Helena trying to get them to all follow Irving in the hall is all about trying to keep them together so she can get as much info as possible. She wants info. Nothing about the way she acts is Helly at all. "We're not the same... we don't owe them sh!t..." thats her long-standing dehumanizing of innies being turned around a disguised as hatred of outies. Its the one moment where she shows emotion in the episode and it fully aligns with how Helena sees the split.
I don't know if this isn't a deleted scene, but there was a point in the show that showed the store they go shopping in and only the clothes they can buy, so she doesn't have a varied wardrobe
@ my guess is we will learn very early on that she’s Helena. I would imagine next episode we see more of the outties and it would be hard to hide Helena for a long time without it being questionable so maybe even the next episode we will see the plan.
yeah I wasn't a believer at first but the power switch argument convinced me. you don't spend a whole quarter at a computer without getting some muscle memory.....
So…Lumon goes to outie Irv and Dylan and says “we know you have already refused to come back, but your former coworker who you don’t remember is really sad and keeps asking for you”. So they…agree? Nah, something is wrong here. Also, they entered about 60 seconds apart, which would have to mean they know/met each other.
YES! That timeline is so odd. Lumen offered them more money because Mark asked the board?? As if. And after 5 months of refusing to come back to work, they agree? No way! Lies lies lies.
I think Ms. Huang goes to the same school Ms. Cobel did, the "Myrtle Eagan School for Girls". They probably have a school-to-work/workforce training program where they force or at least encourage students to become Lumon employees.
I'm not necessarily in the "That's outie Helly" camp, but one thing is for sure - we last saw her get tackled sideways and now we see her not only entering running but also with a weird delay, like she was preparing in the elevator how to come in. If that was her innie, it was not an immediate cut from the party, she must have been activated at least once before since the party. Or that's just her outie. Also, I believe Irving DID try to leave and accepted his fate when his outie came back in, just like Helly in S1. We know outie Irving wants him to be there.
Also, "Helly" didn't initially accept Mark's hug when she emerged from the elevator. That's Helena and she's never met Mark before. There's no way that Lumon/Helena would let Helly come back into existence again. Why would they? In fact, if the show is being totally logical, we'll never see Helly again. The question will be whether Mark and the others can somehow win over Helena.
@@georgekleinfelter7041 she was caught off guard by the hug. Her head (and adrenaline) would be all over the place. She returned it genuinely. Launch yourself at a loved one and hug them unexpectedly, she how they react.
The key label in the last shot is ITNO 25 (BUILD) or iteration number 25. Gemma's been refined so many times she's on her 25th build. The woe and frolic etc numbers are memories, and last season, when Mark said he breezed past his first post sever file file (his freshman fluke) he was refining gemma
None of the Lumon managers or supervisors are severed as far as we know. They're allowed to know and use their last names, which is indicative of their connection to their family and personal history. That's obviously not something an innie is allowed access to.
The title “Deputy Manager” is not additional staff or Milchick adding security precautions or some cheeky joke about Ms. Huang being a child. That’s literally what Milchick’s title was for the entirety of Season 1. Harmony was the lead of the Severed floor and Milchick was deputy manager, now Milchick is in Harmony’s position and Ms Huang is in Milchick’s former position. There was even a scene in S1 of Milchick sitting at that very desk as Ms. Cobel leans down and talks to him before entering her office. That’s the scene where we learned Milchick’s first name is Seth.
Apple TV just posted a hilarious promo of Mr. Milchick & Ms. Huang- as “fellow in training” 😂🤣 doing a Lumen Management Program (aka LUMP 🤣) video for _Integrating New Team Members._ I love these little spots that they’ve been putting out.
Wild theory I haven't seen yet: What if the guy creeping on Mark from down the hall, when he runs into welness at the beginning, is Graner? But like a Ms. Casey style Graner. Cause I don't think it was Milchik (not a blue turtleneck), and we haven't met the new head of security yet. Wanted to get this out there, and put it somewhere it my be appreciated
There was a progress bar on Marks desktop monitor. It shows 68%. Then the picture switches to Ms Casy/Gemma portrait. And there is a progress bar as well. It also says 68% ! So I think they are completing a task on brains/brain implants of testing floor innies. Maybe they help cure brain damage? Gemma had a car accident and I think she "died" in a hospital. Harmony Cobel was in a hospital seriously ill. Maybe her brain got healed by Lumon as well. That's maybe why she is so devoted to Lumon? Or maybe they clear some space in these brains, so that they can be reprogrammed or different memories can be implanted. What do you guys think about this?
Thank you for making these severance reactions, man. They’re very entertaining 🙏 I like to know other’s opinions on shows after I watch them. Plus, the Dylan-Irving convo was so sad, I was tearing up and I don’t normally tear up watching stuff-but that may just be because Irving is my favorite Macrodat and Dylan effectively saved him from ending his life.
I don't see any reason to believe that Milchik lied about Mark wanting to come back immediately. Just think of it from Mark's outie's perspective. You suddenly black out and you're in a different part of the house, with Ms. Selvig not in front of you. Devon explains your innie took over and that, just before you reverted, you screamed "she's alive" ... while holding a picture of you and your late wife. You put 2 and 2 together and need answers about Gemma, so of course you'd want to go back.
29:38 looks like Danise, Rickon, and Patton... in the same order they were sitting at the table in season 1 at the "no food" dinner. Are they architects at Lumon? Is the whole town severed i wonder?
im still not sold on millkshake and cobell not being severed. i find it more likely that they are full time severed. I think ms cobells only possible motivation to test marks regocnition of ms casey has to be that she wants to free herself from being severed. i dont see her not having a personal agenda, she doesnt seem to be a pawn like milkshake.
