Halfway through the captivating finale of "Severance," Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale embarks on a captivating reading from his latest tome, "The You You Are." After sharing a bland and fictitious anecdote about Mozart, he poses two profound questions: "What, indeed, is you?" and "Who are you?" Since the very inception of the series, "Severance" has been deeply delving into this question. Throughout its runtime, the innies have been on a relentless quest to unlock the mysteries of their true selves. However, the concept of identity remains a fleeting and elusive target. Despite Helly, Mark, and Irv gaining valuable insights into their outie selves in the finale, they still remain far from answering that ever-present existential puzzle.
Truthfully, it might not possess a definitive answer. But let's embark on this journey from its glorious beginning, shall we? A montage of fluttering images graces the screen, setting the stage for our protagonists: Irv, Helly, and Mark. Dylan flips the switch, and we're thrust into a whirlwind of excitement. After a season of witnessing these three characters seamlessly toggling between their innie and outie personas, the split-screen reveal of all three innies coming online simultaneously is brilliantly effective, evoking a sense of awe and anticipation.
"Severance" has cleverly conditioned its viewers with a Pavlovian response. Whenever we encounter that curious visual and auditory pairing of the camera's trippy trick accompanied by the elevator ding, we instinctively brace ourselves for the unknown. Theodore Shapiro's pulsating and already iconic score ignites a sense of immediate immersion, propelling us deep into the heart of the story. It kicks in with a bang and carries us through to the very end, but this time, the record-scratch sound from the conclusion of the opening credits intermittently punctuates the narrative, hinting at the potentially risky clashes between the innies and their outie lives.
This episode clocks in at a mere 41 minutes, but the intense tension that pervades its every moment makes it seem like an eternity. It's akin to a thrill-ride called Anxiety: The Ride™. Who needs drugs when you have "Severance"? What an adrenaline rush!
Now, let's delve into the individual journeys of our innies before converging on those final, breathtaking moments.
As Milchick and Cobel converge on the OTC jailbreak, each of the three innies reaches a pivotal moment. Irv arrives at Burt's doorstep, a critical crossroads in his journey. Helly, defiant and resolute, strides onto the stage, braving Cobel's attempts to restrain her. Her hellish boss can only watch helplessly as Helly exposes the truth to the gala's astonished guests.
Simultaneously, Mark's eyes fall upon a haunting image of Gemma, sparking a race to find Devon. The screams echo throughout the chaos, each voice a testament to their anguish and purpose. Dylan holds his ground until the very last moment, only to be brutally brought down by Milchick's powerful tackle.
But in those fleeting moments, Helly's revelation about the severance procedure shatters the illusion, Irv finds the love he thought was lost in Lumon, and Mark conveys vital information. Scott's frantic cry of "She's alive!" echoes in my mind, a haunting reminder of the drama unfolding.
And then, suddenly, the Pavlovian audiovisual cue sounds, shattering the innie spell and leaving us in tattered shreds. The cliffhangers loom large: What do the scary numbers signify? What's the mystery behind those goats? Will innie Dylan ever reunite with his children? Will the innies ever awaken from their trance? What will Burt say when he finally opens that door?
I understand the viewer's frustration over the lack of answers in this finale episode. But for me, the show's allure lies in its ability to tease my brain with possibilities. Given the excellence of the first season, I have no doubt that the Severance creative team will steer this ship capably, and I'm eager to follow wherever they lead.
It's been a privilege to be your Lumon luminary throughout this thrilling season of Severance. I hope you've enjoyed these recaps as much as I've enjoyed recapping them for you.
