Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance season 2, episode 4.After a successful first season, Severance season 2 goes deeper into the mysteries and concepts introduced in the show. The biggest element is the connection between Innies and Outies. The few times the two sides of characters, like Adam Scott's Mark Scout/Mark S., connected in any way were among season 1's most exciting. That's why I absolutely loved Severance season 1's finale, as it allowed the Innies the power to take over their bodies from the Outies and walk a world that was not their own. That happens again in season 2's fourth episode, but with a twist.
So far, Severance season 2 has done a great job of ensuring the show continues to feel fresh and thought-provoking despite the fact that we are now familiar with Lumon and the characters. Severance season 2, episode 3 was mostly about the search for Ms. Casey/Gemma. Both the Innie and Outie versions of Mark made decent progress in their search. After Mark Scout went through the reintegration process at the end of the episode, I wondered how that would play out in episode 4. Thankfully, that was answered in one of the show's most thrilling hours.
The Innies Are Set "Loose" In The Outside World
Severance Season 2 Breaks Previously Established Barriers
"Woe's Hollow," the fourth episode of Severance season 2, is its most unique so far. We finally got to see Lumon allowing the characters' Innies some time in the outside world, and it all happened in true Severance fashion. At first, I was confused when characters started popping out in a snowy location. Was it real? It sure was, and the setup, being the first Outdoor Retreat Team Building Occurrence (ORTBO) promoted by Lumon, was quite interesting. The Innies get to be outside, but this time, Lumon is watching them through Mr. Milchick and others.
The Innies have pretty much only experienced life between four walls, so getting to see their fresh perspective when coming into contact with nature was quite interesting.
The ORTBO allowed us to finally get more time with the Innies in the outside world, but in a very different way compared to the season 1 finale. This time around, the Innies are grouped together, so instead of interacting with people they have never met, they get to explore what the world beyond Lumon looks like as a team. I'm a big fan of that decision. The Innies have pretty much only experienced life between four walls, so getting to see their fresh perspective when coming into contact with nature was quite thrilling.
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The ORTBO also lets the show delve deeper into its characters. It's one of the best episodes focused on character development that Severance has done in its two seasons so far. With its unique style of creepiness sprinkled throughout in the form of characters seen from afar who looked like the Macrodata Refinement team and Milchick's ever-constant presence, there were some exciting dashes of horror in episode 4. With a gorgeous white landscape and a mystery about Kier's origins to explore, major reveals enhanced the episode.
The Major Question About Helly R. Is Finally Answered
The Macrodata Refinement Team Loses A Member
Ever since the first episode of Severance season 2 brought back the Macrodata Refinement team after Mark S. asked for it, there have been theories about how Helly R. was actually Helena Eagan in disguise. I was divided at first, as Helly's hesitation to tell the others the truth about what she discovered when she woke up as her Outie in the season 1 finale could have been due to fearing how they'd react. That was understandable. However, there were small moments throughout the episodes that made the theory that Helena was faking it seem accurate.
I think one of Severance's strongest parts comes from the personal reflections it brings for the characters.
I was not shocked when Severance season 2, episode 4, revealed that was the case, though both events that happened before and during the reveal were quite serious. Pretending to be Helly R., Helena got close to Mark S., and the two slept together. One of Severance's strongest parts comes from the personal reflections it brings for the characters. Early in the season, we saw how Helena yearned for connection and was intrigued by Helly and Mark's relationship. The emotional disconnect between the Outies and Innies is being given a lot of focus in season 2.
Mark Scout's reintegration process starts to bleed into Mark S.'s life.
What I did not expect was that Helena's secret would come out at such a heated moment. Irving nearly drowned her to prove his point before Milchick gave out an order to switch from Helena to Helly. While I'm excited that we got such a major development early in season 2, I'm sad that Irving was seemingly killed due to his plan. Episode 4 is a fantastic display of how anything can happen at any time in Severance. No character is safe and with game-changing reveals already happening, what's in store for the remaining episodes is sure to be eventful.
Severance season 2 episodes stream on Apple TV+ every Friday through March 21.
Pros & Cons
- Episode 4 questions what we know about the characters and what they know about themselves
- It was interesting to see the Macrodata team out in the real world and how they reacted to it
- Severance season 2 is already making major reveals early on
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