The penultimate episode of Severance‘s second season featured many sad goodbyes, launching the narrative toward the finale with significant emotional weight. The episode titled "The After Hours" saw several characters grappling with their fates as the story escalates, exposing deep-seated tensions and secret alliances against the backdrop of Lumon Industries.
One of the most alarming revelations came from Harmony Cobel, who informed Mark Scout, "If Mark had finished it, Gemma would already be dead." This statement had devastating emotional repercussions for Mark, whose wife Gemma’s file remains incomplete at 96%. Cobel’s hinting about the dark nature of "Cold Harbor" placed Mark’s desperation to rescue his wife at odds with the sinister corporate realities of Lumon. Mark's struggle to navigate these dangerous waters continues to be the crux of his character arc this season, showcasing the extreme lengths he will go to for love.
Meanwhile, the ever-ominous presence of Jame Eagan escalates as well. The awkward breakfast scene between him and his daughter Helena showcased the creepy undertones of their relationship. Jame, observing Helena eat painfully small portions of her meal, remarked, "I wish you’d take them raw," leaving the audience increasingly uncomfortable with this family dynamic. The culmination of this dismissive and controlling demeanor became painfully clear when Jame confronted Helly R. on the severed floor, stating, "You tricked me, my Helly." This interaction raised alarming questions about Jame's intentions and motives.
Aside from the tense family connections, the dynamics depicted within the workspace of Lumon also took center stage. Seth Milchick, feeling the pressure of management and workload, finally snapped during his conversation with Mr. Drummond, who seemed bent on belittling him with his extensive vocabulary. Milchick’s reaction—telling Drummond to "devour feculence"—sounded like cathartic relief for the character, calling out the toxic environment he finds himself trapped within. His growing disillusionment with Lumon hints at larger inevitable shifts within the corporate structure as the show progresses toward its finale.
The side story of Dylan and Gretchen provided additional depth and heartbreak. Following Gretchen’s confession to Dylan's outie about their connection, Dylan felt betrayed, leading him to drop to his knees and express his love with a makeshift ring. His words, "I know I’m just an innie, but I love you all the way. I do," underscored the complex emotions surrounding their relationship, and the moment highlighted the harsh reality of their fragmented existence. Eventually, this heartbreak led Dylan to resign, leaving audiences to ponder the realities of being severed.
Conversely, the episode examined the emotional toll on Irving and his relationship with Burt. Following Burt's orders to take Irving to an undisclosed location, the farewell between the two characters presented moments rich with nuance and poignancy. Burt’s command not to return to Kier was coupled with haunting echoes of their prior emotional exchanges, building the implication of loss and longing. The audience was left wondering if this was the end for their love story or if Lumon would force them onto overlapping paths once again.
Miss Huang's story also saw closure, as she completed her Wintertide Fellowship, only to be shipped off to the Gunnel Eagan Empathy Center, raising questions about the true cost of her role at Lumon. Her parting words to Dylan conveyed regret; "I should have facilitated this situation more effectively," signifying the burden of decisions made within the higher echelons of the company.
With the season finale looming, tensions and suspense accumulate, leaving fans speculating about potential cliffhangers. The intertwining paths of Mark, Helly, and the fate of his wife Gemma mirror the precarious balance each character maintains between their severed existences and the realities imposed by Lumon. Mark's mantra about maintaining work-life balance feels increasingly like a hollow promise as contributors to the severed floor find themselves grappling with the truth of their fragmented identities.
Heading toward the climactic conclusion of season two, we are left questioning who will make it through Lumon’s sinister machinations. Amidst the questions surrounding Cold Harbor and Gemma's fate, viewers brace themselves with anticipation for the finale, hoping to witness the unraveling of long-held corporate secrets and personal connections forged within the confines of severance.