‘Severance’ Season 2 Review — Fascinating And Suspenseful, Severance Is Like No Other Show On Television!

For almost three years, fans have been eagerly awaiting a new season of Apple TV+’s acclaimed series Severance. Writers’ strikes delayed the show. However, much like the final great season of Barry was postponed by the pandemic, it seems director Ben Stiller and creator Dan Erickson used the time to give the show a thorough polish, and it is all the better for it. Severance is now even more reflective, enigmatic, and complex. Yet, it is never patronizing, crafting thought-provoking intrigue and suspense that’s both hair-raising and addictive.

With this series, there is so much more than meets the eye. The workplace setting is a minimalist beard to cover a genuinely bonkers science fiction tale that explores one’s own volition. That’s what Severance is: a character study of the illusion of free will. However, since the audience isn’t fully aware of what is happening in Lumon’s infamous setting, how can we judge the characters’ capacity for judgment? That is the central mystery as watch these characters fight for their autonomy. If free will is an illusion, aren’t we illusions too?

The second season continues to follow “Mark S” (Madame Web’s Adam Scott) and his three “innie” best friends. When we last left them, the group orchestrated a prison break of sorts. (Consider Severance’s freshman season as a love child of Office Space and The Shawshank Redemption, with traits of Dark City thrown in for good measure.) Dylan (Zach Cherry) activated the “Overtime Contingency Protocol,” allowing Mark, Helena, and Irving to take over their “outie” work personas.

We learn that Irving discovered the love of his life, Burt (Christopher Walken), who is married. Shockingly, Helena is revealed to be the daughter of James Eagan, the Lumon CEO. Perhaps most importantly, Mark discovers his wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), is still alive—just like Ms. Casey. However, right after these revelations, the OCP is terminated by Milchick (Tramell Tillman), cutting off the inner work personas’ glimpse of their outside lives. When Mark “wakes” up five months later at Lumon, Milchick has replaced Cobel (Patricia Arquette) as floor manager.

For some odd reason, Mark has not been replaced for his actions; instead, even more faith has been placed upon him. He has also been given a new team. His subordinates (played by Alia Shawkat, Bob Balaban, and Stefano Carannante) admire him, as he is now considered a celebrity for his antics. His group is responsible for advocating nationwide “innie” rights, and Milchick tells him this has sparked genuine change throughout the corporation. However, all Mark can ask is why his friends are not there? Are they alive? If so, where are they?

Apple TV+’s Severance is like no other show on television! Stiller and Erickson have been carefully plotting a shift in tone. In fact, that was so eccentric in the first season that it could almost be considered brazen in its distinct comic styling. How many shows can satirize corporate culture with hollow workplace rituals like waffle lunches, dance parties, and screaming office goats? Now, the series leans into its darker tendencies and origins, such as big corporations’ lack of transparency, absence of informed consent, and dehumanization of people through manipulation and punishment.

None of this would be possible without an exceptional cast of actors. For example, the great John Turturro brings profound sadness and melancholy to his role, a performance that resonates deeply. Tramell Tillman’s portrayal is fascinating in the second season, embodying a near-perfect parody of a boss transforming from an empathetic ally to a reluctant tyrant. And then there is Adam Scott, who is a revelation. His portrayal of Mark undergoes a mesmerizing transformation as his duality rips apart at the seams.

Severance is worth watching because it remains one of the most jaw-droppingly audacious and original series on television, streaming, or network. While some may argue that the second season is a step down from the groundbreaking first, the first season was essentially a sales pitch. Now, the writing elevates the series, building on deeply thematic groundwork to deliver a stunning sophomore effort. The storytelling delves into complex, profound, and significant themes that are rich and meaningful.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride that sparks the mind and feeds the soul.

The first six episodes of the series were given to critics for review purposes. You can stream episodes of Severance’s second season on Apple TV+ starting January 17th. After that new episodes begin streaming every Friday to March 21st!