The choice to readapt Bong Joon Ho’s popular sci-fi dystopian was always a heavy burden. Yet Snowpiercer, which jumps to AMC and AMC+ in its final season, proved a unique adventure. Expanding the world far beyond the scope of the train, the series approaches its final season with patience. However, due to fracturing storylines, some of the most popular characters are pushed to the side. For some, the direction of the final season will be difficult to enjoy. Still, with a new group of antagonists and plenty of emotional farewells, Snowpiercer concludes.
Snowpiercer Season 4 Plot
After splitting into two groups, the residents/crew of Snowpiercer and Big Alice face unique challenges. Those who took Big Alice use the train to power the town of New Eden. The Snowpiercer continues on the track until they find the remnants of a rocket. Both groups come under fire from Millius (Clark Gregg) and his “Animal Squad.” Their attack on New Eden causes Layton (Daveed Diggs) to lead a team on a rescue mission. Meanwhile, Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) and team Snowpiercer must adapt to his harsh rule.
The Critique
The last three seasons of Snowpiercer pushed the characters to the limits of emotional and physical despair. Yet Season 4 crosses that line, making characters put their lives on the line to help friends and family. Diggs leads the ensemble with the same charisma and roguish approach. The stakes are somehow more personal, and he shines throughout the season. His true foil, Ruth (Alison Wright), remains astounding as the Mayor of New Eden. Her performance might be subdued compared to Diggs, but her choices feel monumental.
While the two of them continue to shine, the introduction of Millius and Clark Gregg is welcomed. He embodies the hard-edged, complete-your mission-at-all-costs resilience that makes him a terrifying threat. Gregg continues to receive praise for his more straight-edged roles, like Agent Coulsen in The Avengers. While channeling a gruff approach, Gregg sells his military devotion and makes sense as a Colonel Kurtz-type. With soldiers who hide scarring beneath their helmets, Millius’ crew is both physically imposing and always ready to spring a trap. The mental games between Gregg and Diggs become a big part of the season.
Additionally, Michael Aronov provides an interesting ethical exercise for the series. Aronov plays Dr. Nima Rousseau, who has worked for years to fix the frozen Earth. New Eden represents a chance at hope and means reversing the environmental change is possible. However, to get the tools he needs, he must work with Millius and his brutal tactics. Watching Aronov play an increasingly paranoid and frustrated scientist provides Snowpiercer some extra gravitas.
However, the adaptation does not have the strong writing of the original graphic novel or even previous seasons. Snowpiercer feels more scattershot in its final season. The consistent breaking apart of characters or complete sidelining of prominent actors hurts the journey. Even home-run plotlines, like Till (Mickey Sumner) and Audrey (Lena Hall) continuing their relationship, feel incredibly uneven. Too many characters actively put themselves into compromised situations when much better options exist. There’s also an odd naivety for characters who have survived the apocalypse. It makes Snowpiercer feel like it focuses on plot above all else.
These issues become compounded when some of the primary actors simply go missing for episodes at a time. One primary actor does not appear in at least half the season. Other actors have similar constraints, and not because their characters die. It makes Snowpiercer feel like less of an ensemble than previous seasons. More than anything, it feels like the show’s budget was slashed.
There are enough episodes that have their priorities in order. A pair of episodes focused on Connelly are among the best the show ever produced. Additionally, meaningful characters meet heroic and tragic ends. These moments help keep the pathos in the story. At other times, they force complex ethical and moral quandaries that the premise can support. A Snowpiercer series needs these elements to work, and without it, the show could be a huge letdown.
In Conclusion
Snowpiercer says goodbye with a final season that is both heartbreaking and frustrating. Even with the bleak tone, the sci-fi series has a lot to like. The performances remain excellent, and the show’s ethical questions are worth exploring. However, some limitations on the production budget and writing prevent the final season from reaching its full potential.
6/10
Watch Snowpiercer on AMC and AMC+ starting July 21, 2024. All 10 episodes of Season 4 were provided for review.
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