DISCLAIMER: If you’re not caught up on Snowpiercer, you might not want to continue scrolling.
Snowpiercer ended Season Two last month on a handful of cliffhangers. Layton (Daveed Diggs) managed to escape Wilford’s (Sean Bean) nefarious clutches with a small crew bound for Melanie’s (Jennifer Connelly) research station.
This, of course, left Snowpiercer in literal pieces since Josie (Katie McGuinness) severed the train. Javier (Roberto Urbina) sacrificed his life so Bennett (Iddo Goldberg), Bess (Mickey Sumner), Ruth (Alison Wright) and Layton could seize control of Snowpiercer. Roche (Mike O’Malley) and his family were put in the drawers.
Not to mention, Ruth was left behind amid the train separation. Miss Audrey (Lena Hall) was taken captive by Layton as insurance. He wanted to ensure there wouldn’t be any reprisals against innocent passengers while he was gone. Lastly, there was this game-changing revelation: Melanie’s departure. Layton and Alex (Rowan Blanchard) found the research station to be bereft of our favorite engineer.
This left viewers in various states of confusion. Did she die or is this part of that old TV adage, “No body, no death”? Thankfully, EP Becky Clements cleared the air via an interview with TVLine, stating that Jennifer Connelly will return for Season Three.
So, now that we’re up to train velocity, let’s dive into theories for Snowpiercer‘s third season. Naturally, this is all speculation, and there’s a good chance that none of what I’m predicting will come to fruition.
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Archie Panjabi’s Character Will Be Connected to Melanie
When Archie Panjabi‘s casting was first announced in February, I was unsure how she’d fit into the dystopian narrative. However, after the events in the season finale, I wouldn’t be surprised if Panjabi’s character will have a connection to Melanie. Perhaps Melanie will stumble upon Panjabi’s character after boldly forging ahead “into the white.” Yes, Melanie initially left the research station to die after she ran out of rations.
But what if she found another research station or some remote, derelict building wherein Panjabi’s character managed to survive The Freeze? Then, Melanie could rest and recharge. Regroup. Maybe the duo could embark on a journey to find Snowpiercer together.
Wilford Will Try to Get Inside Ruth’s Head
Ruth is now left alone in the lion’s den. Well, more like Wilford’s grotesque carnival. She’s entrapped with a man she once revered but currently despises. Part of Ruth’s vital evolution in Season Two was establishing her own identity separate from Snowpiercer. Extricating herself from Wilford. If you’ll recall, Ruth blatantly rejected Wilford’s promotion to Head of Hospitality.
Subsequently, Ruth was stripped of her teals and confined to the compost room on Big Alice alongside Layton. Thankfully, she broke free. However, Kevin (Tom Lipinski) proved to be quite the roadblock, thereby preventing Ruth from meeting with Layton at their designated spot.
I think Wilford will seize the opportunity to get inside Ruth’s head. That could involve sicking his goons on her or surreptitiously attempting to persuade her himself. Regardless, Wilford will think that Ruth’s vulnerable without Layton. But he’ll soon learn that Ruth is a force to be reckoned with. He can’t toy with her anymore.
Sykes Will Try to Deliver Intel to Wilford
Chelsea Harris‘ promotion to series regular for Season Three is telling. Obviously, she’ll play a larger role in the grand scheme of things. While we didn’t see her in the final scene post-Wilford escape, she’s still on the bullet train with Layton and co. Keep your enemies close, right? I believe Sykes will try to deliver intel to Wilford. She proved to be a more than worthy adversary for Bennett when the two duked it out.
Not to mention, she’s incredibly cunning. She’ll try her damndest to keep her boss abreast of whatever the enemies are cooking.
Wilford Will Go Against Layton’s Wishes
I can’t imagine that Wilford will abide by Layton’s wishes for a peaceful occupation while the latter is away. Despite Layton utilizing Wilford’s lady love as a bargaining chip, Wilford’s too self-involved not to retaliate in some way. He doesn’t “love” Miss Audrey. Not really. Don’t forget that he abused her during their past affair. Abusers never change their stripes. They’ll do anything and everything they can to maintain their dictatorial position.
