Maybe it has to do with it being on Apple TV? If it were on the other more popular streaming services, Netflix or HBO, I think it would have been more known & more popular as a result
Theory: MDR are actually refining their own memories, that's why certain numbers are "scary". They're finding the numbers that have subconscious associations with the memories of their Outies and targeting them for exclusion. That's why no one could help Helly find numbers in her first few days at MDR, because her numbers wouldn't have any meaning to anyone else.
I think they are the ones who code the chips. Program them with human emotions (Casey shed a tear). "Very important work." But this does not square with the corporate espionage theory in the Lexington Letter.
I'm not really buying the idea that Gemma is a clone. It would take years to grow a body to adult size. I don't think Gemma died at all. I think Lumon has a deal with the hospital regarding its comatose and near death patients. Mark could have been told that his wife had died and was too burned or disfigured for viewing so the funeral had to be closed casket or cremation. But she was really taken to Lumon, instead and clean slated.
I think the growing part actually refers to something even more sinister. Actual babies. Lumon seems like a giant cult. So I think they might be cultists who sacrifice babies for rituals or something.
Ms Casey is definitely not a clone - it's Gemma's body Apparently Mark was in a hospital recovering when they told him Gemma died. Now perhaps she was an organ donor already, or agreed to have her body donated to science, hence no funeral or gravesite. The fact Mark only visited a tree bugged me. Why was there no investigation if there's no body? No one in Mark's outie world ever mentioned either a funeral or burial I think Gemma's (young healthy) body was able to recover, but she'd stay essentially brain dead. That's where dastardly Lumon takes over 😏
i think mark was drunk when they crashed. also, gemma is clearly not brain dead. maybe just in permanent innie mode. it's possible they make wax figures of people for the funeral.
@yvonne ciesielczyk There is no evidence at all that he did anything like that. It seems pretty clear that his outtie self completely believes she is dead and is still grieving for her.
When I first realized that the senator's wife had been severed and was in "innie" mode at the birthing cabin, I thought it had been forced on her by her senator husband, because the birth of one's own child is such an important part of most people's lives. Seeing my babies for the first time certainly was for me. But at the gala the wife, Gabrielle seems to have the opposite opinion. She used her innie so she wouldn't have to be bothered with childbirth at all. Like you said, complete opposite of Dylan, when Milchick asked what he wanted, he said he wanted to remember his kid being born.
Yeah. I just keep thinking her innie goes through the pain of giving birth and gets to see the babies being born, but never gets to see them grow up. She just keeps waking up pregnant about to give birth in a fancy cabin. That's just depressing.
Not just childbirth, but perhaps the major part of the pregnancy. Like, would she really sever just to avoid the pain of childbirth? Seems silly. But, you know, maybe being able to "skip" the entire last half of the pregnancy has real appeal.
@@wnocknz But to skip the last half of the pregnancy would mean spending over 4 months in that birthing cabin. That's where she goes into innie mode. I still think she probably went there when her labor began, or perhaps a few days before she was due. Severance is not mainstream. How would she explain her absence for months to people who knew her?
@@8698gil Spending 4 months in a cabin is pretty brutal, but then of course, they dont give a fk about their innies, so why not? (And Devon makes a fuss about how extravagant the other cabin is, bit of a clear sign this isn't JUST for birthing). Also it's not that hard to come with a story why you might leave for a few months, come on. "Hey friends, my husband is a busy senator so I'm gonna go stay with my parents in the state of X while im preggers, see you in a few months". If you're gonna get severed anyway, may as well use it to fast track the pregnancy; would someone really get chipped just to avoid labour? That's not a very compelling motive
I think Ms. Casey was legally brain dead, but her body was alive and breathing and that Lumon acquired her body somehow. I think the chip can bypass brain damage or use another part of the brain, creating a new person. This would explain why Ms. Casey is like a robot, she doesn't have a base personality like the other employees and so doesn't have an outie.
Yes, my theory is that Lumon has a deal with the hospitals regarding comatose and near death patients. Mark could have been told that his wife was too badly burned/disfigured in the accident and could not be viewed, so she would have had a closed casket or cremation funeral. But actually she was taken to Lumon and given a chip. They are using her to experiment with various chip functions, hence the testing floor. And that would explain why, as you said, she doesn't have a base personality.
why go so crazy ? seems more likely that lumon simply faked her death and plotted having mark severed . i would think that the second second will go and and be more of a prequel to season 1 . the lore of the series is so well though out that it only makes sense and after seeing season one finale it would be kind of a disappointment to see then try to keep the series alive for too long. personally i though the series could have ended right there with the big reveal that Gemma is alive and outsiders are informed , Helena Eagans disproving of the severance procedure when it was time to convince politicians . my take is: Season 2 prequel season 3 conclusion
You talked about signs that Helley is an Eagan but missed what I thought was the most crucial damning evidence- after she finished her first day of work, Milchick is waiting for her outside and hands her a bouquet. I thought that scene was strange. I mistakenly thought he did that because they were a couple on the outside. But he did that because she's the boss's daughter
I thought it was just to celebrate her first day at the job and since its such a competitive position and it involves permanent surgery one of their trainees having their first day be a "sucess" is made to be special
Also, when she reached 100% of the Siena file, the cartoon of Kier said ‘I love you’ to her which made me think she was important to Lumon (sorry for commenting after 2 years I’ve only just finished S1 😅)
@Rohini1993 I have don't remember a single thing or any of the characters names at all anymore. Thanks for reminding me I should rewatch s1 of Severance before season 2 drops. Lol
I always notice the position the figure is standing in on the card that Dylan steals is the same position he needs to be stood in throughout the finale to hold the two levers
I think Jemma was always a severed employee. Her outie went into a coma but her innie still activates on the severed floor. She made a comment that “that was the longest I have been awake” meaning when she goes wherever she goes she is aware that she is sleep.
Theory: The severance chips interact with each other. Petey was told to stay completely off the grid to avoid reintegration sickness, this was probably why he couldn’t finish mapping the floor of Lumon because the closer he is in proximity to severed workers the worse the sickness gets. One clue to this could be his sickness getting worse the more time he is around Mark, with his death ultimately happening as Mark arrives on the scene. There are a few hints that the Eagans are trying to build some kind of hive mind (Beehive?) possibly as a means to resurrect Kier Eagan.
This show not only has great premise and moral questionings, it has great plot and dialogues. Top tier writing and art direction. Great director of photography and use of symbolism and color. Love this show.
I have a theory that sleeping can mess with the severance. That's why Irv starts to see the black paint whenever he doses off. And why innies are not allowed to sleep. Maybe Irv was sleep walking or something when he saw the testing room and that's why his Outie has seen the room. Or maybe his outie has dreams about it? He might be depriving himself of sleep on purpose to try and make it happen again. Idk, but I think sleep is a factor in some way.
The fact that they didn't fire folks in MDR especially Helly or Mark was quite surprising after everything they were doing. It was of course because Helly's outtie was the boss's daughter. Great review especially with the color schemes and the fact that Erving must have been clean slated. Can't wait for S2!
There was a clue about Helly being an Eagan I think more obvious (yet subtle) than the ones you listed, and it's revealed right at the beginning of the show. In episode 1, the fourth question Mark asks Helly: "what's Mr Eagan's favorite breakfast", and in episode 2, the flashback right at the beginning when Milchick tells Helena "he (Kier) used to take three raw eggs and milk each morning... his favorite breakfast". Note that he doesn't mention Mr Eagan's name, he says it while looking at his sculpture assuming she knows who he's talking about. And then she replies "I've heard", denoting a deep knowledge of the character, a type of knowledge usually only a relative could 'hear", otherwise would've read somewhere.
