After Finally Seeing Where Gemma Has Been On Severance, I Have a Theory About What MDR Is Really Doing

by

Spoilers for Severance Season 2, Episode 7 are ahead! You’ve been warned.

In the 2025 television lineup, Apple TV+ released another episode of Severance Season 2, raising as many questions as it resolved. The key revelation was a peek at the testing floor, and most intriguingly, insights into what Mark’s wife Gemma has been doing while she’s there.

Initially, it was believed that Gemma had perished in a tragic car accident, an incident that occurred two years prior to the beginning of the series. However, as the first season of Severance concludes, it is revealed that she is not only alive but plays the role of Lumon’s wellness counselor, Ms. Casey. A significant portion of her time is spent on the ominous testing floor.

One intriguing puzzle we had to unravel was the enigma surrounding the testing area, as well as clarifying exactly what the MDR team’s role is. However, after much contemplation, I believe I have found a solution, and this theory aligns with Gemma’s encounter on the testing floor.

What Gemma Has Been Up To On The Testing Floor

A widely-discussed speculation from the first season suggested that Ms. Casey might be a clone of Mark’s wife, Gemma. But, episode 7 definitively debunked this idea.

Severance authenticated Gemma’s genuine identity by means of several indicators. Firstly, the nurse looking after her addressed her as Gemma. Secondly, she frequently enquired about Mark and we got glimpses into their past together, such as when they first met during a blood donation (a reminder of the Lumon Corporation’s logo – the droplet – if you didn’t catch it).

Instead, my curiosity primarily lies in understanding why Gemma keeps changing rooms and outfits daily. Each time she does so, she appears to be shifting between different states of consciousness, a concept that may not be entirely foreign to the viewers. Yet, what sets this apart is the sheer magnitude at which we witness it unfold.

It appears that Gemma has experienced at least seven separate instances of her consciousness, with possibly more. One of these selves is always in a place where it’s constantly holiday time. Another is stuck endlessly visiting the dentist. None of them remember the experiences of the others, including Gemma. However, just like on a floor that has been divided, physical strain and harm persist… much like a hand cramped from tension or fatigue due to sleepless nights.

Talking about all those spaces, did I happen to mention that Gemma’s testing areas are identified with names of MDR files? Yes, indeed! Now we’ve got some clarity regarding what Helly, Mark, Dylan, and Irv are up to. After viewing this episode, I’ve developed a hunch about the significance of those numbers.

My Theory About What MDR Is Really Refining

As a cinephile, I’ve got a hunch about Gemma’s peculiar room names being linked to MDR files. It seems plausible that whatever MDR is working on, it pertains directly to Gemma. My guess is that Mark and the team are meticulously refining or perhaps even taming the fragmented pieces of Gemma’s brain, with a special focus on her tempestuous temper.

From our recollections during Season 1’s exploration of the Perpetuity Wing, the four temperamental entities, initially controlled by Kier, are Sorrow, Playfulness, Fear, and Malice. The short forms of these temperaments can be found on MDR computers’ lower bins, where the refiners discard what we might interpret as ‘troubling figures.’ It seems to me that by doing so, they could potentially be subduing the severed brain’s tempers through the chip.

Why, though? In theory, as shown by the woman at the birthing retreat, it might mean avoiding difficult tasks or emotional struggles. However, innies (inner beings) often have their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions, which could potentially cause harm to their outies (outer beings).

Apart from Miss Casey, who generally appeared less emotionally expressive than the rest, it seems to me that she has been trained by MDR to control her emotions, resulting in a calm demeanor when faced with any task or situation.

It’s unclear what Lumon intends to do with Gemma’s test results and the technology they’ve seized, but it seems there’s an excessive amount of manipulation involved, which I find uncomfortable. To make matters worse, I worry that because of her unique insights, Lumon won’t allow her to escape the testing area and reclaim her true identity.

The primary query at hand concerns the significance of Mark’s Cold Harbor document. Could its importance potentially stem from his affection towards Gemma? I’m eager to discover what the Cold Harbor lab trial might entail. Let’s hope we uncover further insights in the coming week.

Until then, you can stream Season 2 of Severance with an Apple TV+ subscription.

Read More

2025-03-02 04:37