Fans of the Apple TV Plus thriller Severance are being taken on one wild ride as the story slowly reveals the bizarre and unsettling world within Lumon Industries. The intriguing layers of the plot reach new heights with episode 9, titled "The After Hours," leading viewers to ponder the dark and twisted themes within the show as they anticipate the finale.
This episode dives deep beyond the confines of Lumon, exploring the dismal lives of the characters outside the workplace. Here, things take a particularly uncomfortable turn during breakfast at the Eagan household. The episode certainly has its fair share of chilling moments. Notably, the interaction between Helena Eagan (Britt Lower), the daughter, and her father, Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry), raises the creep factor to a disturbing level.
From the start of the episode, we see Helena sitting down for breakfast with her father, who oddly chooses to watch rather than eat himself. The moment feels heavy and filled with tension, with Helena laboring over cutting her hard-boiled egg. The discomfort escalates when Jame makes the unsettling comment: "I wish you’d take them raw.” This line resonates deeply, alluding to the sinister legacy of Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan, whose peculiar breakfast choice consisted of three raw eggs mixed with milk—revealing arcing connections to themes of control and subjugation.
Reflecting on these bizarre dynamics, it is important to note how Severance masterfully dictates feelings of discomfort visually and narratively. The earlier waffle party scenes also strip away innocence with unsettling masked performances, pushing the limits on how characters manipulate and exercise power over one another.
While Jame’s words linger uncomfortably, they certainly deepen the chilling atmosphere around Helena’s upbringing. What is made more alarming is the implication of Jame's character as the episode suggests, perhaps, he has pushed boundaries of women's autonomy, with the introduction of characters like Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson) discussing Gemma Scout's (Dichen Lachman) torturous existence as Lumon's test subject. The quote, "She’s easy to like. She’s fond of me too, of course," hints at another layer of horror, urging the viewer to assess male-female power dynamics underlines the show.
The unsettling breakfast scene is compounded by the unearthing of darker family secrets. The episode hints at ulterior motives behind Jame's surprise visit to Mark's (Adam Scott) workplace, where he remarkably encounters Helly (Britt Lower). This extensive build-up of discomfort creates unease leading to the anticipated confrontation.
Meanwhile, other plotlines develop as side characters Dylan (Zach Cherry) and his wife Gretchen (Merritt Wever) grapple with their problems, and Mark’s stated stare-down with Cobel (Patricia Arquette) inside one of Lumon’s birthing cabins hints at brewing tensions with his own fate. Each character battle serves to heighten the ominous tone of the show.
Fans can’t overlook the thematic parallels drawn with older traditions of storytelling, particularly as episode titles recall significant influences. The title of episode 9, "The After Hours," echoes the infamous "The Twilight Zone" episode by the same name. The earlier plot, depicting mannequins who secretly live among humans, draws parallels to the characters' dual lives within the severance storyline.
Speculation floats among fans concerning the season finale titled, "Cold Harbor," and the underlying narrative involving the potential revival of Kier’s persona through his descendants. Mark’s position as the only one capable of completing the Cold Harbor file deepens viewer anticipation. The references to Lumon CEO Jame eagerly awaiting this revival hint at overarching plans beyond mere control—possibly involving the actualization of Kier as an innie once again.
Fans and theorists find themselves entrenched deep within this rabbit hole, concocting theories about the show’s direction. The notion of resurrecting Kier suggests even more sinister iterations of control and complicity—alludes to some potentially damning destinies for involved characters.
The chilling confrontations experienced throughout the season so far lay the groundwork for pivotal revelations yet to come. Tension runs high as audiences await the season finale, which, like everything else within Severance, is sure to be filled with unexpected turns and even darker undertones.
With the premiere date for the finale set on Friday, March 21, 2025, eager fans can hardly contain their excitement. How will the connecting threads of emotional turmoil, moral conundrums, and the intrinsic need for control propel the show’s characters toward their ultimate destinies? Only time will tell, but viewers know they can expect nothing less than the unexpected.