This could consist of Wilford putting Zarah (Sheila Vand) in danger and/or threatening the baby in her womb. Torturing Ruth. He won’t resist the opportunity to gain control. To exert power over innocent people. Additionally, I can see Wilford putting more of Layton’s allies in drawers like Roche’s family. He could also drawer Zarah. This leads to my next theory…
Zarah Will Be in More Danger Than She Realizes
Zarah believes she’s in The Safe Zone, but I’m not so sure about that. Yes, Zarah’s pregnancy is an anomaly aboard Snowpiercer. Yes, Wilford’s interested in protecting her unborn child. Most likely so he can have his madcap doctors/scientists conduct experiments on them. However, Wilford is unpredictable. Zarah might get too cocky and then be taken unawares when he inevitably strikes.
He’s crafty and conniving. I’ve no doubt that he’ll find a way to work around the fetus situation.
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Josie’s Newfound Cold Resilience Will Come into Play Again
Last season, we discovered that Josie survived extreme exposure to the cold. Just when we thought she perished, our girl emerged from the brink more resilient than ever. Literally. Her thick skin can withstand the coldest of temperatures. She was being primed to be Wilford’s next Icy Bob, but thankfully she turned the tables on him and assisted Layton instead.
Now, Josie’s reactions to testing her resilience have been interesting. It’s clearly exhilarating and thrilling for her. Almost like a drug. An immense rush of serotonin. I wouldn’t be surprised if Josie’s cold resilience will play a vital role in ensuring our crew’s success next season. Perhaps they’ll encounter some speedbumps while en route to rescue the remainder of Snowpiercer. Josie will have to venture outside and heroically save the day like the badass she is. Personally, I’d like to see her toss Wilford off the roof of the train into the snow below.
It May Take a While, But Miss Audrey Will Turn on Wilford
Admittedly, I was unsure whether Audrey was really under Wilford’s sway or merely playing the long con. She is a performer, after all, and a good one at that. However, toward the end of the season, I started to believe that Audrey was truly loyal to Wilford. Of course, the relationship between abuser and survivor is cyclical. A “rewards and punishments,” almost transactional type of relationship. Not to mention, she could have easily formed a “trauma bond” with him. That bond can be damn near unbreakable. It’s possible that Audrey was drawn back into his volatile, chaotic vortex because it’s all she’s known.
That being said, I think Audrey will return to the good side. She’s now separated from Wilford. Perhaps Layton and Bess will persuade her to see reason. Audrey was such a pivotal part of the revolution. That Audrey must still be in there.
There Will Be a Natural Disaster of Sorts That Impedes the Gang From Reuniting With the Rest of Snowpiercer
Remember the Season One avalanche that really forked things up? I think we’ll get another taste of that in the third season, notably with Layton and his mini bullet train. Bennett and Alex are the only two engineers on board. They’ll do all they can to keep it moving. But, as Ben noted in the finale, the train now runs incredibly hot because of how it was severed from the main vessel.
Additionally, Melanie’s data is evidence that the weather is changing. Slowly, but surely, Mother Nature is warming up. That could lead to a natural disaster to impede our heroes on their journey. Maybe another avalanche. An earthquake. Regardless, Mother Nature might make herself known in Season Three in one way or another.
Wilford Will Not “Go Gentle into That Good Night”
We won’t see Wilford with his tail between his legs, waving the white flag of surrender. He won’t slink off into the night in utter defeat. Wilford is too proud for that. I think we might get at least one more season with him as the main antagonist before the bit starts to go stale. I can see Season Three ending with his death. Wilford will put up a fight. He won’t “go gentle into that good night” (Thanks Dylan Thomas). We’ll see him exert every ounce of effort and dirty, cheap tricks to achieve his objective. Then, hopefully, Josie will toss him outside.
Wilford Will Attempt to Get Revenge on Alex for Slicing His Neck
Revenge is a dish best served icy. I think we’ll see Alex and Wilford reunite at some point. He didn’t get to really interact with Alex after she sliced his neck and fled. Now, that revenge could come in the form of Sykes enacting it on his behalf while she’s on the train with Alex. Or he might wait until they’re back together to make his move. He won’t even get close to succeeding, though. Especially not with Layton around. I think Alex will curate a found family bond with Layton and co. after Melanie’s departure.
Maybe Wilford will try to kidnap Alex and utilize her as bait to lure in Melanie once the latter returns. Melanie could be the one to prevent Wilford from hurting her daughter. Actually, I revise my desire to see Josie dispose of Wilford. I want Melanie to do it. It would be a very “full circle” moment.
Do you have any theories for Snowpiercer‘s third season? Sound off in the comments below!
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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.
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