Warning! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2’s finale.

Bernard’s key stops blinking towardSiloseason 2’s ending moments, raising many questions about the key’s purpose and the reason behind its cessation. InSiloseason 1, Bernard’s key was one of the earliest indications of the presence of other silos. With the number 18 imprinted on it, the key denoted that the central underground structure was among the many silos in the show’s world. Although the key only appears a few times in theApple TV+ sci-fi show’s season 1, its presence denotes it holds immense significance in Bernard’s role within the silo’s leadership structure.

Even season 2 does not initially focus on the key but constantly hints it will eventually tie in Bernard’s journey as Silo 18’s leading figure. TowardsSiloseason 2’s endingarc, the key, which previously glowed red and vibrated on several occasions, suddenly stops blinking. This makes it hard not to wonder why it glowed in the first place and what suddenly made it stop in season 2’s finale.

Tim Robbins as Bernard in Silo

Silo 18’s Key Not Blinking Is A Sign That Bernard Officially Failed In Silo Season 2

The Key Indicates It Is Too Late For Bernard To Do Anything

InSiloseason 1’s endingmoments, Bernard’s key starts glowing red and vibrating as soon as Juliette defies the cleaning protocol. With what follows, he seemingly rushes inside his vault to understand what he should do next. Something similar happens almost throughoutSiloseason 2. Every time something goes wrong in Silo 18, and the people inch closer to unleashing a full-fledged rebellion, the key blinks, and Bernard disappears.

What The Algorithm Is Silo & What It Means For Silo 18

Silo season 2 introduces a plot device called the Algorithm, raising many questions about what it is and what its purpose is in the show’s story.

Although the show never explicitly reveals where Bernard goes when the key blinks, it seems like he heads to the vault and talks to the Algorithm. The glowing key is more or less of a warning that Bernard needs to act quickly before things escalate in the silo.The Algorithm probably helps him decide his next course of actionafter his key starts glowing.

Avi Nash as Lukas Kyle in Silo season 2

He is seemingly considered incapable of saving his silo towards the end, which makes him unworthy of getting the warning signs from the Algorithm.

InSiloseason 2’s ending arc, Bernard keeps checking his key as things gradually crumble in Silo 18, wondering why it is not blinking. However, towards the final moments of the season, it becomes evident that the key is not glowing because it is too late for Bernard to do anything. He is seemingly considered incapable of saving his silo towards the end, which makes him unworthy of getting the warning signs from the Algorithm.

Silo TV Poster

Why Bernard Gives The Key To Robert Sims

Bernard Realizes He Has Failed To Protect His Silo

After learning the truth about the Silo system from Lukas and realizing that the founders never really cared about the survivors, Bernard, too, gives up. He feels powerless, understanding that he personally can do nothing to save his people. Therefore,he admits his defeat and accepts the fact that they are all doomed.

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Hugh HoweySiloseries that includes three books:Wool,Shift, &Dust

As a result, he gives the key to Robert Sims, believing that it does not matter who leads the silo after him. Before he sets out to leave the silo and embrace a few moments of freedom inSiloseason 2’s finale, he sheds all his responsibilities and walks away from the burden of his leadership by giving away the key.

Silo

In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.