Severance has quickly become one of the most talked-about shows in recent memory, capturing the imaginations of audiences with its mind-bending concept and thought-provoking exploration of work-life balance. This Apple TV+ original, which imagines a dystopian world where a person’s work and personal lives are surgically separated, returns for its much-anticipated second season. While the premise may be far-fetched for some, it seems to have resonated deeply with contemporary issues around identity, autonomy, and the human’s relationship with work.
Season 1 ended on an incredibly tense note. Helly (Britt Lower) delivered a powerful speech condemning the severance procedure, while Irving (John Turturro) was left on the verge of a personal breakthrough. Meanwhile, Mark (Adam Scott) made a shocking discovery about his outie—his wife, Ms. Casey (Amy Sadler), was revealed to be a Wellness Director at Lumon Industries. The season finale was a masterclass in suspense and acting, with each character learning something crucial about their outie, the glint of recognition in their eyes speaking volumes about the profound impact of these revelations.
So with that being said, Season 2, Episode 1—titled “Hello, Ms. Cobel”—had a lot to live up to. With the story now set to expand and deepen, the pressure was on for the show to execute its complex narrative threads effectively. Written by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller, this episode provides both the mystery and the tension that fans have come to expect, while setting the stage for the new season’s exploration of the aftermath of the innie revolt.
The episode opens with Mark waking up in his innie form, once again trapped in the sterile confines of the severed floor. His panic is palpable as he runs frantically through the hallways and then stumbles upon Ms. Casey’s decommissioned wellness room. When he returns to his cubicle, he is shocked to find three new employees—Mark W. (Bob Balaban), Dario R. (Stefano Carannante), and Gwendolyn Y. (Alia Shawkat)—taking the place of his former colleagues. This shift in the workplace is immediately apparent and causes unease, especially when Milchick (Tramell Tillman) arrives with balloons, attempting to lul Mark back into a false sense of security.
Milchick explains that five months have passed since the innies’ revolt, but instead of punishment, they are now being heralded as the face of severance reform. The revelation that Cobel (Patricia Clarkson) has been let go for “detrimental conduct” and replaced by a new, younger manager, Miss Huang (Sarah Bock), immediately raises questions. This bizarre shift in power dynamics adds a layer of intrigue, as the stakes for the innies have shifted from mere survival to navigating an even more bizarre and twisted version of their prison.
The sense of disorientation deepens when Milchick reveals that Mark’s outie was the one who insisted on returning to work after the revolt. Mark’s insistence on speaking directly to his fellow colleagues is denied, and he is forced to accept his new team, signaling that control over their lives continues to slip further away.
In a desperate attempt to reach out to his outie, Mark slips a handwritten note into Mark W.’s coat, warning him of the oppressive conditions inside. This small act of defiance proves to be in vain, however, as Mark W. informs Milchick of the note, resulting in Mark’s demotion from Department Chief. This leads to a tense moment where Mark attempts to contact the outside world, only to be thwarted by Milchick, who orders him into an elevator.
When Mark wakes up the next day, the episode takes an interesting turn. He is reunited with his colleagues—Dylan (Zach Cherry), Irving, and Helly—who explain the situation from their perspectives. Miss Huang then leads the group to a newly renovated break room, where Milchick plays an animated company video that explains how the “Macrodat Uprising” has led to reforms within Lumon. The video makes a pointed attempt to downplay the severity of the revolt, even including recordings of the innies’ conversations from that day. Milchick gives the group an unsettling ultimatum: they can quit in their innie form by the end of the day if they so choose, but they must make the decision before they leave work.
The conversation that follows offers a glimpse into the emotional and psychological toll the severance procedure has taken on the characters. Mark shares his discoveries from the outside world, including the painful revelation that Ms. Casey is married to his outie, and was thought to have died. Helly, however, is less forthcoming, fabricating a story about her outie’s identity as Helena Eagan. Meanwhile, Irving is still reeling from the realization that his outie has moved on with a new romantic partner.
Though initially on the brink of leaving, Irving decides to stay after a cryptic conversation with Dylan, where he confesses his feelings of emptiness after learning about Burt’s outie. Dylan, now armed with a tidbit of information about his outie’s wife, Gretchen, decides to help the team further investigate Lumon’s sinister practices. However, before they can take action, Milchick interrupts them, and they are once again left at the mercy of Lumon’s surveillance.
The episode ends on a note of ambiguity, with Mark’s latest MDR file, titled “Cold Harbor,” revealed to be connected to Ms. Casey. This opens up more questions than answers, and leaves viewers hooked, eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Overall, Severance Season 2, Episode 1, successfully sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the show’s dark world. The acting remains stellar, particularly from Adam Scott, whose portrayal of Mark’s inner turmoil is as captivating as ever. The introduction of new characters and power shifts within Lumon Industries adds fresh layers of intrigue. While the episode raises more questions than it answers, it’s clear that the show is poised to delve even deeper into the psychological consequences of the severance procedure.
The pacing is tight, the world-building is rich, and the performances are compelling. With so much setup in this episode, it’s clear that Severance has a lot to explore in the coming season, and fans will be eager to see how it unfolds. Hopefully, we’ll get some answers.
Rating: 8/10