of South America, much of the upper parts of Africa as well as the southernmost portion, parts of Asia and about two-thirds of Australia. North America still appears to be completely frozen over with no warm areas.
• With the aquarium aboard Snowpiercer destroyed, it's unknown how the passengers will obtain foods such as fish etc. Whilst it is possible that there is another aquarium car, it is more than likely that there is already a suitable stockpile of fish in storage.
• Although Javier De La Torre is apparently mauled to death by Jupiter in this episode, it's revealed in The Tortoise and the Hare that he actually wasn't killed and that he survived with facial scars. However, his injuries still require him to be hooked up to IVs for treatment even six months later.
• It is unknown what happens to the cattle prod that Ruth takes from Kevin.
• Melanie apparently dies after walking into the Freeze after running out of resources. However, it's discovered in Ouroboros and Setting Itself Right that she had managed to make it to a hanger on Neckbreaker and set out in a Track Scaler. She is eventually rescued by Snowpiercer in A Beacon for Us All.
• Although Boki seemingly dies in this episode, it's later revealed in The Original Sinners that Wilford's men rescued him from the explosion, although Boki was left even more scarred and required over six months of treatment by Mrs. Headwood who turned Boki into Wilford's new Cold Man, replacing Icy Bob.

Body Count

• Cruel Guard (stabbed several times by Andre Layton and head bashed with a shovel handle by Ruth Wardell)
• 2 Jackboots (slashed with a sword by Ruth Wardell and stabbed by Andre Layton respectively)
• Snowpiercer's Aquatic Life (Aquarium Car breached by Josie Wellstead)
• Some of 7 Jackboots (Aquarium Car breached by Josie Wellstead)

Gallery

Images

Promotional

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