Gemma’s Big Episode Terrified Severance’s Dichen Lachman

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Spoilers follow for Severance season two episode seven, “Chikhai Bardo.”

In a different phrasing, “Chikhai Bardo” is not a standalone episode focusing on a single location like a bottle episode. Instead, Severance provided us with something more engaging: revelations. These revelations were heartbreaking yet valid, shedding light on the current state of Gemma (played by Dichen Lachman). The latest installment revealed that she is alive but being held captive against her will on one of Lumon’s severed floors. We learn that she arrived there following an encounter with one of Lumon’s doctors (portrayed by Robby Benson) at a fertility clinic.

The episode skillfully juxtaposed the high points and low points in Mark (Adam Scott) and Gemma’s relationship, including their first encounter at a university blood drive, their enjoyable dinners with Devon and Ricken, and her miscarriage. Interwoven with these scenes were depictions of Gemma’s life as a captive, following an implied staged car accident by the company.

Inside Lumon, Gemma’s existence is monitored by a nurse (played by Sandra Bernhard), who guides her through a series of rotating doors and into rooms where she is subjected to various scenarios with Benson’s doctor, ranging from irritating to distressing.

When Gemma’s hurried escape attempt, involving knocking out the doctor and temporarily taking over Ms. Casey’s form on a different floor, doesn’t work by the end of the episode, it seems like she accepts living as a prisoner with no hope of parole. However, Lachman thinks there’s still a chance her character could be freed and reunited with her husband once the experiment is over. “They keep changing the rules on her,” she says. “They just keep shifting the finish line.

In my opinion, it was heartwarming to witness Gemma appearing alive, even amidst the grim circumstances of her life, as I had the theory that she might have been in a vegetative state, existing subconsciously. After reading season one, I also shared your doubt: “Could her brain be damaged and they’re trying to restore it?”

It wasn’t until the second season that I found out Gemma would have her own standalone episode when we first began filming Severance. As the scripts for the new season arrived, my initial thought was, “Wait a minute, why am I not in this or the next one? Did I mess up?” But Dan Erickson explained the details to me, and it turned out to be quite exciting. However, I also felt a great deal of pressure because I didn’t want to disappoint the fans who had been eagerly anticipating this moment. To say I was scared would be an understatement.

Of all the aspects that gave me pause, I found it most intimidating to navigate between light and dark scenes, given their vast scope. Additionally, filming flashbacks on film was challenging due to time constraints. The director, Jessica Lee Gagné, had always intended to use film for this project, a goal I respected. When I first embarked on my career, we typically shot on film. However, digital technology took over due to its endless nature and greater freedom. Film, however, has limitations; you could potentially run out of it in the midst of a scene. Mistakes are more costly with film because each image is physically printed onto it.

In this episode, we discover an interesting link: Lumon’s doctor recognizes Gemma at a fertility clinic before her car accident. Despite his brief glance at her, neither Gemma nor Mark notice him sitting in the waiting room.

Not the first time!I’m so glad.

In simpler terms, Jessica played a crucial role in creating the atmosphere for the show “Severance.” She’s incredibly gifted and has a distinctive vision, yet she excels at making things seem natural. The scene we’re discussing had many complex technical aspects. What I admire is that despite all the intricate camera work, shots, and framing (more than any other project I’ve worked on), the focus was always on maintaining authenticity amidst the complexity. There were a lot of details to manage and capture so viewers could appreciate that subtle moment, which you noticed. My main concern during filming was understanding Gemma’s emotions and discussing the mood and temperament for that scene.

Based on the information presented about the doctor throughout the episode, it seems reasonable to infer that Gemma’s staged death was part of Lumon’s larger strategy rather than being singled out due to a peculiar infatuation. The fertility clinic provides them access to individuals’ biometric data, making it an ideal location for scoping out potential subjects. In this world dominated by Lumon, it appears that the clinic is merely one of many places where they gather people’s blood and DNA samples, which I believe makes your theory the most plausible explanation.

The person Gemma interacts frequently is Sandra Bernhard’s caregiver. To describe their relationship, it seems complex yet compassionate. Despite the chilly and regimented atmosphere where they interact, Sandra imbued her character with an undeniable warmth that even transcended into a captor role. This warmth gives off a maternal vibe, but in a controlled and oppressive environment. It could be her expressive eyes or perhaps a deeper connection between the actress and the character, but their dynamic is intriguing. I suspect she feels empathy towards Gemma, as she carries out her professional duties while still revealing a sense of humanity.

