The Biggest Questions We Have for SEVERANCE Season 2

Looking forward to it, “Severance” will resume on Apple TV+ on January 17 for its second season. After a prolonged absence from work at Lumon, the series is set to address some significant unanswered questions. While trailers have shed light on minor details such as whether Mark, Dylan, Irv, and Helly will indeed return to the office (affirmative), there are much larger mysteries still to be revealed. As viewers eagerly anticipate the premiere, here are the biggest enigmas we hope to unravel in “Severance” season two.

What’s really going on with Lumon’s soap?

Initially known as a prominent ointment manufacturer, Lumon Industries eventually grew to become the globe’s leading biotech conglomerate. The company’s original emblem, which current CEO Jame Eagen continues to sport on his signet ring, is a flask, spoon, and droplet – remnants of its humble beginnings. Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan, who placed great emphasis on cleanliness, encountered his wife Imogen during her tenure as a “swab girl” at an ether factory. In tribute to her former occupation, a contemporary Lumon soap shop in town bears her old job title.

The dismissed workers are told to sanitize their hands with the company’s soap at least ten times a day. This rule is so crucial that one of the managers’ daily tasks involves replenishing the soap dispensers. However, as concerned Irv Innie noted, soap isn’t labeled on the severed floor. On the other hand, Lumon allegedly uses an inferior soap to discipline employees in the Break Room.

It appears there’s some mystery surrounding Lumon and their green gel-like substance, often referred to as soap. Some speculate it might not be ordinary soap at all but rather a secretive product used by the company to control employees, perhaps serving an important role in Lumon’s hidden objectives.

Why was Irv’s Outie repeatedly painting the door to the Testing Floor and keeping a map of severed employees?

Initially appearing as the most upright, dedicated, and faithful ex-employee, it seems this individual may have a mirror counterpart determined to undermine Lumon. In his spare time outside work, John Turturro’s character, Irving Bailiff – an art enthusiast – frequently paints the foreboding corridor leading to Lumon’s Testing Facility. Beyond his artistic pursuits, he keeps a locked box containing articles critical of Lumon, employee records, and a map marking the residences of former colleagues. Notably, this map includes a prominent marker for his previous office crush, Burt (Christopher Walken).

What’s behind Irv’s apparent hostility towards Lumon and his attempts to undermine it? Could it be that he’s trying to connect with his inner self, which is why he stays awake throughout the night so his inner self dozes off during work hours? How does he have knowledge about the Testing Floor, a level beneath the severed floor where Lumon sent Ms. Casey? And why does he claim to have worked there for three years when his records show nine years of employment at Lumon instead?

Has Irv been divided more than once? Or was it just in the field of Optics and Design where he previously worked, perhaps having a connection (or affection) for Burt? And is it true that Irv created those Kier Eagan paintings he holds in such high regard? There’s a lot to uncover about Irving and his past may provide insights into what Lumon has truly been doing since joining the company.

Did Lumon fake Gemma’s death or take advantage of it?

It’s undeniable that Gemma appears to have perished in a car crash, as stated by Mark, Devon, and Ricken. Yet, there’s a twist – Gemma is still alive and employed by Lumon under the alias Ms. Casey. This leaves us wondering, how did this happen? Did Lumon stage her death, perhaps orchestrating a simulated car accident or covering up a genuine one? We know that Lumon exerts significant control over the town (which is why Devon warned Mark against involving the police). If any corporation could manipulate a patient’s records and fake their demise, or stage an accident and effectively ‘steal’ a human being, it would be Lumon.

If they carried out the same actions, what makes Ms. Casey behave so unconventionally given that she’s acknowledged it? Other former employees appear to be relatively ordinary. What sets Ms. Casey apart from her colleagues in such a striking manner? Additionally, why does she frequently visit the Testing Floor, which seems to fascinate Outie Irv? Why has her active period amounted to just 107 hours in total? And why is Lumon restricting her awareness for such brief periods of time?

Could it be that Gemma met her untimely demise and Lumon Company somehow utilized her remains to create Ms. Casey, an employee with no known identity prior to this? Is this the reason she is seen visiting a secretive Testing Facility we are unaware of? And does this facility also serve as the final destination for other temporary employees, such as those who danced as the Four Tempters for Dylan, once their work is complete?

It could be a very plausible scenario, though it’s not entirely out of the question that it could happen. In fact, some might argue that it’s quite probable, given our additional inquiries about Severance and Lumon’s leadership.

Who is really on the Board and what happens at a Lumon CEO’s “revolving?”

Beyond a solitary affirmative, Lumon’s Board remains veiled and unheard, exerting influence by tuning into meetings via an intercom system. This raises questions about the enigmatic individuals leading this global entity that functions primarily through proxies. Could their clandestine methods be indicative of a secretive cult or organization? Furthermore, there seems to be a connection between the “revolving” ceremony mentioned by CEO Jamie Eagan to his daughter Helena and the organization’s complex dynamics. However, in the world of Lumon, nothing appears as innocent or straightforward as it initially seems.

Are these mysteries intertwined? Is it true that the Board consists of former Lumon CEOs from the Eagan family who are still alive, either in stasis or other forms? Could it be that their life-sized statues are located in a zone named “perpetuity” because they aim to exist forever? If so, have they been transformed into digital beings, explaining why no one can ever physically encounter them? Did they achieve this state of existence through the process called “revolving”?

The Eagan clan doesn’t shy away from outlandish ideas; they are an unusual, malevolent group with an interest in causing apocalypse for all of mankind. (or)

The Eagan clan welcomes unconventional theories; they are a peculiar, wicked cult that seeks to bring destruction upon humanity as a whole. (or)

The Eagan clan doesn’t hesitate to entertain extreme concepts; they are a strange, evil sect dedicated to bringing about the end of all human life.

