Work is stressful and tiring. Life is hard and unpredictable. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a struggle as old as time. But what if our two lives, professional and personal, didn’t intersect whatsoever? You’re in luck. Introducing Lumon Industries’ new state-of-the-art severance procedure. With one painless brain chip insertion, your body and mind will be split into separate streams of consciousness — one isolated to your friendly work environment and the other free to explore the outside world.
In 2022, creator Dan Erickson and producer/director Ben Stiller collaborated with AppleTV+ to produce a near-flawless nine-episode introductory season of “Severance.” Currently rolling out a long-awaited sequel season, the show looks to stake its claim as the best television has to offer.
The show’s heady sci-fi mystery follows the bizarre and unknown operations of mega-corporation Lumon Industries, which extends its cultish tendrils throughout the town of Kier (the name of Lumon’s late founder).
Burdened by grief after the death of his wife, former history teacher Mark Scout (Adam Scott) applies for Lumon’s severance procedure, granting him a job as a macro data refiner on the “severed floor.” His entire day is thus lost during work hours, serving as an escape from his depressive state. His work counterpart, “innie” Mark S., is, for all intents and purposes, an entirely different person. All memories and experiences that occur on the inside are exclusive to his innie’s consciousness, which has never seen the light of day.
Isolated with his crop of macro data refiners in the empty, sterile halls of the severed floor, including old-timer Irving B. (John Turturro), wise-cracking Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) and unruly rookie Helly R. (Britt Lower), Mark S. and team begin to question the morality of their unknown circumstances. Though told their work is mysterious and important, they know nothing about its greater purpose. Their higher-ups, Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette) and Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) are cold, emotionless micromanagers who survey their every move.
Meanwhile, on the frostbitten outside, Mark’s “outie” begins questioning whether Lumon’s dealings are marked by more sinister intentions.
The ethical conundrums “Severance” presents are uniquely intriguing. Despite the impossibly fictional device piloting the show’s alluring premise, it applies its examinations to real and pressing concepts like corporate malpractice, workplace dehumanization and grief. We grow fond and attached to the innies yet skeptical of their employer, knowing that termination of Lumon means technical termination of their lives.
Though many of the show’s greatest mysteries lie unanswered (even mid-season two), “Severance” still moves at an impressively fast pace. Its singular atmosphere and rich characters permit constant twists and turns, new unsolved mysteries and budding romances. Each episode feels one step closer to complete enlightenment, offering snippet after snippet of context into Lumon’s overarching presence. It never feels sluggish or frustrating because it’s constantly giving. The stakes begin high and continually ascend as the grandiosity of the show expands. From a writing, and perhaps more critically, a planning standpoint, “Severance” is as thoughtfully and intelligently executed as it gets — and there’s still so much more to uncover.
The show’s stunning ensemble includes a refreshing mix of legendary names and relative unknowns, some of whom play two versions of the same person. Scott’s dramatic leading man chops are a pleasure to witness. His comedic background gives innie Mark a goofy charm that sharply juxtaposes with his outie’s dejected, tired demeanor. He’s equally easy to root for and pity, whether leading the office or sobbing in his car.
Lower is a wonder as Helly R. Her immediate, ferocious resistance to waking up memoryless on the severed floor spearheads the team’s inspiration for exploration and revolution. Her season two performance adds a layer of depth and chaos to an already thrilling character. Cherry is hilarious as Dylan G., the heart of the team. Rounding out the group is seasoned actor Turturro as Irving B. — a wise Lumon loyalist with the show’s steepest arc.
Another standout performance is legendary actor Christopher Walken’s portrayal of Burt G. — Irving’s newfound love interest from the rival severed floor department of Optics and Design.
Arquette and Tillman are equally chilling in management. Tillman is particularly revelatory as the calm, cool and collected Mr. Milchick, especially in season two with an increased presence.
“Severance” has a chilly visual palette, heightening its gloomy tone. Lumon’s interior is an isolating, icy white filled with retro and futuristic prop blends and creative production design. Outside scenes are dim and blanketed with snow. The edit, interlacing two worlds seamlessly, is cut to perfection.
Theodore Shapiro’s score, particularly the main theme, is an eerie and modern earworm. It has a somber, mysterious quality that matches the intro sequences’ awesome art style.
From top to bottom, “Severance” is endlessly engaging. Though I’ve largely focused on the first season to stray away from spoilers, the first half of season two builds on and improves upon every inch of its predecessor. AppleTV+ has an all-timer on their hands — the kind of show where days between episodes feel like an eternity. I cannot wait to see what’s next.
If you have yet to try it, don’t wait any longer; watch it now. Who’s to say your innie hasn’t already binged the whole thing?