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- Little do they know, Mr. Wilford is actually Melanie Cavill (Jennifer Connelly), the head of hospitality who also serves as the Voice of the Train. At the end of the premiere, Melanie enters the conductor car and takes over the controls as a man refers to her as "Mr. Wilford."
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Is Melanie the real Mr Wilford?
Is Mr Wilford actually Melanie Cavill?
What was Melanie's relationship with Wilford like before the freeze?
Why does Melanie make a deal with Wilford?
Jun 1, 2020 · By Charles Nicholas Raymond. Published Jun 1, 2020. After Snowpiercer's third episode, it seems possible that Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) isn't the real Mr. Wilford, and that he died some time ago. The real Mr. Wilford may already be dead in TNT's Snowpiercer series.
Snowpiercer fans convinced Melanie is the real Mr Wilford as hunt for serial killer takes game-changing turn. Jack Pusey. Published: 16:31, 8 Jun 2020. Updated: 14:59, 18 Jun 2020. THE...
Mar 2, 2021 · Melanie always believed that had Wilford controlled Snowpiercer from the start, the Great Ark Train wouldn't have survived one revolution around the planet, and she is quite likely correct. Even as the master of Big Alice, Wilford has shown that he prides his own creature comforts above the well-being of his people and he manipulates ...
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Melanie Cavill is a main character in TNT's Snowpiercer. She is portrayed by Jennifer Connelly.
She is the Voice of the Train, who makes the PA system's daily announcements. Though many of her peers are dismissive of the lower class passengers, Melanie is curiously fascinated by them. In secret, Melanie is in fact the pretending to be the mysterious Mr. Wilford. She is one of the engineers that designed and created Snowpiercer in the first place and is the true mastermind behind the train's design. She abandoned the real Wilford to die when the journey began, believing that Snowpiercer wouldn't survive with him in charge.
According to Melanie, she grew up on a dirt farm in eastern Pennsylvania and came from nothing. As a result, she has sympathy for the lower classes and their struggles. At some point she graduated from MIT (hinted from her MIT jacket and hat), Melanie herself and Bennett would sometime jokes about it.
She secretly took on the identity of Mr. Wilford, the head of Wilford Industries who came up with Snowpiercer when the Freeze came. Melanie lost her daughter, Alexandra, when the Freeze came. Alex was with Melanie's parents, who were supposed to board the train together, but they never made it aboard.
Hiring Layton
Melanie is the voice of the train aboard Snowpiercer, and also the head of hospitality. She receives numerous complaints from passengers that they have heard of uprisings on the train. Melanie sends Ruth Wardell to remove Andre Layton from the Tail in a bid to help with the investigations into the murder that has caused the widespread panic; it is revealed that Layton was a homicide detective before Snowpiercer departed. Layton enters numerous negotiations with Melanie, outlining his terms for working the murder case — third-class immigration and rations for the Tailies. Melanie refuses each of his demands, however, remarking that it would do him well to help catch the murderer; she gives him a chance to escape the Tail of the train. Layton is told that if he can clear Nikki's name and solve the case they will make him Train Detective and move him to Third Class, he refuses, however, citing that he wants his demands met. After the revolt of the Tailies, Melanie enlists Layton to calm them. When he is successful, Ruth reveals that Wilford will demand six of the Tailies lives in exchange for the security guards lost. Layton pleads with Melanie, agreeing to work for her and solve the murder if she spares the lives of his friends; she reluctantly agrees. She later returns to the front of the train where she takes over as driver, and it is revealed that she is in fact the mysterious Mr. Wilford. The following day, Melanie is surprised to see Layton has been beaten up after causing a scene with the guards. She becomes increasingly angry and remarks that he is only in his position because "Mr. Wilford" needs him to solve the murder. She is impressed, however, when Layton figures out that Sean — the recent murder victim — was an informant for Wilford, hence why "he" wants the case solved to figure out what secrets were spilled.
