The Contending’s Megan McLachlan offers a second opinion on the critically acclaimed second season of Apple TV+’s Severance. *spoilers ahead*
Okay, okay.
I get the hype around Severance Season 2, Episode 4. It’s the episode people will be talking about A LOT this upcoming Emmy season.
Directed by Ben Stiller, “Woe’s Hollow” is the most ambitious episode of the series, taking the four Innies out (ha!) into the wilderness on a retreat.
In a scene I’m sure we’ll be highlighting for outstanding editing by Geoffrey Richman, the juxtaposition of Mark (Adam Scott) and “Helly R” (Britt Lower) consummating their relationship in a tent as Irving (John Turturro) searches for Milchick (Tramell Tillman) in the woods is exquisite and seamless. Anna Ouyang Moench’s script with the line “Using your pupils to make love to her” is also a major highlight (a phrase that has probably never been uttered by another human until this episode).
But as I’ve digested reviews of the critically acclaimed second season, I’ve discovered critics (and fans!) point to another series as an influence. A series that took years of my life like a bad marriage. A series I’m very sorry to report is ABC’s Lost.
Severance and Lost Connection
“Nooo,” I wailed, upon reading references to fucking Jacob and learning that show creator Dan Erickson actually made Dylan, Irving, and Helly R’s locker numbers as three of Hurley’s magic digits. Can’t we have anything nice?
If a show is going to head into Lost territory, I feel like it should come with a trigger warning and a phone number to call to file a class action lawsuit. Listen, I love a good mystery, but I don’t like being led on for numerous seasons, with unnecessary twists spurring more questions just for shits and gigs (I am still not over the fact that we don’t know what that foot statue was on the island for).
I don’t know if Severance will go that route; I’ve always felt it was smarter than that. But when it started spouting off Lumon mythology, I twitched, maybe because I’ve been swindled by show mythologies before. I hope the goats and Gwendolin Christie actually mean something and aren’t a smoke monster. I hope the Kier Eagan and Dieter info-dumping plays into the larger mystery.
Please Don’t Make the Goats a Smoke Monster
Complaints about the third season of Yellowjackets have been that the writers are spinning their wheels and stalling on any answers. I’m surprised that people aren’t making the same complaints about Severance Season 2. We really haven’t learned anything new.
I know people are absolutely loving this season, but I miss the simplicity of the first. I miss the commentary on how we all wish we could turn our brains off at our job. I liked that it was sci-fi but didn’t have me questioning logistics (how the hell did they take those Innies on a wilderness trip?). Oh, and I miss Patricia Arquette’s “Marrrrk” the most.
Severance streams on Apple TV+.
All great points Megan!