Severance Recap: A Momentous Day

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It’s often noted that Severance is more akin to playing strategic chess compared to most other TV shows, which are more like playing checkers. Indeed, this observation holds true – the series excels in creating intricate and detailed worlds rarely seen on television. Furthermore, the second season’s penultimate episode can be likened to an actual chess match itself, skillfully maneuvering pieces to establish a grand final confrontation.

Towards the climax, Burt sends Irving to an unknown destination, Dylan G. decides to leave his job permanently, and Helly R. finds herself in a questionable position with her outer’s unsettling father. Meanwhile, Miss Huang is transported from Lumon to the ominous-named Gunnel Eagan Empathy Center in Svalbard. The once cold and uninviting floor now seems deserted and eerie.

The Lumon executives remain deeply invested and intrigued by the ongoing mystery surrounding the floor. Today, Mark was supposed to finish Cold Harbor project, but the key player is absent and the progress remains halted at 96%. Instead of reporting for duty, he’s recuperating from a complicated surgery related to his reintegration and secretly meeting with his previous adversary, Ms. Cobel. While en route to their rendezvous, Mark and Devon briefly express shared reservations about allying themselves with this potentially dangerous woman. However, Devon acknowledges that they have no other viable option. The reason being, Cobel holds unique insights into the enigma surrounding Cold Harbor – insights that nobody else seems willing to disclose. What choice do they have but to seek help from the allegedly corrupt Kier Police Department and request an investigation?

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I must admit that Cobel has been rather tight-lipped about Gemma’s current situation. However, in a heart-stopping moment, she discloses the title of the project Mark is involved with: Cold Harbor. Now, this revelation sent shivers down my spine, but I can only imagine how Mark and Devon felt when they heard it. The term “Cold Harbor” didn’t just give me goosebumps; it sent a chill right through me.

Moreover, Cobel drops a shocking bombshell: once Cold Harbor is finished, Gemma will cease to exist. It’s unclear whether this means a spiritual demise, an ego death as hinted in “Chikhai Bardo,” or a physical goodbye. Regardless of the nature, it’s undeniably grim news.

In essence, Cobel persuades Mark to feign illness. It’s peculiar that no Lumon enforcers haven’t searched for him yet since he was absent the day before as well and didn’t report to work. When Mark connects with Milchick, he initially fabricates a story about visiting a doctor for his nosebleeds. However, when Milchick questions this, Mark changes tactics, claiming he merely requires a day off for mental health. In doing so, Mark invokes the Lumon philosophy that one must strive for work-life balance (similar to controlling anger). This point resonates deeply with Milchick, causing him to become introspective. He stands in a way that creates a stark silhouette against his office window, and he seems to be grappling with an intense wave of nostalgia. This poignant moment showcases Tramell Tillman’s exceptional ability to portray Milchick’s inner world, often without relying on dialogue.

During the entire episode, Milchick experiences an exceptionally dismal day filled with misfortunes. The absence of Mark significantly delays what would have been a monumental day for the company. (I’m guessing they didn’t print any commemorative T-shirts.) Drummond summons Milchick to the executive floor to scold him about Mark’s absence, and he uses this occasion to revisit the “Big Words” dispute. Drummond insists that Milchick abridge his apology and then makes him repeat it over and over again… until Milchick eventually loses his temper.

He tells his superior, ‘Get rid of the filth,'” he states instead. “Or, clean your own mess.” Goodness gracious! Did Milchick just reprimand a high-ranking Lumon executive?! Milchick asserts his deserved respect as the head of the severed floor and points out that Mark Scout is under Drummond’s responsibility when he’s not at work: Drummond is. As a middle manager, Milchick has been a significant source of office satire throughout season one, and this instance is empowering, amusing, and nerve-wracking. (Drummond can be quite terrifying, you know.) In this moment, Milchick emerges as a hero for all the hardworking individuals who have longed to tell their lazy bosses where to go.

