It’s been about three years since the premiere of “Severance,” the hit Apple TV+ series starring Adam Scott and developed by a team lead by Ben Stiller, and we finally have Season 2 ready. The concept of the series is a heady one, pardon the pun, as employees of the global enterprise Lumon have a choice to become “severed.” In essence, you have two versions of yourself; your work self and your home self and never the twain shall meet. Mark Scout (Scott) experienced a tragedy in his life, losing his wife in a horrific accident and he cannot heal or move forward. He decides to become severed in his job to take away some of the pain, at least for part of the day.
Season 1 introduced us to Scout’s colleagues in the maze-like subfloor of Lumon: Dylan (Zach Cherry), Helly (Britt Lower), and Irving (John Turturro). Their work of “mining” seems mindless, but there’s something sinister happening unbeknownst to their other selves. Exactly what that is remains a mystery however layers of that onion are peeled away slowly as we discover clues and get to better know each of these characters.
Season 2 picks up right where the first one left off. While it’s been a few years, it might behoove you to rewatch the first season or at least the last two episodes before you begin Season 2 which is very trippy, to say the least. The writers of “Severence” find a way to pull you into the mystery as you, along with Mark, Dylan, Helly, and Irving, attempt to figure out what Lumon is up to. Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette), Burt (Christopher Walken), Ricken (Michael Chernus) and Devon (Jen Tullock) all play their part in the awakening, but what’s the cost?
Season 2 is just as captivating and addictive as Season 1, as the characters we’ve grown to know and care about change before our eyes. Questions arise as to can these people outsmart Lumon? Can they find happiness? Can they trust one another? And what happened to Ms. Corbel? The questions keep coming and the answers are ever so deliberately delivered.
What separates this series from so many others is the care and intellect within the primary story and sub-stories. We’ve got to think and look carefully as we watch, not wanting to miss a single detail because they’re all important. It’s a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth it!
Be prepared to sink down into the subterranean and perhaps into the not so distant future to find out what Big Tech has in store for you in Season 2 of “Severance” streaming on Apple TV+ January 17, 2025.
3 1/2 Stars
