No disrespect intended to all the writers on the show and the original author of the Wool books, Hugh Howey, but I think the show would be far more effective/disturbing if Juliette left the silo in ep 10 and discovered the outside world was beautiful. There was no nuclear war or other catastrophe.

The ruling elite wanted to maintain control and they drugged the population and sent millions of them into hundreds of silos. The 99 percent population had to live a grim life in the silos but the ruling elite (let's say a thousand or so people) lived in comfort in the outside world.

I think that would have been a cool twist.

Season 2 and 3 would be the real rebellion to retake Earth from the ruling elite.

I think the original author missed a great opportunity, perhaps? We know the outside world is post apocalyptic, that's the premise of the show so there's no big deal to find that out in ep 10. It's predictable.