Warning! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2 episode 2.

Silo season 2’s episode 2 walks through the drama that unfolds in Silo 18 after Juliette’s departure and ends with a shocking twist where Judje Meadows wishes to go out. Set directly after the events of Silo season 1’s ending, the second installment of the Apple TV+ sci-fi show unfolds two simultaneous stories. While one focuses on Juliette’s journey outside Silo 18, the other highlights the aftermath of her exit from the central Silo. After season 2’s episode 1 primarily focuses on Juliette, episode 2 gives viewers a glimpse of how her departure gradually brews a rebellion in Silo 18.

Realizing how Juliette’s exit from the Silo could lead to their vault’s downfall, Bernard acts quickly and seeks help from Judge Meadows. Although Meadows initially seems unconcerned, she eventually sees it as an opportunity to fulfill one of her wishes. Bernard just feels grateful that Meadows is finally teaming up with him and hopes that the collaboration will help him save the Silo. Little does he realize that Judje Meadows has completely different plans.

Why Judge Meadows Wants To Go Out In Silo Season 2 Episode 2’s Ending

She Seeks Freedom Like Every Other Silo Citizen

After convincing Judje Meadows to accompany him during his speech to the Silo’s citizens, Bernard approaches her again in episode 2’s ending moments. This is when he tries to convince her that she should become his shadow, which would potentially make her his successor if things go downhill for him. However, to Bernard’s surprise, Meadows tells him she feels more clear-headed than ever and wishes to go out. She even dumps her supply of alcohol and promises she wants nothing else.

The Judge dumps her alcohol supply because drinking was merely a means for her to cope with the oppressive lifestyle in the Silo.

Meadows’ wish to leave reveals how, like other Silo citizens, she, too, is tired of living under the restrictions that have been imposed upon them. Like Bernard, she seems to know a little more about the outside world and the higher authorities of the Silos than the regular citizens. However, she does not have all the answers and has grown tired of the prison they are forced to call their home. Therefore, as soon as she realizes that Juliette made it to the top of the hill with the new heat tape, she sees it as an opportunity to find her freedom.

The Judge dumps her alcohol supply because drinking was merely a means for her to cope with the oppressive lifestyle in the Silo. Interestingly, Meadows and the judicial are not as significant in the overarching storyline of the original Hugh Howey Silo books. Bernard does not even consider appointing Meadows as his shadow in the books. With this deviation in the story, Silo season 2’s episode 2 seems to set up other major changes to the source material.

The Order’s “Failed Cleaning” Protocol Explained

Bernard Considers Extreme Measures After Juliette’s Exit

After seeing how many people died in the neighboring Silo through the camera on Juliette’s helmet, Bernard refers to The Order, a guide that provides a list of actions the head must take to establish control. The Order has a separate page dedicated to the protocols for a failed cleaning that says, “In the event of a failed cleaning, prepare for war.” The protocol suggests that a failed cleaning is the worst-case scenario because it serves as an act of defiance and awareness. Before Juliette, all the citizens who left the silo cleaned the lens of the camera outside.

Since a simple act of defiance is enough to spark a rebellion, The Order highlights that a leader must prepare for war if a citizen does not clean.

They did this because they were deceived by the false VR projections created by their helmets. All the citizens who left the Silo, including Holston and his wife, cleaned the lens because they wanted the people inside to see that the world outside was inhabitable. The hologram created by the helmet not only enticed people to clean the lens but also kept the ones inside the silo compliant. However, Juliette realizes that her vision through the helmet is a mere filter, convincing her they were lied to. As a final act of defiance, she refuses to follow the ritual of cleaning the lens.

Silo
season 2 is adapting the second half of Hugh Howey’s first
Silo
book,
Wool
, albeit with several story changes.

Since a simple act of defiance is enough to spark a rebellion, The Order highlights that a leader must prepare for war if a citizen does not clean. To Bernard’s dismay, he deals with something far worse. Juliette not only refuses to clean the lens but also makes it to the top of the hill outside Silo 18, convincing many citizens that the outside world is not toxic.

Why Bernard Lies To Silo 18’s Citizens About The Heat Tape

Bernard Finds A Temporary Solution To His Problems

Bernard realizes that most citizens in the Silo will not believe him if he tries to dismiss the fact that Juliette survived far longer than any previous survivors outside Silo 18. Therefore, he lies and tells the citizens that they intentionally used good quality heat tape to insulate her suit, allowing her suit to withstand the harsh conditions outside the Silo for a longer period. Instead of antagonizing Juliette for breaking many rules, he also portrays her as a hero because he knows what his people want to hear.

He says that Juliette volunteered to leave the silo and test the new tape on her suit. To end his speech on a positive note, he even honors Juliette for sacrificing herself and allowing them to understand how they can all eventually leave the Silo. Bernard even arranges hecklers who claim that Juliette is still alive. He does this because he realizes that it would be better for him to answer the growing skepticism inside the Silo with a controlled narrative rather than letting rumors spiral out of control.

Why Bernard Is Not Appointing Sims As His Shadow

He Is Afraid Sims Is Not Ready For The Role

Throughout Silo season 2’s episode 2, Robert Sims seems keen on becoming Bernard’s shadow. He even asks Bernard upfront if he will get to adopt the role. However, Bernard tells him he needs him where he is and approaches Meadows with the position instead. While Sims wonders why Bernard does not want him as his shadow and speculates if Meadows has something to do with it, it seems likely that Bernard does not trust him enough. Bernard realizes that one will have to confront some harsh truths about the Silo to become his shadow.

As the leading figure in Silo 18, Bernard knows things about the outside world and the higher authorities that no one else does. He realizes that to become his worthy successor, his shadow will not only have to confront some hard truths about the reality of the world they live in but also be able to handle the burden of living with them. He believes Meadows is prepared for the job because she knows more than Sims. However, if Meadows eventually leaves the Silo, Bernard might have to settle for Sims as his new shadow.

Silo Season 2 Episode 2’s Wizard Of Oz Reference Explained

The Series Shares Many Intriguing Parallels With The L. Frank Baum Story

In Silo season 2’s episode 2, Meadows shows a copy of The Wizard of Oz to Bernard and explains how the Wizard in the story is nothing but a conman who uses smoke and mirrors to create an illusion of power. When Bernard asks her if she is calling him the Wizard, she disagrees and says that she feels like the Wizard inside the Silo. This reflects how, despite being a part of the Judicial, Meadows feels like an impostor because, like the citizens, she has little to no power and control. Silo seems to share many other intriguing parallels with The Wizard of Oz.

…While the Wicked Witches are the invisible authoritative forces that run the silos, Juliette is Dorothy in Apple TV+’s
Silo
as she longs for her home.

Considering Henry M. Littlefield’s political interpretation of the classic story, Silo 18’s citizens represent the Scarecrow because they are naive and desire more knowledge about the outside world. The workers of the Mechanical are like the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz, who have been dehumanized by their machines and long for compassion. Martha Walker is the Cowardly Lion, lacking the courage to fight against tyranny. Finally, while the Wicked Witches are the invisible authoritative forces that run the silos, Juliette is Dorothy in Apple TV+’s Silo as she longs for her home.