‘Severance’ Season 2 Review: More Kooky Fun, Less Answers

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Over these past three years, how has work treated you? Have you found more purpose, recognition, and dedication in your role? You’ve invested a significant amount of time – approximately 6,240 hours if you work 40 hours a week since 2022. Can you recall those hours vividly? Were they meaningful to you? If given the chance, would you erase them from your memory? Are you easily replaceable in your position? If you were to leave and be replaced within two weeks, how much of an impact would it truly make? Have you ever had the opportunity to meet the person who owns the company? Do they recognize you personally, or are you just another face in the crowd? These thoughts might lead us to question – is your work merely a part of your existence, or does it define your life in a more profound way? Could you be replaced without a second thought?

The series titled “Severance” debuted on Apple TV+ at the beginning of 2022, following a period when people in the post-COVID era were contemplating the essence and value of work. With more individuals working remotely, they began to understand that a significant portion of their past professional duties was unnecessary and time-consuming, allowing them to achieve far more while enjoying the comfort of their homes. This realization made many people feel ‘essential’ for the first time in their lives. They discovered that the ruling class relied on them more than they needed the upperclassmen. As a result, people were adopting the concept of “quiet quitting,” and workers worldwide started to challenge the imbalanced scales of their work-life equilibrium.

does “Severance” still resonate with us today?

The Outies Get Their Time to Shine

To put it simply, the essence of the matter remains that even though we may have misplaced the battle for class equality, labor and its role in shaping us will forever be a significant topic within society. In the current context, “Severance” is shifting its focus away from the secretive narrative and more towards the characters and the peculiar, darkly funny world they inhabit. The four beloved Lumon employees – Mark (Adam Scott), Dylan (Zach Cherry), Irving (John Turturro), and Helly (Britt Lower, who shines particularly bright this season with her exceptional performance) – continue to grapple with these issues in 2022.

Previously, these Lumon employees (referred to as ‘Innies’ during work hours) were noticed activating an emergency protocol outside office hours, causing them to occupy the consciousness of their ‘Outies’ (their non-work selves, with no recollection of work). This dichotomy between Innie and Outie has sparked intriguing discussions on neurological and philosophical aspects. The series doesn’t delve deeply into this topic, but it offers ample room for exploring the potential implications of the separation process in terms of logic and psychology.

Mark uncovered an astonishing truth – his supposedly deceased spouse was alive and employed at Lumon for a mysterious purpose. On the other hand, Irving found out that he’s a former soldier suffering from depression, who also happens to be a painter, and establishes a romantic relationship with his fellow worker, Burt (played by Christopher Walken). The most unsettling disclosure, however, was the unveiling of Helly’s Outie – Helena Eagan, daughter of Lumon CEO Jamie Eagan, who underwent the ‘Severance’ process as a promotional move for the company. Needless to say, things didn’t go as planned, and Season 2 focuses on the consequences of this revelation, both from the perspective of the workers (the Innies) and their superiors (Lumon and, to some extent, the Outies).

One standout aspect of Season 2 is getting to know more about these characters’ exterior selves (Outies). While we were primarily familiar with Mark’s Outie in Season 1, this season offers glimpses into Helly’s Outie as she navigates her cold, efficient, and potentially psychopathic persona. Dylan’s Outie is portrayed as a somewhat careless and flighty individual, despite his deep affection for his family, particularly his wife Merritt Wever. Irving’s Outie also comes into focus, largely through his pursuit of Burt. It’s intriguing – although these are the same characters we’ve come to know, they are distinctly different, almost like encountering a new cast. This adds to the intended dissonance of the storyline. The narratives of their Inner and Outer selves intertwine in captivating ways.

The Mysteries & Frustrations of Season 2

In this series, we’re unable to disclose numerous intricate aspects due to a thorough spoiler guide for viewers. As a result, it’s challenging to explain the storyline in a logical sequence. However, let me assure you, Severance keeps delivering unexpected twists much like Sandy Koufax in his pitching career. From the get-go, you’ll be gripped by exciting new developments. The writers, led by Dan Erickson, skillfully pace out these plot twists to prevent an overload of mystery. The direction, handled by Ben Stiller, Sam Donovan, and Uta Briesewitz, remains visually appealing throughout, akin to Wes Anderson directing a sci-fi thriller, while the music and cinematography are exceptional.