What exactly is the “mysterious and important” work being done by Macrodata refinement employees?

Among the many intriguing enigmas presented in the first season of ‘Severance’, one stands out: exactly what tasks are performed by macrodata refinement employees? We’ve learned that each employee represents one of the Four Temperaments, with Kier Eagan being particularly fixated on this. We also understand they sift through vast amounts of seemingly insignificant numbers until they identify clusters that evoke an emotional reaction, such as fear. These groups are then segregated into digital “containers” or “buckets”, each linked to the Four Temperaments. It’s worth noting that these files do have expiration dates, yet no refiner knows why. All they understand is that their work is both mysterious and crucial.

1. Why do random numbers provoke any feelings, and why must they be separated from a file marked with an expiration date? Is this due to their connection to humans or former humans? Is it the reason behind the enigmatic nature and significance of the refiners’ work, since it involves digital replicas of past Lumon CEOs?

2. Why are random numbers capable of stirring any emotion, and why do they necessitate being isolated from a file with a set end date? This could be because they have some link to human beings or ex-humans. Could this explain the puzzling importance and mystery surrounding the refiners’ tasks, as they seem to deal with digital counterparts of former Lumon CEOs?

At Lumon, anything seems possible, even tending to infant goats right next door.

What’s going on with the goats?

Why all the fuss about the goats? I mean, why was their caretaker, who was dressed formally, so agitated? “They’re not prepared,” he exclaimed. “You can’t take them now, they’re not ready. It isn’t the right moment.

What’s next? Is there a purpose for this? I don’t understand why that room filled with goats is relevant, and which of these questions has anything to do with those adorable animals?

Why was Cobel infiltrating Mark’s personal Outie life?

Harmony Cobel was let go by the Board after it was discovered she had become too close to Mark in his private life, which was considered a major conflict of interest. Even one of the board members commented on this during her termination, indicating how serious the breach was. One might wonder why someone as loyal to Kier Eagan would act outside the rules, and it seems there were other secrets she kept hidden from her superiors as well.

The Board dismissed Harmony Cobel due to her inappropriate involvement with Mark on a personal level, which was a severe breach of trust. This infraction was so significant that one board member commented during the termination, hinting at its seriousness. It’s puzzling why someone who respects Kier Eagan would disregard established rules, and it appears there were additional secrets she concealed from her superiors.

What exactly is Harmony’s goal? Is there truth in anything she has said about her deceased husband or mother? How does any of this relate to Mark’s life outside of the Innie world? Throughout season one, Ms. Cobel seemed to be following the Founder and his teachings while also pursuing her own agenda. Why was that?

Was there really a violent coup from one of the departments?

Two paintings, almost identical in every aspect except for their title characters, both portrayed the same tragic incident at Lumon, namely “The Harsh Barbarism of Optics and Aesthetics” and “The Catastrophe of Microdata Polishing,” which depicted one department launching a brutal assault and killing spree against another.

1. Why were there two paintings created by Cobel and Milchick? Why did they choose to keep these works hidden from the refiners?

2. Intriguingly, Burt claimed ignorance about the existence of the paintings, even though one was housed in his department. What could be the reason behind this statement?

3. Moving on, there’s a question surrounding the authenticity of the violent coup that took place. Did such an event occur? If yes, why might this explain the scarcity of employees in both departments despite their vast space?

4. Was Irv present during the coup? If so, did he actively participate in it or was he tasked with painting commemorative pieces to mark the occasion?

At Lumon, art serves as a means of shaping events. It’s used to convey the Founder’s narrative and exert influence over employees. However, these particular pieces of art seem to communicate something beyond that, and we’re curious about their hidden messages.

Why did the doctor who installed severance chips reintegrate Peter Kilmer?

Dr. Reghabi, the skilled surgeon, carried out separation tasks for Lumon. Notably, she accomplished what appeared impossible by reuniting Peter “Petey” Kilmer. One wonders why and how she did it. Her ultimate objective in reversing severance remains unclear, as we know very little about her background, past experiences, and aspirations. There are still many questions about Dr. Reghabi that we haven’t even thought to ask yet.

How does Seth Milchick manage so many responsibilities at Lumon?

It often appears that Seth Milchick is omnipresent and involved in various tasks throughout Lumon, not only limited to its main floor but extending across different departments as well. Additionally, he played a role in assisting Helena with Helly R’s arrival, fielded calls from employees’ Outies, and was the one who roused Dylan from his home.

What makes the company heavily dependent on a single individual? Can it be feasible for him to shoulder such extensive daily duties? A compelling theory supported by actual evidence from Season 1 suggests that there might be more than one Seth Milchick in the picture.

Could it be true that he exhibits various personas, some might refer to as moods, contingent on the task or circumstance at hand? If so, how is this possible? Is there a multiple birth situation in his background, such as twins, triplets, or even clones? If the latter, does this connection have something to do with the goats and Ms. Casey?

In the second season of “Severance”, just as in the show, we’ll be keenly observant for any signs, especially since Dylan inflicted a wound on Milchick’s arms and we’ve never seen the aftermath. Specifically, we’ll be watching closely to see if Seth Milchick lacks a scar where one would typically be found. If Milchick doesn’t show such a scar, that could potentially shed light on several unanswered questions for us.

Absolutely, as the seasons progress, we’ll likely see more questions being sparked by the show “Severance.

Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob, a firm that currently doesn’t practice severance but may do so in the future. Keep up with him on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike, and find his insights about the rankings of Targaryen kings elsewhere.

2025-01-09 04:03