Okay, people, let’s talk about “Severance”! This Apple TV+ show has taken the world by storm, and for good reason. It’s a wild ride that blends sci-fi, mystery, and workplace drama into a mind-bending thriller that will leave you craving more. If you haven’t jumped on the “Severance” bandwagon yet, now’s the time!
I’ve watched a couple of other Apple TV+ shows over the years – Invasion, Foundation and others & the one constant is the quality of the writing and overall production values. Severance follows in these hallowed footsteps without missing a beat. The SciFi elements are in most cases understated & simply a medium to move the story forward instead of the heart of the story itself. Even Invasion – literally an Alien Invasion story – is all about how people deal with the impact of this trauma.
In Severance, there is SciFi, but its very peripheral to the overall show which centers around a group of employees at Lumon Industries who have undergone a procedure known as “severance.” This procedure surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. Their “Innies,” the personalities that exist at work, have no recollection of their lives outside of Lumon, while their “Outies” have no memory of their workday. Sounds pretty wild, right?
A World of Intrigue and Mystery
Right from the start, “Severance” throws you headfirst into a world of intrigue and mystery. It’s got that same kind of “what the heck is going on?” vibe as “Lost,” where you’re constantly questioning everything and trying to piece together the puzzle. And just like “Lost,” “Severance” has its fair share of weirdness. I mean, baby goats in the office? What’s that all about? But trust me, it all adds to the show’s unique charm and keeps you guessing.
And speaking of mysteries, “Severance” is packed with them! Some are small and subtle, like the missing “Ctrl” and “Esc” keys on the severed floor keyboards, which could symbolize the employees’ lack of control and inability to escape. Others are huge and overarching, like the true nature of Lumon Industries and the purpose of the severance procedure itself.
What is Lumon Industries Really Up To?
This is the big one, isn’t it? What is this shadowy corporation really trying to achieve? On the surface, Lumon seems like just another company, albeit with some unusual practices. But as the series progresses, we start to see cracks in the facade. Is Lumon developing some kind of mind control technology? Are they trying to create a subservient workforce? Or is there something even more sinister at play? Some viewers have even theorized that Lumon is trying to achieve immortality by transferring consciousnesses between bodies! Now that’s a thought-provoking concept.
What Happened to Gemma?
Mark’s wife, Gemma, supposedly died in a car accident, but then she reappears as Ms. Casey, the wellness counsellor, on the severed floor. Is she really Gemma, or is something else going on? And if she is Gemma, how did she end up at Lumon? I mean the whole reason that Mark chose to sever himself is because she was dead … how & why was this faked, if it indeed was? Could they have somehow resurrected her? This mystery is further complicated by the fact that Ms. Casey seems to have no memory of her life outside of Lumon – however this is probably because she’s also severed? Her life seems particularly poignant as she alludes to only being awake during the wellness sessions … where is she “stored” outside of these times?
Of course talking about Gemma, I’d be lax if I didn’t mention the wonderful actress herself – Dichen Lachman is probably well known to many SciFi fans from Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse, or even Jiaying in Agents of SHIELD.
The Mystery of Petey
Petey, a former Lumon employee who managed to “unsever” himself, adds another layer of intrigue to the show. How did he manage to reverse the procedure? Who helped him? And why did he die shortly after escaping Lumon? His death raises even more questions about the long-term effects of severance and the dangers of defying Lumon. One thing about Petey though … I really need to get his cellphone – the battery life on that thing is insane!!
Who Was the Woman at the University?
Mark’s encounter with a mysterious woman at the university adds another piece to the puzzle. Who is she, and what is her connection to Lumon? Could she be part of a larger resistance movement working to expose the truth about severance? She was involved with Petey in some fashion, but its still unclear how she fits into everything.
The Elusive Board
We hear about the Board throughout the series, but we never actually see them. Who are these mysterious figures pulling the strings at Lumon? And what are their ultimate goals? Are they simply driven by profit, or do they have a more philosophical agenda?
The Enigma of the Numbers
The MDR team spends their days sorting numbers into digital bins, but the purpose of this task remains a mystery. Are they just random numbers, or do they hold some deeper meaning? Some fans have speculated that the numbers represent emotions or memories, while others believe they could be codes or even pieces of a larger puzzle.
Irving and the Black Goo
Irving’s obsession with the black goo turns out to be black paint, foreshadowed by the use of “Ace of Spades” in an earlier scene. What’s the meaning behind this recurring motif? Is it simply a reflection of Irving’s repressed desires, or does it have a deeper connection to Lumon’s secrets? Are his two personalities somehow connecting?
Stellar Performances and Unforgettable Characters
The acting in “Severance” is top-notch. Adam Scott delivers a phenomenal performance as Mark, a man grappling with grief and searching for answers. He perfectly captures the confusion and disorientation of a severed employee, while also bringing a sense of humanity and vulnerability to the role. His mannerisms as an Innie vs. an Outie are both exceptional and he truly seems like two different people.
And let’s not forget Tramell Tillman, who plays Milchik, the ever-present supervisor on the severed floor. He’s got this unsettlingly cheerful demeanor that masks a darker side. Milchik is a master manipulator, always keeping the employees in line with a mix of rewards and intimidation.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Britt Lower as the rebellious Helly R, Zach Cherry as the quirky Dylan, and John Turturro as the enigmatic Irving. Each character is well-developed and brings something unique to the table.
Final Thoughts
“Severance” is a must-watch for any fan of sci-fi, mystery, or just good storytelling. It’s a show that will stay with you long after the credits roll, leaving you pondering the nature of identity, work, and the human condition.
With so many unanswered questions, it’s no wonder fans are eagerly awaiting the next season. Thankfully, “Severance” has been renewed for a third season, and the creators have promised to delve deeper into the mysteries of Lumon Industries and the severed floor.
I, for one, can’t wait to see what they have in store for us. Will we finally learn the purpose of MDR? Will Mark and his Innie colleagues ever escape the confines of Lumon? And what other secrets does this shadowy corporation hold? Only time will tell!