TV Show review
Review basis: 3 seasons · through January 16, 2025
May 4, 2023 · TV-MA · Returning Series
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Dystopian sci-fi series about thousands living in a vast underground silo who are told the surface is toxic and deadly. Engineer Juliette investigates deaths and hidden truths after the sheriff breaks a key rule, uncovering layers of control and erased history across multiple seasons. The core story stays focused on authority, misinformation, rebellion, and survival with only light casting diversity and one supporting gender change; no identity lectures, girlboss arcs, or activist messaging appear in the narrative or marketing.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Silo.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent Black actors in sheriff and enforcer roles plus a gender-swapped supporting mechanic (Walker to Martha) for story reasons; ensemble fits the future silo setting without forced signaling or mismatches.
Woke political dialogue
Heavy focus on questioning authority, hidden truths, and rebellion against IT/Judicial control; presented as timeless dystopian warnings about power and lies rather than modern activist or left-wing causes.
Identity-driven story themes
Competent female lead engineer with earned skills; no recurring identity arcs, LGBTQ+ emphasis, or social-justice messaging across seasons.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Clear portrayal of elite control, historical erasure, class contempt for lower levels, and enforced compliance; framed as general tyranny and misinformation, not targeted anti-conservative or identity-based institutional attacks.
Woke character or canon changes
One notable supporting change—Walker gender-swapped from male (books) to female (show) explicitly for mother-figure dynamics; other adaptations minor and plot-driven.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Isolated viewer comments and one site labeling it “woke” over casting or tone; no significant public debate, articles, or campaigns treating it as pushing DEI or identity politics.
Creator track record context
Hugh Howey shows recent conservative/pro-freedom shift and anti-authoritarian books; most writers and directors mainstream; one director (Bertie) has prior inclusive comedy work; overall low pattern of activist or identity-focused projects.
Production
