Silo (TV Series) Freedom Day (2023) User Reviews

Episode 1

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 7 May 2023]

A lot of Apple TV dramas do not generate any buzz or fan interest. Some of them rightfully so, others just because Apple has not become the chosen service for streamers yet, but this one might be able to break through.

It is not a wholly original sci-fi premise, we have seen apocalyptic programs before, and government lies on plenty of TV shows, but they're committed to building up the intrigue.

It ran a little bit long, but there was a singular focus in the premiere which helped. Not too many goofy side characters introduced and that is the kind of writing I like.

I'm hooked, but we'll see how it all goes from here.

Dystopia or is that what we've been led to believe?

[benjaminchristopher · 9/10 · 6 May 2023]

When Apple TV announced its 50th show that starts with the letter "S" I rolled my eyes. However, after watching the first episode it gripped me just as other mystery shows like Lost, The Leftovers and Severance did.

We have a society that live in a silo, hiding away for 140 years from the uninhabitable outside. This place has its own eco system, factions and they all tend to believe without question they are in there for their own safety. Enter Rashida Jones' Allison who through finding out that the system are keeping her from conceiving and in conjunction, finding a hard drive which suggests the outside is in fact fine- begins to rebel and requests to go outside. Once someone asks this, they cannot take it back and must stick to their request.

That is the set up for this episode and series and by god it's a good one! It feels like noir of sorts with a incredible Hans Zimmer like score looming over the scenes! It looks like all the money possible has been chucked into the production here and it tells. It has gorgeous cinematography, is well acted and hopefully it keeps up this stride.

My only honest nit pick is that it does take itself very seriously...but what do I expect, it being a Dystopian Sci-Fi! Haha. I hope to be here till the end, the first episode got me.

The screen is where the magic is at

[bartolomeudebensafrim · 9/10 · 21 May 2023]

The main premise might seem a dull rehash of previously explored sci-fi dystopia concepts. But the show surely delivers some powerful - very subtle - details that you'll have to watch for yourself.

The runplay is just enough to deliver the necessary ingredients for the narrative to unfold.

Well acted, perfectly scored and it hooked me instantly. The screen is where all the power of this series lies - let's hope they explore it with care.

Just one problem - the settings are too clean and the city looks a bit souless. Nothing seems broken or out of place. Have you ever been inside a 50 year old car or house? 140 years in a silo would make things a bit messier. But well, nothing that can't be fixed as the show runs along.

Overall, bravo. Will keep on watching - eagerly.

Few Books To Film Kill It Like This

[tomnovatopatch · 10/10 · 6 May 2023]

It's rare that a film or a series adaptation of a book you love meets your expectations. When it finally hits the screen you usually have to prepare yourself for compromise. There will be something that they didn't get right because you saw it differently when the author planted the vision in your head. The main characters are off or maybe you'd rather had seen someone else in the role. The sets don't fit the story as you'd imagined it. The progression of the scenes don't align with the book as you remember how it unfolded. Silo hits the ball out of the park and its a credit to Hugh Howey's talent as a story teller. Everybody in the production was on the same page. Very well done. Can't wait for more.

The challenge with adapting a book that makes you think...

[ginger-111 · 10/10 · 27 May 2023]

...is that viewers want to be spoon fed. If you've read the books, you'll either love it - to see it come to life - or hate it - because it will never be exactly what the book is. If you haven't read the books, you'll either love it - because it's visually stunning and a new world to meet - or hate it - because not enough things are going BOOM. Oh. And because there's a new world to meet.

From some of the reviews, both within episodes and for the series overall, it's obvious that they're not willing to wait a few episodes in to understand why there's no elevator, why wanting to leave the silo is a punishable offense, or why things from the "before time" are contraband. They don't understand that the mystery is not "Who killed George?", but "Why do the condemned always clean, even if they swear not to, and why do some people even volunteer? And why do we know NOTHING about our past?"

So, obviously, the screenwriters had to sprinkle in hints that are not nearly as subtle as some people claim they are. Geez, pay attention.

The first episode is a hopeful start to an awesome story. I give it top marks. I love the cast choices, although Bernard is a bit too flashy for the world they supposedly live in, nothing like his origin character.