@@MC-eq7fl wrong, that question isn't in the handbook, it's a personal control question included in the list specifically for her... it would be a nonsense to ask such question to a random person like he/she was supposed to know such a detail of personal life
@@nicocba2007 but the question does appear in the manual. I just thought it was a quirky fact that mainstream people knew about Kier. Like the way we know things about celebrities
@@HNCS2006 No, the question was in the list for this specific character. They need to include at least one intimate question to check if the chip is working properly. Do you think Milchik has that conversation about Kier's breakfast with every candidate right before being chipped? obviously not. Oh, and do we know or are we supposed to know what celebrities have for breakfast? lol
Honestly I wish Irv left his Outtie self a letter explaining everything and put it in the brief case. I feel like that would be the smartest option in his case actually. Specially since he wouldn't know how long he had and there wasn't really anyone around him. Like, go drive to Burt after you write to yourself, even if its a small note!!!!
From what I understand, Irv has been there the longest out of everyone in MDR, and maybe he’s the reason why the signature detector(or whatever it’s called) is there in the first place. That or maybe Irv was the first person who was put under the “clean slate” protocol and that’s why he seems to have his problems. Maybe it doesn’t “erase” the innie but it’s memories are stored somewhere in the outies subconscious
@@ollie2111 that and I think Burt and Irv already know each other on the outside. The look they gave when they first met at the Wellness Center was that of two ppl who hadn’t seen each other in a while. Since it’s been established that the innies keep some of their outies subconscious memories it wouldn’t surprise me if the two were lovers at some point and that interaction would be like you running into your ex at a grocery store.
The Irv elevator connection is brilliant. What a great pick up. I think Irv will play a pivotal role in Season 2. Was he working with Petey before being re-set? Were the files in his trunk a product of their investigation? It was too odd a statement for Petey to say to Mark "I am your best friend. You are my 'very good' friend."
I have rewatched the show multiple times but I'll probably still finish this video in my obsession. Severance is the best show I've watched so far this year! Can't wait for Season 2. To everyone on the fence, give it a try! It's fantastic!!
@@thesumerian9769 Hmm, I haven't had any luck finding shows that are 1:1 to Severance, but in my opinion these shows are similar in some aspects: •Black Mirror - tech dark sides •Patriot (on Amazon) - bleak, dark humor •Legion (from FX) - very trippy show with lots of twists and turns, delves into themes of identity as well •The Haunting of Hill House (on Netflix) - this is horror, and different in tone to Severance, but I think its way of revealing plot twists each episode which build towards the ending is similar to Severance •Loki I haven't watched these other shows, but people online have suggested them to people who have enjoyed Severance: •Mr. Robot •Westworld Season 1 •The OA •Yellowjackets
Here's my theory on what the Refiners do: They're mapping out their own brains. All the numbers they're seeing correspond to memories and thoughts they've had. It's just a jumbled mess of code (much like our current understanding of the human brain) but they're giving it structure (Something machines can't do because they can't identify emotions/feelings because well... They're machines. They have no frame of reference). Kier's thesis was that the human psyche was composed of four emotions: Woe, Frolic, Dread and Malice. The Refiners are putting all of the numbers (which correspond to their memories/thoughts) into these four buckets (tempers). Happy memories correspond to "happy" numbers. Scary memories correspond to "dreadful" memories. Lumon is then going to use this categorization to map out the human brain (with the structure premised upon Kier's four tempers) and then use this knowledge to recreate Kier in the form of a machine (with numbers or lines of code corresponding to Kier's memories). The end objective is to build an artifically intelligent Kier that's identical in every way to the original Kier on the moment that he died. So in effect Kier is giving himself (down to the last memory/thought) immortality in the form of AI. And then after he's "reborn" Lumon is going to try to implement Severance on such a mass scale as to enslave everyone. It's unequestionable that Kier has one of the biggest god complexes of any human to ever live (except for maybe Jesus of Nazareth or Napolean). And what's a god without subjects or entities upon which to exert control/power? Kier (after reviving himself and achieving immortality much like a god) wants to enslave everyone in the corporate hell that is Lumon. He wants full control over hundreds of millions of consciousnesses. For eight hours everyday (or to them what feels like their entire lives). God is just an idea premised upon certain basic parameters. All-knowing. All-powerful. All-seeing. And immortal. And Kier would be just that in a world where the majority of the population is Severed. And the fucked up thing is this enslavement would be purely voluntarily. People would freely sign up to enslave themselves all because of Helly's propaganda. Because who wouldn't think to themselves "Wouldn't it be great if I could just not remember going to work? I can just remove myself from that aspect of my life and still earn a paycheck? Plus if a literal Eagan family member is doing it then it must be safe/consequence free"
I agree. This is one of the smartest shows I have ever seen. The whole concept is so innovative. We are completely invested now and can’t wait for the next season.
Something that i really like is how outie helly and rickens’ selfish worldviews are unsavory and detrimental (rickens pretty small scale comparatively, like prioritizing his own feelings over those of his pregnant wife and having shitty overly self-important and self-interested writing) in the outside world, but serve the innies greatly in their rebellion. Kindness, social compliance, and care for others over oneself are all commendable traits… but in the face of great oppression, especially where others are punished for your own attempts at advancement (a tool used to keep them in line, like mark being sent to the break room for jelly’s escape attempts: she is never deterred because she is defiantly self-interested in a way that ultimately benefits all of them), one MUST be selfish and defiant regardless of the cost. It’s very interesting how context can transform these harmful traits/worldviews into righteous and revolutionary philosophy. I genuinely think there is a balancing act to be had when it comes to narcissism and sheer selfishness, these traits cannot be painted as completely negative or damaging. Severance really shows how it can be absolutely necessary, for the greater good socially, to embody these traits that are usually so socially detrimental.
I found it interesting we (the audience) are guessing what relationship Devon has to Mark at the start of the show (I personally thought it was a love interest initially), then when his innie wakes up he takes a guess at their relationship too (coincidentally the same one I made).
About Irving having been a supervisor like Milcheck…. Remember when Peter was in Mark’s basement eating pizza and explaining some things to him? At one point he stops and says shhhh & says he shouldn’t talk there in case they had monitors there or in case IRVING walks in!!! You’re right!
Actually now it makes sense why Helle’s innie was the most reluctant to assimilate while the other severed workers were more accepting. Subconsciously Helle knew there was something sinister about the whole process and therefore couldn’t trust it even though she had no recollection of her outie.
I just finished this show and wanted to point out that “Elephant” in the system function menu is probably the opposite of “clean slate” since there’s a saying that an Elephant never forgets…
I would love to have Gabby’s innie to somehow get dragged into this battle. Imagine how devastated, heartbroken, wrecked, traumatized, and every other awfully sad adjective can be used for her. She’s only ‘alive’ for at least some of the pregnancy and what looks like the entirety of the birthing process - and innie Gabby seems very warm and maternal - so i just can’t even imagine the terror she must have felt when she was abt to be ‘turned off’ after giving birth to William (not Bradley!) and bonding with him!! Imagine how incredibly desperate she must feel to see her OTHER kids - to touch, snuggle, smell, and feel them again once she was flipped back on only to find herself preparing to birth _ANOTHER_ tiny human that she would never see again. it’s unfathomable!! it would have been great if she was also let out during the OTC bc i would have loved to see Gabrielle turn into a feral woman screaming wildly about finding the location of her ands and wanting to see her kids.
@@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459 yeah, she’s probably not but she’s so ingratiated with them bc of her husband that I don’t think it would be too much of a reach for a scenario such as i mentioned to potentially happen, esp since she was treated to the ultra fancy birthing lodge, was at Helly’s party, and is, ofc, severed. So I would think her “controls” could be accessed in a similar way as our beloved Scooby gang but, knowing Lumon’s penchant for naming schematics, her off switch (or..in switch, i guess ha ha) would be called something other than the Overtime Contingency. that is obvs just speculation on my part but I do hope we get to see more of her next season!!
