I know, I know – another Severance blog. I wrote My Season One Recap a couple of months ago, so we’ll skip some synopsis. So how did season two hold up? I thought well. It didn’t have the shock value of the first finale, but it kept all the tension and suspense. I’ll go over some key points from the finale and season two as a whole and add in my thoughts as I go.

Let’s start with our beloved Mark S. This whole season was tough on our boy, trying to re-integrate while unraveling the mystery that is Lumon. Some incredible acting from Adam Scott all season, playing two different versions of himself like that (same compliment goes to the rest of the cast) is difficult yet he pulls it off. This season his Innie and Outie get to bang the Inne and Outie versions of Helena/Hellie, so bonus points there. The whole season he is working to free himself and his wife Gemma and ultimately succeeds. Until his Innie decides to abandon the plan once Gemma is free so that he can run off with Hellie. Brutal.

Speaking of Gemma, we learned a lot about her this season. From meeting Mark, to the devastation of miscarriage, to her eternal torment in Lumon. We still don’t know why she’s there, but we know that she is a prisoner that experiences multiple severed realities every day. The breakout scene was great, I’m glad she’s free but it was gut wrenching to see Mark’s Innie run back once she’s outside.

Helena/Hellie stole the show, especially early in the season. The way that Britt Lower fooled most fans into not noticing (myself included) that she was pretending to be Hellie was masterful. You learn how much trauma she’s endured and get some insight as to why she is the way she is. She is both the bad guy, and the good guy and Irving’s “Hellie was never cruel” line was one of the best moments in the show.

Speaking of Irving and the other Innie Dylan, we get some more info on them as well. Irving is up to something; theories range from him being law enforcement or a journalist, to a psychotic killer seeking vengeance. His work-husband Burt turns out to be a Lumon rat but Irving now knows that. We’ll see how he responds next season. Dylan G cucks his Outie by kissing/wooing his wife, a weird dynamic for sure but we love Dylan G. Once again, he’s the funniest character on the show throughout the season.

Harmony Cobel gets a lot of backstory as well. Turns out, she’s the one who created the Severance procedure and once Lumon cuts ties with her she goes to help Mark and his sister. I really don’t trust her, but it’s an interesting development and is filling in a lot of blanks. Mr. Milchik was great as well this season, gets a little backbone and that final scene with the band was top tier. I can see him turning sides before I see Cobel doing it.

What’s next? Mark’s Outie and Gemma will undoubtedly work to take down Lumon, but how will Lumon respond? I would guess that they’ll argue the Innies are people and don’t deserve to die, how ironic. If Cobel and Milchik turn against Lumon, we might have a chance – plus we’ll see what Burt is cooking. I don’t see Dylan G doing anything beneficial other than blocking an entrance if needed (he is elite at that in both finales). 

Overall, I felt that this season was a step below season one, but this was still excellent television. Whichever direction they go with the show next, it is going to be really difficult to stick the landing. As an audience, we have a joint interest in both the Innies and the Outies surviving. I think with re-integration they’d be able to merge the two personalities back into one, but with Lumon you know it’s never that easy. I want vengeance, I’m hoping Irving goes Rambo at some point, but I’ll settle for just Jame Eagan’s head. Anyways, looking forward to when this story continues and thanks for reading!