If you look carefully. In the botton of the screen that showed gemma there is "wo, dr, fc, ma" which means woe, dread, frolic and malice. The four tempers that eagan defines as emotions thats needs to be balanced. And the job that they do is to feel some emotion to pick the numbers and put in the box.
They established in text in season one that the MDR crew know Milchick isn't severed when Irving melts down at Bert's goodbye party and shouts at Milchick that he isn't severed and gets to come and go without having to face the oblivion innie Bert and Irving have to live with (paraphrasing on my behalf here). It's said in a manner that's matter of fact and indicates it's not something they deduced by something they just know. Also, Mark's outie may have begged to Come back right away as Milchick said cuz he now knows, post season 1 finale, that his wife isn't dead and she's inside Lumen. That's very possible. Though we can't say for sure yet.
I love, besides the fun satire of the corporate world, Severance's exploration of inner conflicts. With Helly, of course, who perfectly embodies the war against oneself. But also with Harmony. I never managed to hate her because Patricia Arquette is so good in this role of icy superior. It was funny to see how much she irritated you in season 1 though, but for me it was like watching Homelander: I LOVE her!😍😍😍 And her character is fascinating. I never thought, like some, that she could be severed. Too many elements contradict this thesis. So she plays a role when she's Mrs. Selvig. She practices when she wonders out loud, watching Mark behind her window "Oh, Mark, are you OK?" But we have the impression that she's also genuinely worried. Similarly, when she tells him "get away from these people", validating his resignation, full of emotion, when she herself has just been fired, we really feel that there is sincerity in her acting. So there is some Mrs. Selvig in Harmony. But isn't Harmony Cobel herself a role that she has to play to establish her credibility in her position as leader of the severed floor? Both Mrs. Selvig and Mrs. Cobel are roles, and the character has in her both personalities whose traits she forces. I've always felt this sincerity in Mrs. Selvig and so, Harmony, who are you really? This character gives me the impression of not knowing who she is. Maybe I'm wrong. But I found it interesting that, unlike severed people, who have the same personality as innies and outies, without having the same memories, Harmony has like two different personalities inside and outside, while having the same memories in both cases. Anyway, I can't wait to see her back!!!
Something I noticed this episode: the door to the hallway has a sign over it which reads “SVRD” rather than “severed.” When the outies tape their consent notice they say, “the procedure colloquially known as severance.” Now I’m trying to figure out what it could be an acronym for
I swear I have MISSED THIS man.. I've watched the first episode with my friends (because, and I say that with a lot of pride, got 2 of my friends hooked on the show) and it was great but usually I also stop to look at things to not miss any details and of course I can't do that there 😅 same for discussing stuff during the episode, I usually always pause for that and they've also watched the dubbed version which makes it a bit easier to miss things. I for example completely missed all that talk of the new macro data refiners talking about their “old branches" brooms with plates whaaat?👀 So I'm SO glad you go deep into the episode
42:34 They had them before. Helly used one to break the glass of the door when she was trying to escape with the note. Also, I like how they have Helly *flying off* with Irv in the _Lumen is Listening_ video, just like Kier did in the congratulatory animation in the first season, 😂🤣
My favorite theory right now is that mark is starting reintigrating (so he can eventually find Gemma) explaining the shadow he catches out of corner of his eye in the opening and why the elevator shots have gotten way more extreme since last season That being said im not completely sold, it would be pretty limiting on the story for that to be happening already
It's crazy how under the radar the first season flew, compared to the bananas momentum (popularity/mainstream awareness) of this season... feeling a little like today's Breaking Bad or GoT, lol.
Well it may be an alternate world/parallel universe situation, or they’re just straight up lying. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a straight up lie especially after all the propaganda of that stop motion animatic.
@@scottshepherd8795 according to the UN. But its a lot more complicated question than you might think. th-cam.com/video/3nB688xBYdY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8h7NQX9LWxvvRyB3
Also, even a corporation as ubiquitous as McDonalds only operates in 118 countries. The notion that Lumon operates in more countries than are even formally recognized is wild
After rewatching s1, I am 100% convinced that Ricken’s friends all have the chip and they are actually innies. Look at the way they act. Replace them with children and it all makes sense.
Heat Miser! You found him! Ben Stiller referenced these X-Mas videos in an interview. Do you get your wrists tied behind your back when you’re bobbing for pineapples?? Sarah from SNL’s current crew was the water tower. She’s a hoot!!! Love it he Severance suit! 💙
We used to tie our hands behind our back with scarves when bobbing for apples. I Googled it and it isn't uncommon. Having said that, Lumon will use this for torture, obviously.
