Spoilers ahead for Silo season 2, episode 10, “Into the Fire,” plus the discussion of attempted suicide.
The arc of Tim Robbins’ Bernard Holland throughout Silo season 2 is something of an emotional rollercoaster, and his fate in the season finale will invariably impact the show’s future. As a key member of the Silo cast since the very first episode, Bernard has long been a compelling character who sits somewhere on the scale between pragmatic leader and textbook villain. Silo season 2’s ending, “Into the Fire,” only enhances the ambiguous standing of Silo 18’s mayor, which makes the episode’s dramatic twists all the more interesting.
Although his decision-making can be frustratingly narrow-minded, this only contributes to Bernard’s status as one of Silo‘s best characters. It’s impossible to watch the show and not be enraptured by his storyline. Despite there being a few instances that would lead others to give up, Silo 18’s mayor almost always finds new ways to persevere. However, “Into the Fire” finally sees Bernard reach the end of his tether, which could spell incredibly bad news for his future.
Bernard Decided He Wanted To Go Outside After Believing Silo 18 Couldn’t Be Saved
Tim Robbins’ character had no fight left in him
In all the chaos being caused by Silo 18’s rebellion and the actions he was taking to turn the tide, Bernard assumed that not being summoned to the server room to speak with the AI was a good sign. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a case of no news being good news, as the society’s fate had been considered a lost cause – which is why Bernard’s keychain wasn’t flashing. After realizing that all was lost, Silo 18’s mayor decided to head to the top of the structure and go outside for the first time in his life.
Bernard presumably used the higher-quality heat tape on his suit, so his death would have been on his own terms.
Leaving the Silo was an attempt at feeling free for Bernard. After a lifetime of abiding by and enforcing the Pact, he wanted to know what it was like to exist outside the framework he had always known. Sadly, he never intended his trip outside to provide just a brief sensation of respite. Armed with a gun, Bernard was going to take his own life while standing on the surface of the devastated planet – which “Into the Fire” proves was caused by a nuclear war well over a century before.
Bernard’s Encounter With Juliette Outside Of Silo 18 Explained
Juliette comes very close to getting through to Bernard
After trying to force her way into Silo 18’s entrance, Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) is finally permitted entry when the door slides open. However, it’s not really that she’s being let in – it’s more that Bernard wants to go out, and Juliette just happens to be in his way. The mayor holds Ferguson’s character at gunpoint as he vents his fervent frustration about his living in fear of Silo 18’s Safeguard Procedure, which would kill them all at pretty much any time. He seems laser-focused on surrender, but Juliette briefly seems like she’s about to change Bernard’s mind.
The Algorithm surprisingly asks Camille to stay in the vault in Silo season 2’s ending, raising many questions about what it might want from her.
Juliette’s time in Silo 17, which is structurally identical to Silo 18, has resulted in her learning about the Safeguard Procedure as well. Moreover, she also appears to have picked up a key piece of information that stands a chance of rendering the Safeguard Procedure inert. Frustratingly, just as Bernard’s resolve starts to soften, the airlock starts to close and Juliette is forced to abandon the exchange and try to enter Silo 18 before it becomes impossible once more. Somewhat surprisingly, Bernard puts himself at risk to save her from a hidden hazard of which he is aware.
Did The Airlock Kill Bernard In Silo Season 2’s Ending?
Tim Robbins’ character could be absent from Silo season 3 (or maybe not)
After failing to convince Juliette not to enter the airlock, and being trapped inside himself, Bernard is left exposed to jets of fire emerging from the walls, with only a standard suit for protection. On the other hand, Juliette’s improvised suit that she assembled in Silo 17 was intended to be used by firefighters, so she has a very good chance of surviving the roaring flames. Bernard tries to give himself the best chance of avoiding death by dropping to the ground, which Juliette also does immediately after. However, “Into the Fire” ends without confirming the status of either character.
“You can’t go in there, you’ll burn to death!” – Bernard to Juliette at the end of the Silo season 2 finale.
Bernard’s fate in Hugh Howey’s source material could be consulted to discover whether Robbins will remain part of the Silo season 3 cast, but Silo has already made several book changes. Plus, the angle of Juliette’s jump to the ground suggests she was smothering Bernard, using the protective qualities of her suit’s protective material to save the mayor from the worst of the fire. Additionally, an offscreen death for a figure as key as Bernard would be something of a disappointing exit for Robbins’ Silo character.
