As we reviewed the end of January, we were only three episodes into season two of Severance. At that point, the mysteries of Salt’s Neck and Ms. Casey’s whereabouts were still unsolved. As Apple TV+’s sci-fi phenomenon prepares for its season two finale next week, we have a slightly clearer understanding of the bizarre world within Lumon—but many secrets still hide in its corridors.
With this in mind, let’s revisit io9’s earlier post to recap our most pressing Severance inquiries and see how they’ve evolved, along with new questions that have emerged.
Where is Ms. Casey in Severance?
In episode seven, titled “Chikhai Bardo,” we learn about the backstory of Gemma, later known as Ms. Casey. The episode takes us through her relationship with Mark, from their first meeting at a blood drive to their struggles with infertility. Astonishingly, Gemma has been physically below Mark this entire time. Depending on the room she enters, her severed personalities change, subjecting her to harsh conditions on Lumon’s testing floor, which lies deeper underground than the severed floor.
How did Gemma become Ms. Casey, and why?
While the exact details remain murky, we have gathered clues regarding Gemma’s transformation. Gemma and Mark visited a fertility clinic managed by Lumon, and she continued to receive correspondence related to it. We also witnessed the night she left for an event that Mark opted not to attend, after which she never returned home, resulting in the police delivering tragic (yet fabricated) news about her fate.
Though we don’t know if she was abducted or a willing participant, it’s evident she’s being held against her will. Mark’s role as a “Macrodata Refiner” has directly influenced her experiences on the testing floor, reinforcing the stakes: as Mark completes his critical task, the significant Cold Harbor file, Gemma’s existence is on the line.
What is Cold Harbor in Severance?
As previously noted, the specifics of Cold Harbor remain unknown. Speculation arises that it could involve Gemma experiencing repeated miscarriages, but the episode’s fatal design suggests something much worse is in store—perhaps a fatal accident involving a car crash.
What are Ms. Cobel’s motivations and the mystery of Salt’s Neck?
Insights from episode eight, “Sweet Vitriol,” have clarified much about Ms. Cobel’s past. Raised in a nearly deserted Lumon company town, many of its inhabitants are ether addicts, a plight her mother faced. Cobel was a promising student who originally developed the severance procedure, only to have her ideas stolen by Jame Eagan. This background adds layers to her obsessive loyalty to Lumon and her peculiar interest in Mark, intertwining their fates.
What happened to Kier, PE?
Still no clarity on Kier’s fate. However, escape routes like the train—which Irving took in “The After Hours”—remain viable options for those wishing to flee Kier.
Who constitutes “the board” in Severance?
The members of the board are still undisclosed. So far, we’ve only seen Jame and Helena Eagan—could there be more unseen players?
What’s Natalie’s role in Severance?
We are still in the dark; if the season finale reveals Natalie as an innie whose outie contrasts sharply with her sweet persona, it wouldn’t be shocking.
Why does Lumon want Ricken to rewrite his book for innies?
The rationale remains unclear, though it likely serves Lumon’s interests in securing a hold on Mark’s family, especially since we know Mark’s value to the company. Ricken has been minimally featured this season, but his character in “Chikhai Bardo” hints at a more charming past, illuminating his complex relationship with Devon.
Why is Miss Huang portrayed as a child?
This question has been partially answered: like Ms. Cobel, young Eustace is a Wintertide Fellow. Although she faced challenges in collaborating with Mr. Milchick, she graduated and was recently sent for a new posting in Svalbard, one of the coldest locations globally.
What was Helly’s “Overtime Contingency” experience?
We found the answer in episode four, “Woe’s Hollow.” The scene was not Helly but the duplicitous Helena Eagan masquerading as her innie to secretly observe MDR.
Who does outie Irv converse with on payphones?
The answer remains elusive, especially after “The After Hours” where Irv and his dog left Kier under Burt’s guidance with strict orders not to return. Speculation suggests he might be tied to an anti-severance movement.
What’s the significance of the Exports Hall?
Previously established as an access point to the testing floor, the hall remains enigmatic. We see Ms. Casey utilize it for an escape attempt, but its haunting presence in Irving’s thoughts—evident through his painted representations—raises questions about its deeper implications.
How will Mark’s reintegration unfold?
It hasn’t been seamless; incidents such as nosebleeds, seizures, and lapses into unconsciousness suggest complications. With Devon invoking Ms. Cobel into the mix, Mark’s situation becomes even more unpredictable.
Are the Macrodata Refiners truly contributing?
While clarity is lacking, the Macrodata Refiners’ tasks involving “scary numbers” and files associated with locations hold weight regarding the testing floor’s experiments.
What about the goats in Severance?
Goats have been absent since episode three, “Who Is Alive?” unless you count production elements, such as the goat statue attributed to Ms. Cobel’s aunt. What role the goats play in the Lumon landscape and the eccentric caretakers remains uncertain.
Now that we’ve revisited these pivotal questions, let’s dive into the most pressing new inquiries that are keeping Severance enthusiasts awake, especially with just one episode left!
What strategy will Cobel, Mark, and Devon devise?
In their last encounter, Cobel, Mark, and Devon gathered in a severance-equipped cabin at the “birthing retreat.” With their goal to rescue Gemma from her impending fate at Cold Harbor, significant revelations are on the horizon. Yet, infiltrating Lumon’s compound is a daunting task, given the obstructive measures in place.
What was the importance of the birthing retreat scene?
Ms. Cobel’s description of Devon as needing discreet entry into the retreat raised eyebrows. What exactly did she mean by “one of Jame’s”? Are they vessels for Eagan’s legacy?
Will Mr. Milchick continue to challenge Mr. Drummond and Lumon?
Mr. Milchick’s confrontation of Mr. Drummond constituted an unexpected but welcome sign of rebellion, challenging the control limitations of Mark’s severed life. Could Milchick emerge as a covert ally as the season reaches its climax?
Are Dylan, Irving, and Burt out of the picture for good?
It appears Miss Huang has left permanently. However, other characters seem poised for finality as well, likely providing closure on their arcs in “The After Hours.” Fans are eager to discover the fate of Dylan and his outie’s wife, Gretchen, and whether Burt faces repercussions for his actions with Irving.
Will Mark face a choice between Gemma and Helly R.?
This scenario hints at a love triangle, given that Mark S.’s affection is split between Gemma and Helly R. The stakes are high, with the potential for heartbreak looming over all characters, punctuated by Dylan’s emotional journey in “The After Hours.” What fate awaits Gemma in Cold Harbor? Does Helly R. face the danger of being erased by Helena Eagan?
What is Jame Eagan’s agenda concerning MDR?
What does Jame Eagan intend in his encounter with MDR in “The After Hours”? Is he confronting his daughter or the innie he sees as subhuman? The implications of his peculiar demands continue to provoke curiosity.
An overarching question remains: How will Severance set the stage for a third season? Will fans be left hanging once again?
Moreover, when will Apple TV+ officially announce season three, and how long will we wait for more episodes?
The Severance season two finale, ominously titled “Cold Harbor,” premieres next Friday.
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