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Review: <i>Snowpiercer</i> S02, Ep 1. – “The Time of Two Engines” Strange and Chilly Times Ahead

Snowpiercer, Season 2, Episode 1 “The Time of Two Engines”

Air Date: Monday, January 25, 2021 at 9:00 PM ET/PT on TNT

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars ★★★★★

“This is the world! A rolling steel artery on a dead marble.” – Mr. Wilford

Season 2 of Snowpiercer picks up immediately where the season 1 finale, “The Train Demanded Blood” and “994 Cars Long,” left off, and it is worth the wait! So many chilly (literally and figuratively) turn of events in just the season premiere; I am on pins and needles to see what unfolds over the second season.

Let’s just talk about the elephant in the room and that is “Icy Bob” (Andre Tricoteux). The hulking 6’10.5” actor makes a huge statement without saying much. His appearance lends itself to some possible speculation that the second train, known as “Big Alice” may have a couple (literally) of Frankenstein-esque doctors in their midst. The Headwoods, played by almost unrecognizable yet familiar faces Damian Young and Sakina Jaffrey, are quirky yet deceptively cunning. The things they’re cooking up in their lab, case in point, the all-powerful “goo” they spread over Melanie’s (Jennifer Connelly) frostbite, and whatever else they have going on will be intriguing to discover.

Sean Bean as Mr. Wilford

I’m so thrilled about Sean Bean being on the show as the elusive Mr. Wilford. It’s no secret that Bean has played so many characters that have met their unfortunate demise too soon in many a television shows – Game of Thrones and TNT’s Legends – so I hope he at least lasts until the end of the season (and beyond, please!). So far, his performance in “The Time of Two Engines” is absolutely fantastic!

There is much to unpack from the season 2 premiere. From the cryptic messages inside the brig on Big Alice and then there’s the other gigantic animal in the train car – Melanie’s long lost, now adult, daughter Alexandra (Rowan Blanchard), talk about an awkward and uncomfortable reunion. And back on Snowpiercer, after everything that happened in the season 1 finale, the civil unrest is still contentious, even more so with Mr. Wilford’s arrival and long list of demands which includes his favorite bottle of scotch.

A few key things I noticed:

  1. Big Alice doesn’t have a lot of fresh food. I couldn’t really tell what the hell Mr. Wilford is having for his dinner, but it didn’t look very appetizing. And he has a dedicated person to taste his food before he eats. WHAT!?
  2. Big Alice trades weed for an apple, orange, and potato. First of all, if they can grow weed, why aren’t they growing food?
  3. One of the cryptic messages in the brig where Melanie has to stay while on Big Alice reads: “If you both the math, you’ll take a bath. – Randy” – What in the hell is that supposed to mean? Does it have anything to do with engineering? I’m dying to find out.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Layton (Daveed Diggs) picks up the pieces after the attempt to storm Big Alice to save Melanie sort of falls flat. And Melanie is more cunning than ever. When Mr. Wilford stops the trains to force Melanie’s hand by threatening to disconnect Snowpiercer, what happens next definitely throws a wrench in his plans.

Again, I’m very excited to see what lies ahead for both trains and its passengers.

SNOWPIERCER, Season 2, Ep. 1 “The Time of Two Engines” Photo Gallery

Rowan Blanchard as Alexandra
Sean Bean as Mr. Wilford
Sean Bean as Mr. Wilford and Jennifer Connelly as Melanie Cavill
Jennifer Connelly as Melanie Cavill
Rowan Blanchard as Alexandra Cavill
Sean Bean as Mr. Wilford and Jennifer Connelly as Melanie Cavill
Alexandra seems to know her mother quite well, even after 7 years apart.
Mr. Wilford wants his train back…but I think he really wants some fresh food!
Mr. Wilford reunited with his protégé Melanie after many years…not quite a joyous occasion.
Alison Wright as Ruth Wardell
Armed to the teeth, the passengers of Snowpiercer wait with bated breath as Big Alice breaches the tail
Mickey Sumner as Bess Till and Alison Wright as Ruth Wardell
Steven Ogg as Pike
Daveed Diggs as Layton, Steven Ogg as Pike, and Mike O’Malley as Sam Roche
Daveed Diggs as Layton
1 / 15

For more on Snowpiercer, go to https://www.tntdrama.com/snowpiercer

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.