I never thought about that, it's actually awful. She is only alive when she is giving birth, not a great moment honestly. I mean it would be great if she'd get to stay with the babies after, but she is "turned on" only in the birthing process. But that makes me wonder, why didnt she try to run away? She is not kept in like the other severed characters.
@@tonyrockywarrior4096 perhaps bc whenever innie-gabby is let out, it’s only in highly controlled areas, like the birthing suite. plus, it wouldn’t shock me at all to find out her husband has some kind of remote for her so if her innie did try and do anything drastic, he’d ‘turn her off’ and supportive, severed, Gabrielle will wake up in her place. Maybe? idk but i can’t wait for s2!
@@LiddlestLady yes it could be something like that. Wow it's Crazy, at first it didnt think about all the concequences a process like The Severance could do, but there a so many outcomes
I think there are two types of employees. Those that voluntarily choose to be and those that do not. Those that choose to be (Mark) may leave while others (Gemma) are forced to continue to live at the company as referenced on map. If such people had almost died and were forced into the procedure, they would never be able leave to tell their story. When elder Eagan at the gala talks about a prototype, there must have been earlier versions. No one would voluntarily go through the procedure until it was proven to be effective on some level. Maybe Gemma had a slightly older model of the chip and why she acts more robotic and why she may recall how long she has been ‘awake’. I also think Helly’s intentions to become Severed may be more intentional as well. It seems like innie and outie’s personalities bleed through. Helly’s bullish and rebellious side that we see as an innie may be what she is like as an outie. She may actually dislike what Lumon is doing and playing the long game to help bring it down.
FYI, you don’t get a wrist tag 🏷 when you WORK at a hospital. You get a wrist tag when you’re a patient. The scene was saying her mother had to use a breathing tube at a hospital.
And there's a companion e-book (The Lexington Letter) that explains Lumon sued a newspaper into insolvency for reporting on their faulty breathing tubes. I don't think Cobel is a Lumon fanatic, I think she's trying to take them down from the inside. I have vague memories of a few other hints towards that end which I can't recall right now, but if you view her behavior from that perspective, it makes a lot of sense.
I can't recall where but there's a scene with Helly where they say "you don't understand, but its a honor to have you here" I instantly knew she was part of the company then.
Wow, you never fail to impress me with your analysis-type videos. Severance is a perfect show for making guesses and forming theories around its plot, characters and connections, and I feel like after watching your video I will be doing that for a very long time. Thank you so much for your work!
Earned a sub! Something I haven't seen anyone mention, was the out of place, "I l-love you" from the quota celebration animation. In hindsight, it's like the biggest hint of what's to come lol.
The goat-raising guy, in my opinion, was some kind of test to know if severed people would be able to care and raise living beigns. With this validated, Lumon could safely deploy severance to pregnant women, which indeed happens during the show.
I haven’t been this enticed by a first season of a show since Westworld s1. The reveal of Ms. Casey/ Gemma is almost on par with the reveal of Bernard being a robot in Westworld
Is it too crazy that Ms Cobel wants to "resucitate" her mother (like they could have done with Gemma) and try to bring her "outie" memories (the ones she would have of Cobel as her daughter)? which is why she seem to be trying to make innies remember things from their previous lives (like when she experimients with Mark S and Gemma). I mean, her mother would be revived as an innie if I am correct. That's why she go angry when they fired her: Because she would actualy be losing any opportunity to be reunited with her mom
Wow, this came into my feed just as I finished the finale. What a show and what an analysis! I do feel a little foolish having overlooked most of what you brought up, but it's made me look forward to season 2 even more now!
I loved the show LOST. The downside with LOST was that the answers were never as satisfying as the questions. I really hope that doesn't happen with Severance.
@@tron103Or just don't expect a particular outcome from the show, just enjoy the ride and some light speculation. It's fun to discuss ideas with other fans, but obsessing over the puzzle with limited information can spoil it, whether the theories are right or wrong
I got the impression that Gemma didn't die, but is in a coma, and with the severance they were able to create an innie with a conscious state, so when she was let go she really is being terminated. They just told everyone that she died.
The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex is now referred to as Bell Works. I've been there hundreds of times. My dad worked at Bell Labs in complex in Whippany NJ but got transferred to the Holmdel NJ complex in 1979 and we moved to Holmdel where my parents still live today. Bell Labs moved out after AT&T was split up in the 80s. The building sat vacant until the mid 2010s. They would occasionally have events in that space. I went to a drone conference there and they were flying drones in that main areas. I worked there for 3 months until the pandemic hit. It was an amazing place to work. They built houses on that property and the main building now has restaurants, and fun things to do like VR games/golf, escape room.
I think so too. And, I think they are the programmers of the chips that are inserted in the dead p/t innies. They are doing the "very important work" of coding the chips with human emotions (Casey sheds a tear) but that doesn't line up with the corporate espionage theory in the Lexington letter, though they can get around that.
my theory about irving is he has some associated trauma hence him drawing the elevator and the symbolism is about him being trapped. I like the idea he might have had Milchick's job before him but I think the red light is just representing negative connotations. It's often used for the 'bad guys' Star Wars and I'Robot are some examples that come to mind. The paintings also remind me of the narrow corridor leading to the break room.
@@BryceEdwardBrown omg that's so cool, I low-key can't believe you just answered me lmao Love your videos! When I watch a movie or a show, I always go check if you made an ending explained video on it! You're the only one I watch in that categories, the other just, don't feel the same x)
The CEO's name is Jame, not James. This is similar to Devon's friend Rebek, not Rebekah (or Rebecca), who shares the book with Mark at the book reading. This is a deliberate choice, maybe severed names evoke severed minds?
Just finished watching! This show is amazing! I agree 100% with the Gemma being dead/lumon reviving her theory. I got the exact same vibes! Great analysis!
You missed a hint in the opening “interrogation” scene. One of the questions asked is something along the lines of “What is Mr. Eagans favorite breakfast?”
I feel like the molding of the tree reminds me of blindsight. Something similar happens with their Inny. They have like a psychological version of that. Even though they can't recall the outies memories and thoughts, there is still something that the subconscious touches or senses. Very interesting. This show really pays attention to detail.
Amazing show. Cool video. One thing though - you assume memories are leaking through due to Mark moulding the tree out of clay, but you also mention that he literally has a tree in the room next to him. So you could argue he is just crafting what he sees
Doesn't Gemma light that candle in that scene? I was getting he sculpted the tree because his subconscious remembers the smell of the candle. The candle was taken out of Mark's basement by Mrs. Cobel from a box labeled "Gemma's Crafts".
I think the beehive function is referring to more of a hive mind. Where multiple people are all being controlled by one entity, similar to insects hives. There are no individual identities, just everyone working for the greater good of the hive, even at their expense of their (non)individual lives.
I was puzzled that Natalie & the Eagans did not know about Helly’s suicide attempt. Leaving Lumen she’d revert to Helena & all the conspirators would still be conspiring with her on a regular basis. How’d they not know she went to the hospital for days? Even at her return to work, she’d be Helena with the cord mark around her neck when not physically being at Lumen.
I think that Helly's character is very much under pressure as the next heir of the Eagan empire, her father probably would've been spooked had he known of the suicide attempt and after could've pulled out of giving her the role that she has been groomed for her entire life to have
Good work for doing actual analysis. Most of these "explained" videos are just describing a play by play of the show and not really going deep into the meanings.
This TV series is so deep, so fascinating. The rich is becoming richer, having the best of their life while the poor has to work for their whole life non stop until death. This showcase the equity issue in an elegant way, a new innovative way without promoting haterds towards the rich, while still bring up some discussion among viewers. I love this kind of tv drama.
