‘Severance’ Finale: How Season 2 Ends, and 13 Burning Questions for Season 3

❗️CAUTION: This narrative reveals key plot points from episode 10 of “Severance” Season 2, currently available on Apple TV+.

(I tried to make it more conversational and less formal.)

Following several episodes that delved into the aspirations of both Innie Mark and Outie Mark regarding rescuing his wife, Gemma, the Season 2 finale of “Severance” introduced a significant surprise: Mark saving Gemma from the Testing Floor, but subsequently leaving her behind in order to escape with Helly instead. It’s important to note that this decision was not made by Outie Mark, but rather by Innie Mark, who earlier in the episode had an exchange of video messages with himself to discuss a potential collaboration to free Gemma.

Just as I was reminded of Mark’s frantic dash through Lumon’s halls during the season premiere in search of Gemma, Helly and I found ourselves sprinting down a corridor, alarms screeching to signal security about our wrongdoings, hot on our heels.

Gemma is perplexed by Mark’s decision, Milchick is disorganized following the mismanagement of MDR during his grand marching band spectacle (which was intended to celebrate Mark finishing the Cold Harbor case), Dylan remains as the only MDR employee still under Lumon’s supervision after everyone else has fled (including Irving), and Cobel and Devon are currently offsite, eagerly awaiting updates on Mark’s plan to save Gemma.

2. Another version:

Mark’s choice leaves Gemma bewildered; Milchick is in a state of disarray following the mishap with MDR during his elaborate marching band performance (designed to honor Mark for completing the Cold Harbor file); Dylan is the lone MDR employee still under Lumon’s control after the others have bolted (including Irving); Cobel and Devon are out of sight, anxiously waiting to learn about Mark’s strategy to rescue Gemma.

3. Lastly:

Gemma is taken aback by Mark’s action; Milchick finds himself in a muddle following the MDR chaos during his impressive marching band number (meant for celebrating Mark wrapping up the Cold Harbor case); Dylan is the only MDR employee left under Lumon’s command after others have scampered off (including Irving), while Cobel and Devon are on the outside, eager to hear how Mark intends to help Gemma.

Each version aims to convey the same information in a slightly different way, using natural and easy-to-read language.

The episode unveiled that the enigmatic Cold Harbor room served as a setting where another detached copy of Gemma was instructed to dismantle a crib she and Mark had planned for their unborn baby, which never came to be. This task was overseen by Jamie Eagan via a video monitor, aiming to verify if she displayed no emotional response towards the situation. Though this question, along with others, were addressed, the episode left “Severance” viewers with even more unanswered questions – for instance, we now know that the goats are used in sacrificial rituals.

Here are the biggest burning questions we have at the end of “Severance” Season 2.

What is Helly and Mark’s plan?

Season 2 concludes with the characters, and the series itself, facing an intriguing predicament. Inner Mark, having aided Gemma’s rescue from Lumon, elects to remain indoors rather than following her outside, thus preserving his identity as Inner Mark. This choice means that his outer self would be unable to reunite with his wife in the real world, as doing so would erase Inner Mark’s existence. Similarly, Helly is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Leaving Lumon would mean she’d revert back to Helena Eagan, with no apparent reason to return to the Severed Floor. As a result, both Helly and Mark appear to have chosen life within Lumon over nonexistence, seemingly without a clear plan for survival or destination. With Mark having sabotaged the Cold Harbor mission, one wonders what Lumon’s response will be, and whether the Eagan family might not seek to recover their heir apparent. It seems unlikely that this passionate, thrilling narrative can sustain itself indefinitely without encountering difficulties.

So, what does this mean for Gemma?

As the climax unfolds, Gemma frantically pounds on the door of the Severed Floor, her heartache evident as she witnesses the inner version of her husband fleeing with his lover, Helly. Overwhelmed and isolated, she’s technically liberated but faces a daunting task: navigating out of the building and either returning home or to Devon’s place. Yet, even if she manages to escape, there remains the looming question of whether Lumon can still track her down.

Besides being hardly familiar with Innie Mark, Gemma might identify the woman he’s picking over her as Helena, should they have met during her Lumon days. Devon and possibly Cobel could prove crucial in assisting Gemma to reach safety and uncover the reasons behind her husband’s innie’s deception.

Will Mark fully reintegrate?

