The biggest mistake Melanie did in the previous episode was to get rude at Ruth. She came to her to tell that there is ill mood brewing in the first class, while there is a whole revolution ready to kick in the aft department.
I get that Melanie was pissed for losing a subject after a good fight, but frankly, she needs to go. What I am scared is the destiny of Miles and Miles. He is obviously as a pawn in the game and he's not the first one Melanie has been speaking, asking to do things.
But... I don't think there's anyone who's ready to helm the train. So essentially the revenge shouldn't be part of the revolution. They need the three engineers in the Sacred Engine or they're all doomed. Although you might be able to kill one of them, but you need at least two, if you're going to run an operation after the dust is settled.
What amazes me that the trouble is kicking in both ends. Not just in aft section, but also in the first class. So, while Melanie could disconnect the aft, she cannot lose rest of the train or they are all totally effed. Royally I might say. It's just I didn't expect that red head psycho to be the one to break out the news to the ruling family of the first class.
I kind of get that they managed to convince the chief of security with LJ's hush-hush operation in the engine, but turning Ruth is whole another matter. That woman is kind of stubborn in her beliefs. But not totally as she was heading the prosecution.
Also I do have to admit that it was a clever plan for the First to do their "council meeting," before Layton made his. And again I wasn't expecting him to turn himself in as a prisoner. Just like wasn't expecting Ruth wanting blood after she realised Melanie's betrayal.
Frankly, for a while I've been thinking that Nolan's and Ruth's 'marriage' is like forming a kingdom. We don't know for sure how the first one were done and whose idea was it, but essentially there must have been some blood spillage, because the Royalties doesn't get the job without some sacrifices. At least they are not claiming it for the 'Common Good.'
Layton's arrival to the Tail was treated as if he was a Messiah. There is similarities of Muad-Dib and Layton, both leading a desperate fight against the oppressive first class that has deprived them of everything. You Cuba and Castro's and you might be on right path, but it's just it wasn't whole world as at the moment we know that both Snowpiercer and Dune were civilisation clashes. Not just a bit of change in the ruling parties.
Thing is there is awfully lot of space and people between the Tail and the Sacred Engine. What put me down was how easily the Breakman listed to the words of wisdom. I was expecting them to least have a few punches before the showdown with the Commander's forces.
I loved that the Tailies made up a scorpion for the fight in the tunnels. It was amazing to see those bolts going down the range to do an awful job on the Jackboots. Honestly, I would not have Nolan to stand up and tell his men to advance while he went to strike flank.
The fight in the Nightcar did shatter my sense of disbelief. For a moment it looked like there was too many people and some guys get repeatedly dying. I mean, how many proper fighters would you get in the train? They need space to train, they need equipment, and they need lot of calories to keep up the muscles.
Now, they've been on this trek for seven years. Appearently there has been other revolutions, but not one as messy as this. I seriously doubt that Melanie could have put up a battalion size element in the train and kept them all in proper shape. After all the fighters cannot stand still and if there has been fights before, then they must have lost some troops.
So, how many people Nolan has? A hundred?
Personally I think he has thirty left and Pike. Is Pike really selling Layton to the First?
