Silo Season 3, episode 5 ending explained: Who is Per Stensen?

Another Silo episode, another cliffhanger ending.

In Season 3, episode 4, we finished on the shock realisation that Bernard (Tim Robbins) is still alive, but in episode 5, the tension comes from the flashback storyline instead.

So what happens, and who is this mysterious Per Stensen (Colin Hanks) that's mentioned? Let's unpack what we know.

What happens at the end of Silo Season 3, episode 5?

Locked in an ever-deepening mystery, Daniel (Ashley Zukerman) and Helen (Jessica Henwick) finish the episode on the road, discussing what Daniel has learned from his former army buddy. We've transcribed the conversation they have prior to their car suddenly gaining a mind of its own:

Daniel: "Who's the number-one advocate for AI control, who also happens to fund the clinic where my sister's trying to rebuild her memory?"

Helen: "Per Stensen."

D: "Wanna take a guess at where Per Stensen was the night of Operation Righteous Vengeance?"

H: "On the Nimitz?"

D: "It's usually based in San Diego, but it's been in Norfolk since it got back from Iran. Sam knows someone on base who's willing to talk to us off the record."

H: "What changed his mind?"

D: "I'm guessing Charlotte. Just knowing what she means to me. I know Sam. We didn't just play in a band together. We got shot at together, and I've rarely heard him this scared."

H: "Okay, you think all this has to do with AI though?"

D: "I don't know... but the other carrier groups that night sent out 20, 30 sorties, and the Nimitz sends out one? With four planes equipped with pre-digital comms, and then suddenly—"

He never gets to finish the sentence, because at that point the car swerves — and then begins driving itself.

Who is Per Stensen?

We've actually heard the name before. Prior to Season 3's launch, Apple shared a promo in the form of a 20-minute livestream that mentioned the character in a brief news story. The video is now private, but the news clip spoke about him being a billionaire who'd purchased a large parcel of land in Georgia. We also know that he's played by Colin Hanks — a big enough name that he'll likely feature prominently in what's to come.

Based on the exchange Daniel and Helen have above, the implication seems to be that he could be a figure behind the curtain, pulling the strings. But what's his involvement, exactly?

Is Stensen the person employing the mysterious gray-haired man following Daniel and Helen? What's he got to do with what happened on Charles' mission? And does the fact that the promo talks about him purchasing land in Georgia mean that he could actually have something to do with the silo's origin story?

Silo Season 3 is streaming now on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday.