Why ‘Severance’ is the Must-Watch Show for Every ‘Black Mirror’ Fan!

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can confidently say that Black Mirror stands out as one of the most thought-provoking, unconventional television shows out there. The Charlie Brooker series left fans reeling with its unsettling debut episode, and we were instantly captivated. Although Netflix took over the series from season three onwards, introducing more recognizable faces, it managed to preserve its initial allure.

Presented as standalone stories within an anthology, each episode offers a grim, extreme depiction of what could become reality if society remains fixated on technological advancements. While each story initially appears unrelated, it only becomes clear at the end how each tale serves as a cautionary warning against issues such as excessive social media use, the perils of cancel culture, and the consequences of being surveilled and controlled. Despite the hiatus since 2023, fans who have persisted through all seasons and specials so far eagerly await this fitting Apple TV+ series to fill the gap in their viewing experience.

What Is ‘Severance’ About?

Severance, currently one of the standout shows on Apple TV+, is a gripping sci-fi psychological thriller that has recently launched its second season. The story takes place in a future where Lumon Industries, a biotech company, has innovated a surgical procedure to divide a human brain into two separate compartments. In this world, as an individual steps onto the elevator within their workplace, they mentally shift into their “innie” personality, effectively erasing all memories of their personal life. Upon exiting the building and descending to the lobby for their departure, they transform back into their “outie” persona, oblivious to work-related matters.

Mark Scout (played by Adam Scott) chose to go through the process as a way to cope with his wife’s passing. His days are spent in a well-lit, sterile office alongside three other colleagues, performing repetitive tasks on a computer he struggles to comprehend and exchanging insignificant dialogue. At home, he remains chronically melancholic, simply trying to navigate each day as it comes.

When a man who claims to be an old acquaintance and colleague approaches Mark, seeming aware of both versions of himself in reality, Mark’s conscious self attempts to find out more, unbeknownst to his subconscious. How might one communicate with oneself?

The series, “Severance,” is exceptionally well-acted, strangely captivating, and visually breathtaking. It garnered 14 Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Drama Series, and its season finale ranks among the best in recent memory, leaving viewers on a suspenseful cliffhanger at the end of Season 1. After a three-year hiatus, eager fans can now witness the continuation of the story.

Why ‘Black Mirror’ Fans Will Love ‘Severance’

Black Mirror and Severance share similar themes, as both explore the creation of advanced technologies intended to alleviate significant societal issues through radical methods. While Severance focuses on the struggle many people face in achieving a harmonious work-life balance, it also delves into a method for eliminating distractions and emotional baggage that could hinder productivity.

Instead of businesses supporting their employees during tough periods, they might implement a program that ensures complete dedication to work by separating work-related thoughts from personal ones. This way, staff can focus solely on their tasks without worrying about family issues, financial struggles, or other distractions during office hours. This severance approach encourages unwavering commitment to the job. While every episode of Black Mirror presents unique scenarios, some episodes share striking similarities with Severance in terms of tone and subject matter. Each episode delivers a specific message and cautionary tale about potential directions society might take if we become overly reliant on technology.

In the series Severance, the full truth about what’s happening remains unclear, but it seems Lumon’s intentions for the severance program might be more complex than they initially appear. For instance, there’s a character, Devon (played by Jen Tullock), Mark’s sister, who encounters a woman at a retreat who later forgets their meeting. It strongly suggests that this woman may have undergone the severance process to block out the pain of childbirth and perhaps handle her children more easily without becoming overwhelmed – imagine having an alternate version of yourself caring for your kids while you take a break, yet still get to spend time with them.

Afterward, there are individuals such as Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) who haven’t been separated but have been assuming alternate identities in the real world to observe and track Mark, seemingly for an unrelated reason. The death of Petey Kilmer (Yul Vazquez), a previous severed employee who reunited, attempted to alert outie Mark, and passed away under questionable circumstances, implies that the company might be concealing something.

The strongest hint suggesting that “Severance” is venturing into the realm of shows like “Black Mirror”, is that the wellness counselor for the severed employees, Ms. Casey (played by Dichen Lachman), appears to be none other than Mark’s presumed dead wife. It seems there’s something deeply sinister at play, suggesting she may be complicit or a victim in this mystery as well. Such a plotline aligns perfectly with the style of “Black Mirror”.

Which ‘Black Mirror’ Episodes Is ‘Severance’ Most Like?

In the style of an anthology, each episode of Black Mirror presents distinct standalone tales. However, a few episodes share themes similar to those found in Severance. Fans of Black Mirror, who particularly cherish these connected episodes, will find much to admire in the offerings of Severance.

The Entire History of You

In one of the most remarkable episodes of the series, titled “The Entire History of You,” a future society introduces technology that enables individuals to record and replay their memories by implanting devices in their ears. Although this invention aims to prevent forgetting significant moments, it’s clear how easily it can lead to trouble. This is demonstrated when Liam, my character (portrayed by Toby Kebbell), becomes increasingly suspicious of his wife’s infidelity and pressures Jonas (Tom Cullen) to erase all memories he has with her. As he revisits Jonas’ memories featuring Fiona (Leonie Elliott) in intimate situations, Liam’s obsession grows until he is driven to the point of self-harm, desperate to eliminate any chance of seeing the truth and resisting the temptation.

Be Right Back

In Season 2, Episode 1 titled “Be Right Back,” I find myself experiencing a similar loss as Mark, the loss of my spouse, Gemma. In this alternate world, they’ve found an innovative method to help people cope with loss: by analyzing social media and online profiles, they can create a virtual replica of individuals after their demise, capturing their voice, character, and even significant memories from their past posts. At first, it seems harmless, but things take a turn when Martha decides to acquire an android that mirrors her late boyfriend. It’s him in appearance, but it’s not the same as Mark’s ‘innie’ being him, while his ‘outie’ truly embodies who he is.

Beyond the Sea

One noteworthy episode of Black Mirror, reminiscent of Severance, is Season 6, Episode 3 titled “Beyond the Sea.” This episode features Aaron Paul and Josh Hartnett as astronauts Cliff and David. In a parallel timeline, they’ve been on a prolonged space mission for years. During their breaks, they can transfer their consciousness to replica bodies on Earth, enabling them to interact virtually with their families. However, when David’s family is tragically killed and his replica is destroyed, Cliff’s kindness in allowing him occasional real-world access using a replica body leads to an appalling consequence. This plotline poignantly illustrates the darkest consequences of intense loneliness.

Although these three shows share a similar style, theme, and atmosphere with “Severance”, they all belong to the same peculiar, distinctive category. For fans who can’t wait for the next season of “Black Mirror”, “Severance” serves as an excellent substitute. It’s like experiencing an extended episode of the beloved series, as the enigma surrounding these characters unfolds gradually over several hours, keeping viewers captivated and eager to discover the true purpose and price of the severance program.

Stream Severance on Apple TV+.

2025-01-26 22:32