At the close of episode 3 in this season, Mark started the process of reconnecting with Reghabi, hinting that the series had reached a significant turning point. However, when the fourth episode plunged the characters into a harsh winter survival scenario, viewers anticipated that Mark’s inner and outer selves would become indistinguishable. But the under-the-table surgical intervention proved less impactful (for now). Besides occasional glimpses and Outie Mark’s prolonged unconscious “journey,” Mark Scout and Mark S. have not crossed paths yet. This divide is most noticeable in the dialogue between Mark’s inner and outer selves via camcorder at the birthing retreat center: Inner Mark and Outer Mark represent two distinct individuals with conflicting objectives. (Refer to the end of Season 2.) Outer Mark vows to complete the reintegration process once Gemma is released. “This life is ours,” he says, but his words ring hollow. Inner Mark is astute enough to see through his deception. The question then arises: What more must Mark do to accomplish reintegration? Are there additional surgeries required? Can the integration work already done be reversed? If Mark continues down this path, will this merging never occur? Since successful reintegration has not been achieved (think of Petey), it’s probable that even Mark is unsure about the answers to these questions. It remains unclear whether Mark or the show will deliver on their promise of reintegration.

Why isn’t there more Lumon security on the Testing Floor?

One might contend that Sandra Bernhard’s character, as a nurse, could have made more effort to stop Mark from getting to Gemma by shouting “Fuck you!” and then fleeing. Given the circumstances, it’s reasonable that she was threatened at gunpoint by a disturbed individual, but an outie nonetheless. During Mark’s infiltration, there were undoubtedly many complications, with Milchick being confined to the bathroom. However, the absence of security guards patrolling the corridors housing Lumon’s most prized asset, Gemma, is a significant concern. Is it arrogance or resource constraints that prevent Lumon from paying sufficient attention to security measures? Or could it be something else altogether?

How did Lumon kidnap Gemma and fake her death?

Although Episode 7 provided insights into Mark and Gemma’s past and her arrival at Lumon, the events of the night when Gemma supposedly had a fatal car accident remain unclear. Early in Season 2, Outie Mark angrily reminds Devon that he identified Gemma’s body at the morgue, which was one of the reasons he doubted she could be alive within Lumon’s premises. It seems that Lumon had been monitoring Mark and Gemma closely even before her abduction, as they attended a Lumon-operated blood drive and fertility clinic. Additionally, Gemma showed interest in Lumon’s literature, and in one scene, she was seen reviewing cards made by Optics and Design. However, we are yet to understand how Lumon managed to conceal her kidnapping and make it appear as a tragic car crash.

Why did Lumon choose Mark and Gemma for this experience in the first place?

You might be wondering, what was the reason behind Gemma’s kidnapping in the beginning? Mark appears to be equally crucial for Lumon’s experiment as Gemma is (since he refines the files that assist in coding her multiple identities), so why were they both chosen for this trial initially? It seems plausible that their first encounter at a Lumon-organized blood drive might not have been a mere coincidence; could it be that Lumon had planned and orchestrated their relationship from the start?

Is Milchick a Lumon loyalist?

From Milchick’s disciplinary actions this season due to his excessive use of complex words, it appears he was nurtured in an environment that values knowledge — a stark contrast to the Eagans. Initially, Milchick appeared ambitious and power-hungry in Season 1, but his character became more nuanced as the second season unfolded. His promotion in Episode 3 is marked by a painting of Kier Eagan portrayed as a Black man, which causes him some discomfort, yet he seems ready to move past this until Natalie, the Lumon board liaison and also a Black woman, prevents him from discussing the strange gift in Episode 5. From then on, Milchick seems increasingly dissatisfied at Lumon, reaching a peak when Mr. Drummond scolds him for Mark’s absence and criticizes his use of big words again, asking him to apologize three times for using “remonstration.” Twice, Milchick obeys, but on the third occasion, he responds defiantly, saying, “Eat filth, Mr. Drummond” — which means ‘eat shit.’

Milchick’s use of big words got him in trouble this season, suggesting he was raised to value knowledge more than the Eagans. Initially, Milchick seemed ambitious and power-hungry, but his character became more complex as Season 2 progressed. A painting of a Black man given to him at promotion made him uncomfortable, but he tried to move past it until Natalie, a Black woman who also works for the board, stopped him from discussing it. Milchick grew unhappy at Lumon, reaching a peak when Mr. Drummond scolded him for being absent and criticized his use of big words again. This time, instead of apologizing, he told Mr. Drummond to “eat shit.

Despite being scolded by an animatronic Kier following the completion of the Cold Harbor file, Milchick demonstrates a degree of commitment to his job. He pleads with Mark to promise he’ll return the next day, and in the climax, he struggles fiercely to break free from the bathroom where Helly and Dylan have confined him. His determination to prevent Mark from rescuing Gemma is strong, yet it might stem more from his career ambitions and personal aspirations rather than a true loyalty to Lumon and the Eagans.

