Why Judge Meadows Wants to Leave

Notice! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2, episode 2.

Silo Season 2 Episode 2 addresses the drama that unfolds at Silo 18 after Juliette leaves and ends with a shocking twist where Judje Meadows wants out. Set directly after the events of Silo At the end of the first season, the second installment of the Apple TV+ sci-fi show unfolds two simultaneous stories. While one focuses on Juliette’s journey out of Silo 18, the other highlights the consequences of her departure from the central Silo. After Season 2 Episode 1 focused primarily on Juliette, Episode 2 gives viewers a glimpse of how her departure gradually sparks a rebellion at Silo 18.

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

Why Judge Meadows Wants to Leave at the End of Silo Season 2 Episode 2

She seeks freedom like any other citizen of the silo

After convincing Judje Meadows to accompany him during his speech to the citizens of the Silo, Bernard approaches her again in the final moments of episode 2. This is when he tries to convince her that she should become his shadow, which would potentially make her his successor if things got worse for him. However, to Bernard’s surprise, Meadows says she feels more clear-headed than ever and wants to leave. She even discards her alcohol supply and promises that she doesn’t want anything else.

Meadows’ desire to leave reveals how, like other citizens of Silo, she is also tired of living under the restrictions imposed on them. Like Bernard, she seems to know a little more about the outside world and the higher authorities of the Silos than normal citizens. However, she doesn’t have all the answers and is tired of the prison they are forced to call home. Therefore, once she realizes that Juliette has reached the top of the hill with the new heat tape, she sees this as an opportunity to find her freedom.

The judge dismisses her alcohol supply because drinking was just a means for her to cope with the oppressive lifestyle at the Silo. Interestingly, Meadows and the judiciary are not that significant in the overarching plot of the original Hugh Howey Silo books. Bernard doesn’t even consider naming Meadows as his shadow in the books. With this deviation in history, Silo season 2 episode 2 appears to establish other major changes to the source material.

Order “failed to clear” protocol explained

Bernard considers extreme measures after Juliette leaves

After seeing how many people died in the neighboring Silo from Juliette’s helmet camera, Bernard refers to the Order, a guide that provides a list of actions the boss must take to establish control. The Order has a separate page dedicated to protocols for an unsuccessful cleanup that says: “In case of a failed cleanup, prepare for war.” The protocol suggests that a failure to clean 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 external camera lens.

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

Since a simple act of defiance is enough to trigger a rebellion, the Order highlights that a leader must prepare for war if a citizen does not clean up. To Bernard’s dismay, he deals with something much worse. Juliette not only refuses to clean her lenses, but also reaches the top of the hill outside Silo 18, convincing many citizens that the outside world is non-toxic.

Why Bernard lies to the citizens of Silo 18 about the heat tape

Bernard finds a temporary solution to his problems

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

He says that Juliette offered to come out of the silo and test the new tape on her suit. To end his speech on a positive note, he even pays tribute to Juliette for sacrificing herself and allowing them to understand how everyone could eventually leave the Silo. Bernard even arranges questioners who claim that Juliette is still alive. He does this because he realizes that it would be better for him to respond to the growing skepticism within the Silo with a controlled narrative rather than letting the rumors get out of control.

Why Bernard isn’t naming Sims his shadow

He’s afraid Sims isn’t ready for the role

All over Silo In Season 2 Episode 2, Robert Sims seems interested in becoming Bernard’s shadow. He even asks Bernard in advance if he will adopt the role. However, Bernard says he needs him where he is and instead approaches Meadows with the position. While Sims wonders why Bernard doesn’t want him as his shadow and speculates whether Meadows has something to do with it, it seems likely that Bernard doesn’t trust him enough. Bernard realizes that he will have to face some hard truths about the Silo to become its shadow.

As the main figure of Silo 18, Bernard knows things about the outside world and higher authorities that no one else does. He realizes that to become his worthy successor, Your shadow will not only have to face some harsh truths about the reality of the world it lives in, but it will also be able to deal with the burden of living with them. He believes Meadows is ready for the job because she knows more than Sims. However, if Meadows eventually leaves the Silo, Bernard may have to settle for Sims as his new shadow.

Silo Season 2 Episode 2 Wizard of Oz Reference Explained

The series shares many intriguing parallels with the story of L. Frank Baum

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

Considering Henry M. Littlefield’s political interpretation of the classic story, the citizens of Silo 18 represent the Scarecrow because they are naive and desire more knowledge about the outside world. Mechanical workers are like Tinman in The Wizard of Ozwho have been dehumanized by their machines and crave compassion. Martha Walker is the Cowardly Lion, without the courage to fight against tyranny. Finally, while the Wicked Witches are the unseen forces of authority that control the silos, Juliette is Dorothy on Apple TV+. Silo as she longs for her home.