The season 3 finale of Apple TV+'s "Silo" introduced a significant transformation for Congressman Daniel Keene, now known as Troy, a character whose existence is intrinsically linked to memory erasure and silo rebellions. Actor Ashley Zukerman, who plays both Daniel and Troy, detailed the complex process of embodying these distinct versions of the same individual in an interview.
Zukerman explained that he had Troy in mind throughout the filming of season 3, sensing that the founders saw a specific utility in Daniel. This foresight allowed him to track the character's evolution, culminating in a revelation after a hundreds-year time jump. The finale's cold open reveals a memory-wiped Daniel, preserved through cryotechnology, who awakens periodically to quell uprisings. This shift from a character defined by his past experiences, pain, and sense of justice to one driven by a singular mission presented a unique challenge.
"History has just been taken away from me," Zukerman said, describing the character's new state. "In a way, playing Troy was simpler. It's a more peaceful character, because life is clearer."
Daniel's Journey and Troy's Nature
The season's penultimate episode saw Daniel and Helen seeking refuge in separate silos after a catastrophic event. The subsequent leap forward centuries depicted Daniel's altered state. Zukerman noted that while the initial expectation might have been for Daniel to be involved in the silos' construction due to his engineering background, the narrative took a surprising turn, showing him changed by Helen and recruited into his new role in a tragic manner.
Portraying the intense reactions to world-ending events and personal loss required Zukerman to deeply connect with Daniel's character. He emphasized the importance of inhabiting Daniel's experiences, knowledge, and expectations. The actors discussed how their characters couldn't anticipate the unfolding events, leading to seemingly innocuous goodbyes that held profound weight in retrospect.
Zukerman also touched upon the show's engagement with contemporary anxieties, noting how the revelation that an AI wrote the "pact" resonated with viewers amidst current global concerns. He found that these real-world parallels, while difficult, gave significant meaning to his work.
The Transformation to Troy
Preparing to embody Troy involved a deliberate shift from Daniel's complexity and emotional depth. Zukerman focused on Daniel's qualities that might be perceived as useful by the founders, such as an inclination toward mechanical solutions over emotional ones. The core of the transformation, he explained, was the stripping away of Daniel's history, memories, and the pain that shaped him, leaving only a clear mission.
Physically, the portrayal of Troy's actions, such as the attacks on Silo 17, appears devoid of emotion. Zukerman interpreted this not as evil, but as a lack of complication. Troy, from his perspective, was simply solving a problem he believed needed solving, a perspective that is inherently frightening within the show's narrative.
"To him, he's not doing bad things," Zukerman stated. "And it was a fantastic thing to meditate on over the course of those eight months that we shot. What does it actually mean to not have history?"
He contrasted the performance experience, expecting Daniel to be joyful and Troy dark, but found Daniel filled with anxiety and fear due to the stakes involved, while Troy possessed a clear, unwavering dogma.
Cryotechnology and Future Prospects
Discussions about the cryotechnology featured in the show involved considering the process of waking from stasis and the physical toll it takes. Daniel's experience was particularly unique, as he was repeatedly awakened for short periods, maintaining a state of shock that the show implies might be intentional to keep him effective.
Regarding character loyalties and responses, Zukerman posed the question of what it takes to make someone forget their humanity, wondering if it's a matter of nature or nurture.
Hints of Daniel's memories resurfacing, particularly concerning Helen, were present, suggesting that more of his past may emerge as the character's consciousness returns. Zukerman also noted Troy's fascination with Juliette's intelligence, seeing her as a formidable problem to solve.
Looking ahead to season 4, Zukerman indicated that the series will deliver on its initial promises, with all established elements serving a purpose. He described the upcoming season as a "rough but satisfying" conclusion that will redefine the show's rules and explore new narrative territory, noting that hundreds of years have passed and the rules have changed.
"I really think the show and the promises in Episode 1 of Season 1 come back in Season 4," Zukerman said. "That's the beauty of it. Everything was there. Everything had a purpose. Everything had meaning. There was no wasted moment."