Great analysis! You're one of the few making vids on Severance. I don't think Mark S. and Cobel started at Lumon at the same time though. If you notice her shrine that she prays at, she has a photo from the Kier School for Girls, so I think she's been indoctrinated since she was a child. Probably why she takes it so harshly when she's fired. I think she's trying to figure out a way to bring her mother back (Charlotte), and using Mark S. as a test subject. We never do find out in season 1 why she's so obsessed with Mark, but I think it's that. Keep up the great work!
That's a great point. I just assumed she was testing mark and Gemma to make sure they did not recognize each other, having a need to reset (clean cycle). But, maybe she's testing Mark and Gemma, and inserting things like the tree and the candle, to see if they CAN recognize each other if cued. Bringing back her mother would not be as fulfilling unless her mother could recognize her. Perhaps she is trying to figure out a way to bring her mother back in a way that her mother actually remembers her.
Wow this video is pretty great! Very thorough and full of funny in-jokes and references. Ps: Just finished watching. It would be cool if you make more videos about Severance.
There's a lot of Severence recaps on youtube, couple of them are great! Also get the Lexington Letter + Lumon MDR Employee Handbook for more crazy surprises
@@RobinHerzig I've read the Lexington letters, watched some other recaps on RUclips as well! I haven't gotten ahold of the Employee Handbook yet, will check that out!
OMG I keep rewatching the last min over and over, what a great ending! I started watching this Sat and ended up finishing the whole season by like 2 am Sun, I just couldn't stop watching. Ignoring some weird stuff with Cobalt so much of this show really worked for me. I'm actually scared season 2 won't be able to live up to season 1, like where will the story go from this? Definitely going to watch to find out lol. I've always been fond of Adam Scott but I loved him in this series.
@7:28 there’s also a comment on the paper about duplicates being removed @10:37 in the severance book, the character begins breaking rules, then tries to reach out to what appears to be a news reporter about her Lumon experience. Before there is a solid denial to not run her story,she ‘ mysteriously’ dies in a car accident. I think they don’t actually die; I think Lumon sets up a scene to look like an accident and kidnaps the person in the car in order to perform their most extreme experiments. Maybe it’s the ultimate punishment for bad behavior. Leads me to think Gemma was actually a Severance employee before she ‘died’ in the accident. We have this person (age 45) the woman from the book (age 54), and Gemma getting into accidents- I think they all must have something in common.
I loved this show! Truly one of the most unique and remarkable programs to hit the airways in years. Another Apple show that I really enjoyed other that was to me way too short slow horses starting the incredible Gary Oldman and Kristen Scott Thomas! Love to hear your take on the show!
I saw somewhere that someone thinks Ricken’s friends are chipped full time bc they act like babies or children bc they don’t know much (history discussion) and are enamored at the book reading when it’s pretty simple. Also they have weird names like what kind of name is Rebeck 😂
I think maybe the severance chip wasn’t as advanced when they got it. Maybe they are literally stuck in the childlike state. Which, although Mark and the other workers at Lumon are a little childlike they are not quite as bad as Ricken’s group. And, of course, Mark can hide his childlike persona from his family and friends bec he is not severed full time. Geesh….this is wild.
A couple things: Kids are also baby goats possibly giving the implication of a coming of age within lumen Also the constant use of the goats and the word hell make me think there is a parallel. The Bible talks about a separation of those accepted and not accepted by god. Goats are to be cut off or ‘severed’. while he protects his sheep. There is no reference that I saw to sheep but Sheep in here maybe could refer to those who blindly follow there master
2:37 I've watched several of these vids from these channels and no one seemed to notice that scene where Cobel frantically asks "Is this about Helena?!" point blank. At the time of course we don't know her name is Helena. But I think it was right after she attempted suicide too so in retrospect it's like, damn they told us right there too.
The nine episodes actually where a coincidence, because sadly, we where originly meant to have more. Ben Stiller thought that the ending to episode nine would be a great cliff hanger. he was not wrong.
Here's Part 2 to this video:
ruclips.net/video/FEXvwIV-nH0/видео.html
I think Cobel is planning revenge on Lumon for what they did to her mother. I suspect she is just pretending to be extremely loyal.
Just to add to the pretentiousness of the Eagans, Helena's fathers name is Jame, not James, just Jame Eagan, as if there's only one of him.
Im surprised this show isn’t much bigger, personally its some of the best tv I’ve seen in a long time
Maybe it has to do with it being on Apple TV? If it were on the other more popular streaming services, Netflix or HBO, I think it would have been more known & more popular as a result
Not as many people have Apple TV yet. For many people, there's a limit to the number of streaming services they'll subscribe to.
I blame it on being on apple TV
@@lynnhettrick7588 Apple TV isn’t that great IMO. There are only 3 original series I’ve enjoyed.
Agreed!
Theory: MDR are actually refining their own memories, that's why certain numbers are "scary". They're finding the numbers that have subconscious associations with the memories of their Outies and targeting them for exclusion. That's why no one could help Helly find numbers in her first few days at MDR, because her numbers wouldn't have any meaning to anyone else.
Interesting theory!
@Ella it's basically like how every time you do a captcha you're helping train an AI to read images.
Oh damn, we got a big brain over here y'all!
Brilliant. Love this theory.
I think they are the ones who code the chips. Program them with human emotions (Casey shed a tear). "Very important work." But this does not square with the corporate espionage theory in the Lexington Letter.
I'm not really buying the idea that Gemma is a clone. It would take years to grow a body to adult size. I don't think Gemma died at all. I think Lumon has a deal with the hospital regarding its comatose and near death patients. Mark could have been told that his wife had died and was too burned or disfigured for viewing so the funeral had to be closed casket or cremation. But she was really taken to Lumon, instead and clean slated.
I think the growing part actually refers to something even more sinister. Actual babies. Lumon seems like a giant cult. So I think they might be cultists who sacrifice babies for rituals or something.
Ms Casey is definitely not a clone - it's Gemma's body
Apparently Mark was in a hospital recovering when they told him Gemma died. Now perhaps she was an organ donor already, or agreed to have her body donated to science, hence no funeral or gravesite.
The fact Mark only visited a tree bugged me. Why was there no investigation if there's no body? No one in Mark's outie world ever mentioned either a funeral or burial
I think Gemma's (young healthy) body was able to recover, but she'd stay essentially brain dead. That's where dastardly Lumon takes over 😏
i think mark was drunk when they crashed. also, gemma is clearly not brain dead. maybe just in permanent innie mode. it's possible they make wax figures of people for the funeral.
Read the Lexington letter - it’ll explain a lot.
@yvonne ciesielczyk There is no evidence at all that he did anything like that. It seems pretty clear that his outtie self completely believes she is dead and is still grieving for her.
When I first realized that the senator's wife had been severed and was in "innie" mode at the birthing cabin, I thought it had been forced on her by her senator husband, because the birth of one's own child is such an important part of most people's lives. Seeing my babies for the first time certainly was for me. But at the gala the wife, Gabrielle seems to have the opposite opinion. She used her innie so she wouldn't have to be bothered with childbirth at all. Like you said, complete opposite of Dylan, when Milchick asked what he wanted, he said he wanted to remember his kid being born.
Yeah. I just keep thinking her innie goes through the pain of giving birth and gets to see the babies being born, but never gets to see them grow up. She just keeps waking up pregnant about to give birth in a fancy cabin. That's just depressing.
Right? Just like Mark, she wanted to get severed
Not just childbirth, but perhaps the major part of the pregnancy. Like, would she really sever just to avoid the pain of childbirth? Seems silly. But, you know, maybe being able to "skip" the entire last half of the pregnancy has real appeal.
