Apple TV+ has delivered yet another poignant episode of Severance with Season 2, Episode 7, titled "Chikhai Bardo." This episode takes viewers deep within the emotional and psychological landscapes of its characters, particularly exploring the tumultuous relationship between Mark, played by Adam Scott, and his wife Gemma, portrayed by Dichen Lachman. The title itself refers to the Buddhist term for the transitional phase between life and death, establishing the episode's core thematic exploration surrounding memory, trauma, and identity.
Throughout the episode, the narrative navigates the contrasting timelines of Mark and Gemma's relationship against the backdrop of Lumon's sinister corporate practices. The expectations for Severance have been high, as audiences have often speculated on Lumon’s true intentions with the severance chip and its effects. The question remains: Can memories coexist with severed identities?
The episode begins with Gemma involuntarily subjected to Lumon’s experimental treatments, enduring various humiliations, including meaningless tasks like writing thank you notes and undergoing painful dental procedures. Dr. Mauer, played by Robby Benson, oversees her dreaded treatments, often asking, "Did you feel any despair, fervor, gaiety?" This dehumanizing approach exemplifies the core anxieties surrounding workplace culture presented throughout the series. A poignant moment occurs when Gemma asserts, "I want to go home," to Mauer, highlighting the inner turmoil within her constrained existence.
Flashbacks featuring Mark and Gemma's initial meeting during a blood drive reveal glimpses of their once vibrant and loving relationship. Humorously, their flirtation revolves around grading papers on topics filled with societal relevance—Mark reviews essays about veteran PTSD, and Gemma tackles Tolstoy's complex themes of death. This insight foreshadows the personal tragedies tied to their characters, especially as both face unimaginable loss.
Mark’s recollections offer the audience depth, as the episode shows their intimate moments, including dreams of parenthood, leading to absolute heartache with Gemma's miscarriage. Mark is seen grappling with his guilt and grief, which becomes evident later when Gemma is portrayed as being emotionally distant and tortured under Lumon's constrained environment. This disconnect culminates tragically as they share one last painful moment before her untimely death, which is juxtaposed against Mark's experiences upon his return from reintegration.
At the episode's core lies this juxtapositional storytelling, which resonates with viewers, particularly as emotional stakes rise. This episode does not merely accept the need for answers from Lumon but rather pursues exploration of what separates the innies from their outies—the human experiences and memories they endure. Exploring the Buddhist concept of ego death is pivotal as it not only reconnects Mark and Gemma with their past but also presents existentialism at the forefront of their conflict.
"Chikhai Bardo" doesn’t shy away from delving deep; it wears its emotional scars candidly. The flashbacks from Gemma's life add weight to her traumatic experiences. They present her character as integral to the narrative, compelling audiences to root for her escape from Lumon and back to Mark. Even as she navigates the suffocative confines of her captors, her spirit of resistance remains intact. The climax of this episode sees Gemma attempting to escape from her cell, only to thwarted, emphasizing the dire consequences of Lumon’s control over their lives.
One could argue, as many fans do, whether Severance will deliver on its expansive storyline. Yet, this episode shines through unforgivingly, using the emotional weight of memory and loss to propel the narrative. Mark's and Gemma’s intimate moments juxtaposed with grim realities of Lumon's machinations invite viewers to empathize deeply and question the essence of identity, loss, and love.
A standout performance by Dichen Lachman throughout the episode offers Gemma various shades of resilience against her horrific treatments, presenting her character as not merely a victim, but someone fighting against unthinkable circumstances. Her character alone signifies the broader plight of individuals entangled within corporate designs shedding light on relevant themes of exploitation and collective trauma.
"Where did you go?" Devon's query to Mark serves as the climax of their respective struggles for connection, adding layers to the struggles faced by couples drawn apart by forces beyond their control. This emotional line resonates, leaving viewers to wonder about the ultimate intersections of their experiences and the possibilities for rediscovery within their shared pasts.
Overall, Severance Season 2, Episode 7, delivers masterfully crafted narratives between lives engulfed by anguish and desire for control, laying it bare on the emotional canvas. Audiences are left contemplating what it means when individuals become disconnected not only from their corporately mandated duties but also from their very selves and the loved ones they so deeply yearn to reunite with.
The episode, written by Dan Erickson and directed by Jessica Lee Gagné, engages viewers within its multifaceted themes effectively. "Chikhai Bardo" stands out as not just another chapter but as an evocatively rich exploration of love and identity through trauma.