Warning! This post contains minor spoilers for Hugh Howey’s Silo book trilogy.
Realizing thatSilowill have a hard time adapting the original Hugh Howey trilogy’s riskiest storyline, I am concerned about how the Apple TV+ show will continue after season 2. In season 1,Silostays loyal to most story and character beats from the original Hugh Howey books. However, like most adaptations, theApple TV+ sci-fi showdoes not shy away from taking creative liberties to make the source material’s story more gripping and suitable for the episodic story format.
While it accurately portrays how Juliette rises in the ranks at Silo-18 after Holston’s death and takes it upon herself to unfold her world’s secrets, it also introduces several new concepts, like the Flamekeepers and the Syndrome. While adapting the second half of Hugh Howey’s first Silo book,Wool,Siloseason 2will likely take a similar approach. However, beyond that, it is hard not to be worried about how the show will continue adapting the originalHugh HoweySilobooks.
Hugh Howey Took A Massive Risk With The Second Silo Book’s Storytelling
The Second Book Unfolds Like Spinoff Prequel
The firstSilobook in the Hugh Howey trilogy,Wool, follows a continuous story that walks through Juliette’s time in Silo 18 in its first half before unfolding her journey outside the central silo in its latter arcs. However, in the second book,Shift, the story of the trilogy suddenly harkens back in time, highlighting the silos' origins and the reason why the outside world became uninhabitable. It takes a massive risk by presenting itself as a spinoff that features a whole new set of characters, following a well-rounded standalone narrative.
The World Of Silo Explained
The 2023 Apple TV+ series is based on a trilogy of books that collectively outline all the background information explaining how the silo came to be.
Although the trilogy eventually connects all the dots in the third installment,Dust, and highlights howShift’s story connects toWool’s, as a reader, I was initially clueless about whatShiftwas building up to. With almost none of the characters from the firstSilobook reprising their roles inShift’s story,the second book forced me to take a massive leap of faith as I navigated its unfamiliar narrative. Since I had already grown attached to Juliette and her Silo 18 narrative fromWool, I could help but wonder whether the shift in storytelling would ultimately leave me feeling disconnected.
Adapting Shift Will Be Apple TV+’s Silo’s Biggest Challenge
The Show Cannot Take The Same Risks As The Books
Although Hugh Howey’s ambitious storytelling eventually makes sense towards the end ofShift’s story, the trilogy demands immense patience from the reader by unfolding a completely novel prequel narrative in the second book. The Apple TV+ show cannot tread the same path as the books because Hugh Howey’s approach is too risky for the television format. Despite being clueless about where its story was going, I continued readingShiftafterWoolbecause I was more invested in Hugh Howey’s storytelling and writing style.
Even though I was initially a little jarred by the fact thatShiftseemed to have nothing to do withWool, I was fine with the second book presenting a new story set in the world of Silo. However, when it comes to the show, I loved watching season 1 because of its incredible casting choices and the strong performances that brought the books' characters to life. Like me, I am sure most viewers would want the show to havea continuous narrative in all seasons that featuresRebecca Ferguson’s Julietteas the main character.
Given howSiloseason 1 barely adaptedWool’s first half, it seems likely season 2 will only unfold the second half of the first book.
Owing to this, if the show tries to accurately adapt the original books' storytelling structure, it could risk alienating audiences when it starts adaptingShift’s story. Given howSiloseason 1 barely adaptedWool’s first half, it seems likely season 2 will only unfold the second half of the first book. Season 3 will then move on to the events of the second book, but it will have to take a massive risk by suddenly shifting gears to focus on a new cast of characters and a different narrative perspective.
Silo’s Future Seasons Will Likely Avoid Following The Books' Storytelling Structure
The Second Book’s Story Will Likely Be Presented In A Different Way
During an interview (viaBronk Swinson’s Creative Principals podcast),Silo’s creator, Graham Yost, confirmed that they cannot do what Hugh Howey did with the second book’s story. He said that, unlike the second book,the show cannot go on without having Rebecca Ferguson’s Juliette on the screen for the majority of the narrativebecause she is the face of the series. Graham Yost’s statement suggests that even though Apple TV+‘sSilowill likely continue honoring the source material, it will present the second book’s events in a different way.
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Based On
Hugh Howey’sWool,Shift, &Dust
While only time will tell how the show will tackle the events of the silos’ origins, it seems likely that it will presentShift’s events through flashbacks. Just like Prime Video’sFalloutgoes back and forth in time to simultaneously unfold the aftermath and the origins of the nuclear decimation,Silowill probably do the same by focusing on two different timelines in its upcoming seasons.
Silo
In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.