Okay, quick, a new theory before episode 2: I think the writing choice to have Milchick replace Cobel could mirror a development Lumon has likely gone under in the past. Theres the company, and theres the cult. In the early days of Lumon, every higher ranking employee probably genuinely believed in Kiers vision and all that. But, like all things, eventually people rose through the ranks who are just in it for the money and the power and all that. Not saying one is better than the other, its obvious that the cultists are really fucked up. But to get to my point: In season 1 we saw that Ms. Cobel was a genuine believer. She didnt pretend to follow the teachings of Kier for the innies, no, she recited the core principles to herself, she performed a "punitive Kier chant", she has a goddamn shrine to him. When Mark S. asks her what theyre doing, she seems genuinely pissed. They serve Kier. She actually believes that. So when they torture someone in the break room, thats just necessary. The work is mysterious and important. Milchick is of a different nature. I dont think he ever talked about Kier or the Eagans. He might tell Irving hes bringing shame to his department and to Kier, but thats just to keep Irving in line. If Ms. Cobel found Mark S. attempt to frame new Mark, Im 100% certain that she would throw a fit of hysteria over the disrespect to Kiers name. Milchick is completely focussed on the insult to his person. "Do you think I'm a shambolic rube?" The changes to the severed floor make perfect sense. The severed floor is now Milchicks so instead of a cultish, dark and eery room, the break room is now "bright" and we get a nice corporate video about how Lumon is definitely totally not mad at all about the Macrodata Uprising. Just like Milchick, its just a facade, an empty corporate smile, no kindness behind it. Milchicks "He broke skin" comment, his thinly veiled rage behind Mark S. personal insult and him not bearing to stand to look at the welcome screen directed at Ms. Cobel, yeah, this guy has very thin skin indeed and is likely more self-serving than anything else. And just to throw in a quick prediction so I can pretend theres a point to all my rambling: Milchick's downfall will likely come from him being so self-serving and vain, he'll prioritize his wellbeing over Kiers mission. And, well, Helena is down there, so the Eagans will know. Indeed, the Macrodata Uprising and the Innies seing the outside world was only ever possible because Milchick secretly awakened Dylan to cover his own ass.
The claymation sequence is a perfect demonstration of the infantilizing, gaslighting-filled psychological abuse that corporations deploy on their workers in real life. Thankfully I've avoided the drivel since I've worked for local employers or worked in the public sector along with my art. From the clips that have leaked out from Amazon corporate among others, their union-busting tactics are about as mentally-degrading as Lumon's propaganda. What makes it worse for the innies here is they have never experienced the outside world apart from the MDR crew for a few hours during the night. It's fantastic to see this borderline torture being satirized here. "We'll let you dip your head into water to catch fruit cacti, just for fun!" 😂
Your 16 candles dolls reminds me of malevolent-chec's vibe of keeping essential workers yet with forgotten basic needs of them, additionally, suffering from every possible company ploy by overseers that the workers are suppose to look up to.
really really smart of irving to tell only dylan (since he clocked Helly's lie), not only that but to whisper it to him near the exit, where it less likely that there's microphones. no, i don't think lumon was serious abt no microphones & no cameras, even if its true, does anyone believe them?
Pineapple bobbing looks like torture. Why focus in on the hands being tied behind their backs? The preview thing after the credits shows someone getting dunked in water and they did not appear to be having a good time. Also one preview has Ms. Cobel saying, was there a pineapple involved, to Mark
Also the game M’s. Huang plays, when she finally gets a ring to float around the diver’s hands, it makes it look like his hands are tied. I think it’s all foreshadowing
@@SeveredMouse I think all the new "rewards" are actually new punishments. Irving did not appear to be enjoying those mirrors either. That is also why the chairs are purple, mix of blue and red. Mix of ignorance and truth.
Great reaction, always waiting for your insights. To me the biggest prove Helly is actually Helena in disguise is how good she was at lying. Usually, when a good character lies the showrunners make it look like the character is sort of hesitating or there is "that look" where you notice they feel bad about it, here there is none of that. She was very confident in her lie, even when Irv pointed out the night gardener thing. Also, the conversation with Mark in the hallway doesn't sound Helly at all.
I've been obsessed with this show for some time. I watched this episode on Thursday night and I came to the following conclusions when she started lying about her above-ground experience. I've watched the episode several more times since and here's what I think is going on: (Potential spoilers ahead - if I'm correct.) The woman who came down the elevator is not Helly R, it's Helena Eagan. She was sent down there as a mole or spy to ascertain what the innies learned during their outside experience. They didn't wipe their memories because they need to figure out what they know and what they did. Right from the start, she seemed "off." She isn't behaving as Helly R would behave. Helly R would have come down there with a battery in her back ready to burn it to the ground. Helena did not. She's not interacting with the others as Helly would. She's sitting back and letting them talk and she's not contributing a whole lot to the dialogue. That's because, other than watching them all on archival security camera footage, she does not in fact know these people. Helena pointed out several times that the video camera had been removed from their main workspace and then she pointed out that there are no microphones in the break room. She wast trying to get them to feel comfortable talking. Irv figured out immediately that she was lying about her outside experience. She said she went outside and told the gardener. Irv knows it was the middle of winter and it was nighttime. There was no gardener around. So Irv clammed up and didn't reveal anything about his experience to the full group. Irv does not trust her. When Irv was walking away down the hallway and Dylan said he would come with him, Helena suggested that they ALL go with him simply because she wanted to hear the conversation. Then Helena and Mark S had that chat in the hallway. Again, Helena not acting like Helly at all. Helly HATEs it down there. She tried to quit and resign several times. She threatened to cut off her fingers. She hanged herself in the elevator. There is absolutely no way that she would have chosen to stay down there. And she wasn't acting all that surprised or indignant about the revelation that Mark's wife was alive and being held captive down there. Sadly, I don't think we will ever see Helly R again. There's no earthly reason why Helena or the board would permit her to go down there as Helly R. Helly already caused so much havoc and collateral damage. I think our favorite protagonist from season one has been fully replaced by the antagonist, Helena Eagan. And finally, they showed Milchick turning off his workstation and then they cut to Helena trying to turn on her workstation and she was fumbling around trying to locate the switch. Helly had turned that workstation on and off hundreds of times. Helena has never actually touched those computers before. I also think that 5 months have not transpired leading up to this. Cobel was fired the day of the Eagan family gala. They would have promoted Milchick within weeks and his office looked like he was in the process of moving in that very day. And those three other workers had been brought in from another branch on that very day that Mark S showed up. Another thing that I'm trying to figure out is why there is a child working as the office manager on the severed floor. She's of asian descent which raises the question, is she a clone of Ms. Casey? Also, she said she previously worked as a crossing guard. Excuse me? She had a job at the age of what? 8? as a crossing guard on the outside world? Not a chance. There has got to be some big reason for Ms. Huang to be there. Another thing... when Mark S walked into the Wellness waiting room and you see a man standing in the background down the hallway. That was NOT Milchick. Milchick shows up seconds later in the main work room wearing a blue turtleneck. The man down the hallway was in a white shirt and suit. I think we're in for some awesome mysteries and plot twists unfolding this season. Oh... you may have missed the behind the scenes piece. If you fast forward through the end credits, there's some additional, exciting content.