Difficult decisions and choices
Melanie is faced with a difficult decision when Javi reveals that they are unlikely to pass through the upcoming glacial collapse without damage. Javi recommends that they scale back the power by 12%, however, Melanie cites that they cannot afford any blackouts — especially with the current concerns of the passengers — and that they should push ahead. Later, Melanie realizes that this was the wrong decision when the cliff collapses and one of the Ag-Sec carriages is damaged, freezing everything inside. Melanie agrees to scale back 12% whilst the damage is fixed. Later, amidst concerns by Jinju and Bennett, Melanie decides that water and other essentials will be rationed per class; Bennett remarks that this is killing the passengers from the tail up. Melanie is faced with a further difficult decision when Layton begins to find out details surrounding Sean's death. Layton refuses to reveal any of the information unless he is allowed to visit Josie Wellstead in the Tail. Eventually, Melanie reluctantly agrees but is oblivious to the fact that Layton is exchanging details about the Train's security with Josie. After Niiki is murdered, Melanie faces anger and suspicion as she helps Layton look into the first-class passengers. Though Layton suspects first class will prevent any of their own from facing justice and expresses outrage at the luxuries they enjoy, Melanie assures him that she is on his side, revealing her own humble origins. Melanie orders Layton to be first-class' "worst nightmare from the Tail" while she will help clear the way for him. As they work together, Layton notices Melanie's level of power and becomes suspicious of her true identity. After Erik is identified as the killer, Melanie, acting as Layton's partner due to Bess Till being busy chasing Erik, interrogates the Folger parents as Layton interrogates LJ Folger. After Erik is killed by the Jackboots, Layton signals to Melanie that LJ is responsible and she has Jackboots brought in who arrest LJ after a struggle when Layton announces her guilt. Melanie makes a train-wide announcement that the killer is dead and that the second suspect has been arrested before bringing Layton for a drink. By now, Melanie has realized that Layton knows who she really is which he confirms, stating that "a myth is a powerful thing." Melanie is revealed to have drugged Layton, apologizing to him and stating that she hopes that he never knows the weight that comes with being a myth. Melanie has Layton secretly put into the Drawers, keeping it off-the-books so that no one else knows about it. However, Melanie, not wanting Layton to get hurt, orders that Layton is not to be damaged.
Identity Crisis
Following the revelation that LJ Folger is partly responsible for Sean Wise's murder (and the first murder), Melanie convenes a tribunal to decide her fate. Things become difficult, however, when Third — specifically Miss Audrey and the Nightcar — begins causing trouble due to lack of representation on the tribunal. When Melanie confronts Audrey, the latter threatens Melanie, remarking that Third touches most of the train and will be heard one way or another. Melanie heeds the warning and reselects the tribunal with one representative from each class — the Tail is not represented as they are not considered passengers. This move is not popular in First and Second and, when she LJ is found guilty — and reveals that Sean Wise was a Wilford Informant — she commutes her sentence as she fears LJ may be aware of her identity as the mysterious Mr. Wilford. Before reuniting LJ with her parents, she talks with her, and LJ promises to keep "Mr. Wilford's" secret as a thank you for commuting her sentence. Melanie's situation is later amplified when Andre Layton is rescued from the Drawers by his girlfriend, Josie Wellstead, and comes after Melanie. He holds her at knifepoint whilst she is trying to fix the hydraulic system on Snowpiercer and tells her that he knows the drawers are experimental and not working properly. Melanie tells him that he has it wrong and that the drawers are a lifeboat, containing the very best part of humanity in an effort to save them from the freeze. Melanie warns Layton that the social order on Snowpiercer relies on the myth of Mr. Wilford, and that the society would collapse should her secret be revealed; Layton reluctantly allows her to leave to fix the hydraulics with the train in danger of derailment. With seconds to spare, Melanie saves the train. She later gifts Miles a caliper given to Melanie by Mr. Wilford himself and tells the boy that Mr. Wilford needs something from him.
She is cunning and if anything brings her down, she always finds a loophole to get around it. Aboard the train, she takes the position of Head of Hospitality which gains her a great reputation aboard the train as well as making new or keeping friends.
