Round Two: Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer: Season 1, Episode 2 “Prepare to Brace” (B-)

I want to like this show since I do think the premise is interesting, but I’m still questioning whether it needed to be turned into a TV show. I don’t remember everything about the film, but the added device of having a murder investigation here makes it feel all too much like a standard procedural with different set dressing. At few points does this show truly feel like it takes place solely on a train, with only several places actually appearing like cars. That element is what’s most intriguing, and not continually features it does this show a disservice. It also seems like the cattle car being exposed when they were right outside was all-too-convenient timing, and that this kind of thing would have happened before or at least have been more preventable by reducing train speed. Knowing that this show has already been renewed for a second season makes it seem like this plotline can be dragged out forever, without the thrill of a “Prison Break” setup that could lead to a new step since there’s nowhere to go but the front of the train. I would be much more interested in understanding the run-up to how the train was conceived of and created and how Melanie began to pose as Mr. Wilford rather than the standard narrative of this rebellion-in-waiting and slow-paced criminal investigation. I’m willing to give it one more episode but would like to see something surprising or satisfying happen to compel me to stick around and watch more.