All the Unanswered Queries about the Upcoming Season Finale of 'Severance'
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Man, we were so clueless at the end of January, just three episodes into Severance's second season. We had no idea what Salt's Neck was, or where Ms. Casey vanished to! Granted, we've got a slightly better handle on what's going down as Apple TV+'s cult classic heads towards its season finale. But there's still a cornucopia of secrets lingering in the dark corners of Lumon's halls.
With that in mind, let's revisit our burning Severance questions from earlier-some we've even managed to solve.
First, a quick rundown of our season-opening queries:
Where's Ms. Casey, for Pete's sake?
Episode seven, "Chikhai Bardo," filled us in on Gemma (later known as Ms. Casey) and Mark's relationship timeline. From their meeting at a blood drive, to their blissful early days together, to their heartbreaking struggles with infertility. We also learned that Gemma's been trapped under Mark's feet the whole time, imprisoned in a Lumon lab beneath the severed floor.
How did Gemma become Ms. Casey, and why?
We don't have all the details yet, but we have some new hints. We know that Gemma and Mark visited a fertility clinic run by Lumon, and that Gemma kept in touch with the place, receiving follow-up mail related to her visits. We also saw the night she vanished, alone and uninvited to an event that Mark didn't want her to attend.
While we're not sure how exactly she became Ms. Casey, we have a sliver of an idea about why-she's being held against her will, and her experiences on the testing floor are shaped by Mark's work as a "Macrodata Refiner."
What’s Cold Harbor all about?
Mark's the key to that one. We have no idea what Gemma's walking into when she enters the room, but it's gonna be bad news-worse than a plane crash, a root canal, or a passive-aggressive holiday season.
After "Chikhai Bardo," it seemed plausible Cold Harbor would be Gemma's purgatory for her miscarriage. But now that we know it's designed to be lethal-could it be a car accident that finally takes her life?
What's Ms. Cobel up to, and what's inside Salt's Neck?
Thanks to episode eight, "Sweet Vitriol," we've got a much clearer picture of Cobel's backstory. We know she grew up in a Lumon company town, where almost everyone is an ether addict, courtesy of Lumon. We learned that Cobel's mother, also an ether addict, hated Lumon. Cobel was a brilliant student who earned the Wintertide Fellowship, which Jame Eagan swiped and passed off as his own.
That explains a lot about her odd behavior so far: her devotion to the cult of Kier, her fascination with Mark both at work and at home, her extreme reaction to being fired, and her sudden decision to help Mark and Devon.
Who's this Kier bloke, and what's on "the board"?
Still no solid info on either front. But if you're in a jam and need to flee Kier, you can always take the train, like Irving does in "The After Hours."
What's going on with Natalie?
We're still none the wiser. If the season finale reveals Natalie is an innie with a complete opposite personality to her PR smile, we wouldn't be shocked.
Why's Lumon eager to get Ricken to revamp his book?
Apparently, it's part of Lumon's efforts to maintain control over Mark's family. Ricken hasn't been around much this season, but the episode that delved into his past suggests his polite demeanor wasn't always so platitudinous.
Why's Miss Huang so young?
It turns out she's another Wintertide Fellow, just like Cobel before her. She and Mr. Milchick didn't get along very well, but he did allow her to graduate. In "The After Hours," we see her being sent away from the Lumon office for a new posting in Svalbard, which folks say is even colder than the depths of Kier.
Why did Helly fib about her Overtime Contingency experience?
The answer's out: it wasn't Helly in that scene, but the devious Helena Eagan, spying on MDR.
Who's Irv talking to on payphones?
We don't know, and we might never find out, since "The After Hours" saw Irv depart Kier with Burt, with strict instructions never to return. If Irv was helping compile a list of severed workers, perhaps he spoke to a contact who may still be out there.
What's Exports Hall all about?
We know it leads to the testing floor, and it was Ms. Casey'sescape route during "Chikhai Bardo." But why was it troubling Irving, who even painted images of it repeatedly?
How's Mark's reintegration coming along?
It's been a bumpy ride, with sudden nosebleeds, couch dramas, seizures, coma scares, and bizarre consciousness lapses. The only doctor who knows Mark's secret-Reghabi-stepped away when Devon opted to contact Cobel. So things look... uncertain.
Are the Macrodata Refiners doing anything?
We know their sorting of "scary numbers" and completing of files, like Allentown, have some impact on the testing floor.
The GOATS
We haven't seen a goat since episode three-unless you count the goat statue in Ms. Cobel's aunt's altar, seen in "Sweet Vitriol." Goats symbolize malice, one of four tempers that Kier Eagan allegedly tamed. But we don't know their practical purpose or why the employees caring for them are so... peculiar.
Now, let's explore the new questions that have sprung up as we hurtle towards the season finale:
What plan will Cobel, Mark, and Devon concoct?
The last time we saw these three oddball allies, they were holed up in a severance-rigged cabin at the "birthing retreat," planning their next move to rescue Gemma and expose Lumon's secrets. We'll be counting the days until we find out what they're up to.
What's up with that birthing retreat conversation between Cobel and Devon?
We still haven't forgotten that distressing conversation, where Ms. Cobel referred to Devon (posing as a Lumon employee) as "one of Jame's." What does that mean exactly? We need answers, Severance!
Will Mr. Milchick keep defying Mr. Drummond?
Mr. Milchick's defiance of Mr. Drummond in "The After Hours" was a delightful surprise, giving us hope he may become an unexpected ally.
Are we done with Dylan, Irving, and Burt?
Miss Huang's departure seems final, but what about these characters? We certainly hope Burt faces consequences for breaking farewell protocol with Irving.
Will Mark have to choose between Gemma and Helly R.?
It's bound to be a heartache, with Mark loving both Helly R. and Gemma. No matter what, one of them is going to end up hurt.
And speaking of Helly R... why is Jame Eagan snooping on MDR?
Why's he curious about Helena's breakfast, for Pete's sake?
We still don't have answers to those burning questions. But we're keeping our fingers crossed for next week's finale, ominously titled "Cold Harbor."
In the meantime, stay tuned for what to expect from the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, updates on the future of Doctor Who, and everything you need to know about DC's upcoming film and TV projects.
- As Apple TV+'s series Severance nears its season finale, the future remains uncertain for Gemma, who seems to be trapped in a Lumon lab.
- Macrodata Refiners, like Mark, have a significant impact on Lumon's testing floor, as evident by the files they sort and complete, such as Allentown.
- Irv has potentially compiled a list of severed Lumon workers, but his whereabouts and contacts are currently unknown since he left Kier with Burt in the last episode.
- Ms. Cobel, Mark, and Devon are planning their next move to rescue Gemma and expose Lumon's secrets, and their plan will be revealed in the upcoming season finale titled "Cold Harbor."
