Snowpiercer—A Character‑Driven Reimagining With Mixed Results

 I enjoy a good Netflix binge like anyone else. One of the series I'm currently watching is “Snowpiercer,” a show that expands Bong Joon-ho’s tightly woven, allegorical 2013 film into a sprawling, multi-season narrative. While the film serves as a brutal, metaphor-heavy parable about class and revolution, the series delves deeper into a layered political drama, focusing more on world-building and character development.

At least, that’s the intention. The movie and the series both keep the train as their central metaphor, but the series diverges sharply in tone and structure. It slows down the narrative, introduces multiple factions, and prioritises interpersonal dynamics over the immediate intensity of the film's story. 

In my opinion, the introduction of extended character arcs sometimes feels drawn out and uneven. My favourite character is Sean Bean’s Mr Wilford. Wilford is a fully realised antagonist. Bean brings a sense of menace without falling into caricature, along with charisma touched by a hint of madness, creating a strangely magnetic presence that makes Wilford both charming and repulsive. Bean portrays him as a complete human antagonist, capable of manipulation through emotional intimacy as much as through cruelty. He effectively captures the narcissism, entitlement, and theatricality of a man who believes he is humanity’s last and rightful ruler. 

In my humble opinion, Bean elevates the series, grounding the political conflict with a villain who feels tangible and dangerous, not just ideologically important. 

On the other hand, the protagonist, Andre Layton, is a different case. Conceptually, Layton is an intriguing character—a former detective and “tailie” who is thrust into the role of revolutionary leader. His arc reflects the moral challenges of leading a fractured society aboard a fragile metal ecosystem. However, Daveed Diggs’ performance often lacks the intensity and gravitas required to anchor such a sprawling ensemble drama. 

This doesn’t mean Diggs is a poor actor; he brings sincerity and calm determination. But in comparison to the high stakes of the narrative, his portrayal can feel subdued, flat, and somewhat uninspiring. Compared to Bean, Diggs seems to fade into the background of his own story.

“Snowpiercer” as a TV series succeeds when it focuses on ensemble storytelling and character conflict, borrowing some of the best structural elements from Korean dramas. Sean Bean’s Wilford is a standout character, a villain who genuinely enhances the quality of the series. However, it stumbles with Layton’s character portrayal—strong in concept but not always compelling in execution. 

Overall, the series offers a richer and more complex world than the film, though not always with the same sharpness of vision.

Been awhile

 Everything begins with the best of intentions, like setting up this blogger account. Unfortunately, since I created it, there has only been silence, comparable to the sound of tumbleweeds blowing in the wind, as no new content has been written.

You might be wondering why that is. The truth is, throughout 2025, I was busy adjusting to my new role as a tutor—specifically, a teaching assistant to my non-Kiwi friends—at Otago University. I worked alongside social work and health science students while also taking on casual hours as a social work contractor and juggling a few other tasks.

That said, I have been writing. I contributed a short story to a science fiction anthology focused on a space coast guard, co-written with fellow author Michael LaVoice. We enjoyed the premise so much that we’ve decided to expand it into a trilogy featuring Jack Crowley and other members of the Search-and-Rescue Command. Additionally, I have another short story submitted in an anthology that will be released later this year, so stay tuned for updates.

On the solo writing front, I've been diligently expanding the adventures of Nathan Harvey, Tomasi Folau, and Christian Daucourt during the First Saber War, which began in "Dragoon: First Strike." More announcements will come as I learn more, but in the meantime, if you haven’t already, check out the book via the links provided.

Looking ahead to 2026, I expect it will be similar to this past year, but at least I'm no longer adjusting.

That’s it for now. I don’t want to promise any regular posts, but I will make an effort to update the blog as needed.

Say hello to Peter Stanley

I can understand if my long-time followers are a bit confused, but rest assured, it's still me. I have decided to use the pen name Peter Stanley for my fiction writing, particularly in the speculative fiction genre. This will make it easier for readers to find my work on online bookstores like Amazon, as my full Polish name can be challenging to spell. Henceforth, you can address me as Peter Stanley.

I know some of you might be curious as to why I chose Peter and Stanley. I chose Peter because it's a direct translation of my Polish name. As for Stanley, it's a tribute to Stanislaw Lem, a well-known Polish science fiction author of his time and one of my all-time favourites.

To answer the first part of the question, I want to make things easier for everyone. I don't want readers to miss out on my writing just because they struggle with the spelling of my last name.

Feel free to visit the Amazon page for the new pen name and check out the already available book. If you like it, please leave a review.egularly.

Hi there

Wow, who would have thought it's been a long since my last blog entry! Some would say that it's a good thing, as I was busy doing all this wonderful grown-up stuff. in a way, they are right. i have been busy. New job, and a new contract, and of course I too have been busy with writing my Dragoon series. You can find the first in that series here, on Amazon. The next three books in the series have been finished and am polishing them while waiting on a beta to read over the fifth book in the series. I then plan to wrap up Nathan Harvey's story in book six.

Professionally, I finally got my social work registration. I will follow that up with another post later, but needless to say that I am excited.

A small update

Hello, how is everyone doing? For my friends who are not in New Zealand, I thought it would be good to let you know that we have had a three week Level 3 lockdown here due to COVID. We're still under lockdown, but now at level 2.

Naturally I have been working from home. For those who have been asking, my book is still in the process of being polished with the editor. I am not sure when the release will be. I have however started doodling with a new idea, but it's too early to show just yet. I am experimenting with writing episodic fiction, so watch this space. 

Guest author in an Anthology

 A while ago, William Joseph Roberts asked me if I would like to be a guest author in an anthology ran by The Corner Scribblers. Now, I generally suck at short stories, but thought it be a good opportunity to practice and see what happens.

Well, HOSTILE INTENT was the result. It's an alternate history where the space race went a tad differently. Check it out, just click here.

Let's rage against them words

This week has started with a bang, in the most positive way imaginable. Fort starters, an opportunity presented itself and will be coming to fruition in early September. I will tell you what closer to the time. The other is my writing, it's coming along splendidly, with the second book in my first ever series coming out around 28 August 2020, if not a tad sooner.  

I am very happy with the series too, as feedback for Dragoon 2-2  that has been receiving, both via Amazon reviews and word of mouth. The general consensus is that it is refreshing with its locations while remaining true to the genre, so yeah. I am hoping that the second book and the two-plus more planned would be just as good.

Thing is, I doubt that I would be here without some encouragement and be able to access a pool of knowledge. you know who you are, thank you.

One such pool of knowledge is Steff Green, a fellow writer and disabled person of awesome. Steff writes romances and paranormal stuff under the pen name Steffanie Holmes. She runs a course for writers, called Rage Against The Manuscript, and I highly recommend it and encourage to hit the image below to check it out.

I thought I know it all, but the reality is that she knew more. I highly recommend her.