Severance continues to unravel its mysteries in the seventh episode of Season 2, “Chikhai Bardo,” written by Dan Erickson and Mark Friedman, and directed by Jessica Lee Gagné. This episode reveals crucial information about Lumon’s operations while providing deeper insight into Gemma’s life.
The episode opens by intertwining Mark’s memories of his relationship with his late wife Gemma and her current life on Lumon’s testing floor. The flashbacks explore Mark and Gemma’s relationship before she “died”, revealing they were both professors at Ganz College, and had met during a Lumon-run blood drive. Their connection quickly grows into marriage, but their joy is tempered by loss as Gemma experiences a miscarriage after revealing her pregnancy to her friends, and soon after, their attempts at IVF also fail. These moments strain Gemma and Mark’s bond, eventually leading them to stop trying for a baby. The episode delves into Gemma’s feelings of despair. Gemma and Mark’s emotional distance ultimately leads to tragedy when Gemma dies in a car accident. The loss affects Mark, and his grief surfaces as he attempts to reconcile his memories with the reality of her passing.
The testing rooms force participants to endure unpleasant experiences under the supervision of Dr. Mauer, who seems to be captivated by Gemma. Gemma’s responses to the tests are examined as she is ushered from room to room. This process speaks to the dehumanizing nature of Lumon’s experiments, where individuals become subjects to a series of harsh tests aimed at refining their emotional responses. Despite their cruelty, there is a strange intimacy in Gemma’s interactions with her nurse, Cecily, who monitors her care and offers a semblance of human connection amid a cold and callous clinical environment.
Dr. Mauer’s instructions to Gemma are vague and cryptic, particularly regarding the Cold Harbor room—a file stuck at 96% completion. This file’s status suggests that Gemma’s testing is integral to Lumon’s overarching plans. Despite the bleak environment, Gemma begins to question her role in the process, particularly after Dr. Mauer tells her that Mark has remarried and fathered a daughter, triggering a violent outburst from Gemma. She attempts to escape the testing floor, only to be pulled back into her role as her severed self, Ms. Casey, further emphasizing the psychological toll that Lumon’s methods take on its subjects.
While in the present, Mark’s condition remains perilous following his seizure, and Reghabi informs Devon that Gemma is still alive. As the tension rises, Mark eventually awakens, his memories of Gemma becoming sharper.
“Chikhai Bardo” continues Severance’s ongoing exploration of psychological and emotional disintegration caused by the severance process. The episode succeeds in blending themes of love, loss, and control, asking poignant questions about identity and autonomy. As Mark confronts his memories of Gemma, the episode challenges the viewer to consider the impact of severed relationships, both within the confines of Lumon and beyond.
The structure of the episode, combining past and present timelines, allows for a deep dive into the emotional landscapes of the characters. Adam Scott’s performance, as always, anchors the emotional weight of the story, portraying Mark’s internal conflict with nuance and vulnerability.
Chikhai Bardo is a standout episode in Severance, successfully unveiling critical details about Lumon’s operations and deepening our understanding of its central characters. The mix of stunning cinematography, poignant performances, and thought-provoking storytelling will leave fans wanting more.
Rating: 8/10