Why Everyone Can’t Stop Talking About Severance and Its Twists

It can be quite annoying to overhear your colleagues discussing a TV show you haven’t watched, especially when it involves unexpected plot twists that could easily be spoiled. And if you’re like me, you might resist watching a widely-acclaimed series out of principle, simply because everyone recommends it. In fact, I delayed starting White Lotus for this very reason – but I’m glad I eventually did, as The White Lotus season 3 certainly has some jaw-dropping moments!

Initially, like many others, I found myself skeptical about the Apple TV+ series “Severance.” When it premiered in 2022, it seemed everyone was raving about it, and honestly, it made me a bit tired of the buzz. However, my curiosity eventually got the better of me, and I must confess that I wish I had started watching sooner. Fortunately, I caught up during season 2 and enjoyed participating in discussions about the show, as well as speculating on what might happen next in seasons 3 and beyond.

Severance Is The Perfect Show About Work Culture

The Workplace Thriller Makes Most Jobs Seem Like A Paradise

It’s just as inevitable as death and taxes: we all require money to survive, and work is essential for obtaining it. While some people are fortunate enough to have found their ideal careers, a large portion of the American population must make do with a traditional 9 to 5 job. “Severance” does an excellent job of depicting the tedium of office work, while keeping viewers captivated through its intriguing concept and mind-boggling plot twists.

It’s no secret that quite a few of us have a professional self and a personal self, similar to what Severance depicts. We maintain these distinct personas to tackle the demands of work and daily life. Bringing up personal issues at work can disrupt productivity, while dwelling on work worries at home can increase stress and create tension. To manage our lives effectively, we try to keep things separated, but it’s not always easy.

The captivating aspect of Severance lies in the concept that a person can isolate their work life and personal life entirely. Initially, this idea appears extremely appealing. However, when the “innies” start to ponder about the world outside Lumon Industries, they find themselves questioning the allure of being kept in the dark. Once they begin to uncover the manipulations Lumon has implemented to keep their employees under their thumb, the notion of ignorance no longer seems appealing.

How The Mystery Of Severance Brings People Together

The Many Twists In Severance Is What Gets Everyone Talking

Similar to the jaw-dropping plot twists seen in the climactic finale of “White Lotus”, “Severance” has swiftly emerged as the television series on everyone’s lips. Brimming with suspense, enigma, and dark wit, “Severance” is an ideal topic for office gossip. As each new episode premieres, it promises to spark lively conversations the following day, with colleagues eagerly discussing the latest developments.

As a dedicated fan of Severance, I found season 2 absolutely captivating. It delved deeper into the enigmatic world of Lumon Industries, raising even more intriguing questions than before. What exactly is the Cold Harbor file and why does Mark Scott need to complete it so urgently? What secrets lie within the Exports Hall? And what on earth is going on with Miss Huan?

Though some of these mysteries were unraveled, many still remain shrouded in mystery. This open-endedness offers a fantastic platform for fellow fans to exchange their fascinating theories and speculations.

One major theme in the show Severance revolves around corporate corruption, yet it’s the unpredictable nature of the storyline that has kept audiences captivated. If it lacked this element, the series might have become a gloomy and dismal portrayal of a group of individuals stuck in a dystopian predicament. However, the show cleverly balances the grim reality with an intriguing mystery that unfolds gradually throughout the series, leaving us eager for more episodes and excited to discuss it with fellow fans.

What The Creatives Of Severance Say About The Show

Writer Dan Erickson And Director Ben Stiller Have An Excellent Grasp On Work Culture

To ensure that the show “Severance” resonates with viewers and keeps them hooked, its creators needed a deep grasp of key elements in large corporations and work environments. As Series creator Dan Erickson shared with The Seattle Times, the concept for Severance was inspired by his personal work experiences – an idea many people can relate to, given their own professional encounters.

Initially, upon my arrival in Los Angeles, I held several office jobs. In one of these positions, I often yearned for the end of the day to arrive sooner. I felt an urge to detach myself from work for the following eight hours. I recall thinking, ‘It’s strange to desire fewer hours, isn’t it? Shouldn’t we crave more time instead?’

Besides delving into various themes, the series “Severance” also delves deeply into the concept that our jobs often shape our identities as individuals. In the first season, character Burt Goodman (portrayed by Christopher Walken), upon retiring from Lumon, finds his ‘innie’ persona no longer in existence. In an interview with IndieWire, director Ben Stiller succinctly explained the symbolism behind Burt’s inner self predicament.

At this stage in his life, he’s deeply invested. The question arises: How do you balance the extensive time and effort dedicated to a job, regardless of its nature? What aspect of yourself is defined by your work for a company? And if that company engages in harmful activities, how do you rationalize that? However, it can be more accurately stated as: ‘Who am I apart from my professional accomplishments?’

Stiller nails it with this analysis, vividly illustrating why this scene in the series is deeply moving. Innie Burt’s departure from the firm isn’t merely an emotional goodbye for Irving (who harbors feelings for him) or his colleagues. Rather, it symbolizes the demise of the character itself. This storyline delves into the emotions that many experience when compelled to retire after committing decades of service to a company, eventually finding themselves unceremoniously discarded.

What People Theorize Will Happen In Severance Season 3

Severance Fans On Reddit Have Their Own Ideas On What Will Happen Next

In the concluding chapter of “Severance” season 2, some major mysteries were addressed, but it also left numerous others unresolved. During the final episode titled “Cold Harbor”, Helly and Mark S. managed to save Gemma from the experimentation zone and guide her towards the exit, however, instead of reuniting with her, Mark opted to stay with Helly. The finale concluded with them sprinting together through the corridors bathed in red light as alarms blared, followed by a still image – a scene strikingly similar to the iconic ending from the timeless movie, “The Graduate”.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the cliffhanger at the end of season 2: What will become of Innie Mark and Helly? A fascinating theory on Reddit suggests that they might try to swap places with their outer selves. This seems plausible given that as their outies, they could potentially have more leverage to probe Lumon’s inner operations. Such a move could spark an intriguing confrontation between them and Gemma, the wife of Outie Mark, adding a layer of tension to the narrative. But before they can pull off this daring maneuver, they need to find a way out of that building first.

In the same conversation, Reddit users speculate that Gemma’s role will significantly increase in season 3 since she has now escaped. The character known as ‘outie Gemma’ may soon come to consciousness and uncover how her death was tricked. Additionally, there is Dylan, whose future remains uncertain for both his inner and outer selves, following the development of an inner Dylan dating the wife of the outer Dylan, causing the latter to contemplate quitting. Notably, fans of the show ‘Severance’ are intrigued to find out more about Irving’s outer self, who was last seen departing on a train after delivering a poignant final statement.

Looking at the numerous loose ends that remain unresolved, it seems like the upcoming year is going to be filled with curiosity about what awaits our heroes in season 3 of Severance. Fingers crossed that it won’t take three years as we did between seasons 1 and 2. In the interim, don’t hesitate to share your own speculations on what might happen!

2025-04-26 16:58