The Eternal Engineer is the eighth episode of the second season of Snowpiercer. It is the eighteenth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis
An engineering catastrophe forces Layton to make a difficult choice that might cost him everything.
Plot
Aboard Snowpiercer, the Brakemen, Breachmen and immediate management of Snowpiercer gather as Boki prepares to eject the deceased Breachmen from the train. As they stand by, Layton witnesses numerous Brakemen holding their hands in the "W" formation — a clear indication that they support Wilford. After Boki ejects the bodies, Layton, Till, Roche, and Doctor Pelton talk about the situation regarding the lanterns and the support shown for Wilford. Layton is worried that the Brakemen are defecting, but Roche assures him that they behaved in respect for tradition, and that they will follow him and Layton to the end. Till worries that the Tail is still being blamed for the crimes despite her having arrested two suspects, but Pelton assures Layton that Second still follows him.
Roche arrives at his quarters to tell his daughter that she is moving up-train. She isn't happy about the move, and questions why she must move and cannot remain where she is. Roche tells her that it is for her protection and will be closer to school. After she has left, Roche talks with her mother, and assures her that she must keep the faith and he will do his part and keep the peace; the two are distracted following this when their tap begins leaking and floods their cabin.
Aboard Big Alice, Alex questions Wilford about the opening of the seal earlier that day. Wilford tries to pass off the event as Snowpiercer ejecting their dead, but Alex tells him that it was something else, and that he is hiding something from her. Nonetheless, he attempts to change the conversation by remarking how smooth the stretch of track ahead is. Shortly after, he leaves Alex to visit Josie Wellstead, where he shows her the results of the Headwoods' treatment, and further assists her with the phantom pain she is experiencing with her missing hand. With this, he remarks that he will no longer be locking her door and that she is free to roam Big Alice as she pleases.
In the Engine of Snowpiercer, Bennett, Pike, Javi and Layton become increasingly concerned with the water leaks aboard the train. Bennett surmises that there has been a problem with the gills, and they have more than likely been jammed open. With the Breachmen dead, however, and with Boki more than likely reluctant to help, Bennett reveals that the issue is quite severe. Nonetheless, they are able to convince a reluctant Boki to assist them in closing the gills.
Icy Bob is seen on the outside of the trains, presumably having jammed open the gills to sabotage Snowpiercer. Alex is shocked at the scene, and questions what Icy Bob is doing outside, but Wilford and the Headwoods' ignore her and instead are fixated on trying to warm Icy Bob up and save his life.
Meanwhile, Josie ventures out into the dining car of Big Alice, and is met by Miss Audrey, who compliments the work the Headwoods have done to her face. Josie realises that Miss Audrey has defected, but Audrey remarks that she has simply returned home to where she belongs. With this, Audrey tries to convince Josie to stay aboard Big Alice and take advantage of everything Wilford and the Headwoods have to offer, but Josie is reluctant and instead remarks that she wishes to return home to Snowpiercer and Layton.
Following the discussion with Audrey, Josie visits the Headwoods lab where she finds Icy Bob, barely surviving. She questions what pain relief he has been given, but Icy Bob simply remarks that he has served his purpose and is ready to go. With this, Josie cannot resist opening the door of the lab and exposing her hand to the Freeze, only to realise that she is in fact, somewhat resistant to the temperatures outside.
In Big Alice's Engine, Alex questions Wilford about Snowpiercer's venting and the fact that they're slowing a considerable amount. Wilford suggests that Alice radio to Snowpiercer and ask about the situation, but when she does, Bennett simply tells her that they're slowing for routine maintenance and will make up for lost time later. With this, Bennett further slows the train to 55km/h whilst Boki removes the obstruction from the gills. Bringing it back inside, Boki realises that he has been betrayed by Wilford and hands back the Wilford pin, completely changing sides to Layton's side.
As Ruth checks on the repairs and maintenance aboard Snowpiercer, she is questioned by Anne, Roche's wife, who tells her that she has just been asked where they stand — with Wilford, or with Layton. Ruth tells her that they must remain neutral as Hospitality and Brakemen, but Anne remarks that she is sure that Roche has chosen a side. With this, she questions Roche over the issue, and he remarks that he stands with Layton. Roche tells Anne that they cannot go back to the way things were, even at the cost of peace aboard Snowpiercer.
Cast
Main
|
Guest Starring |
Co-Starring
- Steve Baran as Brakeman Ames/Brakeman 1
- Miranda Edwards as Lights
- RJ Fetherstonhaugh ... Jackboot Clifford
- Esther Li as Carly Roche
- Matthew Mandzij ... Brakeman West
- Kelly-Ruth Mercier ... Annie
- Anup Sehdev ... Tunnelman #1
- Brent Stait as Tunnelman Jakes Carter
- Andre Tricoteux as Icy Bob
- Andrea Ware as Jackboot Tyson
- Garfield Wilson as Jackboot Kaffey
Quotes
| “ | Wilford gave me this himself. He said "Breachmen risk their lives for me. With this, I pledge the same to you." Take it. Maybe you can shove it up his ass one day, huh? Sir. | ” |
| — Boki gives Layton his Wilford pin and switches sides | ||
Trivia
- The episode had a viewership of 0.89m, with 0.19m within the 18—49 demographic.[1]
- Big Alice has The Drawers aboard. Sam Roche was imprisoned in them with his family.
- Josie is shown to have mostly healed from her frostbite and is starting to develop abilities similar to Icy Bob.
- It's stated that there is a rumor that the surviving Jackboots have rebuilt a command. At the end of the episode, they are shown active again, working for Wilford.
- Snowpiercer appears to have been partially repaired as the train is moving on at least some of its own power rather than relying completely on Big Alice for movement. This is further indicated by Javier De La Torre telling Layton that the Engine "still isn't running at full capacity," suggesting that its running at least somewhat on its own again.
- The events of this episode are why Snowpiercer was late returning for Melanie in Many Miles From Snowpiercer: the train had to slow down as a result of the problems from Icy Bob's sabotage.
- Bojan Boscovic changes sides after realizing that Wilford had Snowpiercer sabotaged and did in fact betray him.
- Wilford regains control of the train while Layton is arrested and Roche and his family are placed into the Drawers.
- Miss Audrey is reading Speak, Memory, an autobiographical memoir by writer Vladimir Nabokov. At the same moment they listen to the song What I Got, I Got form Maurice Rice.
- Miss Audrey, while in the bathtub aboard Big Alice, is singing “Joey” from the 1990 album “Bloodletting” by Concrete Blonde, written by Johnette Napolitano.
- As confirmed by Roche, Mr. Wilford engineered Snowpiercer with portals to freeze people’s arms off as punishment.
Body Count
- Icy Bob (died of injuries from going out into the Freeze)
Gallery
Images
Promotional
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Behind the Scenes
Videos
See also