Severance: Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig
January 23, 2025 7:46 PM - Season 2, Episode 2 - Subscribe
Outie Mark contemplates the meaning of a message. Lumon grapples with the fallout of the Overtime Contingency.
Back to the outties! Including a Burt cameo!
Another strange license plate, with the motto of "Remedium Hominibus" (looking now, “a cure, for mankind”) on the license plate, with likely a Kier picture in the middle.
So, it … hasn’t been five months. :shrug: I don’t know about claymation. I guess that was less solid than we thought?
Ricken was pushing *hard* for the “oh, Innie Mark was talking about his niece” explanation. He knows journalists! But he won’t be helpful.
Why didn’t Cobel just move during the day, when Mark was at work?
Ep 1 of the podcast had Severance creator Dan Erickson talking about how he’d worked at a door factory, and forgotten most of the details, so the “Great Doors” interview felt like an amusing callback. “What kind of door would you be?”
Also, that employer sure showed Dylan the door, huh?
“Was a pineapple involved?” is so funny and weird out of context.
Real charming how Lumon can effectively hold innies hostage, not concerning at all, nope
posted by Pronoiac at 8:51 PM on January 23 [4 favorites]
Another strange license plate, with the motto of "Remedium Hominibus" (looking now, “a cure, for mankind”) on the license plate, with likely a Kier picture in the middle.
So, it … hasn’t been five months. :shrug: I don’t know about claymation. I guess that was less solid than we thought?
Ricken was pushing *hard* for the “oh, Innie Mark was talking about his niece” explanation. He knows journalists! But he won’t be helpful.
Why didn’t Cobel just move during the day, when Mark was at work?
Ep 1 of the podcast had Severance creator Dan Erickson talking about how he’d worked at a door factory, and forgotten most of the details, so the “Great Doors” interview felt like an amusing callback. “What kind of door would you be?”
Also, that employer sure showed Dylan the door, huh?
“Was a pineapple involved?” is so funny and weird out of context.
Real charming how Lumon can effectively hold innies hostage, not concerning at all, nope
posted by Pronoiac at 8:51 PM on January 23 [4 favorites]
1. Why did they need to fire the outies? They had no involvement in the "rebellion". If anything you'd think the company would want to keep them on short leashes after that.
2. I wonder if there will be some explanation for why even the outie world is full of weird retro tech and old cars. We saw at the gala that Lumon clearly has modern tech yet Helena was watching tapes on some 60s-esque tube monitor. I hope it's more than just "weird vibes".
3. I guess every employer in town is a weird freak.
posted by star gentle uterus at 8:53 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
2. I wonder if there will be some explanation for why even the outie world is full of weird retro tech and old cars. We saw at the gala that Lumon clearly has modern tech yet Helena was watching tapes on some 60s-esque tube monitor. I hope it's more than just "weird vibes".
3. I guess every employer in town is a weird freak.
posted by star gentle uterus at 8:53 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
1. Why did they need to fire the outies?
Because they didn't want to give their innies a chance to do more organizing.
2. I wonder if there will be some explanation for why even the outie world is full of weird retro tech and old cars. We saw at the gala that Lumon clearly has modern tech yet Helena was watching tapes on some 60s-esque tube monitor. I hope it's more than just "weird vibes".
What modern tech did we see at the gala? Ben Stiller said the rotating displays we see were based on photos they had seen from Expo '67 in Montreal. We see Helly use a wireless headset but that's really it.
Still, the tech mismatches are definitely present in other areas. Like Mark has a smartphone??? And I guess we saw Milchick with a smart-ish phone last season (when he sees that Cobel is calling him in the finale). Last season Pete's phone was a flip phone. All the TVs we see are CRT.
I feel like the implication is that Lumon has oligopolistic control of R&D in this world and has directed it in very specific directions, leaving other tech developments high and dry.
posted by dry white toast at 9:27 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Because they didn't want to give their innies a chance to do more organizing.
2. I wonder if there will be some explanation for why even the outie world is full of weird retro tech and old cars. We saw at the gala that Lumon clearly has modern tech yet Helena was watching tapes on some 60s-esque tube monitor. I hope it's more than just "weird vibes".
What modern tech did we see at the gala? Ben Stiller said the rotating displays we see were based on photos they had seen from Expo '67 in Montreal. We see Helly use a wireless headset but that's really it.
Still, the tech mismatches are definitely present in other areas. Like Mark has a smartphone??? And I guess we saw Milchick with a smart-ish phone last season (when he sees that Cobel is calling him in the finale). Last season Pete's phone was a flip phone. All the TVs we see are CRT.
I feel like the implication is that Lumon has oligopolistic control of R&D in this world and has directed it in very specific directions, leaving other tech developments high and dry.
posted by dry white toast at 9:27 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Milchick: "I'd hate to reward his courage with non existence".
Plus he threw Cobel under the bus.
"We need Mark S back to work, long enough to compete Cold Harbor". Mark really is special.
Other Mark was fired after just three days.
posted by simonw at 9:40 PM on January 23 [6 favorites]
Plus he threw Cobel under the bus.
"We need Mark S back to work, long enough to compete Cold Harbor". Mark really is special.
Other Mark was fired after just three days.
posted by simonw at 9:40 PM on January 23 [6 favorites]
So far season two mirrors the first: episode 1 was about the innies, and episode 2 replays the same events from the perspective of the outies. Seems like a simple yet effective narrative hook to establish a mystery by withholding half of the plot.
For a guy complaining about one person being two people, the door factory manager (Adrian Martinez) looks eerily like Dylan (Zach Cherry).
Just noticed a visual metaphor: Mark has two fish. Presumably betta? There seems to be a separator in the tank, as they are territorial and would otherwise tear each other apart.
Light also serves as a metaphor in the show: Mark's house is always dark; even in this episode, he is shown replacing a burnt out bulb in his house when Milcheck interrupts him to negotiate his return to Lumen. It's kind of impressive how they manage to have so many lamps on in marks house yet it looks so damn dark! During their conversation, Mark is lit half in the light, half pitch black. Somehow, Milcheck is shown illuminated from the opposite angle. And also, the framing of the shots uses a black heavily blurred silhouette of their conversant that fills half the screen. But as the conversation proceeds, it seems Mark's face becomes more lit, until we cut to him in the Lumen parking lot in the morning sun.
posted by pwnguin at 12:49 AM on January 24 [12 favorites]
For a guy complaining about one person being two people, the door factory manager (Adrian Martinez) looks eerily like Dylan (Zach Cherry).
Just noticed a visual metaphor: Mark has two fish. Presumably betta? There seems to be a separator in the tank, as they are territorial and would otherwise tear each other apart.
Light also serves as a metaphor in the show: Mark's house is always dark; even in this episode, he is shown replacing a burnt out bulb in his house when Milcheck interrupts him to negotiate his return to Lumen. It's kind of impressive how they manage to have so many lamps on in marks house yet it looks so damn dark! During their conversation, Mark is lit half in the light, half pitch black. Somehow, Milcheck is shown illuminated from the opposite angle. And also, the framing of the shots uses a black heavily blurred silhouette of their conversant that fills half the screen. But as the conversation proceeds, it seems Mark's face becomes more lit, until we cut to him in the Lumen parking lot in the morning sun.
posted by pwnguin at 12:49 AM on January 24 [12 favorites]
Man, I love the new intro sequence! That was an unexpected, creepy delight.
I thought they did pretty well at explaining how innie Mark came to be back there. It wound up feeling inevitable — oh, of course they would reach for a more plausible explanation for Mark’s outburst than resurrection; maybe that was the narrative function of the kidnapping feint in the first place.
The outies feel like shadow selves of the innies. Dylan’s work persona is boisterous and competitive; Dylan struggles to land an interview or a job. Irving’s work persona is scrupulous and loyal; Irving appears to be involved in some kind of conspiracy against his company. Mark’s work persona is confident and positive; Mark is depressed and cynical. And then there’s Helly, rebellious by day, and by night, willing to enslave herself to benefit her abusive father.
Why did Milchick lie and say it had been five months? Was it to make Lumon’s conciliatory gestures feel more credible? What did Lumon really want Cobel to do, when they offered her a sinecure? What is at the root of that schism?
posted by eirias at 3:54 AM on January 24 [5 favorites]
I thought they did pretty well at explaining how innie Mark came to be back there. It wound up feeling inevitable — oh, of course they would reach for a more plausible explanation for Mark’s outburst than resurrection; maybe that was the narrative function of the kidnapping feint in the first place.
The outies feel like shadow selves of the innies. Dylan’s work persona is boisterous and competitive; Dylan struggles to land an interview or a job. Irving’s work persona is scrupulous and loyal; Irving appears to be involved in some kind of conspiracy against his company. Mark’s work persona is confident and positive; Mark is depressed and cynical. And then there’s Helly, rebellious by day, and by night, willing to enslave herself to benefit her abusive father.
Why did Milchick lie and say it had been five months? Was it to make Lumon’s conciliatory gestures feel more credible? What did Lumon really want Cobel to do, when they offered her a sinecure? What is at the root of that schism?
posted by eirias at 3:54 AM on January 24 [5 favorites]
Okay I’m changing my bet to “Helly is Helena but she’s not trying to sabotage anything, she’s trying to experience human love for herself”
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:19 AM on January 24 [23 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:19 AM on January 24 [23 favorites]
Oooh, I like that idea, DoctorFedora!