In some places, kids around age 11 or 12 can be crossing guards for elementary schools if there are kids who live in walking distance to the school. Instead of a clone with rapid aging, could Miss Huang be a successful case of what Lumon is trying to do with Miss Casey? Somehow because this is a Lumon town, family members don't question too much when they can't see the body of their relatives, and Lumon takes people in comas for experimentation. They are the ones who never leave. Just a theory, of course!
My leading theory is 1. Helly is actually Helena because she was behaving kinda sus imo (repeatedly telling them there are no cameras ? Now come on.. Helly would never be this naive and trusting of the bs Milchick is saying, then also her not finding the on- switch for her computer 👀, her response to Mark hugging her felt kinda weird ... hmm) 2. Burt is not actually retired (just as Mark W. wasn't after his retirement) 3. they're potentially cloning people and have our gang program their identities OR that without the cloning part (cloning why? Because Miss Wong is literally a child, who knows) 4. I feel like Burt was either reintegrated and working as a spy on the inside or his outie is doing some sus shit 👀 I don't know what but something is up with him .. 5. Irving saw something/ remembered something that made him stay as sweet as the scene was I don't think it was just because of what Dylan said.. there's also something up with irving for sure
I didn't realise some people still needed convincing that Milchick is unsevered. Irving says during Burt's retirement party to Milchick, "You're not severed. You walk out of here with your memories. You carry them home with you every night." I think the fact that management/higher ups in the company are unsevered and those below them are severed is part of the power structure of the severed floor - innies are infantile and vulnerable and easily manipulated because of this. Also, if people in Milchick's position were unsevered, then they'd be innies too and therefore the innies' struggles would also be Milchick's struggles. He'd want to see the sun and know who his family and friends are as much as Mark does. His position of power fundamentally would not work if he was severed/an innie.
Look at how "Helly" initially didn't accept Mark's hug at the beginning and then lied about her experience on the surface. (Also, would an innie even know that there is such a thing as "Save the Gorillas" t-shirts?) That's Helena. It didn't occur to most people after Season One (and I'm one of the people it didn't occur to) but, if the show is being intellectually honest, we'll never see Helly again. Why would Lumon/Helena ever let Helly come back into existence? The question going forward most likely will be: can Mark and the others win over Helena?
She did accept it. She leaned in and returned it. She was just caught off guard. Think about where she would have come from. Her head would have been all over the place. Launch yourself at a loved one and hug them when they aren't expecting it. See how they react.
@@SteveLaw-UK I meant to write that she didn’t initially accept Mark's hug and I just edited my comment above to reflect that. I have very little doubt that that’s Helena who’s lying to them. Helena, who has never met Mark before and hugged him . . . like that. We’ll see who turns out to be right.
I have question. I noticed that when you press pause, the screen dims slightly and the interface hangs in the center, does not disappear. What happens if you click on screen while pause? It will unpause or interface is disappear and picture becomes clear? Some interfaces work like that. Try to click on screen outside the play/pause icon. Thx for the reactions)
Helena trying to get them to all follow Irving in the hall is all about trying to keep them together so she can get as much info as possible. She wants info.
Nothing about the way she acts is Helly at all.
"We're not the same... we don't owe them sh!t..." thats her long-standing dehumanizing of innies being turned around a disguised as hatred of outies. Its the one moment where she shows emotion in the episode and it fully aligns with how Helena sees the split.
she was so fucking sus
Someone pointed out that Helly's 2x01 outfit is the same as her 1x01 outfit but with inverted colors
Her outfit colors looks like Minecraft Steve's skin
very interesting, everything points to a mole
I don't know if this isn't a deleted scene, but there was a point in the show that showed the store they go shopping in and only the clothes they can buy, so she doesn't have a varied wardrobe
"The Eagan's in our branch were animatronic."
"WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!"
I hope we get to see that nightmare fuel at some point 😂
I really wanted Irv to say “hey kids, what’s for dinner?” when he came into the room at the end, after deciding to stay.
I don’t think Helly was in this episode.
they left so many hints that it’s helena! I hope it’s a plot point and not a twist
I've seen this everywhere, I don't buy it.
@ my guess is we will learn very early on that she’s Helena. I would imagine next episode we see more of the outties and it would be hard to hide Helena for a long time without it being questionable so maybe even the next episode we will see the plan.
yeah I wasn't a believer at first but the power switch argument convinced me. you don't spend a whole quarter at a computer without getting some muscle memory.....
@@Goraboraalso when she says “he said there’s no microphones” helly would never trust milchick!!
We're back! You're one of the best Severance reactors on TH-cam MovieMan!
So…Lumon goes to outie Irv and Dylan and says “we know you have already refused to come back, but your former coworker who you don’t remember is really sad and keeps asking for you”.
So they…agree? Nah, something is wrong here.
Also, they entered about 60 seconds apart, which would have to mean they know/met each other.
YES! That timeline is so odd. Lumen offered them more money because Mark asked the board?? As if. And after 5 months of refusing to come back to work, they agree? No way! Lies lies lies.
