Siloseason 1 did not answer what “The Syndrome” really is, but one intriguing detail surrounding Steven Zahn’s new character might have already teased an answer. Based on Hugh Howey’s book trilogy of the same name, Apple TV+‘sSilois all set to expand its lore and storytelling with season 2, which is scheduled to premiere on August 14, 2025. SinceSiloseason 1 barely covered the first half of the first book,Wool, in the Hugh Howey trilogy, season 2 is expected to finish at leastWool’s story by the time it ends its run.
As thestory details forSiloseason 2confirm, it will mark the inception of a new journey for Rebecca Ferguson’s Juliette. She was last seen stepping outside Silo 18 inSiloseason 1’s ending.Siloseason 2’s trailerreveals that her opening arc will focus on her racing against time to find shelter before her suit gives out and exposes her to the toxins in the outside environment. Towards the end, the trailer also featuresSteve Zahn’s newSiloseason 2 character, Solo, and interestingly emphasizes his eyes.
Solo Has Heterochromia In Silo Season 2’s Trailer
His Right Eye Seems Less Reactive To Light
TheSiloseason 2 trailer maintains an air of ambiguity surrounding Steve Zahn’s Solo. Instead of giving away who he is and what he looks like, the trailer focuses on his eyes in a brief scene where he threatens Juliette he will kill her if she opens the door. Despite lasting a few seconds, the scene leaves a lot to unpack. However, one of the most intriguing aspects of the Solo sequence inSiloseason2’s trailer is the emphasis on his eyes.
Solo seems to have heterochromia in theSiloseason 2 trailer scene. While his right eye is a bright shade of blue, the left one is a dull brown. Given howtheHugh HoweySilobooksmention nothing specific about Solo’s eyes, this is an original detail in the show’s lore. Only time will tell how Solo’s heterochromia will tie into the series’ overarching narrative. However, the fact that the trailer seemingly tries to highlight the detail in his appearance suggests it will play a significant role in season 2’s story.
Solo’s Eye Condition Could Be Linked To The Syndrome
The Syndrome Remains One Of Season 1’s Biggest Mysteries
Siloseason 1 reveals Silo 18’s pact, which highlights that any citizen affected by “The Syndrome” is not allowed to hold public office. The pact also mentions that as soon as a resident starts showing the Syndrome’s symptoms, they must report their condition and vacate their position of authority in Silo 18. Apart from that, a signboard in Silo 18’s mechanical also mentions the Syndrome’s stages and relative symptoms as follows:
“Involuntary twitching is the first sign, leading quickly to shaking of the extremities, flashes of pain and muscle spasms are next. Balance and movement is severely impaired. If untreated infection will attack the brain, resulting in reduced cognitive function and finally, A shut-down of the entire nervous system.”
AsSiloseason 1 progresses, it also becomes evident that Paul Billings has the Syndrome but has not reported it because he fears the consequences. Since, like the Solo eye color detail, the Syndrome is also not a part of the original Hugh Howey books' lore, Solo’s eye defect may have something to do with the health condition. A closer look at Solo’s eyes reveals that one is less reactive to light than the other. This could mean thatSolo, too, has the Syndrome, and it has significantly taken a toll on his overall health and functionality.
The Syndrome’s Origins In Silo Season 2 Could Explain What Happened To The World
In an interview (viaSFX magazine),Silo’s showrunner, Graham Yost, discussed why they introduced the Syndrome in the show and what its potential story implications could be. He called the Syndrome “a neuralgic response to the pressure of living in” the harsh conditions of the Silo. Highlighting that humans were not meant to live the way they do in the series, Yost revealed they came up with the condition after talking about it with Hugh Howey.
Silo Season 1 Ending Explained
Apple TV+’s Silo season 1 introduces many mysteries and nagging questions in its dystopian drama and waits till its ending moments to resolve them.
The showrunner’s revelations suggest that the Syndrome could be a mental health condition caused by living in the oppressive environment of the silo. Having no contact with nature could be another primary reason behind it. Or, as many readers of theSilobooks would speculate,the Syndrome could be linked to the catastrophic event that led humans to shut themselves in the titular structures. Hopefully, perhaps through Solo’s story,Siloseason 2 will provide more answers.
Silo
In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.