The wall clock during the elevator sequences is telling us something. Mark’s first day back is Monday, in at 9:04, out at 5:12. Tuesday, not shown the time in, but out at 5:20. Wednesday, in at 9:03, a more extensive elevator shot with an odd transition, then… out at 9:15? Judd at the desk says “good night” on the other days, but not this one — just greets him with a “Mr. Scout.” Did Mark’s Board contact and booting happen within twelve minutes, causing him to get sent home early? Or did he have a 12 hour day that he spent mostly on some other floor?
Also, am I the only one that assumed he’d had only two days, not three, with the new colleagues? Not sure that this is a plot hole, after all there would’ve been no reason to show us every day if nothing happened of note (itself familiar from corporate work life).
posted by eirias at 4:34 AM on January 24 [2 favorites]
The wall clock during the elevator sequences is telling us something. Mark’s first day back is Monday, in at 9:04, out at 5:12. Tuesday, not shown the time in, but out at 5:20. Wednesday, in at 9:03, a more extensive elevator shot with an odd transition, then… out at 9:15? Judd at the desk says “good night” on the other days, but not this one — just greets him with a “Mr. Scout.” Did Mark’s Board contact and booting happen within twelve minutes, causing him to get sent home early? Or did he have a 12 hour day that he spent mostly on some other floor?
Also, am I the only one that assumed he’d had only two days, not three, with the new colleagues? Not sure that this is a plot hole, after all there would’ve been no reason to show us every day if nothing happened of note (itself familiar from corporate work life).
posted by eirias at 4:34 AM on January 24 [2 favorites]
Also I was way off in my guess about Dario R. indicating a longer time skip! Wrong direction entirely!
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:42 AM on January 24
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:42 AM on January 24
Did Mark’s Board contact and booting happen within twelve minutes, causing him to get sent home early?
Yep! That was the day he arrived, was immediately confronted for writing the Milkshake note he tried to pin on Mark W, created a distraction, ran out of MDR, called the Board on that weird little intercom, and got marched out by Milchick in twelve minutes flat.
Efficient day!
posted by mochapickle at 4:46 AM on January 24 [5 favorites]
Yep! That was the day he arrived, was immediately confronted for writing the Milkshake note he tried to pin on Mark W, created a distraction, ran out of MDR, called the Board on that weird little intercom, and got marched out by Milchick in twelve minutes flat.
Efficient day!
posted by mochapickle at 4:46 AM on January 24 [5 favorites]
I don’t know, mochapickle! The timing clearly works — the one detail that makes me curious is that Mark looks much more like he had a twelve hour day, stepping off the elevator, than like he had a twelve minute day. His physicality just looks drained to me. And (if we assume it’s reasonable for Judd to be there on an extended shift…) it’s also credible that he would have been surprised to see Mark at that time of day.
He obviously did have an extremely short time at work qua work, credibly measured in minutes, so where would he have spent the remaining time? The testing floor, perhaps? Or some other creepy place not yet mentioned? Some place that neither his innie nor his outie is allowed to remember? Assumes facts not in evidence, I know. But this is the other possibility I’m holding in mind.
posted by eirias at 5:46 AM on January 24
He obviously did have an extremely short time at work qua work, credibly measured in minutes, so where would he have spent the remaining time? The testing floor, perhaps? Or some other creepy place not yet mentioned? Some place that neither his innie nor his outie is allowed to remember? Assumes facts not in evidence, I know. But this is the other possibility I’m holding in mind.
posted by eirias at 5:46 AM on January 24
How about the new title sequence?? A lot to break down there for someone more alert and focused than I am right now.
(BURT!)
posted by tzikeh at 6:45 AM on January 24 [2 favorites]
(BURT!)
posted by tzikeh at 6:45 AM on January 24 [2 favorites]
Because they didn't want to give their innies a chance to do more organizing.
What I meant is, cutting the outies loose seems like a bad idea for the company. Obviously they didn't want their innies back and causing trouble but it would make way more sense to tell the outies the Severing project has been canceled and transfer them to some other job at the company to keep them in the fold.
We know that there's a lot of anti-Severing sentiment in the real world, the last thing Lumon needs is disgruntled ex-severed employees running around potentially causing all kinds of at least PR headaches. You don't want them on TV saying they were suddenly fired without explanation so maybe there should be investigations into what Lumon is doing...
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:16 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
What I meant is, cutting the outies loose seems like a bad idea for the company. Obviously they didn't want their innies back and causing trouble but it would make way more sense to tell the outies the Severing project has been canceled and transfer them to some other job at the company to keep them in the fold.
We know that there's a lot of anti-Severing sentiment in the real world, the last thing Lumon needs is disgruntled ex-severed employees running around potentially causing all kinds of at least PR headaches. You don't want them on TV saying they were suddenly fired without explanation so maybe there should be investigations into what Lumon is doing...
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:16 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
Ok had to go back and rewatch as I skipped the credits but that is creepy AF!
posted by ellieBOA at 8:18 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 8:18 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
He obviously did have an extremely short time at work qua work, credibly measured in minutes, so where would he have spent the remaining time? The testing floor, perhaps? Or some other creepy place not yet mentioned? Some place that neither his innie nor his outie is allowed to remember?
eirias, I am fascinated by this idea! I was thinking about Helly running out of the elevator when she arrived after the others, and I'd kind of assumed it to be Helena pretending to be in some sort of peril at the moment the switch reverted. (I'm still disquieted by Irving's perspective of having been transported directly from Burt's doorstep to the severed elevator.)
But what if they'd first woken up Helly R in some third space we haven't yet seen, and Helly is the one in the elevator? Maybe they've coerced her to comply? Maybe she's running because she was running when they flipped her back from this mystery setting? Helly R runs, Helena walks.
posted by mochapickle at 10:13 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
eirias, I am fascinated by this idea! I was thinking about Helly running out of the elevator when she arrived after the others, and I'd kind of assumed it to be Helena pretending to be in some sort of peril at the moment the switch reverted. (I'm still disquieted by Irving's perspective of having been transported directly from Burt's doorstep to the severed elevator.)
But what if they'd first woken up Helly R in some third space we haven't yet seen, and Helly is the one in the elevator? Maybe they've coerced her to comply? Maybe she's running because she was running when they flipped her back from this mystery setting? Helly R runs, Helena walks.
posted by mochapickle at 10:13 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
Also, am I the only one that assumed he’d had only two days, not three, with the new colleagues?
You are not! I too thought that the lobby/elevator sequence showed one more day for Mark than we had seen from the inside in the previous episode.
The new title sequence is somehow even creepier than the old one. Impressive.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:50 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
You are not! I too thought that the lobby/elevator sequence showed one more day for Mark than we had seen from the inside in the previous episode.
The new title sequence is somehow even creepier than the old one. Impressive.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:50 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
I think we're definitely going to see some testing floor stuff this season - we don't yet know why Irv's outtie knows about it, or is at least haunted by it enough that he keeps painting it...
posted by destructive cactus at 10:52 AM on January 24
posted by destructive cactus at 10:52 AM on January 24
Dylan identifying as a pocket door:
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:58 AM on January 24 [5 favorites]
“Well, you’re doing your door thing, and then, when you’re not needed, you can just—”Is this the first time we've heard Dylan and Irv's last names?
“Tuck yourself away.”
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:58 AM on January 24 [5 favorites]
Also, I like the rug-pull of: we spent all of last episode wondering what impact Helly's speech at the gala had and it turns out that actually, pretty much none: Lumon damage control covered it up.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:01 AM on January 24 [4 favorites]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:01 AM on January 24 [4 favorites]
We saw Irv's name in the last episode of Season 1.
posted by mochapickle at 11:56 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 11:56 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
I love how the interviewer at the door factory was an older version of Dylan. I was waiting for him to say "You know, you remind me of me", and I wasn't disappointed.
posted by essexjan at 12:10 PM on January 24 [4 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 12:10 PM on January 24 [4 favorites]
Whether or not the elevator is about to do its thing, Helena looks verrrrry apprehensive about going down to the severed floor.
Outie Irv is intriguing!
Yes, the door guy was clearly acting from distaste and discrimination, but it would be reasonable for him to be hesitant to hire someone whose only long-term professional experience is at a job where he can't remember what he did or any of the skills he may have learned there.
The pocket door and the fish tank (which I'd never noticed before) were pretty heavy-handed, but still very amusing.
I laughed out loud at Devon's unveiled unfriendliness toward Milchick. That was also a striking scene visually--Mark, Devon, and Rickon were all dressed in the same deep blue color, tying them together against Milchick in his squeaky black leather.
One thing about the little BTS sequence at the end that struck me was that I'd never noticed how different Tramell Tillman's usual speaking voice is than Milchick's. Not in accent, but in tone of voice. Also I'm slowly making my way through the official podcast, and I literally realized this morning that Dichen Lachman's first name doesn't rhyme with lichen, even though I first became aware of her thanks to Dollhouse in 2009.
In the final scene my whole self was screaming at Mark not to let Harmony get in that car. It's pretty rare that I root for a character to kidnap a woman! (In real life please never kidnap a woman!) But she's the only one who he knows knows anything. Still I guess he got enough to push the story forward--a reaction that made it hard for him to assume that "she's alive" was about anything other than Gemma.
posted by lampoil at 12:48 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
Outie Irv is intriguing!
Yes, the door guy was clearly acting from distaste and discrimination, but it would be reasonable for him to be hesitant to hire someone whose only long-term professional experience is at a job where he can't remember what he did or any of the skills he may have learned there.
The pocket door and the fish tank (which I'd never noticed before) were pretty heavy-handed, but still very amusing.
