This week’s Severance finds the Macrodata Refinement team once again on the outside. However, this time, the trip is company approved. That’s because the group partake in a retreat for team building.
You would think the change in scenery would might dampen the eerie vibes, but you would be wrong. As long as Lumon is involved, its unnerving aura remain from the odd encounters to the creepy helpers to the strange stories around the campfire. Although there is an interesting contrast with the bizarre company experience with the beautiful backdrop of nature. The views are breathtaking, but you can’t fully enjoy them due to the uncomfortable feelings.
Speaking of Severance’s enigmatic corporation, we receive a curious look into Lumon. It only reinforces the cult-like culture at the company. The different clothing for management and workers. The beliefs. The emblazoned marshmallows. Such peculiar aspects scream of a deceitful company. They even lie about the world’s largest waterfall.
The different setting makes it easier to incorporate mystical and supernatural aspects, which serve as a nice change. The ground the characters walk on is a very spiritual place to their employers, and you can feel that energy. It manifests itself into otherworldly visions fitting with the dark, mysterious tone.
The episode explores Irving’s suspicions of Helly that were first brought up in the premiere. The way he holds a Lumon text and the incessant pursuit of a confession evokes religious imagery. It is kind of ironic since Irv was the most devoted to the company of the four at the start of Severance, but his faith has slowly declined to a critical point.
Irving’s mistrust gradually builds until the explosive conclusion. The reveal itself isn’t necessarily shocking. People theorized it ever since the premiere, though a vulnerable moment the night before had me convinced otherwise. More impactful is the manner of which the truth comes out. The intensity and urgency made the scene real and dramatic. John Turturro expertly cycles through a range of emotions from stern conviction to joy and relief to remorse.
Despite all the events, Severance doesn’t really follow up on the ending of the previous episode. Mark made a significant decision, and we were already seeing the results almost immediately afterwards. But other than a brief moment, Mark doesn’t experience any effects one way or another. There isn’t a dive into the aftermath of his delicate procedure.
The mystical “Woe’s Hollow” gradually builds to an intense and dramatic ending.
New episodes of Severance release Fridays on Apple TV+.