@@wnocknz But to skip the last half of the pregnancy would mean spending over 4 months in that birthing cabin. That's where she goes into innie mode. I still think she probably went there when her labor began, or perhaps a few days before she was due. Severance is not mainstream. How would she explain her absence for months to people who knew her?
@@8698gil Spending 4 months in a cabin is pretty brutal, but then of course, they dont give a fk about their innies, so why not? (And Devon makes a fuss about how extravagant the other cabin is, bit of a clear sign this isn't JUST for birthing). Also it's not that hard to come with a story why you might leave for a few months, come on. "Hey friends, my husband is a busy senator so I'm gonna go stay with my parents in the state of X while im preggers, see you in a few months". If you're gonna get severed anyway, may as well use it to fast track the pregnancy; would someone really get chipped just to avoid labour? That's not a very compelling motive
One of the most original shows I’ve seen in a long time.
Right? I love the concept
It reminds me of dollhouse a show filmed years ago and a coincidence is jemmas actor played in that show
I think Ms. Casey was legally brain dead, but her body was alive and breathing and that Lumon acquired her body somehow. I think the chip can bypass brain damage or use another part of the brain, creating a new person. This would explain why Ms. Casey is like a robot, she doesn't have a base personality like the other employees and so doesn't have an outie.
Yes, my theory is that Lumon has a deal with the hospitals regarding comatose and near death patients. Mark could have been told that his wife was too badly burned/disfigured in the accident and could not be viewed, so she would have had a closed casket or cremation funeral. But actually she was taken to Lumon and given a chip. They are using her to experiment with various chip functions, hence the testing floor. And that would explain why, as you said, she doesn't have a base personality.
Interesting theory!
Robocop theory, I like it
She is very robot like! I like this theory
why go so crazy ? seems more likely that lumon simply faked her death and plotted having mark severed .
i would think that the second second will go and and be more of a prequel to season 1 . the lore of the series is so well though out that it only makes sense and after seeing season one finale it would be kind of a disappointment to see then try to keep the series alive for too long.
personally i though the series could have ended right there with the big reveal that Gemma is alive and outsiders are informed , Helena Eagans disproving of the severance procedure when it was time to convince politicians .
my take is:
Season 2 prequel
season 3 conclusion
You talked about signs that Helley is an Eagan but missed what I thought was the most crucial damning evidence- after she finished her first day of work, Milchick is waiting for her outside and hands her a bouquet. I thought that scene was strange. I mistakenly thought he did that because they were a couple on the outside. But he did that because she's the boss's daughter
I thought it was just to celebrate her first day at the job and since its such a competitive position and it involves permanent surgery one of their trainees having their first day be a "sucess" is made to be special
Also, when she reached 100% of the Siena file, the cartoon of Kier said ‘I love you’ to her which made me think she was important to Lumon (sorry for commenting after 2 years I’ve only just finished S1 😅)
@Rohini1993 I have don't remember a single thing or any of the characters names at all anymore. Thanks for reminding me I should rewatch s1 of Severance before season 2 drops. Lol
I always notice the position the figure is standing in on the card that Dylan steals is the same position he needs to be stood in throughout the finale to hold the two levers
No way?? That’s a great catch if true.
I think Jemma was always a severed employee. Her outie went into a coma but her innie still activates on the severed floor. She made a comment that “that was the longest I have been awake” meaning when she goes wherever she goes she is aware that she is sleep.
Theory: The severance chips interact with each other. Petey was told to stay completely off the grid to avoid reintegration sickness, this was probably why he couldn’t finish mapping the floor of Lumon because the closer he is in proximity to severed workers the worse the sickness gets.
One clue to this could be his sickness getting worse the more time he is around Mark, with his death ultimately happening as Mark arrives on the scene.
There are a few hints that the Eagans are trying to build some kind of hive mind (Beehive?) possibly as a means to resurrect Kier Eagan.
This show not only has great premise and moral questionings, it has great plot and dialogues.
Top tier writing and art direction. Great director of photography and use of symbolism and color. Love this show.
I have a theory that sleeping can mess with the severance. That's why Irv starts to see the black paint whenever he doses off. And why innies are not allowed to sleep. Maybe Irv was sleep walking or something when he saw the testing room and that's why his Outie has seen the room. Or maybe his outie has dreams about it? He might be depriving himself of sleep on purpose to try and make it happen again. Idk, but I think sleep is a factor in some way.
Thats interesting, thanks
No ones allowed to sleep at work….
Irving possibly being an ex-supervisor like Milchick blew my mind. Certainly, a revelation I didn't expect
The most under rated TV series of all time. If this aired on Netflix it would be huge. Every frame is perfect.
The fact that they didn't fire folks in MDR especially Helly or Mark was quite surprising after everything they were doing. It was of course because Helly's outtie was the boss's daughter. Great review especially with the color schemes and the fact that Erving must have been clean slated. Can't wait for S2!
Severed workers must be pretty rare I’d imagine so they would want to keep them for as long as possible.
There was a clue about Helly being an Eagan I think more obvious (yet subtle) than the ones you listed, and it's revealed right at the beginning of the show.
In episode 1, the fourth question Mark asks Helly: "what's Mr Eagan's favorite breakfast", and in episode 2, the flashback right at the beginning when Milchick tells Helena "he (Kier) used to take three raw eggs and milk each morning... his favorite breakfast".
Note that he doesn't mention Mr Eagan's name, he says it while looking at his sculpture assuming she knows who he's talking about. And then she replies "I've heard", denoting a deep knowledge of the character, a type of knowledge usually only a relative could 'hear", otherwise would've read somewhere.
Great observations!
that question is in the handbook, I thought Milchick just tells that to everyone and they ask to see if they retained any recent memories at all
@@MC-eq7fl wrong, that question isn't in the handbook, it's a personal control question included in the list specifically for her... it would be a nonsense to ask such question to a random person like he/she was supposed to know such a detail of personal life
@@nicocba2007 but the question does appear in the manual. I just thought it was a quirky fact that mainstream people knew about Kier. Like the way we know things about celebrities
@@HNCS2006 No, the question was in the list for this specific character. They need to include at least one intimate question to check if the chip is working properly. Do you think Milchik has that conversation about Kier's breakfast with every candidate right before being chipped? obviously not. Oh, and do we know or are we supposed to know what celebrities have for breakfast? lol
Honestly I wish Irv left his Outtie self a letter explaining everything and put it in the brief case. I feel like that would be the smartest option in his case actually. Specially since he wouldn't know how long he had and there wasn't really anyone around him. Like, go drive to Burt after you write to yourself, even if its a small note!!!!
From what I understand, Irv has been there the longest out of everyone in MDR, and maybe he’s the reason why the signature detector(or whatever it’s called) is there in the first place. That or maybe Irv was the first person who was put under the “clean slate” protocol and that’s why he seems to have his problems. Maybe it doesn’t “erase” the innie but it’s memories are stored somewhere in the outies subconscious
@@TheFrostbite324 these are interesting possibilities :O
@@ollie2111 that and I think Burt and Irv already know each other on the outside. The look they gave when they first met at the Wellness Center was that of two ppl who hadn’t seen each other in a while. Since it’s been established that the innies keep some of their outies subconscious memories it wouldn’t surprise me if the two were lovers at some point and that interaction would be like you running into your ex at a grocery store.
The Irv elevator connection is brilliant. What a great pick up. I think Irv will play a pivotal role in Season 2. Was he working with Petey before being re-set? Were the files in his trunk a product of their investigation? It was too odd a statement for Petey to say to Mark "I am your best friend. You are my 'very good' friend."
😳
Also explains why Irv has the list of severed employees. He previously was not severed and knew everyone.
