I had a dream I was in a world not unlike Severance. Hallways upon hallways, rooms full of organized nonsense, coworkers so oddly cheery that is leaves you unsettled, and white hallways. Everything was somewhere on the spectrum between off-white, eggshell, and pure white. I awoke…and all I could think about was Severance Season 2 – Episode 6. Like Mark S., my time with the severed floor and team has begun to mesh the worlds in my mind…and it’s not going as smooth as either of us would hope.
Another episode review, another vibe check. Why this song? Well, watch the episode, take another gander at this review, and think about it.
Weekly Vibe Check
If we went under a table, or under a tent, would it be a fun song to listen to while discussing Severance Season 2 – Episode 6? Maybe. But if someone forget the snacks? Wasn’t me.
Floor So White
Much like the Oscars pre-2020, most modern homes and apartments, C-Suites nationwide, and certain news stations, the severed floor is white. In the words of Mark S. at the end of the last episode, “everything was so…white.” As he grappled to understand what he was seeing and experiencing, we ran into a shocking realization as an audience: Mark S. has *no earthly idea* what the severed floor looks like.
Here we are in Severance Season 2 – Episode 6, and yet it’s just becoming clear that even if Mark S. woke up as his outie on the severed floors, he’d have no idea what to do with himself. Scary that even if he tries to crack the system from inside, he’ll need a little help from his friends.
Helly Yeah, Helly No
Helly R. is back to her inquisitive self, and she’s got questions for Mark S. Their relationship and interactions are already odd, but they grow strained as the episode moves along. Like teenagers, the severed employees navigate increasingly complex emotions and memories. To imagine that their lived experience is between a few months and a few years among the MDR floor, but their actual awake time (8 hr x 5 day x 52 weeks a year x __ years working at Lumon) makes them quite ‘young.’
What’s it all mean? It means that at times, the reactions, emotions, and conflicts between employees feels a little more juvenile than it should be. For Helly and Mark this episode, the highs and lows are just that: juvenile for better and for worse.
The Board Reviews Mr. Milchick
Mr. Milchick encounters one of the roughest, though calmest, lashings in his time at Lumon. For the company man that he is, it becomes clear how deep this wound cuts. It’s time for him to tighten up the ship, fix his paperclip issues, simplify his speech, and get Mark S. through Cold Harbor.
Now, as one who has sat in quarterly and annual reviews, they’re never fun. Even if there’s not much to work on or discuss, the meeting between hierarchal levels is unsettling. This scene with Mr. Milchick perfectly paints that picture.
As he stands in the mirror, repeating how he needs to “GROW UP,” all I can think is…Lumon may be poisoning one of its most beloved employees through its incessant critiques and painting gaffs.
Timelines and Historical Pet Names
Irv has dinner with Burt and his partner, and though awkward at times, it brings much to light. First off, there’s a reason Irv was invited to this meal, and it might not have just been about wine and chatting. Past that, Fields (Burt’s partner) jokes about them calling each other ‘Hon/Hun’ so often that it became ‘Attila,’ and I for one liked that the episode name came from that quick aside.
The men cover a range of topics, from working dates and religious queries, to introductions to Lumon, and the state of an innie’s soul. It does bring up the different motivations that Lumon employees had that led to the severed life. When Irv leaves, Burt lingers for a moment at the door…and I’m not sure what to make of it. At times I think it was lustful, other times it was sneaky, and other times still I wonder if it was totally harmless.
Final Thoughts
It’s time. It’s time to flood the chip, to find a lost wife, and to unlock the secrets that Lumon is hiding on the severed floor. Mark, it’s not going to be easy. Irv, your life must find new purpose. Dylan, you’ll have to balance your love for MDR with the information you’ve just been given. Helly R., you’ll need to fight for right even knowing your outie’s identity.
And for us the audience, we must press on, staying strong, with the hope that we’ll reap the reward of our viewing labors soon enough.
We hope you enjoyed Severance Season 2 – Episode 6 as much as we did, and we can’t wait to see what unfolds next.
If you haven’t yet, check out our reviews for Severance Season 2 thus far:
- Severance Season 2 – Episode 1
- Severance Season 2 – Episode 2
- Severance Season 2 – Episode 3
- Severance Season 2 – Episode 4
- Severance Season 2 – Episode 5
SEVERANCE – SEASON 2
The highly anticipated second season of Apple’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning workplace thriller “Severance” has made its global debut! From the unsevered minds of director and executive producer Ben Stiller and creator, writer and executive producer Dan Erickson, the first episode of “Severance” season two debuted on Apple TV+ Friday, January 17th, 2025, and one new episode will drop every Friday through March 21.
From Apple TV+:
“Severance” Season Two
In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.
Season two of the broadly acclaimed workplace thriller from director and executive producer Ben Stiller, and creator Dan Erickson, reunites its ensemble cast of stars including Emmy Award nominee Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, Dichen Lachman, Emmy Award winner John Turturro, Academy Award winner Christopher Walken and Academy and Emmy Award winner Patricia Arquette, and welcomes new series regular Sarah Bock.
“Severance” is executive produced by Ben Stiller, who also directs five episodes this season in addition to directors Uta Bresiewitz, Sam Donovan and Jessica Lee Gagné. The series is written, created and executive produced by Dan Erickson. “Severance” season two is also executive produced by John Lesher, Jackie Cohn, Mark Friedman, Beau Willimon, Jordan Tappis, Sam Donovan, Caroline Baron, Richard Schwartz, Nicholas Weinstock. In addition to starring, Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette serve as executive producers. Fifth Season is the studio.
Stream The Indie Magazine Podcast on Your Favorite Platform
Hold Up, Wait a Minute…
Check out articles from our podcast hosts, Tristan and Madison, and more articles from Jaxson, while you’re here.
Fan of The Indie Magazine & Podcast? Find more podcast episodes here and show your support by donating to our podcast and magazine here. Every little bit helps us continue to provide reviews, interviews, and industry news with those interested in all things entertainment!
