New Financial Year 2024/2025 Streaming - Severance - Season One

Wow I have been all over Apple TV+ this blog series. Although I did honestly sleep on Severance. Like Ted Lasso, I was super late to this party.

The Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette drama is a very random workplace idea, which is freaky as fuck. 

As the viewer, we follow Mark S. (Scott), an employee of the fictional corporation Lumon Industries who agrees to a "severance" program in which his non-work memories are separated from his work memories.

Originally streaming in mid-February 2022, the series received acclaim from critics and audiences for its cinematography, direction, production design, musical score, story, and performances. 

Severance received 14 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting nominations for Scott, Turturro, Walken, and Arquette; it won for Main Title Design and musical score. 

Way, way back in April 2022, the series was renewed for a second season. The second season is set to premiere on January 17, 2025. So I am right on schedule to watch season two early next year. Which for now is set to conclude next March.

Season one ended on some massive cliffhangers, so I am happy I am not going to wait a super long time to see what unfolds during episode one of season two.

So what does this series resolve around? Biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries uses a medical procedure called "severance" to separate the memories of their employees depending spatially on whether they are at work or not. 

When a severed worker is at work, they are dubbed "innies" and cannot remember anything of their lives or the world outside. When outside work, they are dubbed "outies" and cannot remember their time at work. Due to this, innie and outie experience two different lives, with distinct personalities and agendas. 

Season one centers on one severed employee, Mark (Adam Scott), who gradually uncovers a web of conspiracies at Lumon. This leads to some serious conflict, in and out of the workplace.

SPOILERS BELOW. You have been warned. Here's how the finale went down all the way back in April 2022.

Mark's innie awakens in Devon's home and finds himself hugging Cobel. While excusing himself to find Devon, he calls Cobel by name, alerting her that the overtime contingency has been activated. 

Cobel calls Milchick and has him check the security office. Mark privately reveals to Devon that he is in innie form; Devon tells him of Gemma's death, and learns that "Mrs. Selvig" is Mark's boss. Devon encourages Mark to report Lumon's misdeeds to the press as Lumon likely controls the police. 

Irving wakes up in his apartment, discovering his outie's paintings and background in the U.S. Navy, and finds a map and employee directory in the closet which he uses to locate Burt. 

Helly wakes up at a Lumon gala where she learns that her outie is Helena Eagan – daughter of Lumon CEO Jame Eagan – who underwent severance to build public support for legalising the procedure. Cobel races to the gala and attempts to stop Helly from making a scheduled speech. 

Milchick reaches the security office and cuts his way through the makeshift restraints Dylan has placed on the door. Helly gets onstage and tells the crowd of the innies' subjugation and torment. Irving arrives at Burt's house only to find he is already in a relationship. 

Mark finds a photo confirming Ms. Casey to be Gemma. He rushes to tell Devon, but is only able to say "She's alive!" before Milchick tackles Dylan, deactivating the overtime contingency and reverting the three to their outie state.

So much to unpack, so much to remain excited about for the return in the new year. Bring on 2025! Apple TV+ continues to deliver.