We've all had egocentric bosses at one point in our lives, but Severance takes this to a whole new level with Kier Eagan (Marc Geller). He is basically worshiped like a god at Lumon, with his words preached by everyone as if they were biblical teachings. Anyone who hears about Kier may think that he is the current CEO, but he is actually the founder, having supposedly died many decades ago. Nevertheless, Kier's shadow hangs over everything that happens at the company as if he were still present, and Lumon's history is deeply tied to his in the strangest ways. But why does this guy inspire such weird devotion?
In 'Severance,' Kier Eagan’s History at Lumon Is Very Strange
Image via AppleTV+
Most of Kier's life is documented in the Compliance Manual that every department at Lumon has available below his portrait. Because of his parents' "close biological relationship" (implying they were somehow related), he grew up a sickly child, surviving tuberculosis before he started working at 12. His first working experience was under a sadistic furniture tycoon who would often beat the employees. This taught him that bosses should love their work just as much as employees, whom they should also consider family.
Years later, Kier met Imogene Eagan working in an ether factory, whom he would eventually marry and also take up her last name. In his early twenties, he was also a doctor during the war (likely the American Civil War), and the soldiers' agony and suffering are said to have provided him with the impulse to create Lumon. Kier founded Lumon in 1865, when he was 24, also becoming its first CEO. He held this office for a whopping 74 years until he died in 1939, though not before turning Lumon into a bioengineering pioneer from its humble beginnings as a small pharmaceutical company. His direct descendants then followed as Lumon CEOs all the way until Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry), the eighth Eagan CEO currently in office.
These characters' memorability leave a lasting impression in a world where memories are severed.
Kier’s Philosophy Makes Work the Center of an Employee’s Life
Lumon employees are encouraged to learn about Kier and his life, and usually grow to worship him. Irving B. (John Turturro), for example, usually reads Kier's teachings in the Compliance Manual. This is supposed to give employees a sense of belonging and purpose, and Kier's philosophy is all about putting work at the center of an employee's life.
There are three aspects of Kier's philosophy that are at the center of life at Lumon. First, there are the Nine Core Principles that everyone must strive to achieve: Vision, Verve, Wit, Cheer, Humility, Benevolence, Nimbleness, Probity, and Wiles. Second are the Four Tempers Kier discovered in human nature, which everyone must tame: Woe, Frolic, Dread, and Malice. Finally, there is Kier's idea of "corporate affection," which consists of serving the community through work, but with a wicked twist that preaches that love for work and companies persists, while love for life and people fades.
These ideas are displayed throughout the company in paintings and quotes, as well as the Perpetuity Wing, which serves as a museum dedicated to the Eagan family, but, most of all, to Kier himself. There's even a full-scale replica of his old house, where certain employees are rewarded for their hard work by getting to impersonate him while participating in strange rituals.
Many Theories Speculate About Kier’s True Condition in ‘Severance’
The blind devotion Kier inspires in his workers has led to many viewer theories about his character in Severance, most of them claiming that he is still somehow in control of Lumon. The fact that he is himself the child of blood-related parents could mean that the CEOs must always be Eagans, so his conscience could be transferred onto them, and the Macrodata Refining department's job could be about perfecting the severance chip in order for Kier to be implanted into the new Eagan CEOs. Another theory speculates that Kier may still be alive and leading the company posing as the Board. Either way, Kier's legacy is so big that many aspects of the town that houses Lumon HQ are named after him, including the local newspaper. All of this makes for a rather strange character who has yet to personally show up in the series.
Severance is available to stream on Apple TV+ in the U.S., with Season 2 premiering January 17.
Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.
Image via AppleTV+
Image via AppleTV+
English (US) ·