Severance is rated TV-MA by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for strong language, mature themes, psychological intensity, and mild violence.
Violence and Gore: The show depicts cases of aggression, including cases where male characters physically fight one another. They may not be gory but these scenes are highly charged and provocative, which may leave some individuals uncomfortable.
The leadership at Lumon Industries is highly unresponsive and the oppressive environment most of the time causes psychological discomfort. Protagonists are coerced into emotional blackmail, scrutiny, and pressure, which offers an uneasy experience.
It is possible to pinpoint several instances in the series where the idea of death plays a role, or characters are depicted near dead people, or the topic of death is touched upon briefly. These scenes are not highly sexualized but are powerful in terms of emotional reaction.
Language: In the series, there is a frequent presence of rough language, with terms such as ‘fk’ and ‘st’. The language is quite ‘real’ in the sense that it is used within the scope and amongst the adult characters during highly charged scenes. Certain phrases unique to the fictional company Lumon might be provocative or dehumanizing, thus adding to the show’s eerie ambiance.
Sexual Content: The topics of romantic and sexual relations are mentioned in the show, but there are no scenes of sex. It features occasional meta mentions about the relationships between the characters, such as sexual tension, but it is not the main theme of the show.
There is little exposure of the naked skin or genitals, but some scenes may imply or discuss some aspects of personal relationships.
Substance Use: People are depicted using alcohol in social or home environments. The description is quite restrained, but it reflects the overall picture rather adequately.
While still involving concepts such as the severance procedure and its impact on memory and personality, it will make the viewer think about drugs or medical treatments, even though actual substance use is not portrayed.
Severance Season 2 Ending Explained
Spoiler Warning: This contains major spoilers for Severance Season 2. If you haven’t seen the series yet and want to experience the surprises firsthand, we recommend watching it before reading further. Proceed at your own discretion!
The story explores a radical procedure known as “severance,” which splits employees’ memories into two distinct lives: They will be one specific self for the workplace, and another for all other aspects of life. However, as the show intelligently poses, can identity be compartmentalized so easily?
This question is the life thread of Severance, tying together its ethical and existential narrative while providing the viewers with a riveting murder mystery source. In Season 1, we observed how the employees of Lumon’s Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team struggled with their divided identities. In their own individual capacities and manners, each character was in search of some form of answers, whether it be the desire for self-ownership or the attempt to decipher Lumon’s inscrutable operations. Yet the ultimate question always remained: Who are you?
Picking Up the Threads in Season 2
In the second season, it goes even deeper into this existential hall of mirrors and simultaneously broadens the focus beyond the MDR team. The consequences of the life-changing Season 1 finale are still being felt as new obstacles and conflicts lie ahead for the characters. Lumon has to wake up and face what the team really wants and how far they would be willing to go to attain it here.
For Mark Scout (Adam Scott), the mission is personal: regaining contact with the presumed dead wife of his “outie”. However, his growing affection for the character Helly Riggs played by Britt Lower brings an emotional layer to his story. Helly’s storyline, however, provides some of the most captivating scenes of the entire season. That Helly now knows about her outie persona as Helena Eagan working within Lumon’s management brings another layer of meaning to her double life. Christina’s humanity is portrayed by britt lower who delivers a complex performance that hints at Helena’s neuroses, thereby making her endearing despite being manipulative.
New Dimensions for Familiar Faces:
The other members of the core team also receive huge improvement on their respective areas of specialization. Irving Bailiff (John Turturro) suffers from heartbreak as his innie deals with the fact that Burt Goodman (Christopher Walken) left him to begin a new life with a husband. These scenes are very effectively executed and Turturro does a great job of portraying a man who is both sensitive and determined. On the other hand, Dylan George (Zach Cherry) struggles with what it means to continue existing as a split personality, which is also establishing a touching arc for his character.
Characters that reoccurred such as Mr. Milchick portrayed by Tramell Tillman is always an interest. This changes in season 2 where they start revealing other sides of his mysterious character other than the business mogul image. Meanwhile, new characters, such as Gwendoline Christie’s enigmatic Lorne, add new layers of suspense, but not all the newly introduced characters are equally significant.
The Expanding World of Lumon:
It also focuses more on the themes of the show – the menacing environment of Lumon Industries and their nefarious deeds. Its control surpasses the complex networks of its office spaces and encompasses the very town of Kier after its quasi-divine progenitor. Although many details of Kier’s past are still hidden behind the corporate veil, newly emerged facts suggest that Lumon’s corporate culture is as unrealistic and sinister as a cult. These elements enhance the aesthetics of the series’ universe and help the viewers remain engaged as they try to solve its mystery.
With Dan Erickson at the helm, Severance Season 2 maintains and strengthens the remarkable work done in the first season. Character growth is intense, themes are daring, and everything from the directing to the cinematography is flat-out excellent. Ben Stiller and Uta Briesewitz maintain the fantastic continuity, and the acting is as terrific as the music that amps up every moment of emotion.
In addition to the twists in the plot and the heavy focus on existentialist and nihilist themes, Severance is a poignant critique of corporate life, self, and society. The questions it raises about freedom, identity, and agency are particularly pertinent when discussing jobs with shifting boundaries between professional and personal space. In encapsulating such profound isolations, ideas, and themes while delivering a spectacular plot and performances, Severance has garnered its rightful standing as one of the best shows of the present era.
Severance Season 2 debuts on Apple TV+ on January 17. New Episodes then premiere every Friday!
Created by Dan Erickson..
Series Directors: Ben Stiller, Sam Donovan, Uta Briesewitz, & Jessica Lee Gagné.
Main Cast: Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Episode Count: 10 (Season Two).