Episode 9 of Severance's second season kicks off with an icy exchange between Helly and her father, Jame. They're not sharing a meal, and the atmosphere is tense, especially when Helly mentions their upcoming visit to Mr. Bailiff. Jame responds cryptically, "I wish you'd take them raw," before abruptly rising to leave, leaving it ambiguous whether he's referring to her eggs or something far more metaphorical. The scene then shifts to Helly in her car, and as the camera pans out, a water tower looms in the distance, casting an omnipresent shadow over her thoughts.
Meanwhile, at Lumon, Mr. Milchick unveils a statue of Eustice Huang on his desk, marking the conclusion of Miss Huang's Wintertide Fellowship. Her bed is destined for the Gunnel Eagan Empathy Center in Svalbard, where she'll embark on a mission of global reform. This milestone in her "coming of age" journey includes the symbolic destruction of a personal totem—none other than the Ring Toss game that has been a staple of her earlier episodes.
Elsewhere, Gretchen confides in Dylan that she kissed his Innie, a revelation that leaves him anything but pleased. He even contemplates quitting Lumon and abandoning it all. The mystery persists around why Dylan and his Innie are both working, and why they struggle financially while others seem untouched by such woes. But rest assured, clarity is on its way.
Irving returns home to find Burt waiting in his living room, poring over his notes, including the derogatory labels Irving had bestowed upon him. Irving, aware of his past harshness and understanding that he penned those words "before," offers an apology. Burt proposes a drive, and as they cruise along, he opens up about his role, clarifying that he never inflicted harm, merely ferried individuals around. Their journey ends at the train station, where Burt confesses that he underwent severance to reclaim his innocence, and that very innocence found love in Irving. With a sense of closure, Irving boards the train, while Burt stays behind.
Back at Lumon, Cold Harbor's quota sits at a daunting 96%, with the final tally promised for the day stubbornly refusing to budge. Helly arrives at work to discover Mark's absence and confronts Milchick, who offers her no satisfactory answers.
When it comes to Dylan, he is utterly engrossed in Gretchen, who has made an appearance, declaring this to be her farewell visit. Her marriage hangs in the balance, and she cannot betray her husband. Dylan endeavors to persuade her otherwise, resorting even to getting down on one knee and proposing marriage. This gesture complicates Gretchen's decision even further, particularly since she has long yearned for such romantic gestures from Dylan's Outtie counterpart. However, it proves futile, and she ultimately departs, leaving Dylan heartbroken. Consequently, he resolves to resign from his position.
In Mark's absence, Mr. Milchick bears the brunt of his superior's wrath, as Drummond lambastes him for tarnishing what was supposed to be Lumon's proudest moment. Despite the onslaught, Milchick stands his ground, clarifying that Mark's absence is not his fault but Drummond's. Evidently, he has reached his breaking point and is now defiantly taking a stance.
As for Mark, he embarks on a journey with Devon, with the intention of meeting Cobel, who has just concluded a nostalgic trip down memory lane. She seeks to forge an alliance with them, but Mark is far from being in a jubilant mood.
Their intended stop happens to be a cabin designated for births, where they anticipate a conversation with Mark's Innie. Cobel elaborates further, revealing that Cold Harbor is the very project Mark had been engrossed in. Should he have completed it, she solemnly pronounces, "she would already be deceased," a statement subtly alluding to Gemma's fate. Although we are privy to the fact that he hasn't, this revelation understandably unnerves our protagonist profoundly.
Cobel urges Mark to contact Milchick and inform him of his indisposition, thereby excusing his absence from work. Obliging, Mark dials Milchick's number, explaining that he merely needs a day to gather his thoughts. He assures Milchick of his return the following day, though Milchick's trust in Mark's assertion remains ambiguous.
Back at Lumon, Helly stumbles upon a set of instructions cleverly concealed behind the break room's walls. She endeavors to commit the directions to memory, with the intent of uncovering the concealed doorway. However, her concentration is abruptly shattered by Jame's unexpected appearance in the doorway, causing her to startle.
As the day surrenders to the night, Mark, Devon, and Cobel venture towards the birthing center. After exchanging a series of enigmatic remarks with the guard, they gain entrance. Just as swiftly, the scene transitions to Mark, who awakens within the confines of a cabin. Ascending the stairs, he finds himself confronted by Cobel.
