Severance: Season 2 (Spoilers)

[Mr Janny]

Caught the first episode of the season last night. It picked right up where it left off.
I honestly didn't see Lumon's "apology" response coming. I don't believe any of it for a second, but it was a clever direction to take things. Also, there's no way that's Helly with them. That's Helena.
And very few actors can deliver f-bombs the way Zach Cherry can. Guy is just endlessly hilarious.

 

[dahliaclone]

I didn’t know it was out!

 

[keepngoal]

Caught the first episode of the season last night. It picked right up where it left off.
I honestly didn't see Lumon's "apology" response coming. I don't believe any of it for a second, but it was a clever direction to take things. Also, there's no way that's Helly with them. That's Helena.
And very few actors can deliver f-bombs the way Zach Cherry can. Guy is just endlessly hilarious.

watched it last night. Boy you are right it picked up where it left out.

What makes you think its Helena?

 

[throwittoblythe]

watched it last night. Boy you are right it picked up where it left out.

What makes you think its Helena?

I watched it this morning. The one note I made was that Helly lied to the others when they were sharing their stories of what happened on the outside. Irving picked up on it (“a night gardener?”) but then moved on. Something is going to happen there.

 

[Mr Janny]

watched it last night. Boy you are right it picked up where it left out.

What makes you think its Helena?

First, she lied about what she experienced while the overtime contingency was activated. It's possible she didn't want everyone to know that her outtie was an Eagan, but later when she and Mark were talking about how the innies and outties were technically the same person, she took a very strong position of "No. They're not. We don't owe our outties anything.". That's the kind of stance that someone high up in Lumon would take, regarding innies.

 

[throwittoblythe]

First, she lied about what she experienced while the overtime contingency was activated. It's possible she didn't want everyone to know that her outtie was an Eagan, but later when she and Mark were talking about how the innies and outties were technically the same person, she took a very strong position of "No. They're not. We don't owe our outties anything.". That's the kind of stance that someone high up in Lumon would take, regarding innies.

I’m admittedly a little fuzzy on what happened in season 1 and I don’t have time to go back and rewatch.

But here’s my question for S2E1: how did they get back in the elevator? They made it seem like they went right into the elevator once OTC was turned off. And maybe it felt that way to them? Since their innies went directly from the last moment on the outside to the elevator?

 

[CyGuy5]

watched it last night. Boy you are right it picked up where it left out.

What makes you think its Helena?

1. Her embrace with mark when she got off the elevator was very awkward
2. She didn’t know how to turn on the computer (dead giveaway IMO)
3. she lied about what she saw when they were woken up

 

[Mr Janny]

1. Her embrace with mark when she got off the elevator was very awkward
2. She didn’t know how to turn on the computer (dead giveaway IMO)
3. she lied about what she saw when they were woken up

I missed the computer part. Good catch

 

[keepngoal]

thanks! was fuzzy about details from S1. Gonna rewatch S2E1 to help get up to speed for this thread.

 

[cycloneworld]

I’m admittedly a little fuzzy on what happened in season 1 and I don’t have time to go back and rewatch.

But here’s my question for S2E1: how did they get back in the elevator? They made it seem like they went right into the elevator once OTC was turned off. And maybe it felt that way to them? Since their innies went directly from the last moment on the outside to the elevator?

Yep, you got it. Once OTC was turned off, the innies only “wake up”’once they go down the elevator. And it was 5 months from the OTC incident to where S2 picked up.

Agree with everyone and Helena. Definitely think that’s not Helly. Also curious why the little girl supervisor is there…

 

[Angie]

I'm not sure what I think about the Helena vs Helly conversation. I could see it, but I also think (on the other side of the coin) that a high-up Eagan would tell an innie that they're there to support the outie, especially after hers tried to murder her. IDK.

I think the big thing question I have is, what happened to Alia Shawkat, Bob Baliban, and the Italian guy? They just... went away? Why? Where? Why would they do that for Mark S, is he so valuable?

 

[AirWalke]

I’m admittedly a little fuzzy on what happened in season 1 and I don’t have time to go back and rewatch.

But here’s my question for S2E1: how did they get back in the elevator? They made it seem like they went right into the elevator once OTC was turned off. And maybe it felt that way to them? Since their innies went directly from the last moment on the outside to the elevator?

Yes, I think it’s probably implied that the Outies resumed their lives sans-Lumon until they were coerced to return. Irving is banging on the elevator door the same way he was banging on the door to Burt’s home while the OTC was active.

The next episode will probably be from the perspective of the Outies after the OTC is disabled. We’ve had literally no follow up on what happened during all that chaos while the Innies found themselves awake on the outside.

