Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we spotlight women and nonbinary folks who inspire us. This includes fictional characters and creators in geeky media. They are a prime example of empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers for Silo Season 1, particularly Juliette Nichols’ story.
Juliette Nichols
Fast Facts
Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) was born in Year 109 AR inside the Silo. Her parents, Hanna (Sienna Guillory) and Dr. Pete Nichols (Iain Glen), raised her and her younger brother, Jacob, in the Mids. Juliette lost her mother and brother when she was very young — the former after she lept off the rail on Level 1 and the latter from a congenital heart condition.
Following their deaths, a rift formed between Juliette and Pete as both processed their grief differently. Juliette blamed Pete for tipping off Judicial about having a magnifier device, which is against The Pact. Pete sent Juliette to Mechanical, in the bowels of the Silo, where she shadowed under Martha “Walk” Walker (Harriet Walter). Walk took Juliette under her wing and became a mother figure of sorts. Juliette rose through the ranks as a respected engineer.
The Mystery Unfolds
At the beginning of Season 1, Juliette meets Sheriff Holston (David Oyelowo) as he investigates the death of George Wilkins (Ferdinand Kingsley). Initially, Juliette insists George was merely a colleague, but we later learn they were in an “unsanctioned” relationship. She tells Holston that George was murdered. Someone killed George for what he knew. He fought tooth and nail to unravel the secrets of the Silo.
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Holston returns to the upper levels of the Silo to dig deeper into George’s case, but not before promising Juliette he’ll show her a sign that he’s found something. Later, Holston declares he wishes to go outside, so Mayor Jahns (Geraldine James) sends him out to “clean.” He dies outside since the atmosphere is poisonous for humans.
Jahns meets Juliette, informing her that Holston wants Juliette to succeed him as sheriff. Juliette takes his badge and notices the word “Truth” carved in the back — Holston’s sign. She takes the job and proceeds to investigate George’s murder herself. Jahns and Deputy Marnes’ (Will Patton) deaths follow hot on the heels of Holston’s Cleaning, which Juliette believes can also be categorized as murders.
Bernard Holland (Tim Robbins), Head of IT, is quickly sworn in as interim mayor while Paul Billings (Chinaza Uche) becomes Juliette’s deputy. Bernard and Robert Sims (Common), the Head of Security for Judicial, try to thwart Juliette at every turn. As Juliette finds Relics from before the Rebellion linked to George, Jahns and Marnes’ murders, she discovers that the Silo is built on countless lies.
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Giving the Powers That Be the Middle Finger
Eventually, Bernard and Robert arrest Juliette after framing her and claiming she stated she wanted to go outside. Juliette tries to prove her innocence, insisting she never uttered those words. She escapes Paul’s grasp and remains on the run. She even gets help from Danny (Will Merrick), who works in IT, and Paul Kennedy (Rick Gomez), a maintenance worker, in discovering what’s on the coveted hard drive previously in George’s possession.
Next, Juliette broadcasts the image on said hard drive to the entire Silo, so people can see what’s displayed in the cameras inside the suits the cleaners wear outside. This seals Juliette’s fate. She’s finally brought into custody.
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Silo Season 1 ends with Juliette venturing outside for her Cleaning. She refuses to clean the sensor in front of the Silo, though. Once she learns that what she sees inside her suit is a lie (a serene “paradise”), Juliette clambers over the hill to explore more of her surroundings. She discovers there are several Silos. Unfortunately, her loved ones believe she’s dead.
The Real Deal
Juliette is incredibly intelligent. She’s a badass engineer who possesses courage in spades. She also takes on the job of sheriff, a profession she knows little about, to unravel a dangerous mystery that puts her in a precarious position.
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Additionally, she’s unwaveringly loyal to her friends and family and the residents of the Silo. She always has their best interests at heart, ensuring their safety and the pursuit of truth take precedence. Juliette’s tenacity is admirable. She spits in the face of the establishment and stops at nothing to put the oppressive upper class on blast. She’s even willing to risk her life to expose the corruption within the Silo.
Why She Matters
Juliette is a perfect example of why we need more women characters like her in our media. She’s not simply “strong” or “soft” — multifaceted, layered, complex and messy. She makes mistakes left and right. However, Juliette strives to fight for what’s right and for something bigger than herself. She uses her knack for engineering and physical strength to her advantage.
So, be like Juliette Nichols. Fight like hell. Stand up for what’s just and true. When they try to keep you under their thumb, push back with all your might. And above all, don’t settle for the status quo.
Silo Season 1 is now streaming on Apple TV+. Season 2 premieres on Friday, November 15.
Amber Midthunder Joins MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS Season 2
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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