Andre Layton
At first, Melanie maintained a purely professional relationship with Layton, locking him up when he wasn't working and being reluctant to trust him. In turn, Layton figured out Melanie's secret on his own simply by observing her actions and behavior. As time went on, their relationship slightly improved after Melanie used her position to clear the way for Layton with the Folgers, revealing in the process to Layton her own humble origins and sympathies for the lower class passengers. However, Layton's discovery of the truth caused Melanie to put him in the Drawers, acknowledging that he was correct and that she hoped that he never had to understand the burden that she had to bear. Despite the danger that Layton's knowledge presented, Melanie took pains to ensure that he remained unharmed. Following Layton's escape, he nearly killed Melanie before she explained the true purpose of the Drawers and that she was the only one who could save Snowpiercer. Melanie subsequently became enemies with Layton, particularly after she apparently killed Josie Wellstead while trying to find him. After First Class revolted, Melanie turned to Layton and offered him her help and to his surprise, stated that she intended to give control of the train to Layton after they won. Melanie admitted that she had done many terrible things in the name of saving humanity, but knew that her way didn't work. As a result, she thought that giving Layton's way a chance might be a better option. Layton made it clear to Melanie that there personal feud was not over, however. After being forced to sacrifice the prisoners in order to defeat the Folgers and the Jackboots, Layton realized that Melanie knew that he would have to do it which she confirmed. Melanie sympathetically told Layton that such decisions were what they have to live with every day. After the rebellion, Melanie kept her word and officially gave Layton control of Snowpiercer. Following this, their relationship appeared to improve greatly, working together to keep the passengers alive. After the discovery of Big Alice, Melanie went so far as to consult Layton as their new leader rather than just acting on her own. When Melanie was captured, Layton endeavored to get her back and once he had her, showed genuine concern for Melanie's well-being and asked after her recently-discovered alive daughter. The two continued to work together after the discovery of CW-7 breaking up in the atmosphere, bouncing ideas off of it each other and facing Wilford as a united front. Wilford expressed surprise at this given that they had tried to kill each other in the past. Before departing, Melanie calls Layton by his first name for the first time as they say goodbye. After discovering Melanie's apparent death, Layton is visibly saddened but like everyone else, happy with the data that Melanie got for them and apparently sacrificed her life for. Six months later, Layton is pleased when Melanie is discovered to still be alive and he helps rescue her. However, Melanie betrays Layton, placing them at odds once again. Despite their differences, Melanie and Layton recognize that they are simply playing into Wilford's hands and neither want bloodshed or fear again, allowing them to reach a peaceful solution to the situation. When the trains separate, the two hug each other goodbye and promise to take care of each other's loved ones, parting on good terms.
Season 1 First, the Weather Changed
Bennett: "It's gonna be bumpy tomorrow." Melanie: "Yeah. I hate this stretch of track. Thanks, Ben." Bennett: "You have the train... Mr. Wilford." Melanie: "I have the train." ― Ben revealing Melanie is Mr. Wilford.
Prepare to Brace
Jinju: "We can’t ration any more power to Ag-Sec unless we start canceling crops." Melanie: "We’re not breaking rotation." Bennett: "Water won’t flow for a couple days at least. Not until the crack in the hull is seal." Jinju: "Then we only have what’s in the reservoir for Third, Ag-Sec and Tail." Melanie: "[ sighs] We ration the people, not the crops. Third and Second will get 15 minutes of running water a day, and the Tail will have to survive on what they’ve hoarded." Bennett: "Is this what the start of a resource crash feels like? Starving the train from the tail up." Jinju: "It’s not just the beef. It’s manure for fertilizer. It’s bovine cultures. We use their methane." Melanie: "I know. It’s bad. But how bad stays between us. In the meantime, we press ahead with selecting the new apprentice and we bolster faith in Wilford to get them through." ― Jinju Seong, Bennett Knox and Melanie Cavill discussing the damage to Snowpiercer. Melanie: "What do you see...when you look at this train?" Layton: "I see a fortress to class." Melanie: "Is that all? Well, I see 3,000 souls surviving on a planet that's determined to freeze all life in place. We're still in motion, alive and kicking, and it's not thanks to chance or fate or God. It is thanks to order, meticulously maintained by Mr. Wilford. A balance of need and greed and speed, and you Tailies, who seem to have forgotten that it is 117 degrees below zero outside of this metal tube, and Mr. Wilford is awake 21 hours a day just to keep the Goddamn heat on." Layton: "Guess that's why it needs informants like Sean Wise. Wise was a Wilford rat. He got paid in perks...like the rigged Baby Lottery. Why else would you care so much about a Thirdie's murder? So, what you really want to know is, when he was tortured, what Wilford secrets did he spill? Y'all got killers and cannibals and God-knows what else up here. So don't lecture me about balance. My people found ours years ago." Melanie: "Okay. Very perceptive. No wonder Mr. Wilford wants you as Train Detective. But that's the only reason you're still here now." ― Melanie to Layton after Layton tried to make contact with The Tail.