 

[Pitt_Clone]

I was thinking that they might have woke Helly up outside and threatened her, forcing her to lie about who her outie is, but I also didn't catch her not knowing how to turn on the computer. That's interesting. The way they talked last season I wasn't sure they would be able to deactivate it for a specific person in the building. I guess maybe they could turn things off for her in that room they use to wake them up on the outside.

 

[AirWalke]

I was thinking that they might have woke Helly up outside and threatened her, forcing her to lie about who her outie is, but I also didn't catch her not knowing how to turn on the computer. That's interesting. The way they talked last season I wasn't sure they would be able to deactivate it for a specific person in the building. I guess maybe they could turn things off for her in that room they use to wake them up on the outside.

That was my same thought too, that she seemed rattled. When she lied about her outside experience, I figured she was concealing the fact that she found out she was an Eagan, because she knew that the others would think she was compromised.

The two things that tipped me off was her telling Mark S. “We don’t owe our outies anything!” and Irving second guessing her story (“Night gardener?”)

It’s probably Helena, and they’ll reveal it down the line… but I feel like there’s more to be played with there. The clues were almost a little too easy to catch, as if we the audience are supposed to know it’s not Helly. I think she’s there for surveillance (especially since there’s no cameras this time) but also to salt the other Innie’s trust in her. Then when they finally wake up Helly R, she’s thrust right into a situation where her friends have zero trust in her.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Just watched S2 E2. Here's what I picked up:

• The severance employees know Mr. Millchick inside and outside the floor. (Don't recall if that had been revealed before). Also, his first name is Seth.
• Helena is more diabolical than imagined. However, the conflict between Helly and Helena epitomizes the magic of the show. Helena watching the footage of Helly and Mark kissing was her (Helena) seeing a different version of herself. She really seems to be struggling with hating and envying her innie all at once.
• The scene with Helena and her father was hard to read. I thought he was going to slap her. But she said "father" which I guess signaled it was her outtie? So he left? Didn't know what to think there.
• Mrs. Cobel/Selvig clearly knows more about what happened to Gemma. Being Mark's neighbor was not a coincidence.
• Mr. Drummond had more of a prominent role. I expect he will continue. Seems like he is an Eagan henchman.
• Mark is at the center of whatever Lumon does. Their plans are centered around keeping him working. (Side thought: Is it possible Gemma actually died but Lumon was able to bring her back to life and that's the secret they are working on? Is Mark's work somehow connected to his wife?)

 

[dahliaclone]

Man I should have watched season one again before starting two. It’s been three years since the first season premiered and I am lost and can’t remember much. Ugh.

 

[burn587]

Man I should have watched season one again before starting two. It’s been three years since the first season premiered and I am lost and can’t remember much. Ugh.

I did a rewatch prior to watching season 2, and if it makes you feel better I could’ve watched it again a couple more times and still not caught everything. There’s so many layers to this show it’s crazy.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Man I should have watched season one again before starting two. It’s been three years since the first season premiered and I am lost and can’t remember much. Ugh.

I had to go back and watch the finale of S1 again after S2E1.

Not even joking, I had completely forgotten about the whole “Helly is an Eagan” storyline.

 

[Mr Janny]

Still very convinced that it is no longer Helly R on the severed floor, but Helena Eagan.

I also am fairly convinced by the fan theory of the setting being in some kind of alternate timeline or world. The last episode they made reference to Lumon having locations in "all 206" countries, which is several more than there are. Quite a few pieces of evidence show the city the show takes place in, Kier, in a state abbreviated "PE" which doesn't exist. The technology is an interesting mix of modern and old. The computers are the kind you'd find in the 80s, but they have cell phones. Also, there's a shot of the full Lumon parking lot, and all of the automobiles look like they're from the early 90s or so.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Still very convinced that it is no longer Helly R on the severed floor, but Helena Eagan.

I also am fairly convinced by the fan theory of the setting being in some kind of alternate timeline or world. The last episode they made reference to Lumon having locations in "all 206" countries, which is several more than there are. Quite a few pieces of evidence show the city the show takes place in, Kier, in a state abbreviated "PE" which doesn't exist. The technology is an interesting mix of modern and old. The computers are the kind you'd find in the 80s, but they have cell phones. Also, there's a shot of the full Lumon parking lot, and all of the automobiles look like they're from the early 90s or so.

I’ve been wondering if there’s a name for this type of cinematography. It’s like a different version of steampunk. It’s futuristic but old fashioned at the same time.

They all drive 80s/90s era cars. Lumon uses old PCs and intercoms. Yet they have smart phones?