Severance Season 2 Premiere: Decoding Lumon’s Nutso ‘Microdat Uprising’ Video

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caution: if you haven’t watched the premiere of ‘Severance’ season 2 on Apple TV+, there are spoilers ahead, so proceed with care!

Among my most eagerly awaited TV shows is back, as Severance graces our screens in 2025, three years since the nail-biting finale left fans pondering if Mark would indeed recall shouting “She’s alive!” before being drawn back into his outer world. Spoiler alert: he didn’t. However, creator Dan Erickson and his team have ensured that this season opener remains a feast for the mind with numerous revelations and fresh insights to keep us speculating until the next installment of this highly praised season rolls out.

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Among all the intriguing twists, surprises, developments, and new elements presented in “Hello, Ms. Cobel,” what stood out to me the most was Lumon’s peculiar “Microdat Uprising” video, which Milchick played for Mark, Helly, Dylan, and Irving, seemingly many months after the events of the last episode. Let’s delve into some of the video’s strange and puzzling aspects together.

1. Does Lumon Have Its Own Animation Studio?

It’s hard for me to accept that Milchick was correct when he told Mark it’s been five months since the “Uprising.” Even if this were true, I find it difficult to believe that Lumon would either have animators with the necessary skills to create such an event, or that they would outsource it from a professional. This is particularly challenging given the low-quality CGI demonstrated in previous animated clips.

2.. “Lumon Is Listening”

It takes some nerve to kick off this video with a double use of the term “Lum-ontendre” that undeniably portrays this work environment as under constant watch, yet does so in such an upbeat manner, making it appear as if Lumon is genuinely aiming to cater to the employees’ requirements, painting the best possible scenario.

3. The Slightly Different Building Setting

Viewers recognize that the immediate surroundings of the Lumon building, even when covered in snow, appear different from the depiction in the video. While I understand that the animators weren’t obligated to create an exact replica, I’m curious as to why they chose to make it even somewhat similar if not at all?

4. Why Is This Building Branch 501?

The building, clearly marked as Branch 501, suggests that it wasn’t the original administrative structure constructed by the company. However, it was “born” in 1870, as an image indicates a house stood on the site beforehand. Over time, this house apparently underwent transformation to become the building we see today. It’s possible that earlier structures existed, and the house served another purpose following its owner’s demise.

5. Nope To That Giant Winking Kier Egan Face

I wouldn’t appreciate a massive mural of Kier Egan’s face, not even if it didn’t animate. However, the fact that it does move adds to my reason for disliking it even more.

6. I Wonder If All The Other Employees Shown Are Actual Lumon Workers

Given that all animated representations of Mark, Helly, Dylan, and Irving appear in the video, is it possible that each other claymation character signifies someone else working within the same building? While it’s true we may not interact with even a small percentage of those who work between the surface and the Severed Floor, I find myself curious about the characters seen in that particular setting.

7. “My Basement Floor”

From the Lumon Headquarters, it seems there’s a penchant for less-than-honest communication. It’s common knowledge that to access the Testing Area, employees descend, so logically speaking, that would be the lower level or subterranean area.

8. Lumon Is Located In 206 Countries

Despite appearances, the challenges facing Lumon at the Kier building in PE seem minor compared to their global presence. However, I must admit there’s a lingering doubt about the video’s assertion of operating in 206 countries. It’s hard not to suspect that this operation might be smaller than it appears. I wasn’t entirely convinced by the lit-up globe used in the scene, but perhaps it was just a creative choice.

9. No Running In The Halls, Lest You Tickle The Walls

It’s unclear whether the wall saying it’s ticklish is meant as anything more than a condescending tactic to prevent people from rushing through the hallways. However, Irving found it humorous, despite the fact that Ms. Hwong didn’t share his laughter.

The wall stating it’s ticklish seems to be nothing more than an attempt to discourage running in the halls through a patronizing approach. Still, Irving chuckled at the thought, though Ms. Hwong remained unimpressed.

