Reminiscent of “Black Mirror” and aligning itself as a sinister version of “The Office,” “Severance” explores what would happen if we could fast-forward between the hours of nine to five. Created by Dan Erickson and directed largely by Ben Stiller, Apple TV’s psychological thriller confronts the confines of capitalism and the complexity of human relationships through parallel narratives — the life of the worker and the life of the person who exists outside of the office. The first episode of the second season premiered on Jan. 17 to the bated breath of die-hard fans, nearly three years after the premiere of season one. But the darker, twisted resurrection of the series has so far proved more than worth the wait.
“Severance” follows Mark (Adam Scott), an employee at the seemingly altruistic biotech company Lumon, who undergoes a procedure to separate his home and work life, leading him to work on the severed floor of the corporate headquarters. The first season introduced viewers to a star-studded cast of characters including Helly (Britt Lower), Irving (John Turrtorro), Dylan (Zach Cherry) and Burt (Christopher Walken), who brought with them many more questions than answers. We learn that Mark’s team works on macro-data refinement, but what does the clicking of numbers on an outdated desktop really do? Do the “severed” employees, known as “innies,” have any control over their work lives? What are the true motivations of those high up at Lumon?
Four episodes into the second season, answers are nowhere near closer in sight — but that doesn’t matter. The addicting appeal of the show lies in its ability to balance glimpses of clarity before an avalanche of more questions comes crashing down.
The first episode of season two traps viewers within the severed floor. We only get to see the aftermath of the season one finale through the eyes of the “innies,” creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere lying between sterile white walls and endless hallways. We are left in the dark, just as the two halves of the severed employees are.
The very concept of the show leaves the writers with room to mess with the viewers’ minds, opening the curtain before quickly shutting it again as they flip between the dueling narratives and the “innies” and the “outies.” Episode two opens the curtain a little further, showing us what the “outies” have been up to since the season one finale. But as the writers flit between narratives, the linear nature of time becomes blurry, and the notion of trust flies out the window. Who can the severed employees trust? Can they even trust each other?
In the years between seasons, dedicated fans have crafted and shared theories, on social platforms like Reddit, about where future seasons of “Severance” could take us. Despite the cast and writers alike debunking many of them, part of the allure of the show lies in the mystery-thriller narrative, giving viewers the power to fit pieces together as they see fit. Reddit community is alive and well with the return of season two, with the room of goats Mark and Helly find on the severed floor being a particular point of intrigue.
“Severance” is new, innovative and unlike anything else on streaming. In an age where new shows are released on the daily, this show stands as a breath of fresh air, critiquing the very capitalist system it’s part of. “Severance” can be frustrating, but isn’t that just a day at the office? Personally, I’ll be anxiously awaiting answers while reading fan theories in the meantime. New episodes of the second season of “Severance” are released on Fridays at 2 a.m. CST through March 21.