Without Their Maker
Bennett: "So... have you thought of a workaround for the methane shortage?" Melanie: "Yup. Goat farts." Bennett: "Very good! MIT." Melanie: "[chuckles] I know it would pay off." ― We learned Melanie graduated from MIT Lilah: "On behalf of everyone here, I demand to speak to Mr. Wilford. It's time, Melanie." Bennett: "[TELEPHONE RINGS] This is Bennett." Melanie: "I'm sorry. I need you to put me through to him. It's urgent." Bennett: "Oh, hey, are we doing this again?" Melanie: "Thank you. I'll wait." Bennett: "Anything to put a smile on your face." Melanie: "Mr. Wilford. Good news first. We may have identified the killer." Bennett: "Is that for real? Or is that part of the act?" Melanie: "Yeah, a bodyguard from First. But the family's reluctant to let your Detective in to investigate, and they would like a word." Bennett: "Well, that would piss me right off. Huff, huff, huff." Melanie: "The Folgers. It's their man. Yes, Lilah Folger, sir. I know, but she's demanding it. Very good." Lilah: "[ MURMURING ] For the investigation, we will allow him in, but only if you accompany him." Melanie: "Mr. Wilford, my apologies. It seems everything is sorted." Bennett: "I miss you, Mel." Melanie: "Thank you for that. Goodbye, sir." ― Melanie calls Mr. Wilford for Lilah Folger as she insists to have Layton investigate their quarters. Melanie: "You figured it out, Layton. I know you did." Layton: "A myth's a powerful thing." Melanie: "Pray you never know the weight of it. I'm sorry, Layton." ― Melanie and Layton discuss her true identity.
•She has spoken the opening dialogue for The Train Demanded Blood, 994 Cars Long, Smolder to Life, Many Miles From Snowpiercer and The Original Sinners. Which makes her the person to spoken the most opening dialogues.
•Melanie attended — and presumably graduated from — MIT. She also wears a Yale Engineering hat suggesting a connection to that university as well.
•Only a limited number of people were aware that Melanie was the mysterious "Mr. Wilford". These were: Bennett Knox, Javier De La Torre, Jinju Seong, Miles, Andre Layton, Josie Wellstead and LJ Folger.
•She designed Snowpiercer and The Engine and according to Melanie herself, is the true visionary behind the train, not Mr. Wilford.
•She was discovered and recognized by Mr. Wilford, giving her a career opportunity. At least Mr. Wilford claims so in The Time of Two Engines.
•Mr. Wilford remarks that Melanie is one of the best drivers he has ever seen.
May 18, 2020 · Little do they know, Mr. Wilford is actually Melanie Cavill (Jennifer Connelly), the head of hospitality who also serves as the Voice of the Train. At the end of the premiere, Melanie enters the conductor car and takes over the controls as a man refers to her as "Mr. Wilford."
Mar 29, 2022 · Is Mr. Wilford Going to Die? The plan works as Mr. Wilford chooses to join sides with Melanie to stop Layton, only for the duo to reveal to the villain they were working together all along.
May 26, 2020 · Melanie Cavill (Jennifer Connelly) acts as a conduit between the passengers and their mysterious benefactor, but in reality, she herself is Mr Wilford, running things secretly from behind the...
