Silo (2023)

Watchseries; For whatever reason it seems that every show streaming on tv now is simply far too long. This is a perfect example -- Wool could have been a thoroughly engaging and dramatic four hour series (at most); instead it drags on and on with meaningless long chatty exchanges that could have been shortened to a few sentences; odd plot twists that don't turn out to be terribly satisfying; long and boring inactive sequences. And although some of the actors, especially the lead, Rebecca Ferguson, is excellent, others are flat and bored with the occasionally inane dialog they're forced to spout. Given the wonderfully imaginative the set-up, the show is a disappointment.

For whatever reason it seems that every show streaming on tv now is simply far too long. This is a perfect example -- Wool could have been a thoroughly engaging and dramatic four hour series (at most); instead it drags on and on with meaningless long chatty exchanges that could have been shortened to a few sentences; odd plot twists that don't turn out to be terribly satisfying; long and boring inactive sequences. And although some of the actors, especially the lead, Rebecca Ferguson, is excellent, others are flat and bored with the occasionally inane dialog they're forced to spout. Given the wonderfully imaginative the set-up, the show is a disappointment.

Silo watchseries. I rarely write reviews after seeing only three episodes, I would usually wait until I'd watched the entire season. But for this TV programme, it is worth it.

There was an event in episode three that had us on the edge of our seats. It was very very well done. But go watch it, I'll not spoil.

The programme as a whole is based on a community living in a Silo, no spoilers there. It's a big Silo, so there are a lot of them. And it's clear many of the main characters are still to be properly introduced. Tim Robbin has only just appeared. Rebecca Ferguson as lead actress is performing fantastically, giving us a believable and complex character.

And it's increasingly clear this will be a complex sci-fi story with multiple components. The only minor quibble is that I don't understand why they know so little about their past and why they are all in the silo. But I have a feeling that will be addressed at some point.

Overall, very nice to be hooked on some decent, well-made sci-fi.

I decided to rewrite my review (which I do really rarely) - after two initial good episodes, Silo goes downhill fast. I still like the production and the cast but we get to much filler time on the table. Nothing really happens, lots of flashbacks and filler episodes like episode 3 (the generator fixing) and lots of talking that, well, is just talking. In this sense Silo reminds me a lot of The Last of Us: in my opinion both "universes" or "worlds" are fine enough to provide good material for movies like the The Hunger Games or Divergent books did. But the adaption as a show does not work well: with every episode aired it shows more and more that the writers are struggling to provide something interesting. With a sad heart, because I see the potential of Silo (like for Last of Us), I quit watching this one too. Episode 6 aired was one big let down too many, at least for me. Still, the production is legit and maybe someone with more patience will like Silo more.

Considering that the "Wool Trilogy" is a book series that is vastly popular, I can imagine that many people already read the book. As did I... Some 5 years before this show was released. I can still recall that when I was reading the first book, that I just couldn't stop reading! It was just such an awesome story.

Usually, having read the books keeps me from watching a show that is derived from it. But not this time though... It was the recall of the "couldn't stop reading"-experience that made me decide to give this show a try.

And after having seen the first 2 episodes, I can tell you that this adaptation for streaming is awesome! It is so well executed! And it so well captures the atmosphere that I remember from reading the books! So I am already looking forward to all future episodes that will be dropped.

The moment that I am writing this, I already learnt that a second season is in the works. I imagine that each season will cover one of the "Wool Trilogy"-books. So I am pretty confident that the second season will turn out to be as good as the first one! I hope though that when it comes to a third season, that the producers will decide to not use the third book as a basis. Because honestly, with the third book the story ends... And I just so like the Silo world that I want it to keep going on to a 4th, 5th installment.

As a final remark, I want to state that I think that AMC made a big blunder by not keeping this show to themselves. That they sold it in 2021 to Apple and instead focus on producing content like "Lucky Hank" shows the 'capability' of AMC's current management. The fact that AMC - which still ended up producing the show - is practically controlled by the Dolan Family may be a significant factor in this. I myself would not be surprised if the Dolan family takes full control and in a next deal sell of AMC to Apple. Maybe there is already more in the works and agreed upon than is publicly admitted at the time of me writing this review.

But anyway, this show looks like a big success. I am going to score it with a 8.4/10, just barely not making a 9-star IMDb score. But when it keeps true to its original story in season one, whilst keeping the execution at the current high level, I would certainly be open to up my score to 9 stars.

It's an interesting take on the underground bunker story, of a people who survived underground for such a long time that a civilization arose within it, with lore, myths, beliefs, rituals and ceremonies that are rooted in events that have been forgotten, and a status quo social structure is founded. And when that status quo that preserves the order is questioned, enforcement and punishment follows. A power structure forms, creating a stratified populace, both figuratively and literally, from top to bottom of the silo. That's the premise, and while not entirely original (think Snowpiercer, Dark City, etc.), there is enough novelty here and seems well-executed for a TV series.

Good acting by Oyelowo, with familiar faces in n Rashida Jones and Will Patton. (But as you can tell from the show poster, they are guest stars who will give way to the regular cast, with Rebecca Ferguson as the lead. ) The show appears to be pretty decent, with good production values. There are elaborate sets and good CGI to provide a believable atmosphere.

Though a suspicious mind will pick on some obvious conspiracies early on, there are mysteries being uncovered that will keep me watching.

Wow what a season finale that was, I didn't see that coming and I can't wait for what happens next! Leading up to the release of the finale, I thought this show had many filler episodes so my average episode rating was between 6 and 8. But for the first time I've ever done this watching any series, I decided to binge-watch the entire season again this past week prior to the finale release (I was watching each episode weekly upon release). I have to say I'm really happy I did this, and recommend this to everyone, and here's why:

The way the episodes are released weekly, there's a lot of timeline shifts and the endings are mostly small cliffhangers to keep you interested in the series and to tune in the following week for the next episode. I guess it's a writing tactic, but this doesn't always compliment the series' narrative, and may make certain elements of the sub-plots feel insignificant and like filler. I've never re-watched a series before, but because I do have A. D. D and a short attention and memory span (old age), I forgot what happens in most of the early episodes, but do remember that I wasn't impressed with all the filler. Upon re-watching each episode in binge-mode, and going in knowing what's ahead, I was shocked at how much more I enjoyed the series, and how all the filler was actually small yet necessary tidbits that compliment what happens ahead - especially watching the finale right after binging. I had to go back and re-rate each episode with better ratings of mostly 8 and 9's, because they were that much better and made more sense on second viewing.

So if you haven't started watching this show, you are lucky to be able to binge it, because you will enjoy it more. And for next season, I will force myself to wait until all episodes are released and also binge it. This is why I'm a huge fan of Netflix, because most of their series are released one-shot and are bingeable, unlike Apple, HBO, Hulu etc.

I am now officially hooked on this series and compliment the outstanding set designs and S/VFX, all casting and performances as well as the perfect cinematography, score and directing. I'm glad they announced a second season, apparently already written (before writers strike) and have started filming. I am unhappy that I have to wait an entire year for next season though, and will probably re-binge this season again mid-year lol. This show is one of, if not the best post-apoc sci-fi's ever made, and Apple finally has a winner.