S1E9 Cobel told Helly that ‘she’d be long gone but her friends would suffer.’
She was right.
I think Ms. Huang goes to the same school Ms. Cobel did, the "Myrtle Eagan School for Girls". They probably have a school-to-work/workforce training program where they force or at least encourage students to become Lumon employees.
I'm not necessarily in the "That's outie Helly" camp, but one thing is for sure - we last saw her get tackled sideways and now we see her not only entering running but also with a weird delay, like she was preparing in the elevator how to come in. If that was her innie, it was not an immediate cut from the party, she must have been activated at least once before since the party. Or that's just her outie.
Also, I believe Irving DID try to leave and accepted his fate when his outie came back in, just like Helly in S1. We know outie Irving wants him to be there.
Also, "Helly" didn't initially accept Mark's hug when she emerged from the elevator. That's Helena and she's never met Mark before. There's no way that Lumon/Helena would let Helly come back into existence again. Why would they? In fact, if the show is being totally logical, we'll never see Helly again. The question will be whether Mark and the others can somehow win over Helena.
Or they try to find a way to turn Hely back on.
@@DIEGOSHAY
She is chipped, on the Severance floor, un-activated. That means the others could do the same. imagine that |O_o|
@@georgekleinfelter7041 she was caught off guard by the hug. Her head (and adrenaline) would be all over the place. She returned it genuinely.
Launch yourself at a loved one and hug them unexpectedly, she how they react.
The key label in the last shot is ITNO 25 (BUILD) or iteration number 25. Gemma's been refined so many times she's on her 25th build. The woe and frolic etc numbers are memories, and last season, when Mark said he breezed past his first post sever file file (his freshman fluke) he was refining gemma
it's def gemma, it also explains why ms. casey was so strange. she needs to be refined further
About fire extinguishers... Helly used one in S1 to break the window glass in that hallway door in an effort to get a message to her outie.
None of the Lumon managers or supervisors are severed as far as we know. They're allowed to know and use their last names, which is indicative of their connection to their family and personal history. That's obviously not something an innie is allowed access to.
Very subtle point that hadn't really registered.
There are only 193 countries in our world currently so Lumen operating in 206 countries is another distinction between ours and theirs.
Oh nice
206 bones in the human body tho
Or a lie.
That was Helena for sure
I’ve been waiting so long for this video! I’m so excited to see your reaction.
30:35 I was dead at pineapple bobbing too 😭😂
Euphemism
The title “Deputy Manager” is not additional staff or Milchick adding security precautions or some cheeky joke about Ms. Huang being a child. That’s literally what Milchick’s title was for the entirety of Season 1. Harmony was the lead of the Severed floor and Milchick was deputy manager, now Milchick is in Harmony’s position and Ms Huang is in Milchick’s former position. There was even a scene in S1 of Milchick sitting at that very desk as Ms. Cobel leans down and talks to him before entering her office. That’s the scene where we learned Milchick’s first name is Seth.
Apple TV just posted a hilarious promo of Mr. Milchick & Ms. Huang- as “fellow in training” 😂🤣 doing a Lumen Management Program (aka LUMP 🤣) video for _Integrating New Team Members._ I love these little spots that they’ve been putting out.
Wild theory I haven't seen yet:
What if the guy creeping on Mark from down the hall, when he runs into welness at the beginning, is Graner? But like a Ms. Casey style Graner. Cause I don't think it was Milchik (not a blue turtleneck), and we haven't met the new head of security yet.
Wanted to get this out there, and put it somewhere it my be appreciated
Helly used the fire extinguisher to break the fire exit glass.
Ah damn, you're right! lol I forgot
There was a progress bar on Marks desktop monitor. It shows 68%. Then the picture switches to Ms Casy/Gemma portrait. And there is a progress bar as well. It also says 68% !
So I think they are completing a task on brains/brain implants of testing floor innies. Maybe they help cure brain damage? Gemma had a car accident and I think she "died" in a hospital. Harmony Cobel was in a hospital seriously ill. Maybe her brain got healed by Lumon as well. That's maybe why she is so devoted to Lumon?
Or maybe they clear some space in these brains, so that they can be reprogrammed or different memories can be implanted.
What do you guys think about this?
Thank you for making these severance reactions, man. They’re very entertaining 🙏 I like to know other’s opinions on shows after I watch them. Plus, the Dylan-Irving convo was so sad, I was tearing up and I don’t normally tear up watching stuff-but that may just be because Irving is my favorite Macrodat and Dylan effectively saved him from ending his life.
I don't see any reason to believe that Milchik lied about Mark wanting to come back immediately. Just think of it from Mark's outie's perspective. You suddenly black out and you're in a different part of the house, with Ms. Selvig not in front of you. Devon explains your innie took over and that, just before you reverted, you screamed "she's alive" ... while holding a picture of you and your late wife. You put 2 and 2 together and need answers about Gemma, so of course you'd want to go back.
@@PiecefulKaoswe see Milkshake trying to persuade him to go back in the trailer.
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR REACTION!!!!!!!!!
29:38 looks like Danise, Rickon, and Patton... in the same order they were sitting at the table in season 1 at the "no food" dinner. Are they architects at Lumon? Is the whole town severed i wonder?
im still not sold on millkshake and cobell not being severed. i find it more likely that they are full time severed. I think ms cobells only possible motivation to test marks regocnition of ms casey has to be that she wants to free herself from being severed. i dont see her not having a personal agenda, she doesnt seem to be a pawn like milkshake.
What you talking about I didn’t see Helly in this episode at all
@ I know lol, helly was nowhere to be seen… this was all Helena
i was as excited for your reaction as i was for this new season and that says A LOT
'Do you really think I'm a shambolic rube?'