I have rewatched the show multiple times but I'll probably still finish this video in my obsession. Severance is the best show I've watched so far this year! Can't wait for Season 2. To everyone on the fence, give it a try! It's fantastic!!
Completely agree!
Are there any shows that are similar to severance?
@@thesumerian9769 Hmm, I haven't had any luck finding shows that are 1:1 to Severance, but in my opinion these shows are similar in some aspects:
•Black Mirror - tech dark sides
•Patriot (on Amazon) - bleak, dark humor
•Legion (from FX) - very trippy show with lots of twists and turns, delves into themes of identity as well
•The Haunting of Hill House (on Netflix) - this is horror, and different in tone to Severance, but I think its way of revealing plot twists each episode which build towards the ending is similar to Severance
•Loki
I haven't watched these other shows, but people online have suggested them to people who have enjoyed Severance:
•Mr. Robot
•Westworld Season 1
•The OA
•Yellowjackets
@@Hello-kx6tf Omg you're awesome! I'm going to check all of them out. Thank you :)
@@thesumerian9769 no prob, enjoy!!
Here's my theory on what the Refiners do: They're mapping out their own brains. All the numbers they're seeing correspond to memories and thoughts they've had. It's just a jumbled mess of code (much like our current understanding of the human brain) but they're giving it structure (Something machines can't do because they can't identify emotions/feelings because well... They're machines. They have no frame of reference).
Kier's thesis was that the human psyche was composed of four emotions: Woe, Frolic, Dread and Malice. The Refiners are putting all of the numbers (which correspond to their memories/thoughts) into these four buckets (tempers). Happy memories correspond to "happy" numbers. Scary memories correspond to "dreadful" memories. Lumon is then going to use this categorization to map out the human brain (with the structure premised upon Kier's four tempers) and then use this knowledge to recreate Kier in the form of a machine (with numbers or lines of code corresponding to Kier's memories).
The end objective is to build an artifically intelligent Kier that's identical in every way to the original Kier on the moment that he died. So in effect Kier is giving himself (down to the last memory/thought) immortality in the form of AI.
And then after he's "reborn" Lumon is going to try to implement Severance on such a mass scale as to enslave everyone. It's unequestionable that Kier has one of the biggest god complexes of any human to ever live (except for maybe Jesus of Nazareth or Napolean). And what's a god without subjects or entities upon which to exert control/power?
Kier (after reviving himself and achieving immortality much like a god) wants to enslave everyone in the corporate hell that is Lumon. He wants full control over hundreds of millions of consciousnesses. For eight hours everyday (or to them what feels like their entire lives). God is just an idea premised upon certain basic parameters. All-knowing. All-powerful. All-seeing. And immortal. And Kier would be just that in a world where the majority of the population is Severed.
And the fucked up thing is this enslavement would be purely voluntarily. People would freely sign up to enslave themselves all because of Helly's propaganda. Because who wouldn't think to themselves "Wouldn't it be great if I could just not remember going to work? I can just remove myself from that aspect of my life and still earn a paycheck? Plus if a literal Eagan family member is doing it then it must be safe/consequence free"
I agree. This is one of the smartest shows I have ever seen. The whole concept is so innovative. We are completely invested now and can’t wait for the next season.
Something that i really like is how outie helly and rickens’ selfish worldviews are unsavory and detrimental (rickens pretty small scale comparatively, like prioritizing his own feelings over those of his pregnant wife and having shitty overly self-important and self-interested writing) in the outside world, but serve the innies greatly in their rebellion. Kindness, social compliance, and care for others over oneself are all commendable traits… but in the face of great oppression, especially where others are punished for your own attempts at advancement (a tool used to keep them in line, like mark being sent to the break room for jelly’s escape attempts: she is never deterred because she is defiantly self-interested in a way that ultimately benefits all of them), one MUST be selfish and defiant regardless of the cost. It’s very interesting how context can transform these harmful traits/worldviews into righteous and revolutionary philosophy. I genuinely think there is a balancing act to be had when it comes to narcissism and sheer selfishness, these traits cannot be painted as completely negative or damaging. Severance really shows how it can be absolutely necessary, for the greater good socially, to embody these traits that are usually so socially detrimental.
I found it interesting we (the audience) are guessing what relationship Devon has to Mark at the start of the show (I personally thought it was a love interest initially), then when his innie wakes up he takes a guess at their relationship too (coincidentally the same one I made).
About Irving having been a supervisor like Milcheck….
Remember when Peter was in Mark’s basement eating pizza and explaining some things to him? At one point he stops and says shhhh & says he shouldn’t talk there in case they had monitors there or in case IRVING walks in!!! You’re right!
Actually now it makes sense why Helle’s innie was the most reluctant to assimilate while the other severed workers were more accepting. Subconsciously Helle knew there was something sinister about the whole process and therefore couldn’t trust it even though she had no recollection of her outie.
I just finished this show and wanted to point out that “Elephant” in the system function menu is probably the opposite of “clean slate” since there’s a saying that an Elephant never forgets…
I would love to have Gabby’s innie to somehow get dragged into this battle. Imagine how devastated, heartbroken, wrecked, traumatized, and every other awfully sad adjective can be used for her. She’s only ‘alive’ for at least some of the pregnancy and what looks like the entirety of the birthing process - and innie Gabby seems very warm and maternal - so i just can’t even imagine the terror she must have felt when she was abt to be ‘turned off’ after giving birth to William (not Bradley!) and bonding with him!! Imagine how incredibly desperate she must feel to see her OTHER kids - to touch, snuggle, smell, and feel them again once she was flipped back on only to find herself preparing to birth _ANOTHER_ tiny human that she would never see again.
it’s unfathomable!! it would have been great if she was also let out during the OTC bc i would have loved to see Gabrielle turn into a feral woman screaming wildly about finding the location of her ands and wanting to see her kids.
That would have been cool, but I don’t think she’s a Lumon employee
@@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459 yeah, she’s probably not but she’s so ingratiated with them bc of her husband that I don’t think it would be too much of a reach for a scenario such as i mentioned to potentially happen, esp since she was treated to the ultra fancy birthing lodge, was at Helly’s party, and is, ofc, severed.
So I would think her “controls” could be accessed in a similar way as our beloved Scooby gang but, knowing Lumon’s penchant for naming schematics, her off switch (or..in switch, i guess ha ha) would be called something other than the Overtime Contingency.
that is obvs just speculation on my part but I do hope we get to see more of her next season!!
I never thought about that, it's actually awful. She is only alive when she is giving birth, not a great moment honestly. I mean it would be great if she'd get to stay with the babies after, but she is "turned on" only in the birthing process. But that makes me wonder, why didnt she try to run away? She is not kept in like the other severed characters.
@@tonyrockywarrior4096 perhaps bc whenever innie-gabby is let out, it’s only in highly controlled areas, like the birthing suite. plus, it wouldn’t shock me at all to find out her husband has some kind of remote for her so if her innie did try and do anything drastic, he’d ‘turn her off’ and supportive, severed, Gabrielle will wake up in her place. Maybe? idk but i can’t wait for s2!
@@LiddlestLady yes it could be something like that. Wow it's Crazy, at first it didnt think about all the concequences a process like The Severance could do, but there a so many outcomes
Woe - Mark
Frolick - Dylan
Dread - Irving
Malice - Helena
Yet for the Innies, they're the opposite. (Helly is only working her way there.)
This is the most comprehensive & believable analysis of this show I’ve seen in RUclips yet. Congrats!!
