Notice! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2.Judge Meadows rose through the ranks to become one of the main characters of Silo first few episodes of season 2, raising many questions surrounding her history with Bernard and her role in the overall story. Since Silo season one is based on the book series of the same name by Hugh Howey, it’s always surprising when the series departs from the source material and adopts an original narrative. One of the biggest deviations from the source material in Silo season two revolves around judge Mary Meadows.
The original books barely focus on the Judicial, which makes characters like Meadows secondary players in the grand scheme. However, since the first season, Apple TV+ Silo has emphasized Meadows’ characterization much more than Hugh Howey’s novels. After the events of Silo After the Season 1 finale, Judge Meadows became even more important in Season 2, making her one of the main characters on the Apple TV+ sci-fi show.
Judge Meadows’ Role in the Silo Explained
Judge Meadows was the head of the judiciary in the first season of Silo
In Silo season 1, Judge Meadows is introduced as head of Silo 18 Judicial. As the citizens of the Silo believe that the Judiciary is at the top of their underground city’s hierarchy, Judge Meadows is believed to hold the highest authority in Silo 18. However, when Meadows informs Juliette that she cannot lift the order against Gloria Hildebrandt in Silo In season 1, it becomes clear that she is not as powerful as everyone believes. Juliette’s encounter with Meadows suggests that the Judiciary is not pulling strings at Silo 18 and is controlled by a higher power.
The final arc of the show’s Season 1 confirms that IT chief Bernard has been secretly controlling everything in Silo 18, including the Judiciary personnel. Silo Season 2 establishes that Judge Meadows was among the few people in Silo 18 who did not witness Juliette’s departure. His secretary, Sharon, finally tells him that Juliette not only defied the housekeeping rule, but also managed to survive long enough to disappear over the hill. This completely changes Meadows’ perspective and encourages her to stop drinking.
Meadows’ role as the mayor’s shadow and why she was chosen
Meadows and Bernard have a long history
Bernard becomes increasingly worried about the future of Silo 18 after Juliette’s departure leads the citizens to start a rebellion. Therefore, he asks Judge Meadows for help. Even though Sims tries to convince Bernard to make him his shadow, Bernard asks Mary Meadows for help. Your conversations in Silo Season 2 suggests that Before Meadows joined the Judiciary, she was part of the IT department. Bernard also previously named her as his shadow, explaining how she knows so much about everything from the Order to the secrets of the outside world.
While the show doesn’t mention why she gave up the role and joined the Judiciary, it seems that learning the truth about her Silo and the outside world took a toll on her. She likely turned to alcohol because learning about the Silo’s secrets gradually eroded her sense of free will. His inability to share what he had learned about the Silo and the outside world further aggravated his feeling of helplessness.
Bernard, however, never gave up on her, explaining his reason for getting closer to her after Juliette left. As she is the only person he has confided in with Silo’s secrets, he meets her when he struggles to find guidance. Bernard also likely fears that Sims won’t be able to handle the truth, making it difficult for him to trust him. Some subtle story developments in Silo the second season also suggests that Bernard and Meadows may have been romantically involved with each other, which could have been another reason why Bernard puts faith in her but struggles to accept that she wants to leave.
Red Meadows Relics
The relics remind her of the life she never had
As Silo Season 1 establishes, any item from before the last Silo 18 rebellion is considered a relic. All relics are considered unsafe and possessing them may be illegal unless authorization to possess them is obtained. Any citizen who finds a relic must report it to the Sheriff, who will forward it to the Judiciary for classification and official listing. While some relics are considered less harmful, others are labeled as “red tier” relics.
While most ordinary citizens of Silo 18 enjoy the bliss of ignorance, Meadows knows a little too much about the world in which he lives.
Red relics are considered more insecure than others because they contain data from the past and can instill strong ideas among citizens or educate them about things they have been programmed to forget. Because of this, everything from hard drives to books are considered a red-tier relic. Although red relics are prohibited, Meadows appears to have an entire collection of them in his Silo 18 apartment.
Some of the relics found in Judge Meadows’ apartment are:
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A stealthy toy
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A frisbee
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A kite
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An Etch-A-Sketch
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A projector
In Silo Season 2, Meadows continues to look at his Frisbee relic. It also shows a video of a man playing Frisbee on the beach with his son. These moments suggest that Meadows wants to live a normal life outside of the Silo. While most ordinary citizens of Silo 18 enjoy the bliss of ignorance, Meadows knows a little too much about the outside world. The relics remind her of the life she could have lived If only things were different in his dystopian world.
Why Judge Meadows Wants to Break Out of the Silo
She’s tired of living inside the silo
The fact that Meadows turned to alcohol after learning about the truths of the Silo and becoming obsessed with relics suggests that she has wanted to leave home for a long time. However, since no one successfully survived outside, she feared she would die, even though she knew about the heat tape. Juliette’s survival gives her confidence that leaving the Silo and sustaining yourself in the outside world is possible. Therefore, after becoming increasingly frustrated with her life of endless confinement in Silo 18, she demands to leave in exchange for helping Bernard in Silo 2nd season.