I laughed out loud at Devon's unveiled unfriendliness toward Milchick. That was also a striking scene visually--Mark, Devon, and Rickon were all dressed in the same deep blue color, tying them together against Milchick in his squeaky black leather.
One thing about the little BTS sequence at the end that struck me was that I'd never noticed how different Tramell Tillman's usual speaking voice is than Milchick's. Not in accent, but in tone of voice. Also I'm slowly making my way through the official podcast, and I literally realized this morning that Dichen Lachman's first name doesn't rhyme with lichen, even though I first became aware of her thanks to Dollhouse in 2009.
In the final scene my whole self was screaming at Mark not to let Harmony get in that car. It's pretty rare that I root for a character to kidnap a woman! (In real life please never kidnap a woman!) But she's the only one who he knows knows anything. Still I guess he got enough to push the story forward--a reaction that made it hard for him to assume that "she's alive" was about anything other than Gemma.
posted by lampoil at 12:48 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
So the new Lumon guy, Mr. Drummond with the beard and the Frolic tattoo, is Darri Ólafsson, who also played Sam's love interest, Iceland, in the final season of Somebody, Somewhere. He's wonderful in that and spooky in this. I loved him in that quiet and understated performance and was relieved the series ended with the two of them falling in love. Here he's also done almost nothing and yet is becoming the most frightening character of the season. He's good at doing a lot by doing little.
posted by Stanczyk at 1:27 PM on January 24 [6 favorites]
posted by Stanczyk at 1:27 PM on January 24 [6 favorites]
-Fetid moppet!
Helena's father's tone spelt it the full old-school foetid in my mind, lol.
For sure it was strange to fire the outies instead of reassigning to some other non-severed job. Or maybe that's just Lumon arrogance?
posted by porpoise at 1:58 PM on January 24 [3 favorites]
Helena's father's tone spelt it the full old-school foetid in my mind, lol.
For sure it was strange to fire the outies instead of reassigning to some other non-severed job. Or maybe that's just Lumon arrogance?
posted by porpoise at 1:58 PM on January 24 [3 favorites]
On rewatch: Milchick, speaking to Mark for the first time post OTC while he’s at Devon’s, says, “Innie Mark was here, in this house.” How did Milchick know where Mark was during the OTC? Are these chips GPS enabled? If so, he knew Irving was lying about his quiet night in.
posted by eirias at 2:03 PM on January 24
posted by eirias at 2:03 PM on January 24
The two episodes need to be edited into one linear time so that we can track details across the inner and outer worlds.
posted by autopilot at 2:05 PM on January 24 [3 favorites]
posted by autopilot at 2:05 PM on January 24 [3 favorites]
Helena's father gets in her face and screams, "Fetid moppet." Helena uses Eagan-speak, "Let Kier guide your hand." (Or whatever.) Chills. That's her upbringing.
Fascinating how Britt Lower makes the 2 personalities distinctive. (Also note hair and makeup symbolism, like: Helena wears her hair up, but as Helly, lets her hair down.)
Someone said in ep. 1 that "Helly" was looking down a lot." Helena does that. Except when talking to an "inferior" like Cobel.
Tldr I still say that's a chip-deactivated Helena downstairs, and I hope this doesnt copy a "Fringe" love plot. (Which I liked, but not again.)
Devon rocks and Jen Tullock got a lot out of a couple syllables. "Pfft." "Uh huh." Also, Devon liked Gemma more than Mark likes Ricken. Ha
Finally, because I'm prattling on like a sad hamburger waiter, I get the reason for the lighting, but this episode was too dark visually for me or my humble TV, even with adjusted settings.
Plotwise, for me, it also has the feeling more of S1 episodes 3-4, setting pieces in play. (While also echoing S1 1-2 reverse POVs.)
posted by NorthernLite at 2:41 PM on January 24 [4 favorites]
Fascinating how Britt Lower makes the 2 personalities distinctive. (Also note hair and makeup symbolism, like: Helena wears her hair up, but as Helly, lets her hair down.)
Someone said in ep. 1 that "Helly" was looking down a lot." Helena does that. Except when talking to an "inferior" like Cobel.
Tldr I still say that's a chip-deactivated Helena downstairs, and I hope this doesnt copy a "Fringe" love plot. (Which I liked, but not again.)
Devon rocks and Jen Tullock got a lot out of a couple syllables. "Pfft." "Uh huh." Also, Devon liked Gemma more than Mark likes Ricken. Ha
Finally, because I'm prattling on like a sad hamburger waiter, I get the reason for the lighting, but this episode was too dark visually for me or my humble TV, even with adjusted settings.
Plotwise, for me, it also has the feeling more of S1 episodes 3-4, setting pieces in play. (While also echoing S1 1-2 reverse POVs.)
posted by NorthernLite at 2:41 PM on January 24 [4 favorites]
So the new Lumon guy, Mr. Drummond with the beard and the Frolic tattoo
I'm curious if the tattoo thing is just a signifier that he is a Kier devout and enforcer, or if it means he embodies Frolic and three others are annointed with the remaining attributes. If so, perhaps the lady next to him when discussing Cold Harbor is one of the four.
posted by pwnguin at 2:52 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
I'm curious if the tattoo thing is just a signifier that he is a Kier devout and enforcer, or if it means he embodies Frolic and three others are annointed with the remaining attributes. If so, perhaps the lady next to him when discussing Cold Harbor is one of the four.
posted by pwnguin at 2:52 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
On rewatch: Milchick, speaking to Mark for the first time post OTC while he’s at Devon’s, says, “Innie Mark was here, in this house.” How did Milchick know where Mark was during the OTC?Cobel would have told him when she called him about OTC being active.
posted by simonw at 3:09 PM on January 24 [9 favorites]
Oh I forgot one thing: is it meant to be mysterious that Dylan's wife is a disembodied voice so far? There are VERY few women left that we've met but don't know their marital status
posted by lampoil at 3:19 PM on January 24 [3 favorites]
posted by lampoil at 3:19 PM on January 24 [3 favorites]
I laughed out loud when they showed Dylan was interviewing at a door company, because in the companion podcast they talked about how the show was inspired by working at a door company, and thinking about how it would be nice to just kind of be able to skip through the work part of the day and go straight to going home
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:59 PM on January 24 [5 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:59 PM on January 24 [5 favorites]
So the new Lumon guy, Mr. Drummond with the beard and the Frolic tattoo, is Darri Ólafsson
Ólafsson also memorably appeared in a scene with Ben Stiller in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and I'm always delighted to see him turn up. (Somebody Somewhere was great!)
I'm curious to see if more happens with this character. He feels a little out of place in this episode, which I assumed means (whether we see it in future episodes or not) he serves multiple purposes for Lumon.
posted by katieinshoes at 4:42 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
Ólafsson also memorably appeared in a scene with Ben Stiller in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and I'm always delighted to see him turn up. (Somebody Somewhere was great!)
I'm curious to see if more happens with this character. He feels a little out of place in this episode, which I assumed means (whether we see it in future episodes or not) he serves multiple purposes for Lumon.
posted by katieinshoes at 4:42 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
He also has a phenomenal Orson Welles voice
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:50 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:50 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
Two delightful phrasing choices in this one: Cobel's "I'll put some thought to it"; Milchick promising Mark that Cobel will not "bedevil you any further".
Surely not the last we've seen of Cobel, and I'm wondering if she returns later as an ally of Mark and/or antagonist to Lumon? We've seen from Irv's "burn this place to the ground" turn that there's no greater rebel than a betrayed true believer; and Cobel, correctly identifying the Severance Advisory Council promotion as some bullshit has now been betrayed twice.
"You don't value me. You fear me."
"We fear no-one."
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:31 PM on January 24 [8 favorites]
Surely not the last we've seen of Cobel, and I'm wondering if she returns later as an ally of Mark and/or antagonist to Lumon? We've seen from Irv's "burn this place to the ground" turn that there's no greater rebel than a betrayed true believer; and Cobel, correctly identifying the Severance Advisory Council promotion as some bullshit has now been betrayed twice.
"You don't value me. You fear me."
"We fear no-one."
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:31 PM on January 24 [8 favorites]
Oh, and Mark and Devon's "what's my name?" / "Persephone" exchange: hmmmm? They have either pre-arranged, or have just now serendipitously discovered, a which-Mark-are-you passphrase?
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:35 PM on January 24 [9 favorites]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:35 PM on January 24 [9 favorites]
What is Cobel/Selvig's car? It looks like a VW Rabbit knockoff; is it real or created/altered specifically for the show?
posted by mookieproof at 5:46 PM on January 24
posted by mookieproof at 5:46 PM on January 24
Mark's house is always dark; even in this episode, he is shown replacing a burnt out bulb in his house when Milcheck interrupts him to negotiate his return to Lumen.Having binge rewatched the first season last weekend, in the second episode
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 5:48 PM on January 24 [5 favorites]
Cobel's "I'll put some thought to it"
Ms. Cobel welcomes your contrition.
posted by dry white toast at 6:21 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
Ms. Cobel welcomes your contrition.
posted by dry white toast at 6:21 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
When Irv goes to the payphone, he says something like, "I guess you're not picking up, but my innie got the message," right before we cut to Burt in the car. I want to get to the bottom of that! Also, Irv's outie is so canny and quick with Milichik.
Oh I forgot one thing: is it meant to be mysterious that Dylan's wife is a disembodied voice so far?
I watch with captions on, and they did give her a name, Gretchen. Dylan did call her his wife when Milchik fired him.
posted by gladly at 7:04 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
Oh I forgot one thing: is it meant to be mysterious that Dylan's wife is a disembodied voice so far?
