Its the line repeated at the beginning of each episode of TNTs latest dystopian drama Snowpiercer based on the Bong Joon ho cult classic film from 2013 itself based on the 1982 graphic novel series Le Transperceneige.
Though the phrase hails from a made up world in which Earth has frozen over and only 3000 humans survive aboard a train that circumnavigates the globe in perpetuity there is much about Snowpiercer that is relatable at the moment not least of which being confined to a finite amount of space.
Graeme Manson who was the showrunner on Orphan Black for its five season run was brought in as head conductor for Snowpiercer after the original pilot saw its executives and creatives part ways. This version of the TV show which has already secured its second season has been called a continuation of sorts from Bongs film though a more apt description might be a reimagining of it.
While the conceit is the same the world has frozen because of climate change most of its population has died and a few people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds have made it onto the only vessel built for survival the biggest change is in the storys two lead characters neither of whom was in the movie: Melanie Cavill played by Jennifer Connelly and Andre Layton played by Daveed Diggs. And where Bongs work was about a fight to the front with steerage overtaking first class a TV show needed more to sustain itself over several episodes.
At the beginning of the series both characters are at opposite ends of the survival spectrum literally and figuratively they believe their truth is the ultimate and worth fighting or killing for. As head of hospitality and the right hand of Mr. Wilford the trains engineer and supreme leader a godlike figure that no one is actually allowed to see Cavill represents the conservatives. However by the end of the first episode we find out she probably has much more to offer as she switches out her crisp teal blue suit set for MIT sweats and sneakers and takes a seat in the engine room.
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