@@TailithSky that's definitely the sort of thing Ricken would say. Checks out.
If you look carefully. In the botton of the screen that showed gemma there is "wo, dr, fc, ma" which means woe, dread, frolic and malice. The four tempers that eagan defines as emotions thats needs to be balanced. And the job that they do is to feel some emotion to pick the numbers and put in the box.
This reaction has my approval!
They established in text in season one that the MDR crew know Milchick isn't severed when Irving melts down at Bert's goodbye party and shouts at Milchick that he isn't severed and gets to come and go without having to face the oblivion innie Bert and Irving have to live with (paraphrasing on my behalf here). It's said in a manner that's matter of fact and indicates it's not something they deduced by something they just know.
Also, Mark's outie may have begged to Come back right away as Milchick said cuz he now knows, post season 1 finale, that his wife isn't dead and she's inside Lumen. That's very possible. Though we can't say for sure yet.
We saw Milkshake trying to get Mark back in the trailer.
I love, besides the fun satire of the corporate world, Severance's exploration of inner conflicts. With Helly, of course, who perfectly embodies the war against oneself.
But also with Harmony. I never managed to hate her because Patricia Arquette is so good in this role of icy superior. It was funny to see how much she irritated you in season 1 though, but for me it was like watching Homelander: I LOVE her!😍😍😍
And her character is fascinating. I never thought, like some, that she could be severed. Too many elements contradict this thesis. So she plays a role when she's Mrs. Selvig. She practices when she wonders out loud, watching Mark behind her window "Oh, Mark, are you OK?" But we have the impression that she's also genuinely worried. Similarly, when she tells him "get away from these people", validating his resignation, full of emotion, when she herself has just been fired, we really feel that there is sincerity in her acting. So there is some Mrs. Selvig in Harmony. But isn't Harmony Cobel herself a role that she has to play to establish her credibility in her position as leader of the severed floor? Both Mrs. Selvig and Mrs. Cobel are roles, and the character has in her both personalities whose traits she forces. I've always felt this sincerity in Mrs. Selvig and so, Harmony, who are you really? This character gives me the impression of not knowing who she is. Maybe I'm wrong. But I found it interesting that, unlike severed people, who have the same personality as innies and outies, without having the same memories, Harmony has like two different personalities inside and outside, while having the same memories in both cases.
Anyway, I can't wait to see her back!!!
Also a big fan of Cobel/Selvig/Arquette.
love your reactions
Something I noticed this episode: the door to the hallway has a sign over it which reads “SVRD” rather than “severed.” When the outies tape their consent notice they say, “the procedure colloquially known as severance.” Now I’m trying to figure out what it could be an acronym for
I swear I have MISSED THIS man.. I've watched the first episode with my friends (because, and I say that with a lot of pride, got 2 of my friends hooked on the show) and it was great but usually I also stop to look at things to not miss any details and of course I can't do that there 😅 same for discussing stuff during the episode, I usually always pause for that and they've also watched the dubbed version which makes it a bit easier to miss things. I for example completely missed all that talk of the new macro data refiners talking about their “old branches" brooms with plates whaaat?👀
So I'm SO glad you go deep into the episode
Helly’s assumption that irving has a gardener is what made me think it’s Helena, it’s a very rich person assumption
42:34 They had them before. Helly used one to break the glass of the door when she was trying to escape with the note.
Also, I like how they have Helly *flying off* with Irv in the _Lumen is Listening_ video, just like Kier did in the congratulatory animation in the first season, 😂🤣
My favorite theory right now is that mark is starting reintigrating (so he can eventually find Gemma) explaining the shadow he catches out of corner of his eye in the opening and why the elevator shots have gotten way more extreme since last season
That being said im not completely sold, it would be pretty limiting on the story for that to be happening already
The extreme switching is definitely suspect. The first one could have been explained by the OTC but the second one really stood out.
Can't wait to see what S2 brings!
The pineapple bobbing looks a lot like helly getting waterboarded in the trailer …
It's crazy how under the radar the first season flew, compared to the bananas momentum (popularity/mainstream awareness) of this season... feeling a little like today's Breaking Bad or GoT, lol.
Thanks!
There are 195 recognized countries in our world, not 206.
Well it may be an alternate world/parallel universe situation, or they’re just straight up lying. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a straight up lie especially after all the propaganda of that stop motion animatic.
Appreciate the clarification! I was more making a note of it for the sake of record-keeping, regarding what "claims" Lumon is making in general
@@scottshepherd8795 according to the UN. But its a lot more complicated question than you might think.
th-cam.com/video/3nB688xBYdY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8h7NQX9LWxvvRyB3
Also, even a corporation as ubiquitous as McDonalds only operates in 118 countries. The notion that Lumon operates in more countries than are even formally recognized is wild
@@Pixlriffslove that your in severance tube comments lol
I want to see MovieMan’s take on the it’s Helena not Helly theory
After rewatching s1, I am 100% convinced that Ricken’s friends all have the chip and they are actually innies.
Look at the way they act. Replace them with children and it all makes sense.
Heat Miser! You found him! Ben Stiller referenced these X-Mas videos in an interview.
Do you get your wrists tied behind your back when you’re bobbing for pineapples??
Sarah from SNL’s current crew was the water tower. She’s a hoot!!!
Love it he Severance suit! 💙
We used to tie our hands behind our back with scarves when bobbing for apples. I Googled it and it isn't uncommon.
Having said that, Lumon will use this for torture, obviously.
@@SteveLaw-UK Wth, lolz
@@TailithSky "Use of arms is not allowed, and the hands are often tied behind the back to prevent cheating."