This experiment seems to explore a cultural trend where we try to avoid discomfort or unpleasant experiences. While I can relate to this desire, I also understand the sentiment behind it. In the first season, for instance, there was the birthing center, which is one of the most painful experiences in life. The idea is: why endure such pain if you could delegate it? However, as a human being, going through that experience and connecting with your child is truly beautiful.

The experiment, from a pharmaceutical perspective, appears to be about elevating this concept. For example, “We’re just taking it up a notch. You hate going to the dentist? We’ve got you. We’ll send someone else, but you’ll still be going to the dentist.” Or consider someone who dreads writing thank-you notes due to difficulty in expressing gratitude in a unique way. This experiment might try to help with that, making it easier to convey thanks without losing personalization.

Are you suggesting this technology isn’t primarily designed to cause harm?

Yes, that’s correct. It has the potential for advancement, but that’s a characteristic of technology. The aim is usually to simplify life for someone. Once integrated, it becomes part of our daily lives. Like a sword, it can be used for good or ill. Our responsibility as humans is to find equilibrium. We live in an era marked by AI and robots, and we’re shaping a world where perhaps we won’t be needed. The show sparks conversations about our relationship with technology and the importance of contrast in life. If you don’t experience the lows, the highs lose their charm. When you’re detached, you miss out on the joy of contrast. Weekends aren’t as special when you’re only experiencing good things, because they become ordinary feelings instead.

Gemma’s line during her examination by the doctor, “Could you just speak in a regular manner?”, mirrors the thoughts of viewers and brought on a chuckle. In an unusual language system they use, their words seem bizarre and alien to me. I experimented with various interpretations and intensities for this line, which challenged my artistic abilities. On this show, I had the privilege of exploring and collaborating more than ever before. If repeated multiple times, it could’ve been said in a dozen or more ways, each time slightly different.

It seemed to me that Gemma had been trying to find a way out at certain moments in the story. There’s a comment made by Mr. Drummond to the doctor about how she once tried to break his fingers, which gave off a strong “fight or flight” vibe. In our discussions, Jessica and I came to the conclusion that Gemma would occasionally think, “Enough is enough. I’m going to make my move. I don’t care if it means hitting him over the head or breaking his hand.” However, there are times when she feels her efforts are futile, only to be pushed further and harder until she tries again. But she can never truly escape; her endurance simply resets, builds up, and she makes another attempt.

Through the course of the series, we witness characters caught in the severance program teetering on the edge of sanity, with Helly attempting suicide in the first season. Yet, amidst this life imprisonment, where does Gemma find the resilience to persevere? It seems as though there are secret assurances given: “Just do this and that”; “It’s for your own benefit”; “Now you simply need to endure this.

In our production, we didn’t have to perform that action as frequently as some other scenes. It wasn’t particularly challenging. Robby is an extraordinary individual, and he was incredibly dedicated to his role, lying on the floor for hours. He’s like a machine. I must admit, I felt quite guilty. I kept saying, “Oh, Robby, I’m sorry.” The focus was on getting the chair at just the right angle to make it convincing, because of course, I couldn’t actually strike him. As for whether it was oddly satisfying… well, that’s a different story altogether!

At some point, Gemma queries the doctor about what will transpire once her Innie explores all the rooms. From my interpretation, she anticipates that upon completion, she’ll finally be released and gain freedom. However, as the story progresses, she reluctantly accepts her confinement. As she steps out of the elevator, realizing her escape plan has failed, she feels utterly shattered. I guess I’m stuck here forever. This is why her character needs to be picked up off the floor by another character later in the story. Previously, when she attempted to flee, she likely fought against everyone on her way out. What am I doing back here? But when she collapses onto the floor, sobbing and calling for Mark, it’s as if she has no more strength left. I can’t do this anymore. There’s nothing else I can do.

You’ve previously played characters that delve into concepts similar to those in Severance, such as the multiverse-programmed character from Dollhouse and the resleeved consciousness in Altered Carbon. What sets you apart when it comes to embodying diverse personas within a single human?

Perhaps my affinity for these ideas, my passion for science fiction, and my belief that this genre is where I truly shine creatively has somehow manifested itself in my career. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to delve into these themes across different time periods.

Altered Carbon takes place hundreds of years from now, a time when severance technology has fundamentally altered human life and extended it indefinitely. Dollhouse is set in a more contemporary era. Severance seems to exist in a timeless, surreal realm all its own. It’s quite unusual and bizarre.

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2025-02-28 16:54