Severance Season 2 Mocks Phony Corporate Accountability

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Apple TV+’s popular series titled “Severance” can be described in several ways, but perhaps most accurately as a sharp critique of contemporary work culture. Since its debut, creator Dan Erickson and executive producer Ben Stiller have cleverly utilized their fictional setting, Lumon Industries, to exaggerate everyday work practices to the point of absurdity.

In Season 1, the characters were striving for insignificant rewards such as finger traps and waffle parties, mirroring how companies often try to keep employees motivated without providing improved wages or benefits. The second season appears poised to expand on the show’s satirical theme by critiquing hollow corporate accountability that promises change but ultimately delivers nothing substantial.

How ‘Severance’ Skewers Corporate Reform

In the final episode of Season 1, titled “The We We Are,” the Macrodata Refinement team initiated a scheme to uncover Lumon’s questionable activities. This was achieved through an emergency system called the “Overtime Contingency.” This mechanism allowed their subconscious minds, or innies, to surface on the outside world, revealing Lumon’s secrets to anyone around who seemed trustworthy. Five months later, when the innies reappear, they find a Lumon Corporation that seems to have improved following their actions.

Following their reunion, the newly appointed Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) guides inmates Mark S. (Adam Scott), Helly R. (Britt Lower), Irving B. (John Turturro), and Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) to the revamped “Break Room,” a spot that once carried a foreboding tone but now seems less intimidating. Instead of making them apologize repeatedly until they appear remorseful, Milchick opts to play an instructional video to bring them up-to-speed on the events they’ve missed.

As depicted in the cheerfully animated video, narrated unexpectedly by a well-known star, their initiative is now referred to as “The Macrodat Uprising,” sparking internal adjustments within the firm to tackle their issues. However, these so-called “adjustments” are nothing more than superficial changes, such as introducing novel snack options like “cut beans, Christmas mints, and salsa,” or unusual benefits like “pineapple bobbing” and “hall passes.” Lumon is keen to portray their actions as heroic, aiming to create a more compassionate and benevolent atmosphere at the company. Yet, no tangible changes have been implemented to improve the plight of the laid-off workers.

The insiders can clearly see through this as a manipulative move to make them believe their actions caused meaningful change, when in reality it accomplishes nothing substantial. This is similar to the strategies often used by corporations during crises to seem like they’re addressing reform concerns, while actually doing everything to evade responsibility and maintain the status quo within their operations. The insiders are trying to reveal the truth about their situation – being constantly monitored with no knowledge of themselves or what they’re truly working on. They’re advocating for basic human rights, but Lumon shows no intention of granting them a real voice.

Lumon’s Real-World Inspirations

The creators of Severance deliberately leave viewers guessing about Lumon’s line of work, a tactic commonly used in the corporate world where companies are primarily concerned with boosting profits for their shareholders. Anything that could potentially conflict with this goal is often pushed aside or ignored. For instance, numerous corporations express support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month, but swiftly pull away from any rainbow-themed products when faced with conservative criticism. Initially, it seemed appealing to cater to socially aware consumers was the path forward in the early part of the decade. However, as anti-woke sentiments have grown more prevalent, many large companies have scaled back these initiatives, following societal trends instead of making deliberate and principled decisions.

In Lumon, things are unique as viewers haven’t been informed about the global impact of the “Macrodat Uprising”. The debut episode primarily depicted the post-event situation within Lumon, suggesting that the changes discussed in the video primarily serve the needs of the innies. Erickson and his team will likely explore the outside world soon, but for now, there’s no indication that the innies’ plan had any impact at all. It’s a grim reality, but an accurate one.

Time and again, corporations have shown they won’t alter conditions for workers without persistent watchfulness and struggle. Many benefits current workers enjoy, such as five-day work weeks and paid leave, are the outcomes of a long-lasting fight between workers and those in power. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Erickson stated that participating in picket lines during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023 influenced the narrative he wanted for the series moving forward, one that mirrors the experience of battling for change amidst formidable opposition. Already, viewers can observe this dynamic unfolding in the season premiere.

Inside workers lack the ability to stage a walkout; if their external counterparts consistently assign them duties each day, they are obligated to stay. However, they can persistently create challenges for their enigmatic superiors, and continue striving for improved conditions.

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2025-01-29 04:32