Let’s Discuss Severance’s Big ‘Twist’

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This seems pretty obvious, but just in case, there are spoilers for this week’s Severance in here.

It’s surprising! We thought we knew what was going on in the second season of Severance, but it turns out that what we assumed wasn’t actually the case. Instead, something entirely different has been taking place!

I’m not surprised at all, are you? We all could see this outcome coming from miles away. The characters might have been in the dark, but I think we viewers had plenty of hints to piece it together. It feels more like an expected revelation rather than a twist that takes us by surprise. In fact, it’s so obvious that it barely qualifies as even that.

Is it accurate to say that Severance is intentionally revealing certain aspects, and if so, what impact does this have on our perception and overall appreciation of the series?

As a devoted fan, I was absolutely astounded when the truth about Helly R. unfolded in the fourth episode of Severance, titled “Woe’s Hollow.” During a moment of enlightenment amidst Lumon’s snowy ORTBO (Outdoor Retreat Team Building Occurrence), Irving made an earth-shattering discovery: Helly R. isn’t who she seems to be and hasn’t been for quite some time. In actuality, she is Helena Eagan, the exterior version of Helly R., who has been attending her interior Lumon identity’s shifts without going through the magical elevator process that normally transforms an Outie into a person’s Innie identity. This is possible due to Helena being the daughter of Lumon’s current CEO, Jame Eagan, and hailing from a family that traces its roots back to Kier Eagan, the founder of Lumon Industries (and as per “Woe’s Hollow,” the twin brother of Dieter, who engaged in some rather peculiar activities out in the wilderness). Helena holds considerable power, and since last season’s overtime contingency disruption, she has been wielding that power to ensure her Innie no longer exists.

In my perspective as a movie critic, “Severance” seems to have deliberately crafted this major twist as a jaw-dropping revelation for some viewers, while simultaneously hinting at it subtly enough for others to pick up on the clues. The series’ creators appear to have struck a balance that leaves audiences in a state of bewilderment and intrigue.

Indeed, I’ve witnessed this perplexity firsthand among my acquaintances, with one person in particular expressing sheer amazement upon discovering the truth about Helly R. Many viewers were taken aback and left questioning everything they had previously believed about the series.

However, it is also evident that a significant number of viewers have been piecing together this theory based on various hints and inconsistencies in Helly’s behavior throughout the season. Online discussions and fan theories have been flourishing, with headlines like “This Severance Season 2 Fan Theory Will Make You Question Everything” and “Every Time Helly Hasn’t Seemed Like Herself in Season 2, So Far.” These articles often compile comments from platforms such as Reddit, where a post titled “I FUCKING KNEW IT” has amassed over 2,000 upvotes.

Initially, I found myself straddling the fence, suspecting that Helly R. was indeed Helena in disguise while also harboring doubts about the nature of her peculiar behavior. As a critic preparing to review the season, I had to remain open-minded and attentive to the intricate layers of storytelling woven into each episode.

It appears that the character we’ve been calling Helly R. might actually be a disguise for Helena, her Innie (Inner), who has been skillfully pretending to be Helly. This theory would shed light on some inconsistencies and strange behaviors in the show. For instance, Helena might have watched the video of Helly kissing Mark to perfect their relationship dynamic. The lies about her time outside the company and the slipup about the night gardian could also make sense in this context. There are several hints that suggest this theory, such as Helly’s slow reactions, her difficulty operating technology, and her unusual comments about the missing security cameras. Moreover, Britt Lower has subtly portrayed these dual identities through her acting, with Helena’s expressions being more reserved and placid compared to actual Helly’s mobile, engaged, and curious demeanor.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the most engaging aspect of season two so far is how skillfully they’ve woven this twist – at once unexpected yet somehow predictable. For those who missed the subtle clues or had a fleeting moment of uncertainty, episode four’s finale serves up an exhilarating unmasking scene, the kind of narrative surprise that leaves you saying “I should have seen it coming!” But what truly sets this twist apart is not just when we, the viewers, figure it out. It’s about how this revelation ripples through the series once it’s revealed, and whether it carries weight for the characters. And considering Mark just slept with someone he thought was Helly, I can’t wait to see how this bombshell affects everyone!

As a devoted film lover, I appreciate when shows like “Severance” don’t play games and reveal key details early on, rather than saving them for the season finale. It’s almost too conspicuous to keep hidden for long, but it’s surprising, albeit in a good way. By addressing this issue head-on, the show has managed to maintain the internal emotional turmoil while also providing some relief for the viewers. Now that they’ve let off steam, we can focus on the exciting part: watching all the characters lose their cool!

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2025-02-07 17:56