This article contains spoilers through the finale of Severance Season 2.
The Stark Contrast of “Chikhai Bardo”
The universe of Severance is cold and clinical, making the seventh episode of Season 2, titled “Chikhai Bardo,” a shocking departure. Flashbacks showcasing the romance and marriage between Gemma (Dichen Lachman) and Mark (Adam Scott) stood out for their stylistic differences; these scenes utilized natural lighting and ambient sounds, filmed on actual film, giving both characters a more genuine and flawed essence. Directed by cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné, the episode unveiled Gemma’s fate following her alleged death in a car accident—revealing her severance into multiple consciousnesses, each enduring unique tortures, while being imprisoned in Lumon’s secret facility. It sharply contrasted the corporation’s absurdly chilling culture, characterized by bizarre practices and odd displays, with the warmth and humanity of the reality outside of it.
Gemma’s Transformation
Season 2 fully humanized Gemma, initially introduced as Lumon’s cold “wellness counselor,” Ms. Casey. The series later disclosed that Gemma, without her severance, is witty, intelligent, deeply in love with Mark, and heartbroken over her infertility. Lumon’s sinister humor was particularly evident through its heartless treatment of Gemma in “Chikhai Bardo,” as they exploited her pain during a reproductive clinic visit, staged her death, confined her without windows, misled her about Mark’s current life, and subjected her to cruel experiments, making her relive horrific experiences repeatedly. All of this serves a vague yet ominous goal that, after the Season 2 finale, “Cold Harbor,” hints at a ritual sacrifice to restore the consciousness of Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan.
Character Dynamics in Season 1 versus Season 2
Season 1 spent ample time outside of Lumon, emphasizing the company’s oddness—its cult-like allegiance to Kier, peculiar food obsession, and hostile bosses. Creatures from the outside world, such as a punk band protesting Lumon and Mark’s sister Devon (Jen Tullock), appeared fairly normal, while Lumon’s individuals exhibited strange, robotic behavior. In contrast, Season 2 focused more on the suffocating atmosphere within Lumon, contrasting sharply with “Chikhai Bardo,” which spotlighted a free-spirited Mark and Gemma. The season’s restrictive setting heightened the cruelty of the finale, as the outie version of Mark rescued Gemma, only for the innie Mark to abandon her, leaving her in despair as he chased after Helly.
The Hunting Conundrum
The finale’s plot twist fits the series’ established narrative that innies and outies are distinct beings with varying personalities and moral compasses. Innies, like Mark, emotionally innocent and impulsive, may unconsciously gravitate toward Helly, despite their dire circumstances. This conclusion paves the way for a third season of Severance, maintaining stability while hinting that CEO Jame Eagan is still determined to fulfill Kier’s questionable ambitions, even amidst employee discontent. Lower’s depiction of the duality in her character, toggling between an irreverent Helly and the cold, manipulatively Helena, has been remarkably powerful, highlighting the show’s exploration of nature versus nurture and the potential for love to transcend severance. Yet, Gemma’s plight remains difficult to accept.
Gemma’s Endless Suffering
One reason for the difficulty in accepting Gemma’s fate may stem from her eternal experience of pain: before, during, and after her time at Lumon. Even in her escape, she encounters yet another loss. Gemma’s bewilderment upon reconnecting with Mark while transitioning back to her severed self as Ms. Casey poignantly illustrates the conflict. While “Cold Harbor” effectively propels the plot forward, introducing thrilling escape sequences and revelatory moments, it also leaves lingering questions regarding Gemma and the overarching structure of Lumon’s operations involving adding layers of consciousness back into the system.
Symbolism and Future Directions
Symbolism abounds in the series, with recurring motifs such as eggs—evidently used to represent stages of life and rebirth, culminating in the idea of sacrificial scapegoats. The finale was successful in enhancing the plot without alienating casual viewers while maintaining the quality that renders it engaging. However, some inconsistencies linger, particularly concerning character continuity and various subplots, such as Mark’s identity post-integration and the role of other supporting characters. While it deepened the lore, it also resulted in less character development, notably for characters like Milchick, who hold significant narrative potential.
The Show’s Allure
As highlighted by The Guardian, Severance appeals to diverse preferences, blending puzzle-solving with workplace humor and critiques of toxic corporate culture. Yet, what truly captivates is its depiction of authenticity—moments when characters emerge as relatable despite the surreal and eerie environment they inhabit. If a third season is on the horizon, it opens possibilities for more ambitious storytelling, though the yearning for justice for Gemma remains a strong undercurrent.
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