This adaptation has a lot to live up to. The books, which I've read multiple times, read much like a movie already, so I was hopeful they could stick close to the original. I'm glad they began with Holston's story because that was where things really begin. This is where you begin to crave an understanding and want more. Allison's story was well done, and bringing in George as a plot device to add intrigue to her discoveries, which she makes on her own in the book, is better for world building at this point.

Keeping George, however, is threatening to be a convoluted way to stretch this series with upcoming filler. (In a couple of episodes, my fear came true. Sigh.)

As I've written elsewhere, some of the changes are actually a disservice to the viewer trying to get a true sense of what's going on. If the writers had kept everyone in more or less generic - and homogeneous - overalls, colored differently to signify the jobs and areas people work in, a whole different atmosphere would exist.

Having everyone in an endless variety of wardrobe, living in relatively spacious apartments with easy access up and down a grand concrete staircase totally negates the harsh reality of life in an underground time capsule buried an unknown age ago, where little more connects people than a narrow, dilapidating twist of metal staircase. The book gets the mood right. The screen version just seems to make people nitpick.

I really hope they can successfully pull it all together without a lot of unnecessary palace intrigue and contrived drama that just drags out what is actually a fast paced story of relatable humans with drama enough.

And please, please, please, do not rob a wonderful character like Juliette Nichols of her humanity by turning her into a perfect, arrogant, heroic Mary Sue. I fear, though, that Hollywood just can't help itself. We'll soon find out.

Mixed feelings

[aboalhyjaa · 8/10 · 9 May 2023]

Watching the first episode of Silo on my mind all i have were mixed feelings. I would give it 8 out of 10 stars. Its an interesting first episode and it does sets up the story and characters very well.

But i have to say that there were some performances that did not meet my expectations at all. Some of the actors were not able to fully convey the depth and emotion of their characters and the story itself, which made their scenes feel a bit emotionless and some what cringe.

Despite this, I still think that the first episode is worth watching for its greet storyline.

Couldnt help but notice the similarities with George Orwell 1984 novel, hope it be as good!

solid premiere

[nerrdrage · 8/10 · 20 January 2024]

This episode does what a pilot episode should: lay out the premise and do enough worldbuilding to convince you that this is an intriguing setup and worth sticking around to find more.

It's not the world's most original premise: a dystopian society where people are stuck living inside a silo because they believe the propaganda they've been fed from birth, that the outside world is dangerous and will kill them within minutes. Or is it just propaganda? Would you stake your life on it?

I particularly liked Rashida Jones as Allison. Her intrepid nature sets the stage for the rest of the season. I'm in.

A wonderful remake of Lucas' THX1138

[DonEstif · 8/10 · 7 July 2023]

This is a more dramatic and expansive remake of George Lucas' THX1138 that he developed as a film student at USC in 1967. Obviously Lucas' student film had a sparse budget but it was a great story. Hugh Howey took that great story and expanded it into a rich and complex saga. Yost has taken that rich saga and created an intriguing series that is well scripted and executed by wonderful cast - too bad Rashida Jones wasn't a character that lasted longer (same can be said of others like Will Paaton). A well structured storyline and the ensemble cast does wonderfully in presenting the story and maintaingour interest.

We, the audience, has to stop rewarding low-in-content series

[annabrostrom · 5/10 · 17 June 2023]

I've watched 8 of 10 ep soo far.

Excellent premisses, good acting, intriguing story, nice feel and overall good and therefore should have ratings about 7, 8 BUT.. The content would have made for an excellent 3 part miniseries. Instead they do what every Network seems to be doing theese days; spread it thin just to keep people hooked up to their product for as long as posible.

And we faithfully linger. Hoping.

Maby "next episode" will be the one where stuff actually happens.

Just to compare, there is probably more content in one single episode of The Expanse then in the whole season of The Silo so far.

And we, the audience, are starting to get really tired of it.

Silo.

[bombersflyup · 5/10 · 16 December 2023]

In Freedom Day, Sheriff Becker's plans for the future are thrown off course after his wife meets a hacker with information about the silo.

I didn't mind the opening episode of Silo, didn't love it. The premise is solid, but hardly original, there are so many shows and films similar to this. The characters aren't exactly must see, I didn't get attached to anyone in particular and it's a little PC. Though most of the characters aren't going to be in the future episodes anyway, or they will keep going back maybe. It kept me interested and it's pretty hard to find watchable shows these days though, so on we go.