I said of the first season of "Snowpiercer" that it was decent enough, although I didn't consider it prestige television like some of its counterparts. Mostly that's how I feel about the second season too, there were some elements that I liked more, some less, but generally about the same.
Big Alice, a powerful support train has finally caught up with Snowpiecer and its charismatic leader, Mr. Wilford (Sean Bean) is making his presence known. Having only just established democracy on board the train, Andre Layton (Daveed Diggs) immediate has to declare martial law in order to defend his border against its former owner. Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) has to balance the arrival of her daughter, Alexandra (Rowan Blanchard), who is hostile towards her, with her theory that the world might be warming up.
I like the performances still. Sean Bean is a great addition as a real character, rather than just a voice. He looks like he's really enjoying chewing the scenery as the outwardly charming but scheming and cruel Mr Wilford. For the first time this season we get to spend some time off the train, as Melanie takes a walk to a scientific station and tries to establish the facts about the planet's temperature. That's a strong episode if the plot then means that Melanie misses most of the second half of the season.
I still have issues about the internal scientific logic of the show. It's hard to talk about without spoilers but in the conclusion, the locations of the engines doesn't make sense in relation to plan. Also, there's a big deal made about the fact the trains can't stop. . . They are perpetual motion machines and the heating is generated by that movement - again, until the plot doesn't want that anymore.
The story and performances are strong enough that I'd keep watching, but I'd really like it to be more scientifically consistent.
