Is Harmony Cobel the Most Annoying Yet Essential Hero of Severance?

The TV series “Severance” explores tension between Lumon Industries and its workers, and an individual might unknowingly become instrumental in this struggle, potentially emerging as the true protagonist of the story.

Discussing Harmony Cobel, portrayed by Patricia Arquette, who stirs feelings ranging from anger to laughter throughout the first two seasons. However, she can sometimes be quite irritating as well.

In the first season of Severance, Ms. Cobel held authority over the Macrodata Refiners quite sternly, often dealing with them as if they were children, although it’s worth noting that in some ways, this isn’t entirely inaccurate. As for Mrs. Selvig, Cobel’s alternate self when she was outside Innie Mark, her fascination with him was undeniably peculiar.

In the first season, Harmony was let go from her job, and she’s scarcely appeared in the second. Nevertheless, Episode 8 spotlights Harmony, hinting that character Cobel may now possess both the means and the motivation to take down Lumon Corporation. Spoiler alert for Severance…

Ms. Cobel might not be the hero we want, but she’s the one Severance needs right now

In the early stages of Season 2 of Severance, discussions arise about re-integrating Ms. Cobel into Lumon. However, something causes her character to become wary, leading her to be largely absent throughout most of Season 2. Later, in an episode titled ‘Sweet Vitriol,’ we delve into her troubled past and explore how this may shape her future actions, which could have a heroic impact.

Upon returning to Salt’s Neck, Cobel reunites with her long-time friend and coworker, Hampton (James LeGros). However, it soon emerges that their past employment involved them working in the Lumon ether factory under exploitative child labor conditions.

Later on, she pays a visit to her Aunt Sissy (Jane Alexander). Their bond is uneasy at its best and harmful at its worst. Cobel yearns for Sissy’s acknowledgment, while Sissy responds with bitterness and disdain instead.

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After that, she goes to see Aunt Sissy (Jane Alexander). Their connection is tense at the least, and poisonous at the most. Cobel longs for her aunt’s acceptance, but Sissy replies with hostility and insults instead.

It is revealed that young Cobel thrived in the factory and emerged as an outstanding student at Lumon Academy, even winning the esteemed Wintertide fellowship. However, this achievement brought about a cost, as Cobel was held at the boarding school during her mother’s illness and eventual death.

However, despite being expelled from the cherished company, Harmony continues to be devoted to its principles. Yet, it’s not this particular event that fuels her recent anger…

How Lumon created the monster

Within the Wintertide trophy, Cobel uncovers an ancient journal, which verifies that she, not Jane Eagan as Lumon insists, was the one who developed the Severance process and its technology.

She demonstrates everything to Sissy, who is taken aback by the disclosure. “Mine!” exclaims Cobel forcefully towards her aunt. “My creations – circuit schematics, blueprints, base code, Overtime Contingency, Glasgow Block – they’re all mine.

However, Sissy refuses or chooses not to accept the reality unveiled before her. In a bid to safeguard her convictions, she attempts to destroy the book. Yet, Harmony manages to save the proof and departs from town, leaving us uncertain about her motives.

Now that we’ve established this, there are two crucial details about the character that have come to light – Cobel is extremely intelligent and Lumon has wronged her significantly. If she chooses to confront the company, this potentially lethal mix could make her a tough adversary. Moreover, she likely knows the location of all hidden secrets within the company, and may have allies among her ex-employees from the Refinery.

The show concludes as Cobel receives a call from Mark’s sibling, informing her that he is back among us, prompting her to insist on talking to him directly.

She begins by asking Mark, ‘Give me all the details,’ implying that Harmony Cobel could undergo a transformation and ultimately emerge as the main protagonist in Severance.

Check out our release schedule for Severance Season 2, and we’ve conveniently provided recaps for Episodes 1 through 8 as well.

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2025-03-11 20:26