The first time you sit down to watch a TV show or movie, it’s easy to miss little plot points or dialogue cues, but the intentionally hidden gems are a different story. These are usually written in as something you’d find on the second or third watch-through, and they add quite a new level to the experience for those shows actually worth a re-watch. Snowpiercer is one of those TV shows.
As a big fan of the TNT series, I’ve re-watched the episodes a few times, so I figured it might be nice to showcase those hidden easter eggs here for you. But be aware that this list contains lots of spoilers!
8. Photos of Melanie’s daughter: Episode 2
We first see these photos in Episode 2 as Melanie is looking through her closet. Later we see them in much more detail, including a scene where LJ Folger steals one to use as evidence proving she was able to infiltrate Melanie’s living quarters. Of course, Melanie’s daughter ends up being the young girl on the second train they find in Episode 10, so this is a fairly large (and early) piece of that puzzle.
7. Frank Ocean’s “Bad Religion” song: Episode 7
This 2012 tune of unrequited love, as covered by Tony Award-winning singer Lena Hall as Miss Audrey, closes out Episode 7. But we can’t help but ask to what this forbidden romance refers? Is it Till and Seong? Is it Ruth and Commander Grey? Is it Layton and Josie? Is it Melanie and the train?
6. Murray Head’s “Say It Ain’t So, Joe” song: Episode 2
“Say It Ain’t So, Joe” is another Miss Audrey cover of a song originally performed in 1975 by Murray Head, who went on to make one of the most iconic 80s songs in history with “One Night in Bangkok.” Roger Daltrey of The Who also covered the song in 1998.
5. Weber’s Bakery is a real place: Episode 3
Knowing that Layton is originally from Chicago, it’s refreshing to see such attention to detail as in his flashback with Zarah where they’re chowing down on some Weber’s donuts. Weber’s Bakery is a real place in Chicago, and they have some of the best donuts you can imagine. Weber’s is to donuts as Gino’s East is to Pizza. There, I said it.
4. LJ Folger dressed as Veruca Salt: Episode 5
We speculated quite a bit on the Wonkapiercer theory in another article, but I think we can all agree that spoiled rich girl LJ Folger’s choice of wardrobe in Episode 5 is very reminiscent of Veruca Salt’s in the original 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
3. Mysterious house may be inhabited: Episode 6
OK, I’ll admit that this one is quite a stretch, but at the 16:03 mark in Episode 6, we see Snowpiercer passing by a house in the middle of nowhere that looks to be surrounded by tracks in the snow and a slight wisp of smoke coming from one corner. Remember the mysterious ending of the Snowpiercer movie with the polar bear, showing us that there is actually life outside of the train? That’s where I’m going with this.
2. Wilford “W” logo keeps switching to “M”: Episodes 2 and 10
The first time we see the old switcheroo is in Episode 2 when Melanie’s “W” logo pin is upside down and Ruth quickly adjusts it for Melanie before anyone notices. This was an obvious Melanie-is-Wilford reference, but when we see the W become an M on the door in Episode 10, we can’t help but wonder if this means that Melanie will somehow retain her authority, even as the real Mr. Wilford comes into play in Season 2.
1. Wilford’s voice is Sean Bean’s voice: Episode 4
Wikipedia gave this one away quite early on, but the listing of Sean Bean as Mr. Wilford gave us hope at the beginning of Season 1 that we’d see the accomplished actor at some point. Turns out we WILL see him in Season 2, but it was still nice to hear his voice in the speeches that Melanie listened to in Episode 4.
Need more Snowpiercer while we wait for Season 2? Be sure to check out more of our coverage below!
Early Impressions and Connections to the Movie
Season 1, Episode 6 Recap and Review
Season 1, Episode 7 Recap and Review
Season 1, Episode 8 Recap and Review
Season 1 Finale (Episodes 9 and 10) Recap, Review, and Preview of Season 2
