Unlocking Premiere: The Top 3 Theories Explained

[This narrative contains spoilers for the season two premiere of Severance.]

“Admit it. I’m your favorite perk.”

In an unexpected twist, it is John Turturro’s sorrow-stricken character, Irving, who elicits the most joyful response during the somber moments of the season two premiere of Severance. Just as he contemplates irrevocably terminating his innie existence, Dylan (played by Zach Cherry) intervenes, preventing his friend from succumbing to despair. In that brief exchange, a wry yet melancholic Irving seizes the moment to jest about Dylan’s affinity for finger traps, caricature sketches, and the myriad of incentives Lumon offers its employees.

However, for the astute audience of Severance, the most cherished ‘perk’ manifests in the form of an intricate Easter egg hunt that unfolds with each episode. As one of today’s most compelling mystery box series, crafted by writer Dan Erickson and director Ben Stiller, the show continually conceals significant revelations within plain sight. The premiere provides fertile ground for at least three intriguing theories worthy of exploration. Let us delve into the hints already presented as season two begins.

Lumon’s Deceit

Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) claims that five months have elapsed since the events of the season one finale and that he and the MDR team are heralded as heroes. Is this assertion credible, or merely another fabrication from Lumon? Several indicators suggest the latter, especially considering Lumon’s notorious reputation for deception. Every update regarding the external world stems from this dubious source. Moreover, the fact that Milchick remains in the process of settling into his new office, combined with the lingering presence of Ms. Cobel’s (Patricia Arquette) name on his computer, raises further suspicions.

Identifying Helly: R or E?

Equally murky is the identity of Helly, or perhaps, Helena. Which iteration of Britt Lower has returned in this episode? Is it the defiant Helly, inclined to rebel against Lumon, or the authoritative Helena, a genuine Egan? Helly asserts that upon awakening, she perceived nothing amiss — a blatant untruth. Is she concealing her emotional turmoil from discovering her lineage as an Egan, or simply evading the truth out of self-preservation? Although she exhibits classic Helly tendencies, her motives warrant careful observation as the narrative unfolds.

A Hint from Cold Harbor

True to the nature of the genre, the premiere culminates with a significant visual clue: the MDR team resumes its data analysis, but not before Mark’s screen briefly displays an image of his outie’s wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), alongside cryptic analytical data. This moment feels like a pivotal insight into the enigmatic and essential operations of MDR. The online community of fervent Severance enthusiasts is abuzz with speculation. Some propose it resembles a brain map, while others focus on the ominous label “Cold Harbor.” Could this reference relate to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a prominent institution renowned for DNA and cancer genetics research? Should it be so, it would create a personal connection worth exploring. My mind is thoroughly engaged, and perhaps yours will be too.

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Severance is currently streaming its inaugural episode of season two, with new installments available every Friday on Apple TV+. Read THR’s season premiere interview with writer Dan Erickson.