I watch with captions on, and they did give her a name, Gretchen. Dylan did call her his wife when Milchik fired him.
posted by gladly at 7:04 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
So the new Lumon guy, Mr. Drummond with the beard and the Frolic tattoo, is Darri Ólafsson, who also played Sam's love interest, Iceland, in the final season of Somebody, Somewhere. He's wonderful in that and spooky in this. I loved him in that quiet and understated performance and was relieved the series ended with the two of them falling in love. Here he's also done almost nothing and yet is becoming the most frightening character of the season. He's good at doing a lot by doing little.
posted by Stanczyk at 1:27 PM on January 24 [4 favorites +] [⚑]
He is absolutely wonderful, I agree! I first saw him in an Icelandic mystery series, Trapped, where his character was quite a sad dude in his personal life, but also a good and competent detective. Then I saw him in the Australian show The Tourist, where he was totally terrifying as a sort of bounty hunter/hit man. Then he joined Somebody Somewhere, where he is the taciturn but earnest and endearing love interest for the main character, and finally he’s this silently threatening guy in Severance. He’s got range is what I’m saying!
I can’t help calling him “Iceland” after his nickname in Somebody Somewhere, because that’s his favourite role for me.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:08 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
posted by Stanczyk at 1:27 PM on January 24 [4 favorites +] [⚑]
He is absolutely wonderful, I agree! I first saw him in an Icelandic mystery series, Trapped, where his character was quite a sad dude in his personal life, but also a good and competent detective. Then I saw him in the Australian show The Tourist, where he was totally terrifying as a sort of bounty hunter/hit man. Then he joined Somebody Somewhere, where he is the taciturn but earnest and endearing love interest for the main character, and finally he’s this silently threatening guy in Severance. He’s got range is what I’m saying!
I can’t help calling him “Iceland” after his nickname in Somebody Somewhere, because that’s his favourite role for me.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:08 PM on January 24 [2 favorites]
What is Cobel/Selvig's car? It looks like a VW Rabbit knockoff; is it real or created/altered specifically for the show?
Looks like a Chevette to me.
posted by wierdo at 7:57 PM on January 24
Looks like a Chevette to me.
posted by wierdo at 7:57 PM on January 24
Loved it.
When the employer asked what door the guy would be, both grumpybearbride and I said "pocket doors" at the same time, and then... pocket doors! Because they are the coolest doors!
posted by grumpybear69 at 8:55 PM on January 24 [6 favorites]
When the employer asked what door the guy would be, both grumpybearbride and I said "pocket doors" at the same time, and then... pocket doors! Because they are the coolest doors!
posted by grumpybear69 at 8:55 PM on January 24 [6 favorites]
Fanatics noticed in S1 that Cobel had a white rabbit. Go ask Alice.
Nothing is unintentional. Similarly, if Milkshake is sitting at "someone else's" computer and they cut to "Helly" grappling to turn hers on - well, they're telling us she's at "someone else's" computer, too.
Fans elsewhere say Dylan's wife is one of the many new actors appearing this season.
posted by NorthernLite at 9:14 PM on January 24 [5 favorites]
Nothing is unintentional. Similarly, if Milkshake is sitting at "someone else's" computer and they cut to "Helly" grappling to turn hers on - well, they're telling us she's at "someone else's" computer, too.
Fans elsewhere say Dylan's wife is one of the many new actors appearing this season.
posted by NorthernLite at 9:14 PM on January 24 [5 favorites]
“Was a pineapple involved?” was my line reading of the episode.
posted by simonw at 10:06 PM on January 24 [9 favorites]
posted by simonw at 10:06 PM on January 24 [9 favorites]
Helena wears her hair up, but as Helly, lets her hair down.
Nah - Helena has had an updo in these past few episodes because of the gala - fancier hairstyle than day-to-day. Her hair was down in the scene in which she's severed, and it's down on the video she makes to tell her Innie that she won't let her resign. And Helly wouldn't be "letting" her hair down - Helena chooses how Helly will appear each day (clothes, hair, makeup, etc.).
Oh I forgot one thing: is it meant to be mysterious that Dylan's wife is a disembodied voice so far?
I watch with captions on, and they did give her a name, Gretchen. Dylan did call her his wife when Milchik fired him.
Yup, in the S1 finale, as Milchick is trying to get to Dylan to shut down the OTC by offering him information as he saws through the belt, he says "Your wife's name is Gretchen."
posted by tzikeh at 1:45 AM on January 25 [5 favorites]
Nah - Helena has had an updo in these past few episodes because of the gala - fancier hairstyle than day-to-day. Her hair was down in the scene in which she's severed, and it's down on the video she makes to tell her Innie that she won't let her resign. And Helly wouldn't be "letting" her hair down - Helena chooses how Helly will appear each day (clothes, hair, makeup, etc.).
Oh I forgot one thing: is it meant to be mysterious that Dylan's wife is a disembodied voice so far?
I watch with captions on, and they did give her a name, Gretchen. Dylan did call her his wife when Milchik fired him.
Yup, in the S1 finale, as Milchick is trying to get to Dylan to shut down the OTC by offering him information as he saws through the belt, he says "Your wife's name is Gretchen."
posted by tzikeh at 1:45 AM on January 25 [5 favorites]
I recognize the validity of the “Helena is pretending to be Helly R” theory, and I doubt it will be thoroughly proven or disproven until the end of this season. (I suspect they're enjoying the ambiguity). But I would still be pretty disappointed if it turned out to be true.
The struggles between Helena and Helly last season were so illustrative of Helena's true belief in severance. Helly almost killed them both, yet that wasn't enough to deter Helena. It's hard to imagine that Helena — or her father, or whoever else gets to put Helly back on the severed floor despite Helena clearly not being thrilled about it — would decide that it was too dangerous to cede control to Helly; it would undermine their stubborn insistence that innies are just husks that can be subjugated.
Since we know hardly anything about Helena's life so far, my initial reaction to her viewing of the surveillance footage wasn't necessarily “wow, my innie gets to experience romance and I haven't” — it was more like “I literally told Helly she wasn't a person, yet here she is experiencing romance just like a person would.”* I keep looking for candidates for face turns, probably in vain, but that feels like the sort of revelation that could provoke the cognitive dissonance needed for a villain to transform into an eventual hero.
The idea that Helena could enter the severed floor would also feel like a cheat in the technology as it's been presented to us. Severance is presented to us as a largely passive effect that takes over when you enter a certain space. I suppose if the Overtime Contingency exists, it could be possible to trigger the opposite effect (telling one implant to turn off when it would otherwise be on), but that feels quite reckless! The Overtime Contingency risks innies seeing the outside world, but I think it would be far riskier to have a feature that risks an outie getting a glimpse of their life as an innie. Imagine someone in the control room presses the wrong button… and suddenly an outie is conscious in the Break Room, wondering why tears are streaming down their face.
So Helena infiltrating as a villain doesn't land for me for those reasons; and Helena infiltrating as a hero feels unearned, because it would mean that her face turn happened very quickly off camera. A heroic version of Helena wouldn't have wanted to do anything that “killed” Helly, and though reintegration exists, it's hard to imagine she could've had it done on the sly so quickly, or that she could hide its obvious side effects.
Anyway, I get the appeal of the theory. But I'm still rooting against it. A lot of what makes Helena/Helly interesting as a character is that her mind contains polar opposites. I don't want to believe that the writers would sideline one half of that conflict for the entire season, or that we've seen the last of Helly R.
* The fact that there appeared to be no allowance for the possibility of romantic attraction between innies strikes me as surprising naïvete on the part of the severance “architects.” Either they didn't think that innies were capable of love — feels unlikely — or they vainly thought they could rule it out altogether through careful management of personnel. It would be one explanation for why they try to keep severed employees in small groups that do not intermingle.)
posted by savetheclocktower at 12:38 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]
The struggles between Helena and Helly last season were so illustrative of Helena's true belief in severance. Helly almost killed them both, yet that wasn't enough to deter Helena. It's hard to imagine that Helena — or her father, or whoever else gets to put Helly back on the severed floor despite Helena clearly not being thrilled about it — would decide that it was too dangerous to cede control to Helly; it would undermine their stubborn insistence that innies are just husks that can be subjugated.
Since we know hardly anything about Helena's life so far, my initial reaction to her viewing of the surveillance footage wasn't necessarily “wow, my innie gets to experience romance and I haven't” — it was more like “I literally told Helly she wasn't a person, yet here she is experiencing romance just like a person would.”* I keep looking for candidates for face turns, probably in vain, but that feels like the sort of revelation that could provoke the cognitive dissonance needed for a villain to transform into an eventual hero.
The idea that Helena could enter the severed floor would also feel like a cheat in the technology as it's been presented to us. Severance is presented to us as a largely passive effect that takes over when you enter a certain space. I suppose if the Overtime Contingency exists, it could be possible to trigger the opposite effect (telling one implant to turn off when it would otherwise be on), but that feels quite reckless! The Overtime Contingency risks innies seeing the outside world, but I think it would be far riskier to have a feature that risks an outie getting a glimpse of their life as an innie. Imagine someone in the control room presses the wrong button… and suddenly an outie is conscious in the Break Room, wondering why tears are streaming down their face.
So Helena infiltrating as a villain doesn't land for me for those reasons; and Helena infiltrating as a hero feels unearned, because it would mean that her face turn happened very quickly off camera. A heroic version of Helena wouldn't have wanted to do anything that “killed” Helly, and though reintegration exists, it's hard to imagine she could've had it done on the sly so quickly, or that she could hide its obvious side effects.