Okay, quick, a new theory before episode 2:
I think the writing choice to have Milchick replace Cobel could mirror a development Lumon has likely gone under in the past. Theres the company, and theres the cult. In the early days of Lumon, every higher ranking employee probably genuinely believed in Kiers vision and all that. But, like all things, eventually people rose through the ranks who are just in it for the money and the power and all that.
Not saying one is better than the other, its obvious that the cultists are really fucked up.
But to get to my point: In season 1 we saw that Ms. Cobel was a genuine believer. She didnt pretend to follow the teachings of Kier for the innies, no, she recited the core principles to herself, she performed a "punitive Kier chant", she has a goddamn shrine to him. When Mark S. asks her what theyre doing, she seems genuinely pissed. They serve Kier. She actually believes that. So when they torture someone in the break room, thats just necessary. The work is mysterious and important.
Milchick is of a different nature. I dont think he ever talked about Kier or the Eagans. He might tell Irving hes bringing shame to his department and to Kier, but thats just to keep Irving in line. If Ms. Cobel found Mark S. attempt to frame new Mark, Im 100% certain that she would throw a fit of hysteria over the disrespect to Kiers name. Milchick is completely focussed on the insult to his person. "Do you think I'm a shambolic rube?"
The changes to the severed floor make perfect sense. The severed floor is now Milchicks so instead of a cultish, dark and eery room, the break room is now "bright" and we get a nice corporate video about how Lumon is definitely totally not mad at all about the Macrodata Uprising. Just like Milchick, its just a facade, an empty corporate smile, no kindness behind it.
Milchicks "He broke skin" comment, his thinly veiled rage behind Mark S. personal insult and him not bearing to stand to look at the welcome screen directed at Ms. Cobel, yeah, this guy has very thin skin indeed and is likely more self-serving than anything else.
And just to throw in a quick prediction so I can pretend theres a point to all my rambling: Milchick's downfall will likely come from him being so self-serving and vain, he'll prioritize his wellbeing over Kiers mission. And, well, Helena is down there, so the Eagans will know. Indeed, the Macrodata Uprising and the Innies seing the outside world was only ever possible because Milchick secretly awakened Dylan to cover his own ass.
The claymation sequence is a perfect demonstration of the infantilizing, gaslighting-filled psychological abuse that corporations deploy on their workers in real life. Thankfully I've avoided the drivel since I've worked for local employers or worked in the public sector along with my art. From the clips that have leaked out from Amazon corporate among others, their union-busting tactics are about as mentally-degrading as Lumon's propaganda.
What makes it worse for the innies here is they have never experienced the outside world apart from the MDR crew for a few hours during the night. It's fantastic to see this borderline torture being satirized here. "We'll let you dip your head into water to catch fruit cacti, just for fun!" 😂
Your 16 candles dolls reminds me of malevolent-chec's vibe of keeping essential workers yet with forgotten basic needs of them, additionally, suffering from every possible company ploy by overseers that the workers are suppose to look up to.
really really smart of irving to tell only dylan (since he clocked Helly's lie), not only that but to whisper it to him near the exit, where it less likely that there's microphones. no, i don't think lumon was serious abt no microphones & no cameras, even if its true, does anyone believe them?
44:56
My feels bro
Re: you noticing the rings in Miss Huang's game are red, blue, and green, the reams of paper in the cabinet are red, blue, and green as well 👀
Pineapple bobbing looks like torture. Why focus in on the hands being tied behind their backs? The preview thing after the credits shows someone getting dunked in water and they did not appear to be having a good time. Also one preview has Ms. Cobel saying, was there a pineapple involved, to Mark
Also the game M’s. Huang plays, when she finally gets a ring to float around the diver’s hands, it makes it look like his hands are tied. I think it’s all foreshadowing
@@SeveredMouse I think all the new "rewards" are actually new punishments. Irving did not appear to be enjoying those mirrors either.
That is also why the chairs are purple, mix of blue and red. Mix of ignorance and truth.
Great reaction, always waiting for your insights. To me the biggest prove Helly is actually Helena in disguise is how good she was at lying. Usually, when a good character lies the showrunners make it look like the character is sort of hesitating or there is "that look" where you notice they feel bad about it, here there is none of that. She was very confident in her lie, even when Irv pointed out the night gardener thing. Also, the conversation with Mark in the hallway doesn't sound Helly at all.
I wonder if Keanu is a fan of Severance?
That was 100% Helena her behavior was extremely weird she’s lumon spy for sure
I've been obsessed with this show for some time. I watched this episode on Thursday night and I came to the following conclusions when she started lying about her above-ground experience. I've watched the episode several more times since and here's what I think is going on: (Potential spoilers ahead - if I'm correct.)
