Snowpiercer: Season 2 – Netflix / TNT Review

SNOWPIERCER Season 2 is beginning on TNT in the US and Netflix globally. Fortunately, we’re off to a good start with this season. Especially because we’re back to a stronger sci-fi focus rather than a crime drama. Read our Snowpiercer season 2 review here!

SNOWPIERCER Season 2 is beginning on TNT and Netflix (in the US and globally, respectively). Just like with season 1, you’ll be getting one episode per week, so you can’t binge-watch this show. I was not a huge fan of season 1, but I definitely feel that season 2 is off to a much better start.

You might like: Our review of Snowpiercer season 1 here >

I was not happy that a crime drama became the main plot of season 1, which is why I’m a lot more pleased with season 2. 

Continue reading our Snowpiercer season 2 review below. We’ll avoid spoilers for this new season, but do expect that we’ll cover elements from the season 1 finale.

Back to the sci-fi plot

As already mentioned, I was not exactly a fan of season 1 due to the crime drama aspect. However, with season 2 of Snowpiercer we are back on track (yes, pun very much intended). The focus is once again on the many issues the people on Snowpiercer encounter. Inequality is still a big issue despite the current focus on this (due to the events of season 1).

All the elements I liked from the Snowpiercer movie are now front and center. Well, along with several new characters and a whole new subplot that was not a part of the movie (then again, neither was the crime plot).

We’re only allowed to review the episodes as they air, so we’ll stick to our feeling for episode 1 in this review. We’ve received screeners for 7 out of the 10 episodes in season 2, but since the episodes air weekly, we’re not to comment or review beyond this first episode.

Mr. Wilford and Big Alice

At the end of season 1, a new train was introduced to the Snowpiercer universe. “Big Alice” is the name of this train and Mr. Wilford himself is also back. He is portrayed wonderfully by Sean Bean, who definitely makes an impact during episode 1 of season 2.

Especially in scenes with Jennifer Connolly who continues to be my favorite actor in this series. Her character goes head to head with Mr. Wilford and makes for a very interesting beginning to this new season. Finally, I am starting to sense the same vibe that made me enjoy the Snowpiercer movie.

In the first episode of Snowpiercer season 2, Sean Bean and Jennifer Connolly (who play Joseph Wilford and Melanie Cavill respectively) deliver the intensity and nerve, I so missed in season 1. While I do usually like Daveed Diggs as an actor, I really don’t care for his character Andre Layton. Or rather, I prefer any scene this character isn’t in.

To me, the Andre Layton character just represents the foolish crime drama plot of season 1, and I love the sci-fi focused story so much more. It probably didn’t help that I watched the Snowpiercer movie just before watching season 1. I might just be in a much better frame of mind for this TV series universe now.

I do, however, really like all scenes featuring Mickey Sumner as Bess Till. She’s the woman with the unforgettable haircut who is always ready to step up to the plate – especially when she has a purpose. Also, Alison Wright delivers a delicious campiness to her character Ruth Wardell. The one character who unapologetically states that her loyalty lies with Snowpiercer, always.

Will there be a season 3 of Snowpiercer?

Yes, Snowpiercer season 3 has already been greenlit, so you will get more. Before the premiere of this second season, the TNT/Netflix series has already been given the go-ahead for a third season.

When season 3 of Snowpiercer will come out is another thing. With this current pandemic, it seems very hard to make any promises. Then again, Mike Flanagan and his team managed to keep their schedule for the production of his upcoming Midnight Mass series, when they began production in 2020. 

Hopefully, more people will take notice of how those working on Midnight Mass respected the guidelines to ensure that production was never halted or delayed. An incredible feat under any circumstances and one that seems downright miraculous right now.

Watch Snowpiercer Season 2 on TNT or Netflix

Christoph Schrewe is the director of the first episode in season 2 (and also directs episode 2). He did not direct any episodes in the first season of Snowpiercer, but he has directed episodes for several other big series. These include Mr. Robot and Fear the Walking Dead. Also, Christoph Schrewe directed several episodes of the horror anthology Lore.

You might like: Our season 2 review of Amazon’s horror anthology Lore here >

While I really enjoy the fact that the crime drama seems to have ended to make room for the sci-fi plot, I do expect that fans of season 1 will also be happy with season 2. And yes, season 2 of Snowpiercer does begin right when season 1 ended, so you’ll need to remember what happened during the final moments of the last season.

There is a season 1 recap at the beginning of episode 1. So you should get back into this world fast enough.

Snowpiercer season 2 premieres on TNT (US) on January 25, 2021, and Netflix (globally) with episode 1 on January 26, 2021. New episodes will be released weekly.