Anyway, I get the appeal of the theory. But I'm still rooting against it. A lot of what makes Helena/Helly interesting as a character is that her mind contains polar opposites. I don't want to believe that the writers would sideline one half of that conflict for the entire season, or that we've seen the last of Helly R.
* The fact that there appeared to be no allowance for the possibility of romantic attraction between innies strikes me as surprising naïvete on the part of the severance “architects.” Either they didn't think that innies were capable of love — feels unlikely — or they vainly thought they could rule it out altogether through careful management of personnel. It would be one explanation for why they try to keep severed employees in small groups that do not intermingle.)
posted by savetheclocktower at 12:38 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]
Also, am I the only one that assumed he’d had only two days, not three, with the new colleagues? Not sure that this is a plot hole[...]
Just to put your mind at ease, it was three days on both sides:
Day 1: elevator, running, balloons, meeting the new coworkers, red ball icebreaker, last to leave
Day 2: elevator, back to work, writing the note, slipping it in other-Mark's pocket on the way out (second-to-last to leave).
Day 3: elevator, learning they know he wrote the note, yelling to the speakerphone/board, special elevator transition with extra eyeroll, an electric sizzle sound, and a new fade/iris to black.
posted by nobody at 3:15 PM on January 25 [12 favorites]
Just to put your mind at ease, it was three days on both sides:
Day 1: elevator, running, balloons, meeting the new coworkers, red ball icebreaker, last to leave
Day 2: elevator, back to work, writing the note, slipping it in other-Mark's pocket on the way out (second-to-last to leave).
Day 3: elevator, learning they know he wrote the note, yelling to the speakerphone/board, special elevator transition with extra eyeroll, an electric sizzle sound, and a new fade/iris to black.
posted by nobody at 3:15 PM on January 25 [12 favorites]
OK, so, "fetid moppet." It means "stinky child." Which, OK, whatever, dude is old-timey. BUT, I found this transcript of part of the Bible of Kier or whatever, and it talks about his childhood where he was forced to work for Edgare Willit, a furniture manufacturer, who beat children and sent them to "childrens prisons." Dude hated kids. And how this experience, along with losing a friend to the childrens prison, helped form Kier's conception of the tempers, and his focus on love. Which, you know, doesn't really jibe with the prison-like severed floor right?
When Helena's dad calls here a "fetid moppet" it is something I would expect somebody like Edgare Willit to say rather than Kier or one of his descendants. So is it possible that Lumon was taken over by Willit's descendants, and Kier's vision of love perverted in the name of industry and capitalism? And maybe it is actually Edgare Wililt himself, since the perpetuity of consciousness is one of the core themes of the show?
Maybe. Or maybe not. But that really stuck out to me once I read the transcript. That and the fact that Kier was the product of an incestuous relationship.
posted by grumpybear69 at 3:50 PM on January 25 [5 favorites]
When Helena's dad calls here a "fetid moppet" it is something I would expect somebody like Edgare Willit to say rather than Kier or one of his descendants. So is it possible that Lumon was taken over by Willit's descendants, and Kier's vision of love perverted in the name of industry and capitalism? And maybe it is actually Edgare Wililt himself, since the perpetuity of consciousness is one of the core themes of the show?
Maybe. Or maybe not. But that really stuck out to me once I read the transcript. That and the fact that Kier was the product of an incestuous relationship.
posted by grumpybear69 at 3:50 PM on January 25 [5 favorites]
I'd say more likely that the Bible of Kier is all white-washed bullshit, a self-serving mythology created by the company. In other words, just like every corporate history :)
If Mark left early on the Third Day (when he was faux fired after commandeering the speaker and addressing the Board; clock says 9:15 and Judd seems confused that Mark is leaving), wouldn't Outie-Mark notice that, you know, it's still morning? Or would he be oblivious, since he's still in mourning. Whoaaaaaa. But seriously, one would think he'd notice, but could be handwaved easily I suppose by his depression.
posted by Saxon Kane at 6:01 PM on January 25
If Mark left early on the Third Day (when he was faux fired after commandeering the speaker and addressing the Board; clock says 9:15 and Judd seems confused that Mark is leaving), wouldn't Outie-Mark notice that, you know, it's still morning? Or would he be oblivious, since he's still in mourning. Whoaaaaaa. But seriously, one would think he'd notice, but could be handwaved easily I suppose by his depression.
posted by Saxon Kane at 6:01 PM on January 25
Could be that innie Mark was taken to a different severed floor, some place where he can be turned off, and then outtie Mark leaves at his normal time.
Was it two days or only one that it took Milchick to convince Mark to come back?
Oh and Milchick definitely doesn’t know that Helena is posing as Helly. Will Helena be able to see the scary numbers?
posted by LizBoBiz at 6:44 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]
Was it two days or only one that it took Milchick to convince Mark to come back?
Oh and Milchick definitely doesn’t know that Helena is posing as Helly. Will Helena be able to see the scary numbers?
posted by LizBoBiz at 6:44 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]
Loved the Monsters, Inc. vibe of the floating doors at the door company.
“Was a pineapple involved?”
The claymation video featured them bobbing for pineapples (ouch) — do they have a special status int the company mythology?
posted by mikepop at 8:05 PM on January 25
“Was a pineapple involved?”
The claymation video featured them bobbing for pineapples (ouch) — do they have a special status int the company mythology?
posted by mikepop at 8:05 PM on January 25
Regarding pineapple:
posted by willF at 9:09 PM on January 25
“Hungry for answers, I asked Severance creator/writer/EP Dan Erickson for the tea, or the pineapple juice, if you will. His response? “There’s always a deeper significance.”
posted by willF at 9:09 PM on January 25
* The fact that there appeared to be no allowance for the possibility of romantic attraction between innies strikes me as surprising naïvete on the part of the severance “architects.” Either they didn't think that innies were capable of love — feels unlikely — or they vainly thought they could rule it out altogether through careful management of personnel. It would be one explanation for why they try to keep severed employees in small groups that do not intermingle.)
I actually wonder if it was allowed, if not encouraged. Like, I think the whole floor is so aggressively sterile on purpose. In such a bland setting, any sort of emotion that arises feels more isolated and pure, which results in the Microdats being able to recognize and funnel those emotions into their work.
Take Mark -- his emotional life is more crisp and defined on the severed floor, uninterrupted by the distresses of the outside world. Outie Mark is a muddle of depression, he's living in dark shadows, so beaten by grief that it shapes his walk, his very posture, but innie Mark is snarky, caring, bristling, curious, clever. He's connected to his emotions without interference. He can concentrate on his work, which Lumon needs him to do for whatever big thing they are working on.
So of course I've been watching a ton of youtube analyses on this episode and one theory about Helena stood out: What if Helena wanted to step in as Helly R because Helly R was living a life that Helena couldn't have? Helena is muted, strapped to her cult-like family, and no one seems to have any real affection for her. But Helly R? Helly R has true friends, a fiery sense of rebellion, a burgeoning romance. Is there some deeply repressed part of Helena that wants to experience love?
posted by mochapickle at 9:34 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]
I actually wonder if it was allowed, if not encouraged. Like, I think the whole floor is so aggressively sterile on purpose. In such a bland setting, any sort of emotion that arises feels more isolated and pure, which results in the Microdats being able to recognize and funnel those emotions into their work.
Take Mark -- his emotional life is more crisp and defined on the severed floor, uninterrupted by the distresses of the outside world. Outie Mark is a muddle of depression, he's living in dark shadows, so beaten by grief that it shapes his walk, his very posture, but innie Mark is snarky, caring, bristling, curious, clever. He's connected to his emotions without interference. He can concentrate on his work, which Lumon needs him to do for whatever big thing they are working on.
So of course I've been watching a ton of youtube analyses on this episode and one theory about Helena stood out: What if Helena wanted to step in as Helly R because Helly R was living a life that Helena couldn't have? Helena is muted, strapped to her cult-like family, and no one seems to have any real affection for her. But Helly R? Helly R has true friends, a fiery sense of rebellion, a burgeoning romance. Is there some deeply repressed part of Helena that wants to experience love?
posted by mochapickle at 9:34 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]
Probably not coincidence that Severance Advisory Committee spells SAC, which is what they gave Covel.
posted by bakerybob at 4:15 AM on January 26 [1 favorite]
posted by bakerybob at 4:15 AM on January 26 [1 favorite]
One of the reviewers I saw misheard the line as “feted moppet” and proceeded to base his analysis on that. 🤔
I know multiple people who were trained to be hotel concierge, one of the common bits that their training has included is “pineapples mean hospitality” make of that what what you will.
posted by funkaspuck at 6:52 AM on January 26 [1 favorite]
I know multiple people who were trained to be hotel concierge, one of the common bits that their training has included is “pineapples mean hospitality” make of that what what you will.
posted by funkaspuck at 6:52 AM on January 26 [1 favorite]
I have thoughts on pineapples, but they're more about vibes than anything concrete.
Melon is fine. In real life, if you're like me, maybe once a year, at the height of summer, you pick up a cantaloupe at the farmer's market and it's perfectly ripe and you're legit excited to enjoy it. The rest of the time, melon is filler fruit. The flavor is fine. The texture is fine. It's pleasant enough but pales next to the stronger flavor and color of even mediocre berries. Melon as the primary reward for innies seemed to be carefully chosen to be exactly that--merely pleasant, not particularly stimulating but with no apparent sinister qualities if you don't know what the alternatives could be.
