Severance Finale Shock: Stiller Didn’t See Bloody Twist Coming!

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[The following discussion reveals significant plot twists from the final episode of Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Severance titled “Cold Harbor.”]

In the final episode of the second season of ‘Severance’, it was Mark S. who ended up killing Mr. Drummond. The act was carried out when Mark’s outer self (played by Adam Scott) pulled the trigger of a gun, all while transitioning from his inner to outer self in Lumon’s elevator. This incident resulted in a torrent of blood gushing from Drummond’s neck (portrayed by Darri Ólafsson). Meanwhile, his inner self had just engaged in a violent brawl with Drummond that started with the security chief attempting to choke Mark and ended with the goat lady, Lorne (Gwendoline Christie), delivering several powerful punches.

Inside the elevator area of the testing floor, Drummond’s blood splattered, then foamed, eventually gathering around his lifeless body on the gleaming white tiles. Outie Mark employed his tie soaked with Drummond’s blood to bypass a DNA obstacle to save Gemma (Dichen Lachman), who subsequently led her husband back to the partitioned floor. Innie Mark then shoved Gemma through a door, and as the rhythmic snap of Mel Tormé’s 1969 Academy Award-winning song “The Windmills of Your Mind” echoed, Innie Mark retreated into Lumon’s depths with his girlfriend Helly (Britt Lower), who was actually his inner self. The final freeze frame shifted to a striking crimson hue.

In his conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, both Director Ben Stiller, also the executive producer, confessed that certain events took him by surprise. He described the sterile white hallways as having a unique impact, stating that when blood is incorporated into these spaces, it becomes even more startling and striking.

In the following conversation, Stiller discusses with THR about his unique approach to an unprecedented episode, how a link to Tropic Thunder aided in its creation, and potential directions that series creator Dan Erickson may explore next.

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Gosh! I had planned to ask if you’ve ever come across anyone who guessed the exact end of a show before watching this one, but now it seems almost unimaginable.

The idea is that you might stumble upon an unconventional thought, something that hasn’t crossed most people’s minds. There are certainly unique, intricate theories out there, some of which do hold some validity. I found the connection to Hadestown intriguing because we never delved into it before, but I am a big fan of Hadestown, and that myth is so pervasive. While I can see how it relates in a way to the ending, it’s not something we explicitly discussed.

In comparison to your usual work at Lumon, the violence in this instance seemed unusually intense, even from a practical perspective. The blood appeared significantly more vivid than anything we’ve previously encountered at Lumon. Was the preparation for this episode noticeably distinct?

We had previously contemplated that scene. It reminded me somewhat of an earlier hint in season one, where Reghabi strikes Graner with a baseball bat. Even though we’d witnessed such violence before, I sensed this could be a surprising moment for the viewers. It seems as if Lumon only suggests certain things, but when it reaches its breaking point, it reveals a disturbing truth about their actions.

Regarding the execution, we’re fortunate to have Dean Neistat, our skilled stunt coordinator who’s previously worked on our show, leading the way. Additionally, I invited my colleague Phil Neilson, an accomplished fight coordinator with whom I’ve collaborated on Tropic Thunder, to join us. The actors practiced the fighting sequences, and we ventured into uncharted territory with visual and special effects, which was a bit daunting as it departed from our usual show elements. However, the allure of novelty and anticipation made me decide to take this risk. It seemed like there was a purpose behind it.

When you began working on the first season of Severance, were you aware that this particular episode would unfold? Were you also aware that it would become as gruesomely violent as it turned out to be?

At Lumon, it’s always been about security and control over their employees. I suppose I had a feeling that at some point… Well, I didn’t want the series to be filled with people carrying guns or similar violent themes. It wasn’t meant to be that kind of show. However, there must be some hidden aspect to this organization. So, while I may have envisioned we’d eventually delve into it, I never anticipated it would go as deep as it did.

In this season, there was a significant fusion of visual themes from corporate culture and religious or cult-like motifs. Were there any specific sources that influenced your choice to merge these two spheres visually?

Initially, we examined numerous reference materials such as images, photography, and other related items. However, it seems to me that this series, “Severance,” is not just a product of these external resources, but rather an amalgamation of experiences shared by everyone involved in its creation – our collective observations and experiences. Dan Erickson stands out particularly for his skill in crafting the intricate lore and history of Lumon and the Eagan family. Whenever he introduces something new, it’s always captivating. As Dan mentioned in the script, the painting featured in the season two finale would depict every character we’ve encountered throughout the show, and we are fortunate to have a talented artist on our team who is responsible for all the paintings.

So that painting in the finale is entirely real? 

Yep, totally real. 

Is the Kier animatronic real? 

The mannequin is actually operable, controlled via a remote. We have an exceptional special effects artist named Doug Coleman who designed this remote for our animatron. Our aim was to replicate the Kier Eagan animatron from the Perpetuity Wing, avoiding excessive complexity. On the day of filming, Marc Geller – who is the actor portraying Kier Eagan in all photos and paintings, and provides the voice for Kier Eagan on recordings – was present. He performed live alongside Tramell Tillman during the shoot.

What’s the plan for the innies now? Are we looking at a severed floor stakeout? 

That’s the crux of it all. I don’t want to spoil anything. The ending, as Dan crafted it, poses many questions that intrigue me. When the scene freezes and switches to red – a color we’ve never encountered before, with the blood being the initial instance – it feels like a transition into a different realm. This new perspective seems much grimmer and dystopian than anything we’ve experienced thus far.

The ending seems to mirror the opposite of the Season 1 finale. Initially, Mark declared Gemma’s survival, and this time around, it’s Gemma who learns about Mark’s alive status. Could Season 3 be about Gemma’s quest to reunite with Mark?

The situation is one that everyone has stakes in. The conclusion leaves us pondering: What’s the next move? It’s unexpected that after Mark managed to extract Gemma, his inner circle seems reluctant to leave. As a spectator, I’m curious about what will transpire with Gemma. Additionally, it seems like there are numerous options for season three regarding where Mark and Helly end up, where Mark and Gemma go. How will everything unfold in the end?

(This version aims to maintain the original meaning while using more straightforward language and smoother transitions.)

Are these Eagans after immortality? 

As a gamer immersed in the mystery of this series, I find the unanswered questions to be part of its allure. Kier Eagan’s philosophy intrigues me – it’s about disconnecting from feelings and past experiences. It suggests that forgetting history is not entirely undesirable. That concept sparks curiosity in me: what happens when we disconnect from our emotions, our personal histories?

Do you know if Dan Erickson envisions a certain number of seasons for the story he’s created? 

Absolutely! Here’s hoping we can share our plans with everyone eventually. We aim to establish a consistent release schedule for the show, which has been difficult due to COVID-19 and subsequent strikes, but we’re determined to improve this situation in the future. By keeping you informed about our activities and expectations, we hope to provide a more predictable viewing experience.

On Friday, it was officially announced by Apple that Severance will indeed continue for another season, specifically season three.

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You can now stream all ten episodes of Severance’s second season on Apple TV+. For more in-depth insights, be sure to check out THR’s seasonal coverage and interviews.

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2025-03-21 16:25