Warning! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2’s episode 9.
Siloseason 2’s episode 9 ends on an ambiguous note, leaving viewers curious about Lukas' new discovery and Silo 18’s future. In its opening moments,Siloseason 2’s episode 9 takes an interesting approach where it replays Juliette’s opening arc in Silo 17 through the perspective of the kids introduced in episode 8. It shows how the kids kept a close eye on Juliette and tracked all her moves before setting out to capture and harm Solo.
While Juliette attempts to convince the kids to let her talk toSolo in theSiloseason 2 episode, Lukas sets out on his own journey to seek the truth after finally understandingSalvador Quinn’s letter. Juliette eventually finds hope, suggesting she will likely head to Silo 18 inSiloseason 2’s finale. Lukas, however, finds himself in a web of complex mysteries that will seemingly determine Silo 18’s future in the final episode of season 2.
What The Algorithm Means By “The Safeguard” In Silo Season 2 Episode 9’s Ending
The Safeguard Threatens Silo 18’s Stability
Lukas Kyle’s story inSiloseason 2has primarily revolved around his efforts to decode Salvador Quinn’s letter at Bernard’s command. TowardsSiloseason 2 episode 8’s ending, he finally finds a way to achieve his goal. With what follows, in episode 9, he sits down and writes the following as Salvador Quinn’s final message:
If you’ve gotten this far you already know the game is rigged.
We think we’re the chosen ones, but we’re only one of many.
They built fifty.
And they created the safeguard.
As he deciphers more lines from the letter, he discovers that the last three sentences say, “If you don’t believe me go to the very bottom of the silo. Find the tunnel! You will get confirmation there.” After failing to find Bernard, Lukas takes it upon himself to find the truth about Quinn’s message. He heads down to the bottom level of Silo 18 with Shirley’s help and, as suspected, finds a tunnel. As soon as he approaches the tunnel’s entrance, an AI, referred to as “The Algorithm” in the subtitles, informs him that before him only three people have reached the tunnel’s door:
The Algorithm claims it did not speak to Wilkins, suggesting it only reveals information to authoritative figures from the silo. Before disclosing crucial information to Lukas, it also warns him that if he speaks to anyone about what he learns, the AI will have to initiate “The Safeguard.” Given how the AI refers to the Safeguard as a threat and even Quinn’s letter claims the founders created it, it seems likely thatit is a protocol to terminate a silo. If a silo learns the truth about how the “game is rigged,” the Algorithm is seemingly responsible for eliminating it.
…If a silo potentially threatens to expose the truth about the founder’s mission, a so-called “safeguard” or safety measure will wipe the silo out.
The letter also talks about how the people from all silos think they are the chosen ones, believing they were the ones selected to survive the apocalypse. However, as the letter highlights, the founders of the silos created 50 similar structures and cared little about the well-being of one specific silo. Even if one silo fails, humanity’s sustenance can depend on the survival of others. Owing to this, if a silo potentially threatens to expose the truth about the founder’s mission, a so-called “safeguard” or safety measure will wipe the silo out.
What Lies Beyond Silo 18’s Tunnel?
The Tunnel Likely Connects Silo 18 To Other Silos
Juliette learned about the door at the bottom of Silo 18 through George Wilkins' final video in which he also mentioned that the water at the lowest level is nothing to worry about. Given how Lukas discovers the water is barely 2 feet high inSiloseason 2’s episode 9, it makes sense that Wilkins affirmed the water was not a threat. TowardsSiloseason 1’s ending, Juliette also mentioned the tunnels to Bernard, which surprised him. His reaction suggested that he knew nothing about them, which again makes sense since the AI confirms that only four people have seen the tunnel’s entrance.
The Tunnels Connected To The Silo: Where Do They Go?
Bernard and Lukas discover tunnels heading out of the bottom of their Silo, which raises many questions surrounding where they go in the outside world
While looking through Silo 18’s layout, Lukas and Bernard also noticed that many tunnel-like structures connect their silo to something in the external world. The show has not yet revealed where the tunnels go, butit seems likely they connect to other silos. The founders seemingly created an interconnected network between the silos, which makes it hard not to wonder why they would prevent people from one silo from learning about the others. It is also possible that the tunnels hold the key to finding a way to the outside world without facing the harsh conditions that kill humans.
Where Bernard Goes When His Silo 18 Key Glows
The Key Hints At The Involvement Of More Powerful Forces
InSiloseason 2 episode 9’s final arc, Sims tells his wife about Bernard’s key, which has the number 18 imprinted on it. He claims that the key buzzes and glows every time things go sideways in the silo, prompting Bernard to rush to a door in the server room. While Sims struggles to find out where Bernard disappears, it seems likely he visits the Algorithm to understand the gravity of the situation and find a viable situation.