Pineapple on the other hand is kind of the opposite. Pineapple is a miracle. Strong flavor, bright color, unique texture. Getting to eat fresh pineapple is actually a real treat, one of earth's simplest, purest pleasures. But it's far from anodyne. Even setting aside the dark history of the Dole company, pineapple is so acidic that it can actually wear away other substances, including a person's own skin and teeth. This quality is essential to its deliciousness. But also, the Lumen crew aren't given pineapple to eat. The outies are given whole pineapples, and the innies are promised the chance to BOB (!) for whole pineapples. Whole pineapples have two textures--small spikey and big spikey. Innies don't have the tools to cut them up; outies are too depressed to make the effort.
So for me, the change from melon to pineapple as a motif is about the fact that the stakes are higher--the risk, the reward, and the lengths both parties might be willing to go to to get what's inside.
posted by lampoil at 10:43 AM on January 26 [7 favorites]
Melon is fine. In real life, if you're like me, maybe once a year, at the height of summer, you pick up a cantaloupe at the farmer's market and it's perfectly ripe and you're legit excited to enjoy it. The rest of the time, melon is filler fruit. The flavor is fine. The texture is fine. It's pleasant enough but pales next to the stronger flavor and color of even mediocre berries. Melon as the primary reward for innies seemed to be carefully chosen to be exactly that--merely pleasant, not particularly stimulating but with no apparent sinister qualities if you don't know what the alternatives could be.
Pineapple on the other hand is kind of the opposite. Pineapple is a miracle. Strong flavor, bright color, unique texture. Getting to eat fresh pineapple is actually a real treat, one of earth's simplest, purest pleasures. But it's far from anodyne. Even setting aside the dark history of the Dole company, pineapple is so acidic that it can actually wear away other substances, including a person's own skin and teeth. This quality is essential to its deliciousness. But also, the Lumen crew aren't given pineapple to eat. The outies are given whole pineapples, and the innies are promised the chance to BOB (!) for whole pineapples. Whole pineapples have two textures--small spikey and big spikey. Innies don't have the tools to cut them up; outies are too depressed to make the effort.
So for me, the change from melon to pineapple as a motif is about the fact that the stakes are higher--the risk, the reward, and the lengths both parties might be willing to go to to get what's inside.
posted by lampoil at 10:43 AM on January 26 [7 favorites]
Oh, and Mark and Devon's "what's my name?" / "Persephone" exchange: hmmmm? They have either pre-arranged, or have just now serendipitously discovered, a which-Mark-are-you passphrase?
it was just a dumb brother sister thing to my mind, but a typical one. persephone might have some relevance to devon's role though (let's see, went into the underworld to marry hades, zeus ordered her return unless she'd eaten anything, would have escaped but ate a pomegranate seed, as a result has to spend half the year down there accounting for the phenomenon of winter - lots of potential metaphorical juice there!)
posted by Sebmojo at 3:25 PM on January 26 [8 favorites]
it was just a dumb brother sister thing to my mind, but a typical one. persephone might have some relevance to devon's role though (let's see, went into the underworld to marry hades, zeus ordered her return unless she'd eaten anything, would have escaped but ate a pomegranate seed, as a result has to spend half the year down there accounting for the phenomenon of winter - lots of potential metaphorical juice there!)
posted by Sebmojo at 3:25 PM on January 26 [8 favorites]
When the employer asked what door the guy would be, both grumpybearbride and I said "pocket doors" at the same time, and then... pocket doors! Because they are the coolest doors!
we call them cavity doors in nz, so this was puzzling to me - i thought he was hypothesising a surreal sort of door you put in your pocket
posted by Sebmojo at 3:26 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
we call them cavity doors in nz, so this was puzzling to me - i thought he was hypothesising a surreal sort of door you put in your pocket
posted by Sebmojo at 3:26 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
I've been re-watching S1 to make sure I have all of the details, and lo and behold, the security doors that Milchick installs in Defiant Jazz are... wait for it... pocket doors.
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:54 AM on January 27 [6 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:54 AM on January 27 [6 favorites]
I wonder why the "door prize" joke was so offensive to the owner. Maybe because door prizes are usually minor, insignificant things and he took it as an insult?
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:38 AM on January 27 [3 favorites]
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:38 AM on January 27 [3 favorites]
Can anyone point me to a compilation of Kier philosophy things that have been said on this show? That’s one of the things I’m most intrigued by, the fact that this entire enterprise is a religious or quasi-religious cult - one which existed long before the severance procedure. It seems to me like the “work life balance” justification for this procedure is mostly a smokescreen, and I’ve been wondering what the true purpose of all this is. Maybe the goal is to create people whose Kierian ‘tempers’ are perfectly balanced - or, if certain theories about macrodata are true, maybe the goal is to completely strip the four tempers away and then mold newly “perfect” people from scratch.
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:22 AM on January 27 [1 favorite]
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:22 AM on January 27 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I have a lot of questions about the Kier philosophy and "a cure for mankind" gives me lots of bad vibes. I feel like our knowledge of the cult aspect is a viewer proximity type thing - I strongly doubt they talk about it at the corporate type presentations like the one Helly crashed, or the hinted-at government hearings, etc.
posted by destructive cactus at 8:26 AM on January 27 [2 favorites]
posted by destructive cactus at 8:26 AM on January 27 [2 favorites]
That was some amazing acting from Adam Scott.
posted by rmd1023 at 10:02 AM on January 27 [3 favorites]
posted by rmd1023 at 10:02 AM on January 27 [3 favorites]
Is this the first time we've heard Dylan and Irv's last names?
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 1:58 PM on January 24 [3 favorites +] [⚑]
We saw Irv's name in the last episode of Season 1.
posted by mochapickle at 2:56 PM on January 24 [1 favorite +] [⚑]
Dylan’s full name is visible on Irv’s list of severed employees that same episode.
posted by ejs at 10:25 AM on January 27 [4 favorites]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 1:58 PM on January 24 [3 favorites +] [⚑]
We saw Irv's name in the last episode of Season 1.
posted by mochapickle at 2:56 PM on January 24 [1 favorite +] [⚑]
Dylan’s full name is visible on Irv’s list of severed employees that same episode.
posted by ejs at 10:25 AM on January 27 [4 favorites]
Some Severance ephemera:
Tim C.: YouTube video of Tim Cook taking the elevator to the Severed floor and walking to the MDR office.
[spoiler warning] Lumon Management Program video on LinkedIn. Spoiler alert for one question that I don't believe has been definitively answered in-show. The entire LUMON LinkedIn profile has posted a lot, but it looks like they like to drop little hints/previews (for example they posted the badges of the the replacement MDR team three months ago). So probably best to avoid that if you don't like hints.
Severance crossword puzzle in Apple News+ (must have app and News+). No obvious spoilers that I can see but hard to say if any of the clues will come into play or if they are just crossword clues.
posted by mikepop at 12:16 PM on January 27
Tim C.: YouTube video of Tim Cook taking the elevator to the Severed floor and walking to the MDR office.
[spoiler warning] Lumon Management Program video on LinkedIn. Spoiler alert for one question that I don't believe has been definitively answered in-show. The entire LUMON LinkedIn profile has posted a lot, but it looks like they like to drop little hints/previews (for example they posted the badges of the the replacement MDR team three months ago). So probably best to avoid that if you don't like hints.
Severance crossword puzzle in Apple News+ (must have app and News+). No obvious spoilers that I can see but hard to say if any of the clues will come into play or if they are just crossword clues.
posted by mikepop at 12:16 PM on January 27
I wonder why the "door prize" joke was so offensive to the owner.
I read that as a DOORS ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS WE DO NOT JOKE ABOUT DOORS misstep by Dylan.
Also, perks:
I read that as a DOORS ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS WE DO NOT JOKE ABOUT DOORS misstep by Dylan.
Also, perks:
Dylan: May I ask about benefits?posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:19 PM on January 27 [7 favorites]
Mr. Saliba: There's a coffee maker.
Just to jump in with a couple industrial design nerdpoints:
yet Helena was watching tapes on some 60s-esque tube monitor.
I shrieked a polite little Dieter Rams scream when the glorious FS80 TV Rams did for Braun (1964) appeared on screen in minty original form.
What is Cobel/Selvig's car? It looks like a VW Rabbit knockoff; is it real or created/altered specifically for the show?
It's a standard 4-door 1st generation VW Golf (Rabbit in the North American market), albeit a bit later model with the rectangular sealed beam headlamps instead of the original round ones.
On top of everything else this show does well, it's a trove for interesting industrial design, both real and fanciful.
posted by sonascope at 12:31 PM on January 27 [12 favorites]
yet Helena was watching tapes on some 60s-esque tube monitor.
I shrieked a polite little Dieter Rams scream when the glorious FS80 TV Rams did for Braun (1964) appeared on screen in minty original form.
What is Cobel/Selvig's car? It looks like a VW Rabbit knockoff; is it real or created/altered specifically for the show?
It's a standard 4-door 1st generation VW Golf (Rabbit in the North American market), albeit a bit later model with the rectangular sealed beam headlamps instead of the original round ones.
On top of everything else this show does well, it's a trove for interesting industrial design, both real and fanciful.
posted by sonascope at 12:31 PM on January 27 [12 favorites]
Darri Ólafsson, who also played Sam's love interest, Iceland, in the final season of Somebody, Somewhere.
