“Severance“, created by Dan Erickson is a gripping psychological thriller set in a near-future corporate world. The story follows Mark S. (Adam Scott), an employee of Lumon Industries, where a unique procedure called Severance separates work memories from personal life. As Mark delves deeper into the company’s secrets, he uncovers dark truths about mind-altering experiments and hidden agendas, leading to a thrilling journey of discovery and self-preservation.
The show was greenlit by Apple in 2019 with Ben Stiller as director and renewed for a second season on April 6, 2022. Season 2 has wrapped up filming, but so far no release date has been set. Thankfully, according to actor Adam Scott, our “patience doesn’t have to hold on too much longer.”
Character Guide:
The show is filled with many interesting and versatile characters. From the rebellious Helly R., to the soft-hearted Irving – these personalities are one of the many intruiging things about “Severance.” Here’s an overview:
Scene Stealers: Burt and Irving – Episode 6, ‘HIDE AND SEEK’
In Severance’s sixth episode, fan favorite characters Burt (Christopher Walken) and Irving (John Turturro) find themselves in a plant-room on the severed floor of Lumon Industries – a garden that resembles Eden. As Irving vulnerably expresses his anxieties about their first kiss, Burt gently reassures, “It’s okay. Just stay. Stay here with me.” They lean in, their foreheads touching, finding solace in each other’s presence and basking in the warmth of their connection. If witnessing their undeniable chemistry doesn’t set your heart ablast, what will?
Themes
Severance delves into many different themes, across various dimensions. Thus if you are looking for the one meaning of this show’s message, you’ll come up empty-handed. A few main key elements the show critiques and emphasizes are workplace culture, authenticity, science, artificial intelligence, religion and trauma. What truly captivates about this show is its universal relatability, ensuring that anyone can find resonance within its narrative. In the next part, we will be touching on the theme of authenticity.
Questioning The Concept of “Authenticity”
In “Severance”, authenticity is a fragmented mirror, reflecting the shattered selves of the characters. Here, the dichotomy between work and personal personas is not just a divide, but a chasm, with each side possessing its own reality. This dissonance challenges the very essence of what it means to be genuine. “Severance” suggests that our identities are not fixed but fluid, shaped by the environments we inhabit.
Colors
“We wanted the outside world to have much more warmth and color, rather than the very tight color palette or Lumon, which is predominantly green and blue."
Color plays a crucial role in “Severance,” reflecting both personal preferences and narrative themes. Predoniminant blues and greens are being used consistently, aligning with the show’s themes of calmness and control. Warmer tones signify discomfort, particularly for protagonist Mark. The calculated use of color mirrors the series’ controlled world, with decisions made intuitively to enhance emotional resonance. In “Severance,” color isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a storytelling tool that deepens the viewing experience, according to set decorator Andrew Baseman and cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné.
Overall Score: A-