Snowpiercer season 4 episode 6 ending explained: Why do Layton and Wilford team up?

Episode 6 of Snowpiercer season 4 was released on August 25, 2024, on AMC and AMC+. The latest episode of the series takes the plot forward by introducing some new questions while answering some old ones.

Titled Bell the Cat, the synopsis of Snowpiercer season 4 episode 6 reads:

“Nima needs more samples for his experiments, so Milius sends Wilford and the soldiers to collect. Layton wakes up on an abandoned floor and is approached by humans with toxic gas scars.”

The episode explains how Joseph Wilford (Sean Bean), presumed dead for much of season 4, is still alive. The opening scenes of the episode show that he was rescued by the International Peacekeeping Forces (IPF) and then convinced by Admiral Milius (Clark Gregg) to work in their bunker.

However, as the episode progresses, the relationship between Milius and Wilford deteriorates, so much so that the former seeks to kill the latter. In a bid to survive, Wilford shakes hands with Andre Layton (Daveed Diggs). Even though they themselves have been enemies, they team up to defeat their common foe, Milius.

---

Snowpiercer season 4: Layton and Wilford team up to counter the immediate evil

After being presumed dead, Wilford makes a comeback in episode 5 of Snowpiercer season 4. Since the beginning of the series, Wilford and Layton have been arch enemies, each plotting and scheming to get rid of the other.

The latest episode explains how an injured Wilford was retrieved by the IPF and kept in their bunkers. Wilford meets the ruthless Milius there, who is carrying out a mission that has grave consequences.

As the episode progresses, Wilford begins to realize that Milius deems him dispensable. His suspicions come true when Milius asks him to go to the lower levels of the Silo and get some samples from the bodies of the passengers already infected by the chemical leak.

Wilford meets Layton there. Naturally, the meeting is hardly pleasant for either party, and they physically assault each other. However, Snowpiercer season 4 presents a twist at the end of episode 6 as the two of them team up upon realizing that Milius is coming down to personally kill Wilford.

Layton is reluctant to join Wilford, but he realizes that killing Milius is an essential step towards ameliorating the progressively worsening conditions of the passengers who have been infected due to the chemical leak caused by Milius’ experiments.

---

What is happening in the Silo?

The most crucial information regarding the happenings within the Silo is revealed during a lengthy conversation between Alex (Rowan Blanchard) and Dr. Nima (Michael Aronov).

Alex has been experiencing some nose bleeding. Nima explains to her that this is a side effect of the chemical leak infection that is the result of the experiments he has been conducting under the aegis of Milius.

The experiment seeks to find a way to end the Freeze. However, due to some unforeseen developments, it led to some leaks, upon which several passengers got infected. These passengers were confined within the Silo, and their block was sealed off. This explains why so many characters have facial scars in Snowpiercer season 4.

---

What to expect from the next episode of Snowpiercer season 4?

The synopsis of the next episode, titled A Moth to a Flame, reads:

“Layton learns who was responsible for the experiments on Josie and Liana, and finds out who froze the world. Big Alice approaches New Eden but can't cross the booby-trapped bridge.”

Episode 6 of Snowpiercer season 4, in its closing moments, reveals that several bombs have been planted surrounding New Eden. There are enough of them to wipe out the haven.

While it is not made clear in this episode why any party would like to destroy the shelter, it is expected that the upcoming episode will provide some clarifications regarding this.

Also, after a total absence in episode 6, Melanie Cavill (Jennifer Connelly) may be back in the next episode since Milius is seen informing Nima that her snowcat has been spotted nearby.

---

Snowpiercer season 4 episode 7 will be released on September 1, 2024, on AMC and AMC+.