He also played Scott Marvel Cassidy, Maria Bamford's love interest in Lady Dynamite, and Dewall Ledoux, one of the accomplices to the main killer in S1 of True Detective. The guy has range.
posted by Saxon Kane at 12:40 PM on January 27 [5 favorites]
He also played Scott Marvel Cassidy, Maria Bamford's love interest in Lady Dynamite, and Dewall Ledoux, one of the accomplices to the main killer in S1 of True Detective. The guy has range.
posted by Saxon Kane at 12:40 PM on January 27 [5 favorites]
Selvig/Cobel drives a white rabbit you say
posted by thecaddy at 3:32 PM on January 27 [10 favorites]
posted by thecaddy at 3:32 PM on January 27 [10 favorites]
I think we're definitely going to see some testing floor stuff this season - we don't yet know why Irv's outtie knows about it, or is at least haunted by it enough that he keeps painting it...My theory is that Irving was previously in a different role, perhaps even unsevered like Ms. Cobel or Milkshake, which is why he clearly has a memory of the hallway leading to the elevator to the testing floor. That's the one we see Ms. Casey descend at the end of S1. Whether those memories are conscious to the outie or whether he's attempting to somehow "wake" his innie through the repetitive painting of the image is a bit unclear.
posted by Cogito at 5:55 PM on January 27 [2 favorites]
Yeah, the fact that Irving is painting the red light on the testing floor elevator is a really strong hint that he was at one point an unsevered manager - the person who is walking down the corridor to that elevator doesn't get to see the red light on it.
posted by simonw at 5:57 PM on January 27 [5 favorites]
posted by simonw at 5:57 PM on January 27 [5 favorites]
Wow, they just let the cinematographer go wild on this, and expected everyone has HDR on their TV. Like the director heard the phrase "Every frame a painting" and made it their guiding light. Everything was so composed, I found it a bit distracting.
In the first season, the critics of severance did mention the idea of an innie getting pregnant and the outie not knowing the father. So love in a severed world is something people have thought of.
posted by WhackyparseThis at 12:30 AM on January 28
In the first season, the critics of severance did mention the idea of an innie getting pregnant and the outie not knowing the father. So love in a severed world is something people have thought of.
posted by WhackyparseThis at 12:30 AM on January 28
Just a heads up - my YouTube algorithm recommended a video by TV Insider that was billed as a recap of this episode with Dan Erickson and Tramell Tillman. It opens with incredibly spoiler-y imagery from Episode 3 (boo!!!!!!!) So, if you're a fellow spoiler-avoider, this channel is worth steering clear of...
posted by nightcoast at 7:38 AM on January 28 [1 favorite]
posted by nightcoast at 7:38 AM on January 28 [1 favorite]
Have we talked about the possibility that Ms. Selvig is severed? Back in season one there were shots in the security office of a display of employees with a "Harmony S" in the "Emergency Bypass" state. This might explain her fascination with the possibility of reintegration.
(And despite the "goodbye" in the title of this episode, my guess is that she will be back...)
posted by autopilot at 8:29 AM on January 28 [1 favorite]
(And despite the "goodbye" in the title of this episode, my guess is that she will be back...)
posted by autopilot at 8:29 AM on January 28 [1 favorite]
When outie-Irv is in the telephone booth, he said something like "Tell my Innie I got his message". Did he mean the note about Burt's address? Who is he talking to??
I still don't 100% buy the "Helly is a mole" theory because I don't get why they'd need a mole. What they do need is to (for some reason) convince Mark S to stay at all costs, which fits with them ordering her back in - but I don't see why they'd need Helena in there instead of Helly (unless... they didn't want her revealing who Helena is).
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:20 AM on January 28 [1 favorite]
I still don't 100% buy the "Helly is a mole" theory because I don't get why they'd need a mole. What they do need is to (for some reason) convince Mark S to stay at all costs, which fits with them ordering her back in - but I don't see why they'd need Helena in there instead of Helly (unless... they didn't want her revealing who Helena is).
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:20 AM on January 28 [1 favorite]
Back in season one there were shots in the security office of a display of employees with a "Harmony S" in the "Emergency Bypass" state!!! I hadn't heard about that before. Here's a severely enhanced screenshot on Reddit - I'm not certain which episode it's from, I think it's Defiant Jazz.
posted by simonw at 10:33 AM on January 28
Have we talked about the possibility that Ms. Selvig is severed? Back in season one there were shots in the security office of a display of employees with a "Harmony S" in the "Emergency Bypass" state. This might explain her fascination with the possibility of reintegration.
Also a Devon F., but maybe Devon is just a popular name in Kier.
And also in the "Emergency Bypass" state. As are all the female sounding names with C. for a last name.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:31 PM on January 28
Also a Devon F., but maybe Devon is just a popular name in Kier.
And also in the "Emergency Bypass" state. As are all the female sounding names with C. for a last name.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:31 PM on January 28
Here's a severely enhanced screenshot on Reddit
That's ... not a screenshot?
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:41 PM on January 28
That's ... not a screenshot?
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 5:41 PM on January 28
I think it's a reconstruction of what they managed to pull out of the background? It's hard to tell.
posted by simonw at 7:01 PM on January 28
posted by simonw at 7:01 PM on January 28
For a while in the first season I assumed Cobel is the severed person, and there is no unsevered half for her because that half died.
It kind of fits with Ms Casey, who since she died only exists in the severed floor. Maybe Cobel is mourning *herself*, because Lumon is trying to revive the dead but hasn’t got the kinks worked out yet.
This also made me assume that Lumon is responsible for Gemma’s death, and that they’ve been killing people to use them as guinea pigs for revival, and to recruit severed employees.
It would also explain the focus on reintegration; Cobel wants it to be possible for herself. And it would explain why she thinks her unique experience is needed for running the severed floor.
I don’t think the evidence is that strong though; more likely Cobel is so intense because of wanting to revive whomever she is mourning.
posted by nat at 8:41 PM on January 28 [1 favorite]
It kind of fits with Ms Casey, who since she died only exists in the severed floor. Maybe Cobel is mourning *herself*, because Lumon is trying to revive the dead but hasn’t got the kinks worked out yet.
This also made me assume that Lumon is responsible for Gemma’s death, and that they’ve been killing people to use them as guinea pigs for revival, and to recruit severed employees.
It would also explain the focus on reintegration; Cobel wants it to be possible for herself. And it would explain why she thinks her unique experience is needed for running the severed floor.
I don’t think the evidence is that strong though; more likely Cobel is so intense because of wanting to revive whomever she is mourning.
posted by nat at 8:41 PM on January 28 [1 favorite]
I feel like it's more likely that "Emergency Bypass" is the opposite of the "Overtime Contingency"—if you have the severed chip in your brain, emergency bypass allows you to remain your outie when you are on the severed floor. So Selvig/Cobel has the severed chip, but once she was promoted to manager her Innie was effectively retired. (And her focus on reintegration is related to her knowing that her Innie was up to something, but she isn't exactly sure what.)
At any rate, I don't think this is a mystery that the show necessarily needs to resolve. The show needs to tell us what Macrodata Refinement is doing, and how it relates to Mark and Gemma. The show can answer or not answer as many questions as it wants so long as it answers those (and I really do hope that some things, like the goats, remain a mystery all the way through).
posted by thecaddy at 6:36 AM on January 29
At any rate, I don't think this is a mystery that the show necessarily needs to resolve. The show needs to tell us what Macrodata Refinement is doing, and how it relates to Mark and Gemma. The show can answer or not answer as many questions as it wants so long as it answers those (and I really do hope that some things, like the goats, remain a mystery all the way through).
posted by thecaddy at 6:36 AM on January 29
I know I'm late to this thread, but to me, the bobbing for pineapples thing is just emblematic of the fact that every Lumen perk is also a punishment.
Don't believe me?
- Chinese finger traps
- Photos of you and your coworkers (because you don't see them enough already?)
- Waffle party! (sorry if you have diabetes or are celiac)
- Melon party! (see above, substitute food allergies)
- Touring the Lumen facility/art wing (oh look, here's some other miserable coworkers you never get to hang out with that have no chance of escape)
Seriously, every corporate perk that isn't a raise or another PTO day is just bullshit. And everyone knows it. But with Lumen, there's that extra frisson of danger/threat of personal injury to get the "reward."
This remains true of real-life "job perks," too (foosball tables, mandatory "fun" work events, happy hours, etc. that you are supposed to spend valuable time and energy on vs. your own personal life).
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:34 PM on January 29 [4 favorites]
Don't believe me?
- Chinese finger traps
- Photos of you and your coworkers (because you don't see them enough already?)
- Waffle party! (sorry if you have diabetes or are celiac)
- Melon party! (see above, substitute food allergies)
- Touring the Lumen facility/art wing (oh look, here's some other miserable coworkers you never get to hang out with that have no chance of escape)
Seriously, every corporate perk that isn't a raise or another PTO day is just bullshit. And everyone knows it. But with Lumen, there's that extra frisson of danger/threat of personal injury to get the "reward."
This remains true of real-life "job perks," too (foosball tables, mandatory "fun" work events, happy hours, etc. that you are supposed to spend valuable time and energy on vs. your own personal life).
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:34 PM on January 29 [4 favorites]
- Oh god, Team Devon
- (re cinematography) Loved that outside shot of Helena walking across the top floor of Lumen to meet Cobel; and then the later shot of her watching Mark S arrive in the parking lot on his first day back. That building is a gift to the show.
- I don't remember the wholesale 80s cars theme in S1... seems like they just committed to that now (were there non-80s cars in S1, anyone recall?)
- Interesting how the contributions of the rest of MDR are so non-important compared to Mark's... why are their "files" so much more disposable than "Cold Harbor". Are they all really there just to be work buddies, keeping the single important worker going?