Since ‘Severance’ is known for its intricate details and enigmatic nature, it’s highly recommended to watch the entire first season before moving on to the second, which debuts on January 17, 2025, on Apple TV+. The series doesn’t provide straightforward hints about the storyline or characters, and there isn’t much of a recap provided either. If you’ve missed some parts of the first season, even minor characters, or haven’t watched it at all, I suggest you revisit it. Otherwise, watching Season 2 without prior knowledge could lead to a confusing and disappointing viewing experience.

Regrettably, the second season of Severance remains puzzling despite my recollection of the first one. There aren’t many mysteries resolved; instead, complex questions are multiplied and twisted into even more cryptic variations, resulting in a more intricate, bizarre narrative that can sometimes be too dense to comprehend. Characters undergo the most implausible events, and then move on as if nothing happened with an indifferent shrug, leaving the viewers to follow suit. It’s maddening, yet there’s hope that creator Dan Erickson is crafting a broader world with satisfying conclusions rather than steering us towards a Lost-like dead end.

Do We Learn Anything New About ‘Severance?’

Compared to Season 1, there are additional elements such as goats, mysterious hallways and doors, doppelgängers, puzzling hints, elaborate backstories, and unresolved sequences. After watching all six episodes of Season 2, we’re left wondering about the true nature of Lumon and the specific functions of Macrodata Refinement. We still don’t have much insight into Harmony Cobel’s (played superbly by Patricia Arquette) enigmatic past with Lumon and the Eagans, which seems to be cult-like in nature.

Similarly, we don’t gain much insight into Mark’s spouse or the town where the show is set, which appears to be perpetually snowing and enclosed. The mystery behind Irving’s eerie black paintings remains unsolved. We also don’t discover what lies beyond the door in his paintings. Regarding the goats, no answers are provided. However, there seems to be a sense that things are gradually coming together, if we can remain patient and keep following along.

In simpler terms, what’s the takeaway? It can be hard to decipher, which might frustrate certain audiences. However, the series Severance effectively keeps us guessing and leaves us eager for more. (That being said, although there’s no explicit conversation or concrete proof, I strongly suspect that the mystery of the show and Lumon is centered around cloning.)

Everything Is Working All the Time

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that the second season of Severance takes a more balanced approach, delving deeper into the lives of the Outies and expanding the ensemble, particularly the captivating character of Seth Milchick portrayed by Tramell Tillman, who truly steals the show.

However, it becomes evident in this season that Mark is indeed pivotal to the story’s unfolding. Adam Scott delivers another exceptional performance, essentially playing two roles – one on the outside, where Mark appears as broken as a man can be after losing love and his connection to work. As Freud famously put it, “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness,” and Mark has lost both.

In the second phase, Mark becomes increasingly engrossed in life through a unique form of activity – the pursuit of knowledge about Lumon and uncovering its secrets, including if his spouse might be ensnared within it. Essentially, Mark is discovering contentment and thrill by working towards something, which resembles an idealized form of labor. It’s amusing that Mark, who was disconnected from Lumon to avoid being mindful of work there, now spends his ‘reconnected’ time trying to decipher or delve into Lumon.

Can you really distinguish between ‘work’ and ‘life’? They may appear different on paper, but what if they overlap significantly? For instance, caring for children or nurturing relationships can be seen as work, just like managing a business or maintaining friendships. So, the Outies in the show Severance are not working in the traditional sense, yet they’re still engaged in these tasks. Season 2 of the show beautifully illustrates that even being human is laborious. If everything feels like work, then the process of separation (severance) could be a form of spiritual death. So, how has your life been lately, not just your job?

Beginning January 17, 2025, the second season of Severance will be available for streaming every Friday on Apple TV+, concluding on March 21. To catch up with this intriguing series, follow the link provided below: [Stream Severance]

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2025-01-07 17:02