Warning: This text comprises main spoilers for “Silo” Season 3, Episode 9, “Farewell.”
If you happen to ever puzzled why folks attempt to keep away from speaking to anybody related to the IT division just like the plague, look no additional than Bernard Holland. Tim Robbins’ mustache-twirling “Silo” villain spent all of Seasons 1 and a couple of because the man we beloved to hate. From his very first look, launched to us because the nondescript Head of IT squabbling with then-Mayor Jahns (Geraldine James) about whether or not Rebecca Ferguson’s Juliette Nichols was suited to grow to be the following Sheriff or not, this was a person who lived in line with what “the numbers” dictated. In fact, we might ultimately be taught that these figures have been relayed to him by the mysterious Algorithm for nefarious functions. Nonetheless, even earlier than that reveal, Bernard appeared to revel in his job as somebody that each grownup and baby within the silo would ultimately despise.
So, coloration us shocked by how “Silo” introduced Bernard again from the lifeless in that Season 3 twist and, what’s extra, turned him right into a redemptive determine whose loss of life would genuinely transfer us. Sure, the bells lastly toll for our underrated, erstwhile Head of IT in Episode 9, aptly titled “Farewell.” Within the weeks main as much as this dramatic flip of occasions, Bernard went from an unrepentant liar and assassin to an sudden ally of Juliette’s. Safely hidden within the depths of the Digger Void, his wealth of information and intel have been lastly put to good use — now not in service of the Algorithm, however to assist Juliette, Robert Sims (Widespread), and their pals thwart new IT head Camille (Alexandria Riley).
He does so by sacrificing his life as a distraction to assist save the day … and, within the course of, redeeming himself.
Silo bids farewell to Bernard Holland, a posh determine and the present’s greatest character to the top
“Silo” is not asking us to disregard or neglect all of the objectively horrible issues that Bernard has beforehand carried out. He is a person who’s been liable for a lot ache and struggling inflicted upon the residents of Silo 18, from his makes an attempt to starve out Mechanical (prevented, mockingly, by Camille) to drugging Sophie Thompson’s fertility counselor Gloria Hildebrandt (introduced again in Episode 7) to cold-bloodedly poisoning his former lover Choose Meadows (Tanya Moodie). Certainly, Bernard has numerous sins to atone for, to say the least. However maybe Juliette summed it up completely in Episode 8, when she shared a uncommon second of honesty and understanding along with her one-time foe: “I hate this … not hating you.”
It is probably not attainable to wipe away all the pieces in a villain’s ledger, however “Silo” means that one final act of selflessness can go a good distance in the direction of redeeming one. When Bernard shockingly trudges as much as Judicial and turns himself in at first of Episode 9, it is onerous to make sense of his actions. It is inevitable he’ll be despatched out to wash, whilst he tries to discount with the Algorithm. However his scheme seems to be a genius one. First, he reveals that the Algorithm is probably not what it claims to be and that, with a human behind it, it may be outsmarted and outwitted. However, extra importantly, his loss of life fixes the whole thing of the silo’s consideration on him, permitting for Juliette’s pals down deep to set their closing plan in movement.
No matter occurs subsequent? It was made attainable by a person way more advanced than we ever would’ve thought. The “Silo” Season 3 finale will premiere on Apple TV on September 4, 2026.