Where does Ms. Cobel stand? Will she try to overthrow Lumon from the outside?

Cobel, who has been mysteriously secretive about Lumon’s overall intentions regarding Gemma, shared vital insights about the corporation with Mark, aiming to aid him in rescuing her. Given Cobel’s history with Lumon (having been a child laborer there and developing the severance technology without recognition), will she persist on this defiant course? Could there be something that Lumon could provide her to lure her back into their ranks at this juncture?

What is the broader purpose of severance?

The discovery of a detached birthing structure, initially referenced in Season 1, could potentially provide the first significant clue about Lumon’s broader purpose. Inside this structure, women who have undergone severance compel their inner selves to give birth on their behalf, thus enabling the outer selves to bypass the physical pain of childbirth – a privilege that appears to be afforded only to the affluent, as it was a senator’s wife whom Devon observed using this facility.

I am human. You are not.

Will Irving return?

Burt escorts Irving away using a non-returnable train pass to an unspecified location. This action is perceived as a form of atonement for Irving, who previously worked for Lumon, since he assists his innie’s romantic partner in escaping from the company that appears to be pursuing Irving due to sensitive data he might possess. Will Irving come back to the town of Kier? Will we discover why he constantly painted the Export Hall, and whether he himself ever ventured to the Testing Floor? Ben Stiller informed EbMaster that Irving’s story arc is concluded “temporarily,” but John Turturro has expressed dissatisfaction if this marks the end for his character.

Where does this leave Dylan?

Poor Dylan is in a tough spot following the departure of Irving, and Helly and Mark’s frantic escapades as the series comes to an end. It’s unclear where Dylan belongs in the future of MDR, but for now, he seems to be on his own after confronting Milchick. If Helly and Mark can’t come up with a swift strategy for protection, it appears that Dylan will continue to stand alone for some time. In the meantime, it’s clear that Dylan’s top concern remains reuniting with Gretchen, his outie’s wife.

What’s with the baby goats? How many were previously sacrificed, and for what?

Goats initially appeared during Season 1, when Mark and Helly stumbled upon one in a hidden chamber on the Severed Floor. The man with the goat hinted that it wasn’t yet ready for removal. In Episode 3 of Season 2, as they pursued Gemma/Ms. Casey, Mark and Helly (disguised as Helena) ventured into a room filled with more goats, leading to a mysterious department called Mammalians Nurturable. This area was filled with even more goats, and the employees there seemed to speak in a manner reminiscent of medieval times, which made one wonder if they were ever meant to leave Lumon. Notably, Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan’s innies all shared similar vernacular with their outies, making it difficult to imagine anyone speaking like the Mammalians employees in the normal world.

In my review as a movie critic, I must express that the character Lorne’s pet goat, Emile, was initially destined for sacrifice to aid Gemma’s spirit transit to Kier post her Cold Harbor test completion. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Mark and Lorne intervene, preventing Mr. Drummond from shooting Emile, thereby sparing the animal’s life just moments before Mark saves Gemma. This incident sheds light on the cult-like influence of the Eagans, as it appears that these goats are used to control and subdue their members, much like the exploitation Cobel and possibly Miss Huang have experienced in terms of child labor.

Prior to Mark’s intervention, Lorne and her colleagues were deeply involved in the process of rearing sacrificial animals, reacting negatively when Mark and Helly first appeared on the scene, aiming to disrupt their department. Emile was chosen as Gemma’s spirit guide due to his cunning and vitality, suggesting that other goats were also potential sacrifice candidates. It seems Lumon could manipulate the emotional bonds between the shepherds and the goats to maintain their loyalty.

However, given Gemma’s significant role as a historical test subject for Lumon, it remains unclear how many goats may have been sacrificed in the past to guide other spirits. This intricate plot device adds depth to the narrative, leaving audiences pondering the true nature of Lumon and its operations.

What’s next for Miss Huang?

In the second season’s second-to-last episode, Miss Huang seems to graduate early from the Severed Floor. Milchick informs her that her “Wintertide Fellowship” has ended and asks her to perform an unsettling ritual: she must destroy her ring toss game with a statue of Kier Eagan. It appears that Huang is moving on to bigger and better opportunities. Her bed will be relocated from her family’s home to the Gunnel Eagan Empathy Center in Svalbard, Norway, where she’ll work towards global reforms – a vague objective. We can only speculate about Miss Huang’s future, but given Ms. Cobel’s background, it’s possible that Huang is following a similar trajectory. Recall that she was once a child laborer at a Lumon ether factory, then rose to become a Wintertide Fellow and eventually a manager. Could Miss Huang be destined for a similar career path?

2025-03-21 05:18