- As a viewer we see both innie and outie in at least the same body, but this episode really emphasized how they each are just completely different people: O Mark is just done with life and not that interested about his innie; O Dylan just needs a job man; O Irving has his own quest; and Helena is the baddy boss.
- I don't buy any of the "Helena would like to go downstairs to experience the true love her innie has, that she's never experienced herself". She's an authoritarian who thinks her innie is worthless. Recall her hallway conversation with innie Mark in S2E1: she cuts at him with "we're not the same, actually" and then covers it pretending to mimic Helly's disdain for outie Helena. Helena hates that innie and she's going downstairs to make war not love.
- Relatedly, I really miss Helly R. She's not going to come back until like the season finale, is she?
posted by pjenks at 4:54 PM on January 29 [4 favorites]
That shot of Helena walking was so beautiful. The building as treadmill.
Apropos of nothing, and this is total fanfic, but I can't stop considering this: What is the possibility of Ricken and Helena being related? They're both gingers, and they share the letter R. What if Helena went in under her mother's maiden name: Helly Ricken, Helly R. Maybe she was Helly as a child. And maybe Mrs. Ricken-Eagan named her son Ricken as a way to create balance amidst her husband's powerful and influencial family? And where is Helena's mother? Was she banished? Was she Miscaviged? Is she in cold storage in some lower floor?
Also something weird: Devon made a huge deal about establishing her connection to Gemma in this episode, and in this show it's rare for conversations to just have a singular meaning. So why? Why the big focus on that point?
posted by mochapickle at 7:29 PM on January 29 [1 favorite]
Apropos of nothing, and this is total fanfic, but I can't stop considering this: What is the possibility of Ricken and Helena being related? They're both gingers, and they share the letter R. What if Helena went in under her mother's maiden name: Helly Ricken, Helly R. Maybe she was Helly as a child. And maybe Mrs. Ricken-Eagan named her son Ricken as a way to create balance amidst her husband's powerful and influencial family? And where is Helena's mother? Was she banished? Was she Miscaviged? Is she in cold storage in some lower floor?
Also something weird: Devon made a huge deal about establishing her connection to Gemma in this episode, and in this show it's rare for conversations to just have a singular meaning. So why? Why the big focus on that point?
posted by mochapickle at 7:29 PM on January 29 [1 favorite]
Ricken's his first name, unfortunately (though I guess you could turn your idea a touch and wonder if he was given his mother's maiden name as his first?)
But I'm still holding out for a "Rick N" reveal.
posted by nobody at 4:53 AM on January 30 [3 favorites]
But I'm still holding out for a "Rick N" reveal.
posted by nobody at 4:53 AM on January 30 [3 favorites]
Yeah, that was my point above, unturned. His first name is her maiden name, Ricken; Helly takes her R initial from the maiden name.
Come to think of it, they share mirrored initials: Ricken Hale (RH) vs Helly R (HR).
posted by mochapickle at 7:47 AM on January 30 [2 favorites]
Come to think of it, they share mirrored initials: Ricken Hale (RH) vs Helly R (HR).
posted by mochapickle at 7:47 AM on January 30 [2 favorites]
(Oh, of course -- sorry for misreading!)
posted by nobody at 8:34 AM on January 30 [1 favorite]
posted by nobody at 8:34 AM on January 30 [1 favorite]
Yes but I’m grateful! Because Hale / Helly / Helena? I wouldn’t have noticed that before your comment but it’s awfully coincidental…
posted by mochapickle at 8:59 AM on January 30 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 8:59 AM on January 30 [1 favorite]
My wife mocked me for agreeing with Ricken but I said “bitchen helmet” when Milkshake went riding.
posted by whuppy at 9:37 AM on January 30 [6 favorites]
posted by whuppy at 9:37 AM on January 30 [6 favorites]
It’s Helena because the show shoots straight with us: We saw how Mark and Dylan were lured back innie. We’ve been shown that Irving has something deep going on. But we didn’t see Helly getting her arm twisted, a significant absence.
posted by whuppy at 9:45 AM on January 30 [3 favorites]
posted by whuppy at 9:45 AM on January 30 [3 favorites]
Another minor hint maybe: Helena doesn't change her wristwatch before going down the elevator. Everyone else does.
(My pet theory is that mark switches to a numberless watch face to avoid setting off the code detectors)
posted by autopilot at 1:19 PM on January 30 [3 favorites]
(My pet theory is that mark switches to a numberless watch face to avoid setting off the code detectors)
posted by autopilot at 1:19 PM on January 30 [3 favorites]
It's been established elsewhere that Helly's supposed last name was Riggs.
However, if you want to play with names: Devon and Ricken's daughter (Mark's niece) is Eleanor, which shares a derivation with Helena and Lenora, one of the Eagan big shot predecessors.
That ain't coincidence, either.
posted by NorthernLite at 3:21 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]
However, if you want to play with names: Devon and Ricken's daughter (Mark's niece) is Eleanor, which shares a derivation with Helena and Lenora, one of the Eagan big shot predecessors.
That ain't coincidence, either.
posted by NorthernLite at 3:21 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]
mark switches to a numberless watch face to avoid setting off the code detectorsman
this works perfectly as a reading regardless of whether the code detectors are even real, because all that they need is for the employees to believe they're real
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:19 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]
It’s Helena because the show shoots straight with us
Yeah I think people frequently overlook this aspect of Severance.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:47 PM on January 30 [3 favorites]
Yeah I think people frequently overlook this aspect of Severance.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:47 PM on January 30 [3 favorites]
It’s Helena because the show shoots straight with us
Agree, but another clue is the (lack of) elevator tones compared to the others in the scene when they are all joining Mark. (This is an Easter egg style clue for viewers, not a clue that will help the characters discover the ruse)
posted by mikepop at 8:04 PM on January 30 [2 favorites]
Agree, but another clue is the (lack of) elevator tones compared to the others in the scene when they are all joining Mark. (This is an Easter egg style clue for viewers, not a clue that will help the characters discover the ruse)
posted by mikepop at 8:04 PM on January 30 [2 favorites]
NEXT EPISODE IS UP AND HOLY FUCKING SHIT
posted by tzikeh at 8:10 PM on January 30 [4 favorites]
posted by tzikeh at 8:10 PM on January 30 [4 favorites]
I wonder if there will be some explanation for why even the outie world is full of weird retro tech and old cars.
Maybe, but this doesn't feel like that kind of show to me. At the big vibes level, it's a modern The Prisoner, but much more restrained about it. I've assumed the retro tech and cars are mostly just there to make things feel off-putting.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 5:51 PM on February 1 [1 favorite]
Maybe, but this doesn't feel like that kind of show to me. At the big vibes level, it's a modern The Prisoner, but much more restrained about it. I've assumed the retro tech and cars are mostly just there to make things feel off-putting.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 5:51 PM on February 1 [1 favorite]
Just putting a stake in the ground - I reckon outie Mark is also going to infiltrate the floor, if he hasn’t already.
He’s going to get Peter’s Doctor to pull his chip, reintegrate, and then go back to find his wife.
posted by coriolisdave at 12:15 AM on February 2 [1 favorite]
He’s going to get Peter’s Doctor to pull his chip, reintegrate, and then go back to find his wife.
posted by coriolisdave at 12:15 AM on February 2 [1 favorite]
For sure it was strange to fire the outies instead of reassigning to some other non-severed job. Or maybe that's just Lumon arrogance?
It seems to have been a judgment call by Milchick rather than a considered policy decision by Lumen. He asks Helena what to do and she says "Let Kier guide your hand."
Milchick is very good at playing it cool, but we've also seen that he's pretty fed up with these troublemakers, and Dylan in particular he might be more than ready to give the boot.
posted by straight at 1:22 PM on February 17
It seems to have been a judgment call by Milchick rather than a considered policy decision by Lumen. He asks Helena what to do and she says "Let Kier guide your hand."
Milchick is very good at playing it cool, but we've also seen that he's pretty fed up with these troublemakers, and Dylan in particular he might be more than ready to give the boot.
posted by straight at 1:22 PM on February 17
When we heard “fetid moppet”, did anyone else immediately shout “BAND NAME!”?
posted by caviar2d2 at 3:28 PM on February 25 [1 favorite]
posted by caviar2d2 at 3:28 PM on February 25 [1 favorite]
Whether this has been hugely commented on, I don't know, but on one of my perhaps obsessively many rewatches I found it interesting that Irving knows Milchick's name (Milchick has to introduce himself to Dylan and Mark), and Milchick shows him a respect that he doesn't extend to Dylan.
posted by Grangousier at 10:03 AM on March 4
posted by Grangousier at 10:03 AM on March 4
Still rewatching. "That is a magnficent helmet!" is one of the most audacious double-entendres I've heard outside a Carry On film.
posted by Grangousier at 2:11 PM on March 19
posted by Grangousier at 2:11 PM on March 19
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The elevator didn't ding when Helena went down at the end of the episode the way it dinged when the other three went down. Plus Helena seemed deeply envious and shocked by Helly kissing Mark on the tape. Feels like maybe Helena has never experienced, like, physical attraction to another human being. I'm pretty solidly convinced it's Helena on the severed floor.
Other things that stood out:
-That scream from Cobelvig. Jesus Christ.
-Mark's face when Milchick says that his innie "knows nothing of the pain I see in you right now." He was close to breaking down. Spectacular acting.
-Cinematography was exception all the way through.
-Everything Milchick tells the severed employees (both innie and outie) is a lie.
-Fetid moppet!
-Ricken made me laugh several times. His level of self-pre-occupation is a sight to see.
posted by dry white toast at 8:10 PM on January 23 [17 favorites]