Silo season 3 has introduced a major book rewrite to Rebecca Ferguson’s Juliette. Since book changes are not usually received too well by viewers, many have expressed concerns about this story change. Owing to this, Silo season 3’s critical ratings have also been extremely divisive. While its critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes is 100%, the audience score sits at an underwhelming 57%.
Although it is understandable where the criticism is coming from, the story change introduced in the show is gradually starting to make sense. After one episode, Silo season 3 has not fully justified why it had to undo everything that has happened in Juliette’s story so far. However, in the ending moments of season 3’s episode 1, the show has seemingly given a glimpse of where the book retcon is going.
One of the biggest reasons why Silo season 2 was criticized by many viewers was its uneven pace and unnecessary expansion of many story beats from the books. Juliette’s story, especially, felt bloated and barely progressed throughout its runtime. Many are assuming that Silo season 3 is repeating the same mistake, but it seems too early to jump to that conclusion.
Silo Season 3 Has Introduced One Major Juliette Rewrite
Even before Silo season 3 landed on Apple TV, its early trailers and plot reveals confirmed Juliette would have amnesia in its opening arc. Since “amnesia plots” often feel forced in TV shows and are used as mere plot devices to “reset” a character’s development, it was hard not to be a little skeptical about what Silo season 3 was trying to do.
In Silo season 2’s ending arc, Juliette’s story had finally progressed, and she was on the verge of saving her people from the Safeguard Procedure. Stalling her story by revealing that she had no memories of everything she had learned during her misadventures in the outside world seemed like a risky creative decision.
As expected, Silo season 3’s episode 1 goes all in with this revelation and highlights how Juliette barely even recognizes herself. After being the face of Silo 18’s rebellion, she suddenly becomes compliant and acts like Camille Sims’ puppet.
Since no such developments happen in the original Silo books, Silo season 3 has made many viewers question why the show had to introduce the amnesia story. Even viewers who have not read the books are finding the plot a little frustrating as it does backtrack Juliette’s previous development. However, as annoying as this story rewrite may seem, it is starting to make sense after season 3’s episode 1.
The Juliette Retcon Makes Sense After Silo Season 3’s Episode 1
From season 1 itself, Apple TV’s Silo has hinted at the existence of memory-altering drugs that are secretly used by Silo 18’s higher authorities to suppress potential rebellions. George Wilkins’ aunt, Gloria, was sedated using the same drugs in Silo season 1 because she was one of the Flamekeepers who raised their voices against the Silo’s unreasonable rules.
In season 2, Lukas Kyle also discovered that Silo 18’s water supply was being contaminated with the same drugs to ensure that most gradually citizens forgot about their own past. Though Juliette’s amnesia story, Silo season 3 is merely paying off this story thread by revealing how she, too, is being carefully silenced because the Algorithm sees her as a threat.
Since Silo season 3’s episode 1 has already revealed the real reason behind Juliette’s amnesia and how it ties to a storyline from previous seasons, it seems unlikely the show will stretch the plot too far. Using amnesia as a narrative device can still seem a little too clichéd, which explains why so many viewers are already disappointed with the new installment.
However, as Silo season 3’s unanimously positive critical reviews suggest, the show will seemingly make up for its seemingly frustrating creative choice with convincing payoffs.