Episode 1 of Snowpiercer's gripping fourth season opens with a thrilling prologue, as Bess and Ben embark on a snowmobile adventure, their eyes scanning the barren landscape for signs of life. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a mysterious metallic wreckage sprawled across the snow-covered ground, resembling a forsaken satellite from a bygone era. Their hopeful attempts to hail Snowpiercer via radio are met with deafening silence, a foreboding omen that echoes through the frigid air.
The tranquility of their discovery is shattered by a sudden ambush, sending the duo scrambling for safety. As the dust settles, their fate hangs in the balance, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. The narrative then seamlessly transitions to Layton, nine arduous months later, where Snowpiercer and Big Alice have embarked on separate paths, leaving behind a fledgling community outside Big Alice to forge a new existence amidst the ruins.
This nascent society struggles to cultivate life amidst the harsh realities of their surroundings. Food scarcity, power generation challenges, and the inability to communicate with their former brethren on Snowpiercer weigh heavily on their shoulders. Yet, amidst the gloom, there lingers a glimmer of hope that this fresh start might just be the way forward in this desolate new world.
Javier addresses the weary group, his voice echoing through the chilly air, informing them that they have a mere week before Snowpiercer's radio signal might reach them. But the capricious atmosphere, with its unpredictable whims, plays cruel tricks on their communication efforts. Ruth, a formidable presence on the Council Chair, stands as a pillar of strength within this fragile community, her influence palpable as she confronts the pressing issues within the confines of the cafeteria.
Layton, ever the optimist, remains steadfast in his belief that better days are ahead. However, not everyone shares his unwavering faith. Discontent simmers beneath the surface, as whispers of discontent and rebellion bubble to the fore. Osweiller, a troubled soul, finds himself at the center of a heated confrontation with Boki while attempting to repair the bridge, his descent into alcoholism and mental instability all too apparent.
His isolation, sequestered in a solitary tent atop the desolate mountains, has taken a toll on Oz's mind, as he claims to hear voices in the stillness. This haunting revelation adds another layer of intrigue to the already complex tapestry of Snowpiercer's post-apocalyptic narrative.
At the council's hushed gathering, Alex's absence cast a palpable shadow, yet the remnants of the group chose to indulge, drowning their worries in liquor and card games. Meanwhile, Alex, sequestered in a distant train carriage, grappled with a persistent nosebleed while poring over seismic data, her mind far from the makeshift sanctuary below.
Disaster struck when the generator abruptly succumbed to darkness, its silence deafening. Javi, undaunted, ventured forth to restore the light, only to discover signs of deliberate sabotage. As the night deepened, he was greeted by the eerie whispers of shifting boulders, a clandestine intruder lurking in the shadows.
A day later, a glimmer of hope pierced the gloom as Javi managed to crackle a faint signal from what he believed to be Snowpiercer on the radio. Remembering Josie's earlier expedition to inspect the relay, he seized this fleeting opportunity to forge a connection with the elusive train. Alex's arrival, however, brought a dismissive shrug and an unwavering focus on her tasks.
With Snowpiercer an estimated six to seven hours away, the stakes were high. Not only did they need to mend the shattered relay, but also complete the bridge's construction. When Layton ventured to assess the progress, he was met with an ominous absence—Oz and Boki had vanished without a trace. Whispers suggested Boki's earlier visit to the engine room, exiting with a bulging crate, might hold the key.
Unaware of this unfolding drama, Josie stumbled upon the relay's ruins, pieces scattered like a puzzle gone wrong. She bore the evidence back to the group, where Layton voiced the unspoken truth—this was no accident, but sabotage. Amidst the simmering discontent within their community, such acts of defiance seemed all too plausible, especially with Snowpiercer's looming return stirring up emotions.
In private, Layton confided in Ruth, speculating that this sabotage might be a reaction to the impending reunion with Snowpiercer, a testament to the fragile balance of their world on the brink of collapse.
"Resentment, a potent force indeed," Ruth remarks, casting a knowing glance at the potential discord their communal ideals and sacrifices might be sowing within the town's fabric. She intimately understands this sentiment, having toiled tirelessly to nurture what they possess, only to witness it all unravel, mirroring her own transformation from a life of opulence aboard the Snowpiercer to now, a beacon leading the rebellious hearts.
Layton, unwavering in his decision, finds solace in the added time he cherishes with his daughter, Liana, yet the burden upon Ruth's shoulders feels mountainous amidst the tumultuous present. Undeterred, Layton ascends to Alex's side, intent on checking on her wellbeing. It transpires that Alex has dispatched Boki to the precipice, armed with a mission to gather seismic and geological data—a quest to decipher the enigmatic earthquakes that have been subtly shaking their world.
Boki, accompanied by Alex's feathered companion, Mr. Sprinkles, embarks on this perilous journey. However, an ominous sound pierces the air, causing Josie's heart to skip a beat as she hastens back down the treacherous mountain slope.
Meanwhile, Layton's return to the town is met with a foreboding surprise—a package, delivered on a track scaler, lies before him and his companions. Inside, Audrey lies in a distressed state, her fragile voice whispering a chilling message, "They're coming," before slipping into unconsciousness.
Further up the mountain's crest, Zarah ventures to confront Oz, whose sanity hangs in the balance. He insists he's not mad, yet the whispers of LJ's voice on the wind torment him relentlessly, driving him to the brink of madness. Zarah, her courage faltering, hurries back to the safety of their community, leaving the question of Oz's sanity—and the existence of those ethereal whispers—shrouded in mystery.
Back at the bustling town hall, Ruth commandeers the attention of the crowd, her voice resounding with gratitude. She warmly acknowledges the collective efforts that culminated in the trestle bridge's completion before delving into the pressing matters at hand. But the tranquility is abruptly shattered by the arrival of Layton, accompanied by Audrey, their discussion abruptly halted by a sudden blackout.
Layton's keen instincts kick in, sensing a hidden presence within their midst, responsible for the recent disruptions. The revelation that Dr. Headwood, a trusted figure, is actually an ally of the rebellion sends shockwaves through the group. Matters escalate further when Josie hurries in, her report of a snowcat, an unfamiliar vehicle neither they nor Snowpiercer possess, hinting at the presence of a rogue faction.
As Layton discovers Roche, unconscious and surrounded by Dr. Headwood and an eerie trooper adorned in Warhammer 40k-inspired marine gear, the gravity of the situation dawns on them all. The same ominous group with rat-emblazoned helmets, who had ambushed Bess and Ben earlier, now threatens their safety.
Zarah's fate hangs in the balance as she encounters this menacing crew on the treacherous mountain slopes, her story left unfinished as Josie finds her battered and bloodied, her fate sealed by a fall from the heights. In her fleeting moments, Zarah whispers of Liana's abduction and the perpetrators' identity, her life slipping away amidst the chaos.
Carried back to town, Zarah's condition mirrors the urgency felt by Layton, who prepares to lead a team of volunteers into the treacherous hills. With Liana also missing, the call for the old Layton, the fighter, echoes louder than ever.
As the episode draws to a close, a flashback paints a grim picture of Bess and Ben's ordeal. Captured and brought aboard Snowpiercer, they confront Admiral Anton Milius, a self-proclaimed member of the International Peace Keeping Forces, who demands to be transported to Mel, his intentions shrouded in mystery.