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Hugh HoweySiloseries that includes three books:Wool,Shift, &Dust
Since the Algorithm is a means for the founders to ensure that all silos follow the strict rules set by them,the AI seemingly sends Bernard a warning message through his key that his silo is drifting closer to danger. The AI also probably gives him the next course of action he must implement to ensure things remain under control in Silo 18.
Does Knox Know Walker Is The Traitor?
Knox Seems Aware That Walker Is Working With Bernard
Knox claims he has figured out who the traitor is inSiloseason 2’s episode 9. However, after he arrives at Walker’s workshop, he says that, according to him, Teddy’s mother is Bernard’s informant. He says she betrayed the Mechanical because she was afraid Teddy would be killed if she did not comply with Silo 18’s higher authorities. He also reveals their next plan to Walker, disclosing that they plan to use the gunpowder they got from the Supply. Bernard watches this conversation from a distance and believes he knows what the Mechanical plans to do next.
…Knox seems to misguide Bernard by making up a fake plan inSiloseason 2’s episode 9.
However, Knox seems to be one step ahead of Bernard. It looks likeKnox refers to Walker when he talks about Teddy’s mother, implying that she only complied with Bernard because she was afraid he would kill Carla. He also realizes that Bernard could be watching Walker, so it would not be wise to confront her directly. Therefore, Knox seems to misguide Bernard by making up a fake plan inSiloseason 2’s episode 9.
Solo’s Real Identity & Backstory Explained
Juliette Finally Connects The Dots In Silo Season 2’s Episode 9
Two of the three children, Audrey and Rick, strike a deal with Juliette: if she wants to talk to Solo, she must find the code to Solo’s vault before their baby starts crying. The third child, labeled as “Eater,” joins Juliette, hoping that she will get to leave Silo 17. While looking for clues surrounding the code, Juliette learns from the Eater that Silo 17’s rebellion happened decades ago. With this, she realizes that Solo’s real name is Jimmy, and he was barely a teenager when he was asked to protect the vault.
TheApple TV+ sci-fi showhas not yet revealed how many years Solo spent in Silo 17’s vault, but the original books confirm he spent 33 years in the vault before meeting Juliette.
When she later gets to meet Solo and asks him to tell her the truth about his memory of the rebellion, Solo recalls that his father, Russell, made him swear the oath and appointed him as his Shadow because he wanted him to protect the silo’s secrets at all costs. Solo kept his promise of protecting it even when the silo’s sheriff killed his father before his eyes. Little did Solo understand thathis father made him stay in the vault to protect him from the rebellion. Juliette helps Solo realize that he was too young to understand his father’s true motives and must finally let go of his responsibilities.
The Silo 17 Kids' Identities Explained
The Kids Were Raised In Silo 17
Eater tells Juliette that Audrey’s father, Chase, and Rick’s mother, Tess, got together after others in Silo 17 died. When Eater’s mother got sick, she took her to Chase and Tess, hoping that they would look after her. After running low on food, Chase and Benny tried to get into Solo’s vault and shot at him. Solo panicked and shut them in the vault’s food storage before vacuuming the room. Before Solo could even understand what he had done, they died due to lack of oxygen.
Siloseason 2’s story is based on the second half of Hugh Howey’s firstSilobook, Wool.
When Solo reveals the story of his trauma and even shows the scar of the bullet that was fired at him, Audrey finally empathizes with him instead of wanting to kill him for murdering her father and Rick’s mother. Solo, too, gives in and shows empathy towards the survivors by allowing them to access the vault after Juliette tells him that they have a baby to feed.Solo’s previous experience with other survivors explains why he threatens to kill Juliettewhen she tries to enter his vault inSiloseason 2’s episode 1.
Why The Founders Built 51 Silos
They Might Have Built One Silo For Themselves
When Lukas decodes a few lines from Quinn’s message and learns about the other silos, he tells Bernard about it. Bernard corrects him and reveals that there are a total of 51 silos, not 50. Although Bernard claims he does not know why an additional silo exists, it seems likelyit is the control station for overseeing the operations of other silos. Bernard previously confirmed that the silos were built 352 years ago by the founders. Owing to this, it is impossible for the founders to be alive in the show’s present timeline and oversee the events of all the silos from the additional one.
However, it is possible that after their demise, their descendants took their responsibilities. Or,Silomight be taking theFalloutapproachby revealing that cryo-freezing technology allows people to extend their lifespans, helping the founders stay alive centuries after the silos' creation. Regardless of what happens next,Siloseason 2’s episode 9 paves the way for an exciting finale.
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.