I think there are two types of employees. Those that voluntarily choose to be and those that do not. Those that choose to be (Mark) may leave while others (Gemma) are forced to continue to live at the company as referenced on map. If such people had almost died and were forced into the procedure, they would never be able leave to tell their story. When elder Eagan at the gala talks about a prototype, there must have been earlier versions. No one would voluntarily go through the procedure until it was proven to be effective on some level. Maybe Gemma had a slightly older model of the chip and why she acts more robotic and why she may recall how long she has been ‘awake’. I also think Helly’s intentions to become Severed may be more intentional as well. It seems like innie and outie’s personalities bleed through. Helly’s bullish and rebellious side that we see as an innie may be what she is like as an outie. She may actually dislike what Lumon is doing and playing the long game to help bring it down.
FYI, you don’t get a wrist tag 🏷 when you WORK at a hospital. You get a wrist tag when you’re a patient. The scene was saying her mother had to use a breathing tube at a hospital.
And there's a companion e-book (The Lexington Letter) that explains Lumon sued a newspaper into insolvency for reporting on their faulty breathing tubes. I don't think Cobel is a Lumon fanatic, I think she's trying to take them down from the inside. I have vague memories of a few other hints towards that end which I can't recall right now, but if you view her behavior from that perspective, it makes a lot of sense.
You can barely make it out, but it says "DOB". Her mother was born in 1944. She was a patient and died because of Lumon's faulty breathing tube.
This is such a good show I wish I knew more people that liked it
Yeah. I’ve been getting comments from friends who’ve seen it that are like, “you’d probably really like that show.” Proof that it was made for me.
I can't recall where but there's a scene with Helly where they say "you don't understand, but its a honor to have you here" I instantly knew she was part of the company then.
Wow, you never fail to impress me with your analysis-type videos. Severance is a perfect show for making guesses and forming theories around its plot, characters and connections, and I feel like after watching your video I will be doing that for a very long time. Thank you so much for your work!
fr, Bryce is ridiculously sharp.
Best breakdown I've seen so far, and I've gone down an intense rabbit hole for the past hour 2hrs 😂 great job! Amazing attention to detail
Earned a sub!
Something I haven't seen anyone mention, was the out of place, "I l-love you" from the quota celebration animation. In hindsight, it's like the biggest hint of what's to come lol.
Thank you omgwtfrofltomato! Such a great quote!
The goat-raising guy, in my opinion, was some kind of test to know if severed people would be able to care and raise living beigns. With this validated, Lumon could safely deploy severance to pregnant women, which indeed happens during the show.
I haven’t been this enticed by a first season of a show since Westworld s1. The reveal of Ms. Casey/ Gemma is almost on par with the reveal of Bernard being a robot in Westworld
You should go find Pete Peppers channel, he's just done a Ms Casey deep dive
Yeah, this show is incredible with it's pacing and laying out the foundation for them plot twists!
You’re so right. Ugh the best . Now I’m going to rewatch Westworld .
@@RobinHerzig spoilers dude wth
"What door?"
Is it too crazy that Ms Cobel wants to "resucitate" her mother (like they could have done with Gemma) and try to bring her "outie" memories (the ones she would have of Cobel as her daughter)? which is why she seem to be trying to make innies remember things from their previous lives (like when she experimients with Mark S and Gemma). I mean, her mother would be revived as an innie if I am correct. That's why she go angry when they fired her: Because she would actualy be losing any opportunity to be reunited with her mom
What a great theory!
Makes sense
Great theories, great analysis! I literally yelled wow more than once watching this
Thank you Heather!
The "Hey kids" remark could have alluded to the goats since a "kid" is a young goat.
Wow, this came into my feed just as I finished the finale. What a show and what an analysis! I do feel a little foolish having overlooked most of what you brought up, but it's made me look forward to season 2 even more now!
Same here and realising how unobservant I was too!
So awesome to hear, thank you Max!
@@BryceEdwardBrown nicely done sir; this video is ridiculous.
This is the best explanation of Severance on RUclips. .....and I’ve watched many!
Also - please consider a man remembering child birth is… entirely and utterly DIFFERENT than a pregnant woman remembering the child birth 😅😂
Its not that bad, quit over-exaggerating! /s 😝
I loved the show LOST. The downside with LOST was that the answers were never as satisfying as the questions. I really hope that doesn't happen with Severance.
Me too!!
Silo, From, and now Severance. They all string you along to the end. Just don't watch until the series is over and watch complete series only.
@@tron103Or just don't expect a particular outcome from the show, just enjoy the ride and some light speculation. It's fun to discuss ideas with other fans, but obsessing over the puzzle with limited information can spoil it, whether the theories are right or wrong
I got the impression that Gemma didn't die, but is in a coma, and with the severance they were able to create an innie with a conscious state, so when she was let go she really is being terminated. They just told everyone that she died.
I’d love to see a video scrutinizing the artwork we see glimpses of. I’m sure there are hidden things in those.
The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex is now referred to as Bell Works. I've been there hundreds of times. My dad worked at Bell Labs in complex in Whippany NJ but got transferred to the Holmdel NJ complex in 1979 and we moved to Holmdel where my parents still live today. Bell Labs moved out after AT&T was split up in the 80s. The building sat vacant until the mid 2010s. They would occasionally have events in that space. I went to a drone conference there and they were flying drones in that main areas. I worked there for 3 months until the pandemic hit. It was an amazing place to work. They built houses on that property and the main building now has restaurants, and fun things to do like VR games/golf, escape room.
Oh that’s pretty cool. Now they can market severance as a tourist attraction
I’m pretty sure they’re mapping the 4 temperaments in MDR to prepare for the reincarnation of Kier
I think so too. And, I think they are the programmers of the chips that are inserted in the dead p/t innies. They are doing the "very important work" of coding the chips with human emotions (Casey sheds a tear) but that doesn't line up with the corporate espionage theory in the Lexington letter, though they can get around that.
best shit i've seen since Breaking Bad and early GoT
Such a phenomenal show
I have re-watch this video twice. Well done.
Thank you so much!
"Data Refinement".... This is officially my new job description.
my theory about irving is he has some associated trauma hence him drawing the elevator and the symbolism is about him being trapped. I like the idea he might have had Milchick's job before him but I think the red light is just representing negative connotations. It's often used for the 'bad guys' Star Wars and I'Robot are some examples that come to mind. The paintings also remind me of the narrow corridor leading to the break room.
Great analysis. By far the best I’ve seen.
I NEED more videos about severance, this quickly became my favourite show after the few first episodes
Just released one today!
@@BryceEdwardBrown omg that's so cool, I low-key can't believe you just answered me lmao
Love your videos! When I watch a movie or a show, I always go check if you made an ending explained video on it! You're the only one I watch in that categories, the other just, don't feel the same x)
The CEO's name is Jame, not James. This is similar to Devon's friend Rebek, not Rebekah (or Rebecca), who shares the book with Mark at the book reading. This is a deliberate choice, maybe severed names evoke severed minds?
This show is captivating - thrilling and suspenseful and not one single gun fight.
Fantastic breakdown! I cannot believe I’m just stumbling upon your channel
Thank you so much!
Just finished watching! This show is amazing!
I agree 100% with the Gemma being dead/lumon reviving her theory. I got the exact same vibes!
Great analysis!
You missed a hint in the opening “interrogation” scene. One of the questions asked is something along the lines of “What is Mr. Eagans favorite breakfast?”
Which may be waffles that they gave to Dylan.
Bro, u analysis is such LUMON. Level ,freaking mind boggling
Thank you haha
I feel like the molding of the tree reminds me of blindsight. Something similar happens with their Inny. They have like a psychological version of that. Even though they can't recall the outies memories and thoughts, there is still something that the subconscious touches or senses. Very interesting. This show really pays attention to detail.
This is the most in depth video I’ve seen yet! Great job!
Thank you so much!
I spent a dark chunk of the pandemic being comforted by this horror show. So good.
You have one of the best ending explained channels on RUclips. And perfect voice
Thank you so much Roshawnda!