10. Bluebirds Of Happiness?

In my critique, it seems that the portrayal of these entities could be a symbolic representation of “bluebirds” as a species, or simply a metaphor for the concept of the blue bird of happiness. Given the building Lumon’s frequent discussions about happiness when they appear, and considering the significant role blue plays in this universe, I can’t help but draw a connection between them.

11. Team MDR’s Efforts Get A Cinematic Dramatization

The part focusing on “Uprising” is an extraordinary example of corporate manipulation, and to those who orchestrated it, the video portrays the quartet’s actions as incredibly coordinated, self-assured, and reminiscent of a “Mission: Impossible” scenario. However, viewers aware of the situation recognize that it was far from flawless.

12. “Let’s Burn This Place To The Ground”

The video showcases Irving speaking in his own words, boldly proposing the idea as hinted by “Lumon Is Listening.” This undeniably demonstrates that all discussions and activities within MDR are continuously monitored, observed, and documented.

13. Twirling, Burning Irving

Although I grasp that Irving’s scorching scalp symbolizes his fiery temperament from his menacing speech, I must admit I’m not entirely sure what the synchronized spinning dance represented. For the sake of argument, let’s imagine that “Outie” Irving is actually a skilled dancer.

14. They Even Animated Mark And Helly’s Kiss

Despite the romantic scene between Mark and Helly by the elevators being portrayed as a significant part of this grand narrative, labeling it as the “Love” quadrant, I find it rather unusual that Lumon would so openly highlight this interaction without any apparent hidden intentions other than embarrassing them in front of their colleagues.

15. Were Cobel And Milchick Giving Advice On Building Plans?

It seems as though Cobel and Milchick may be conversing with a blueprint-carrying construction professional. If this isn’t accurate, it still raises a question similar to “Who created this structure?” Given Lumon’s preference for working with trusted partners, one might wonder if there are any individuals outside the company who possess secrets or valuable insights about the building that could aid the Outies?

16. “Tasty New Snacks”

  • Fruit Leather
  • Cut Beans
  • Christmas mints
  • Salsa

I’m looking for some snacks that caused Dylan to have a peculiar reaction, but none of the suggested options appeal to me as choices from a vending machine. It seems unfortunate, though, because the selection is quite lackluster. Perhaps I’ll find something else instead.

17. That Hall Pass Is Too Little, Too Late

By arranging Hall Passes as a fresh motivation following Irving’s visits that fueled the Uprising and seemingly pushing Burt into retirement, it seems like a particularly cruel gesture directed at John Turturro’s character.

18. How Can Bobbing For A Pineapple Possilbly Be An Incentive?

Compared to the Hall Pass, it appears that the concept of Bobbing For Pineapples might be less straightforward. To me, it seems incomprehensible as it involves self-harm as the only means of success. Whether it’s a low blow intended for Helly, who does experience some distress during the game, or just an eccentric animation element, remains to be seen. Is it foreshadowing for Helly, or simply a quirky touch?

19. Ain’t Nothing Playful About That Mirror Room

In a more relaxed and understandable manner, we could say: Lumon seems to be targeting Irving by displaying grotesque reflections of him in the entertaining mirror room. (It’s possible that the blueprints the contractor had were for this.) The distorted face that lingers in the water during scene shifts carries a heavy sense of impending doom. It’s clear that whoever designed this at Lumon had no intention of providing any comfort.

20. In The End, Kier Still Gets The Glory

Although the MDR team initially gained considerable acclaim, reminiscent of heroes, surprisingly, the video concludes not by reiterating their accolades, but by generously attributing all the recognition and praise to Kier Eagan.

Despite all the points I’ve made earlier, there are additional aspects I could delve into, like a hint of disappointment over the absence of goats sipping from the reflective pool. However, I’m looking forward to sharing more intriguing details soon. Thank you for joining me on this enlightening and crucial expedition.

New episodes of Severance hit Apple TV+ every Friday.

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2025-01-17 17:38