It’s clear that Lumon had been monitoring both Gemma and Mark for quite some time before her death, and it seems they’ve continued to keep tabs on Mark since then, as seen when Drummond overheard Devon and Mark’s conversation at the diner earlier in the season. It’s strange that Lumon would let the investigation into Mark slip so close to the finish line (at 96%). One would think someone from Lumon would have checked on him the day before, when he was incapacitated due to a Gemma-induced fever dream on his couch. In summary, while Lumon’s security measures are indeed intimidating, they appear to be both terrifying and remarkably careless.

To put it simply, the story revolves around Burt and Irving. Lumon seems to have dispatched Burt for a less-than-friendly task regarding Irving – it’s never a good thing when Christopher Walken unexpectedly drops by your house – but instead of following orders, Burt chooses to act against the norm. Upon returning home, Irving encounters Burt casually seated and examining all his Lumon research. Burt is described as a “minor enforcer” or “Lumon muscle.” The image of Burt, sitting calmly in the shadows while studying this information, is quite powerful. This scene, combined with Walken’s intimidating presence, left me utterly spellbound.

Irving travels alongside Burt without any objections. On their journey, Burt admits that he’s just been a driver for Lumon, unaware of what happened to his passengers after they reached their destination. This time, though, is unusual. Burt takes Irving to an incredibly beautiful train station (specifically, Union Station in Utica). With its towering columns and elegant wooden benches, the place offers a perfect backdrop for a bittersweet goodbye between two individuals harboring romantic feelings for each other.

In this week’s spotlight, the interactions between Irving and Burt seem out of place amidst Lumon and Cold Harbor’s drama. However, as they prepare to part ways, hints of their inner selves emerge, as if the boundaries of Severance were momentarily breached by raw emotion and affection. Burt lays down the departure rules for Irving: He must exit at an unspecified location and never return to Kier. When asked if he understands, Irving replies in the negative. As they move towards each other, Irving is opening himself up to love for the first time, while Burt fights back tears for the man before him. This poignant moment is almost too much to bear, and it’s a challenge not to shed tears as these two men are drawn together like powerful magnets. They press foreheads, mirroring their inner selves on the severed floor, before Burt ends the trance. Irving then boards his train, sporting a fleeting smile as he cherishes the memory of his brief encounter with love. Radar accompanies him. As the train departs, a hint of joy starts to appear on Irving’s face, basking in the aftermath of his brief romance.

I sincerely hope we haven’t seen the last of Irving on Severance. Earlier, John Turturro hinted at potentially wrapping up his involvement with the series, stating in Variety that he felt he had “consumed a full meal” in his work for it. However, there are still many mysteries surrounding his character, such as who he was consistently calling from the pay phone and why his outie is aware of the ominous black hallway. (Not to mention the enigma of why he’s never known love before. *sniff*) So, let’s keep our fingers crossed that both Irving and Radar will be back on our screens soon.

The tale of Irving and Burt parallels that of Dylan and Gretchen in this episode, as love appears to triumph over separation in their relationship too. When Gretchen confesses her kiss with Dylan’s ‘innie’, Outie Dylan reacts angrily, storming off in a fit of rage. Upon learning the truth from Innie Dylan, he too is upset. This woman seems to be in a no-win situation! She’s in love with both incarnations of her husband, and they’re both in love with her. It seems they might find a way to resolve this predicament. In a heart-wrenching scene, Innie Dylan makes an unexpected move by proposing to Gretchen with a ring he fashioned from a piece of paper. Prior to meeting his child and wife, this man found joy in finger traps and erasers; now he understands the value of love – a mug full of finger traps is no substitute for a hug from your kid or a smile from your spouse. The newfound emotional understanding Innie Dylan possesses makes him believe that life isn’t worth living if he can’t be with the people he loves, so he resigns.

Dylan’s wish to terminate his inner self (innie) due to heartbreak is relatable, as this was the same choice Irving’s innie considered when he understood that he could never be with Burt. Despite contemplating leaving, Helly urges Dylan to stay, mirroring her earlier support for Irving, but this time it falls on deaf ears. However, Helena’s deception has seeped into everyone’s minds, and Dylan suggests he might not be so distinct from his outer self (outie), since no one could discern the difference between Helly and Helena. She counters this by stating that Irving could tell, but Dylan remains unconvinced.