Amazing show. Cool video. One thing though - you assume memories are leaking through due to Mark moulding the tree out of clay, but you also mention that he literally has a tree in the room next to him. So you could argue he is just crafting what he sees
Doesn't Gemma light that candle in that scene? I was getting he sculpted the tree because his subconscious remembers the smell of the candle. The candle was taken out of Mark's basement by Mrs. Cobel from a box labeled "Gemma's Crafts".
I think the beehive function is referring to more of a hive mind. Where multiple people are all being controlled by one entity, similar to insects hives. There are no individual identities, just everyone working for the greater good of the hive, even at their expense of their (non)individual lives.
Best analysis I've seen on this great show. Thanks. I'm subscribing.
That means a lot, thank you!
I was puzzled that Natalie & the Eagans did not know about Helly’s suicide attempt. Leaving Lumen she’d revert to Helena & all the conspirators would still be conspiring with her on a regular basis. How’d they not know she went to the hospital for days? Even at her return to work, she’d be Helena with the cord mark around her neck when not physically being at Lumen.
I think that Helly's character is very much under pressure as the next heir of the Eagan empire, her father probably would've been spooked had he known of the suicide attempt and after could've pulled out of giving her the role that she has been groomed for her entire life to have
Good work for doing actual analysis. Most of these "explained" videos are just describing a play by play of the show and not really going deep into the meanings.
This is the best show I have seen in a long time!!! Amazing job with the video
Thank you so much!
Love the new look! That play button is nice and shiny.
Oh man!!! You just puted me in somekind of "ultra mind blowing" situationwith those teories!!! Fantastic analisys!
Thank you so much Oberdan Faber!
Great roundup of theories. I would love to see another video about this show. You keep it interesting and entertaining. Thanks.
This TV series is so deep, so fascinating. The rich is becoming richer, having the best of their life while the poor has to work for their whole life non stop until death. This showcase the equity issue in an elegant way, a new innovative way without promoting haterds towards the rich, while still bring up some discussion among viewers. I love this kind of tv drama.
Great analysis! You're one of the few making vids on Severance. I don't think Mark S. and Cobel started at Lumon at the same time though. If you notice her shrine that she prays at, she has a photo from the Kier School for Girls, so I think she's been indoctrinated since she was a child. Probably why she takes it so harshly when she's fired. I think she's trying to figure out a way to bring her mother back (Charlotte), and using Mark S. as a test subject. We never do find out in season 1 why she's so obsessed with Mark, but I think it's that. Keep up the great work!
That's a great point. I just assumed she was testing mark and Gemma to make sure they did not recognize each other, having a need to reset (clean cycle). But, maybe she's testing Mark and Gemma, and inserting things like the tree and the candle, to see if they CAN recognize each other if cued. Bringing back her mother would not be as fulfilling unless her mother could recognize her. Perhaps she is trying to figure out a way to bring her mother back in a way that her mother actually remembers her.
Wow this video is pretty great! Very thorough and full of funny in-jokes and references.
Ps: Just finished watching. It would be cool if you make more videos about Severance.
There's a lot of Severence recaps on youtube, couple of them are great! Also get the Lexington Letter + Lumon MDR Employee Handbook for more crazy surprises
@@RobinHerzig I've read the Lexington letters, watched some other recaps on RUclips as well! I haven't gotten ahold of the Employee Handbook yet, will check that out!
@@Hello-kx6tf Oh, I mean the MDR handbook at the end, after the emails 😁
@@RobinHerzig oh, it seems like that was cut from the copy of the Lexington Letters I downloaded. I'll try to see if I can get the full version 😅
@@Hello-kx6tf Seen at least 2 youtubers cover the Handbook + others who've worked it in with longer recaps
OMG I keep rewatching the last min over and over, what a great ending! I started watching this Sat and ended up finishing the whole season by like 2 am Sun, I just couldn't stop watching. Ignoring some weird stuff with Cobalt so much of this show really worked for me. I'm actually scared season 2 won't be able to live up to season 1, like where will the story go from this? Definitely going to watch to find out lol. I've always been fond of Adam Scott but I loved him in this series.
That was such a phenomenal ending!
this is one of the best shows and one of the best deep dive into meaning. like wow. thank you!
@7:28 there’s also a comment on the paper about duplicates being removed
@10:37 in the severance book, the character begins breaking rules, then tries to reach out to what appears to be a news reporter about her Lumon experience. Before there is a solid denial to not run her story,she ‘ mysteriously’ dies in a car accident.
I think they don’t actually die; I think Lumon sets up a scene to look like an accident and kidnaps the person in the car in order to perform their most extreme experiments. Maybe it’s the ultimate punishment for bad behavior.
Leads me to think Gemma was actually a Severance employee before she ‘died’ in the accident.
We have this person (age 45) the woman from the book (age 54), and Gemma getting into accidents- I think they all must have something in common.
This is by far the best video on this
Ive seen many recaps of this shiw but i enjoyed yours the most. Had the most unique detail. Nice
That ritual dance was creppy af!
The whole damn company is creepy asf
This show set a bar in scifi tv series experience. I hope the next season will not decline story wise like westworld.
I agree!
I loved this show! Truly one of the most unique and remarkable programs to hit the airways in years. Another Apple show that I really enjoyed other that was to me way too short slow horses starting the incredible Gary Oldman and Kristen Scott Thomas! Love to hear your take on the show!
Yes! I hope SH has a second season!
I'm still thinking Gemma IS waking up for hours at a time, but she is being physically restrained during her outie hours underground.
Oh jeez that’s sad too.
I saw somewhere that someone thinks Ricken’s friends are chipped full time bc they act like babies or children bc they don’t know much (history discussion) and are enamored at the book reading when it’s pretty simple. Also they have weird names like what kind of name is Rebeck 😂
Yeah I found it interesting that they were all behaving like children
I think maybe the severance chip wasn’t as advanced when they got it. Maybe they are literally stuck in the childlike state. Which, although Mark and the other workers at Lumon are a little childlike they are not quite as bad as Ricken’s group. And, of course, Mark can hide his childlike persona from his family and friends bec he is not severed full time. Geesh….this is wild.
Awesome insight and analysis. Thanks!
Love that people are shocked that building is real. I work there lol
A couple things:
Kids are also baby goats possibly giving the implication of a coming of age within lumen
Also the constant use of the goats and the word hell make me think there is a parallel. The Bible talks about a separation of those accepted and not accepted by god. Goats are to be cut off or ‘severed’. while he protects his sheep. There is no reference that I saw to sheep but Sheep in here maybe could refer to those who blindly follow there master
2:37 I've watched several of these vids from these channels and no one seemed to notice that scene where Cobel frantically asks "Is this about Helena?!" point blank. At the time of course we don't know her name is Helena. But I think it was right after she attempted suicide too so in retrospect it's like, damn they told us right there too.
maybe that's why Irvin and Millcheck have the same fro/mustache combo.
Another great point!
Irving is a hit man for Lumen, no way for him to have all that info on other Ex-employees...
Hmmm, interesting theory!
Very cool theory!
Great video, but one thing... His name is Jame. And Ricken, not Ryken
Thank you John, don't worry, I correct this in Part 2 of this video!
Great analysis, loved this show!
Thank you Guillermo!
The nine episodes actually where a coincidence, because sadly, we where originly meant to have more. Ben Stiller thought that the ending to episode nine would be a great cliff hanger. he was not wrong.
Wow amazing video and your very good at picking up on all the info that I sure didn't! Thanks
You picked up on so many things I probably never would have noticed!
GREAT JOB!!!! Exactly what I was looking for. Others couldn't execute like you did. SUBSCRIBED!
Thank you Gilbert, I appreciate that!