Severance Season 2

[Justin]

Anyone watching Severance on Apple TV here? Season 2 is currently airing week by week and it’s really good — two more episodes left to go!

For those unfamiliar, the premise is that a suspicious corporation has invented a procedure for your brain that allows your mind to be separated into a separate version of yourself when you go to work.

Essentially, the work version of yourself knows nothing about the outside version of you, and vice versa. You go into an elevator, come back 8 hours later, and have no recollection of what happened. And the same goes for your work self, which only experiences existence at work. Of course there’s a lot more to it than that, and plenty of dark shenanigans you might expect if a dubious corporation is behind it… but I won’t spoil anything more. If you’re a fan of those deep mystery, sometimes kinda sci-fi, shows like Lost, you’ll definitely love it.

I’m particularly curious and motivated to post this thread after watching the latest episode, eight, yesterday. This one seems to be pretty controversial, both among my friends who watch and in the online discourse! Would love to hear from anyone watching, but probably best to use spoiler tags as it just came out a day ago.

Spoiler: Episode 8 Spoilers

I liked it quite a lot! At least on the substance. I can understand the criticism from the perspective of placement in the season given that we just came off another unique episode to say the least— perhaps would have been better in a different order. Think that might just be a waiting week by week issue though, I have a hard time seeing as much distaste for it if people could binge to the best episodes immediately.

But I appreciate the better understanding and background of Cobel, and this has the season 1 version of her making a lot more sense now in hindsight. Really impressive twist in that I don’t recall anyone guessing this, but yet it totally checks out with much of her past behaviour! Hopefully the last two episodes deliver on everything else this one didn’t though.

 

[Midoriya]

I haven't seen it, but it sounds really interesting from the way you described.... time to add it to my never-ending backlog of good shows and movies I've never seen, lol.

 

[Saylor]

Spoiler: episode 8

I liked it too! I will say coming off episode 7 which was my favorite episode of the series so far I wasn't really in the mood to go back to Cobel (I do like her character but I was eager to get right back into reintegrated Mark), but it paid off by the ending for me and I thought it was a really interesting look into her backstory! I can understand the complaints since it was quite a short and slow-paced episode, but I was still kinda surprised to go on reddit after watching and see how polarizing it was given we got such a big reveal. and I loved the reveal! I genuinely wasn't expecting it but it totally makes sense.

I saw lots of people saying Devon called Cobel at the perfect time cause now she's gonna be on a revenge tour, but I am still.... nervous. even though she's said it wasn't happening I am still hoping for a happy ending for Mark and Gemma

p.s. curious if any Severance watchers have also watched Mr. Robot? there's scene in episode 7 that mirrors a scene in Mr. Robot really well and I loved it

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

I haven't seen season 2 yet but I am so glad that the show seems to have blown up!! I feel like I didn't see anyone talk about it anywhere before season 2 started

 

[Ra8bit]

Fun timing, I just mentioned this as my favorite current show earlier today!

Not that you know me or have reason to trust my opinion, but I can only echo the OP and highly recommend it to almost anyone with curiosity and some patience.

Spoiler: On Episode 8

To me this episode was undoubtedly a tonal shift and slower pace from previous ones—I just don't see that as a problem. I might like it less than others, but that's fine. We're under no obligation to enjoy them equally after all.

Like the rest of the show, it was well done from start to finish and served a clear purpose. I feel like I understand so much more about Cobel, Lumon, and the world of the show, that any momentary boredom was paid back tenfold in information and intrigue. One thing I've consistently praised the writers for is their respect for the viewer—I always feel like our attention is rewarded, and Sweet Vitriol was no exception to that. As usual, the reveal did not disappoint and was more than worth the set up.

With how vague I kept that it probably didn't need to be a spoiler, but better safe than sorry. If this conversation keeps up until next week I'd love to tune back in for some post-episode discussion!

For now good night, sleep tight, and don't forget to check for pouches! (･ × ･)

 

[Ra8bit]

Are you all planning on catching tonight's new episode?
@Justin, @sleepey, @Saylor, @deana, @Rainy.Nights

Last one to react is a fetid moppet! (^×^)

 

[deana]

Oh I'll be watching (I'm usually a couple days late with watching new eps though) Since I've been called out I guess I'll finally give some thoughts in here.

I've been really enjoying the show so far! Although I feel almost too dumb to keep up with the story but it's very satisfying when things start to get revealed and the pieces start falling in to place.

I haven't been following any online discussions for this show but this thread did prompt me to take a look at the episode 8 discussions and reactions are definitely all over the place. My favourite take: "Please try to enjoy all episodes equally"

Spoiler: S2E8

I get why people were not fans but I didn't mind the episode. If/when I do a rewatch I might skip this one because it is kinda slow... but for the first time around I thought it provided a lot of really valuable background and of course the big reveal. If Cobel is to make a really dramatic change (from being the most dedicated Lumon employee to Lumon adversary) it makes perfect sense to dedicate an entire episode to her. I'm hoping she's ready to give us (and Mark) some big juicy company secrets.

 

[Ra8bit]

Since I've been called out I guess I'll finally give some thoughts in here.

I hope that was ok—I just tagged everyone who said they were watching.
Now we all know who the moppet is, but I won't point it out lest I get in trouble... (＞×＜)

Spoiler: On Episode 9

This episode was ultimately exactly what I expected, which is a setup for next week's 76–minute finale.
All of our pieces are in place and ready to play their parts in the season's conclusion.

I don't have much insight to offer tonight, but one thing that did stand out to me is how nearly every character is struggling with their autonomy and ambitions. Despite that very obviously being a main theme of the show, this episode to me really emphasized how powerless they have been in their circumstances. Even Helena and Milchick. It will be interesting to see where they all end up on their individual journeys, and whether those paths will cross or diverge.