The idea of Dylan terminating his innie due to heartbreak mirrors what Irving’s innie considered when faced with a similar situation. Despite considering quitting, Helly encourages him to stay as she did for Irving, but this time it doesn’t work. The influence of Helena’s deception has reached everyone, and Dylan questions whether he is truly different from his outie since no one could detect the change between Helly and Helena. However, Irving could tell the difference, yet Dylan remains unpersuaded by this fact.

With Dylan departing, Irving absent, and Mark away from the office, Helly discovers herself as the sole occupant. She eventually retrieves a message left by Irving in the break room, which she begins to memorize. As night falls, an unexpected guest shows up. It’s none other than Jamie Eagan, who stands out among all Lumon enforcers as the most intimidating. In his distinctive growl, he says, “My dear Helly, you deceived me.” Surprised, Helly hastily hides the instructions beneath her keyboard and retorts, “What in the world is going on?

From my observation in this episode, there seems to be an unsettling dynamic between Jamie and his daughter Helena. Although we know Helena grew up in an unconventional household, the way they interact suggests that Jamie may have subjected Helena to sexual or emotional abuse during her childhood. It appears that she lives with him in his glass mansion near the Lumon water tower, as hinted at the beginning of the episode. In the morning, Helena swims, which reminds us of the OTC and adds to the imagery of her near-drowning at the ORTBO, while her preparation and arrangement of a hard-boiled egg on a plate with an odd image seem strange. Jamie’s comment about watching her eat only intensifies my discomfort.

The sensation resurfaced as Jamie approached the disconnected floor’s door; is Holly in danger? His use of “my” when referring to Holly hints that he might be the one who gave Helena her nickname, a term of endearment from their childhood. It sends chills down my spine, even though we should be concerned about Mark by the episode’s end, I’m more worried about what awaits Holly in the final scene.

At midnight, Mark Cobel escorts both herself and Devon to the Damona Birthing Retreat. They exchange secretive Lumon codes, with Cobel referring to Devon as one of James’ pregnant workers who are permitted access to cabin five. Inside, Devon activates Innie Mark, leading him upwards to a striking scene set by Cobel. She stands in the center of a vast, fiery-lit room, mirroring the prophecy hinted at in the previous episode’s ending – she is the woman destined to destroy everything. Innie Mark recognizes Cobel and Devon queries, “Do you recall our final conversation?” To which, Mark replies in a hushed tone, “She lives.

As Irving, Dylan, Miss Huang, and perhaps Helly are seemingly being removed from the picture, it seems like the finale is preparing to resolve the major question that the season-one finale left us hanging on. It’s been nearly three years since we all held our breath when Mark S. discovered Gemma was alive within Lumon’s premises, and this season has been building anticipation based on that central enigma. We know what lies beyond the ominous black hallway, and we can only cross our fingers that the inners reach there soon. The clock is ticking.

It’s time for my staggered exit, so I’m going to grab the elevator. Until next time …

Severed Sentiments

In the conclusion of Miss Huang’s narrative, it was a sad turn of events, yet I appreciated the irony when Milchick caused her to shatter her beloved water toy, despite the fact that little Kier suffered unintentionally as well. Furthermore, I can only hope she managed to keep her theremin with her.

Should it indeed be the finale for Burving (Kier, if you’re reading this, please don’t), I simply wish to offer one final round of applause for Walken and Turturro. It’s nothing short of marvelous that a TV series like Severance managed to bring these two legendary actors together, sharing numerous heartfelt, intimate moments on screen. Every scene has been equally captivating for me.

It appears that Cobel’s journey within Lumon and Miss Huang’s current path could mirror Milchick’s. Was he too taken from his home as a child? Does he have loved ones? That leather jacket of his is quite stylish! For season three, I’d love to delve deeper into this character’s background, if you don’t mind me saying so.

When Helly tries to reassure Innie Dylan, she implies that Gretchen isn’t his wife. Is it possible that Helly is trying to balance her feelings for Innie Mark while Mark’s outer self’s wife remains lost within the terrifying depths of the building? Or could this be another layer in the ongoing exploration the series presents about love and commitment, given the complexities introduced by a split personality?

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2025-03-14 07:55