The woman who came down the elevator is not Helly R, it's Helena Eagan. She was sent down there as a mole or spy to ascertain what the innies learned during their outside experience. They didn't wipe their memories because they need to figure out what they know and what they did. Right from the start, she seemed "off." She isn't behaving as Helly R would behave. Helly R would have come down there with a battery in her back ready to burn it to the ground. Helena did not. She's not interacting with the others as Helly would. She's sitting back and letting them talk and she's not contributing a whole lot to the dialogue. That's because, other than watching them all on archival security camera footage, she does not in fact know these people. Helena pointed out several times that the video camera had been removed from their main workspace and then she pointed out that there are no microphones in the break room. She wast trying to get them to feel comfortable talking. Irv figured out immediately that she was lying about her outside experience. She said she went outside and told the gardener. Irv knows it was the middle of winter and it was nighttime. There was no gardener around. So Irv clammed up and didn't reveal anything about his experience to the full group. Irv does not trust her. When Irv was walking away down the hallway and Dylan said he would come with him, Helena suggested that they ALL go with him simply because she wanted to hear the conversation. Then Helena and Mark S had that chat in the hallway. Again, Helena not acting like Helly at all. Helly HATEs it down there. She tried to quit and resign several times. She threatened to cut off her fingers. She hanged herself in the elevator. There is absolutely no way that she would have chosen to stay down there. And she wasn't acting all that surprised or indignant about the revelation that Mark's wife was alive and being held captive down there. Sadly, I don't think we will ever see Helly R again. There's no earthly reason why Helena or the board would permit her to go down there as Helly R. Helly already caused so much havoc and collateral damage. I think our favorite protagonist from season one has been fully replaced by the antagonist, Helena Eagan. And finally, they showed Milchick turning off his workstation and then they cut to Helena trying to turn on her workstation and she was fumbling around trying to locate the switch. Helly had turned that workstation on and off hundreds of times. Helena has never actually touched those computers before. I also think that 5 months have not transpired leading up to this. Cobel was fired the day of the Eagan family gala. They would have promoted Milchick within weeks and his office looked like he was in the process of moving in that very day. And those three other workers had been brought in from another branch on that very day that Mark S showed up.
Another thing that I'm trying to figure out is why there is a child working as the office manager on the severed floor. She's of asian descent which raises the question, is she a clone of Ms. Casey? Also, she said she previously worked as a crossing guard. Excuse me? She had a job at the age of what? 8? as a crossing guard on the outside world? Not a chance. There has got to be some big reason for Ms. Huang to be there.
Another thing... when Mark S walked into the Wellness waiting room and you see a man standing in the background down the hallway. That was NOT Milchick. Milchick shows up seconds later in the main work room wearing a blue turtleneck. The man down the hallway was in a white shirt and suit.
I think we're in for some awesome mysteries and plot twists unfolding this season. Oh... you may have missed the behind the scenes piece. If you fast forward through the end credits, there's some additional, exciting content.
In some places, kids around age 11 or 12 can be crossing guards for elementary schools if there are kids who live in walking distance to the school. Instead of a clone with rapid aging, could Miss Huang be a successful case of what Lumon is trying to do with Miss Casey? Somehow because this is a Lumon town, family members don't question too much when they can't see the body of their relatives, and Lumon takes people in comas for experimentation. They are the ones who never leave. Just a theory, of course!
I hope we will see more of Dario and his 🤌 ink pencils 🤌
My guy missed the whole reveal that that’s NOT innie Helly lol
LFG!
Yay!
My leading theory is 1. Helly is actually Helena because she was behaving kinda sus imo (repeatedly telling them there are no cameras ? Now come on.. Helly would never be this naive and trusting of the bs Milchick is saying, then also her not finding the on- switch for her computer 👀, her response to Mark hugging her felt kinda weird ... hmm) 2. Burt is not actually retired (just as Mark W. wasn't after his retirement) 3. they're potentially cloning people and have our gang program their identities OR that without the cloning part (cloning why? Because Miss Wong is literally a child, who knows) 4. I feel like Burt was either reintegrated and working as a spy on the inside or his outie is doing some sus shit 👀 I don't know what but something is up with him .. 5. Irving saw something/ remembered something that made him stay as sweet as the scene was I don't think it was just because of what Dylan said.. there's also something up with irving for sure
You should watch Silo next!
What did you mean by ''DEI hire'' at the beginning?
People may not like you pausing all the time but will keep watching, because the implication. 😈
31:21 Sarah Sherman
I didn't realise some people still needed convincing that Milchick is unsevered. Irving says during Burt's retirement party to Milchick, "You're not severed. You walk out of here with your memories. You carry them home with you every night." I think the fact that management/higher ups in the company are unsevered and those below them are severed is part of the power structure of the severed floor - innies are infantile and vulnerable and easily manipulated because of this. Also, if people in Milchick's position were unsevered, then they'd be innies too and therefore the innies' struggles would also be Milchick's struggles. He'd want to see the sun and know who his family and friends are as much as Mark does. His position of power fundamentally would not work if he was severed/an innie.
The constant pausing takes away from the reaction in my opinion. Maybe save all that for the commentary after?
Is his style of reaction, there are other who do differently.
Look at how "Helly" initially didn't accept Mark's hug at the beginning and then lied about her experience on the surface. (Also, would an innie even know that there is such a thing as "Save the Gorillas" t-shirts?) That's Helena. It didn't occur to most people after Season One (and I'm one of the people it didn't occur to) but, if the show is being intellectually honest, we'll never see Helly again. Why would Lumon/Helena ever let Helly come back into existence? The question going forward most likely will be: can Mark and the others win over Helena?
She did accept it. She leaned in and returned it. She was just caught off guard. Think about where she would have come from. Her head would have been all over the place.
Launch yourself at a loved one and hug them when they aren't expecting it. See how they react.
@@georgekleinfelter7041Lumon know they kissed, Helena would have gone in cold and prepared for it. She'd have been hyper-alert not distracted.
@@SteveLaw-UK I meant to write that she didn’t initially accept Mark's hug and I just edited my comment above to reflect that. I have very little doubt that that’s Helena who’s lying to them. Helena, who has never met Mark before and hugged him . . . like that. We’ll see who turns out to be right.
Yeah I’m kinda convinced that ain’t Helly. But we’ll wait and see.
I have question. I noticed that when you press pause, the screen dims slightly and the interface hangs in the center, does not disappear. What happens if you click on screen while pause? It will unpause or interface is disappear and picture becomes clear? Some interfaces work like that. Try to click on screen outside the play/pause icon. Thx for the reactions)