 

[Croconaw]

I haven’t heard of it, but honestly, it seems interesting based on what you described.

 

[Saylor]

this next week is gonna take forever!

Spoiler: episode 9

I totally thought Mark had woken up reintegrated at the end of episode 7 and they wouldn't even need to do the whole birthing retreat thing. I'm nervous! Cobel looked kinda evil at the end there

also I'm heartbroken for Irving. it felt like there was a finality to his character on the train but I hope that's not the case, we still don't know who he was talking to in the phone booth or how he knows about the exports hall at all. also I would miss him very much

 

[deana]

I hope that was ok—I just tagged everyone who said they were watching.

Totally okay! I was just being a little silly because I was surprised to be tagged here .

Going in I had expected ep. 9 to be a little more Mark focused but I actually really enjoyed getting to check in with the rest of the gang too

Spoiler: S2E9

I'm just sad for everyone in this episode (Dylan, Helly, Ms. Huang) but especially IRVING The change from his innie's "I'm not ready" to his outie's "I'm ready" has my heart in absolute shambles. Someone needs to please give that man a hug.
Cobel looking all evil at the end definitely has me spooked as well and makes me wonder if she was only acting cooperative to outie Mark...
And also what the HECK is Jame up to?????

 

[sleepey]

I hope that was ok—I just tagged everyone who said they were watching.

definitely ok, i think we need more of that on this website rn, genuinely! i love being silly and having fun and talking to ppl on the forum !

 

[Justin]

Are you all planning on catching tonight's new episode?
@Justin, @sleepey, @Saylor, @deana, @Rainy.Nights

Last one to react is a fetid moppet! (^×^)

I am confirmed for being a fetid moppet.

Late, but I liked the last episode too. Let's see if they can bring it home for the ending! Not thrilled about waiting a whole week feeling bad enough, and then that week becoming two years after this week.

also yeah Jame chill out on being such a creep please

 

[EpicGamer12]

I saw Ben Stiller confirm on social media that the last episode will be 76 minutes, which is ~30 minutes longer than a normal episode. Looking forward to it!

 

[S.J.]

I started watching Severance (season 1) a few weeks ago, knowing nothing about it! I didn't even know there was a second season until I saw this thread. The only reason I started it was because I saw it advertised as I was browsing, and I trusted if it had Adam Scott in it, it was worth trying!

Soon(ish) I will be able to actually read all your posts in here

 

[Ra8bit]

Are we all ready for today's extended season finale—are we ready for Cold Harbor? (･ × ･)

Whether you're celebrating with an egg bar or music dance experience, I hope to see some of you for later post-episode commentary!
Let's get this (not) waffle party started!

Totally okay! I was just being a little silly because I was surprised to be tagged here .

I figured why not drum up more hype for the show here—it only lasts so long before we need to wait again, after all...

definitely ok, i think we need more of that on this website rn, genuinely! i love being silly and having fun and talking to ppl on the forum !

It is nice to engage with people directly sometimes—I'm just glad I didn't break some unspoken forum etiquette..!

I am confirmed for being a fetid moppet.

Since you made the thread, you'll get a pass this one time—unless you want to own the term, of course..?

 

[Saylor]

Spoiler: finale

I'm sobbing I just finished it a second ago so all I have to say right now is I feel so horribly for gemma. after episode 7 I was so worried the finale would be something like an orpheus and eurydice story where mark finishes cold harbor thinking it'll save her only to have it kill her, but being held captive for years only to be reunited with your partner for a minute and then watch him walk away from freedom together to go with another person..... I would've been less devastated had she actually died

 

[Romaki]

Loved it. Finale was great, didn't enjoy the single character episodes as much but I understand they're necessary for the narrative. It definitely paid off.

 

[deana]

Great season finale! As always a few of my questions are answered and I'm left with even more questions. I will definitely be doing a full rewatch prior to season 3 because I'm sure that I'm still missing some things.

Spoiler: S2E10

• I loved the innie/outie moments at the beginning, the video camera stuff was such a good idea!!
• This part has me back to being anti-Cobel though. I think I was being too optimistic for her to flip on Lumon. When she suggests that Mark should still finish Cold Harbor... it seems like her priority is still the test first.
• Dylan is such a good guy for real
• Milchick getting bullied by a Kier animatronic
• 
  
• Mark using the tie to bust in to the Cold Harbor room was very satisfying and makes up for the uncomfortable amount of blood in the elevator
• The ending!!!

The thing that makes me nervous right now is how Gemma is just in the stairwell and not fully out. I really, really, really hope she gets out for real and doesn't just get scooped up by Lumon again. That said if she gets out and links up with Devon and Cobel... I don't trust Cobel so that makes me nervous as well!

Spoiler: This is probably absolutely NOT what happens next but you know I gotta dream

I hope that Gemma gets out for real, gets on the news (if Lumon doesn't own them all), and Irving sees it and gets back in on this. We know he was working with someone and it seems obviously not Regabhi because they're using a different strategy.
I just miss Irving already

Where I really don't get what's going on is this stuff with #1 creep Jame. He is excitedly watching as his company is making this perfectly robotic, emotionless innie (Cold Harbor Gemma) and yet he likes Helly R who is feisty and the exact opposite of what they're creating...

Got a lot to think about and now a lot of time to think about it.

 

[Aurita]

I just finished season 2 and I think I have more questions than I had at the end of season 1

my biggest question tho:

Spoiler: spoilers

maybe i missed something but why was Gemma chosen to be the guinea pig for all of these?

side note: cold harbor’s name seems insidious with them showing the icy Lumon town with Harmony