The season two finale ofSeverancewas more than just an episode of television.
It was an epic mini-movie that felt bigger and more impactful than everything weve seen this entire season combined.
But start we must.
It’s time to finish Cold Harbor on the season finale of Severance.Apple TV+
This throws HarmonyIrving was drawing the exports hall?
How did he know about it?but that quickly gets glossed over for more pressing things.
Cobel and Devon explain to innie Mark their plan to hopefully extract Gemma from Lumon.
Quite a scene in the cabin – Apple TV+
Which is a great plan for Devon and Cobel but not necessarily Marks innie.
Its outie Mark, who has recorded a message for innie Mark.
And while things start relatively innocent and even heartfelt, things slowly take a turn.
Quite a scene in the cabin – Apple TV+
Innie Mark questions how this plan benefits him and the other innies.
Mark doesnt have one.
We realize that while these are two different versions of Mark, its still just Mark.
Press the button. – Apple TV+
Each one wants what he wants and is unwilling to compromise for it.
What aSeveranceviewer is left to wonder is, is one more right than the other?
And which do we side with?
RIP asshole – Apple TV+
She explains that the numbers he deals with at work each day represent the mind and tempers of Gemma.
And, for each file Mark has completed, hes allowed Lumon to create a new innie for her.
She says its over for them.
Mark’s choice – Apple TV+
Which is, of course, where things immediately go.
A tour de force if ever there was one.
Back at Lumon, its the day all the creeps have been waiting for.
And, as you probably already know, those goodly splendors did not disappoint.
The start of the day also held another surprise, the return of Dylan.
Seriously, the execution and performances in this scene were both so good, I cried.
Mark is ready to start working on Cold Harbor, but hes not sure if he should.
Helly tells him about Jame Eagan showing up, and Mark tells her everything he learned from Cobel.
Basically, if he finishes the file, theres a good chance theyll cease to exist.
Whether Cobel is lying or not, Helly says at least theres a chance Mark can continue on.
Is it humanly possible for both parts of Mark to share happiness?
Work on Cold Harbor begins, with both Dr. Mauer and Mr. Drummond watching on from the testing floor.
Its all a nice distraction because, eventually, Mark lands on the last few numbers.
They hold hands, get close, and finish the file.
After two long sections filled with tension and emotion, the finale needed a release valve.
Finally, we hear Milchick call for the Choreography and Merriment department.
A total 180 from everything else weve seen up until here.
And yet, its wasting time.
Mark knows he is on a ticking clock to get to the testing floor before Gemma is killed.
This particular goat, Drummond is assured, has verve and wiles.
Its here we finally find out what the goats onSeveranceare for.
Theyre bred to be sacrificed and put into coffins with dead bodies to guide their spirits to Kiers door.
Its Mark trying to get into the exports hall.
Drummond then fights Lorne, except this time hes met his match.
Mark takes Drummond hostage and Lorne thanks him for saving Emile (the goats name is Emile).
An unexpected, yet welcome, change of pace.
RIP Mr. Drummond, you piece of crap.
The implication here is that Cold Harbor allows Lumon to make severed individuals without emotion.
Complete and utter blank slates that will do anything if merely asked.
its at least an answer.
Mauer and, most importantly, Jame Eagan watch on with frothy delight.
That is, of course, until they realize that plan is about to go to shit.
Gemma ignores the cries of Dr. Mauer and she cautiously, but obediently leaves with Mark.
Mauer and Jame scream in horror because they know this is very, very bad.
Mark and Gemma, the wife he thought to be dead, together once more.
But will he be able to break her out?
Theyre about to leave at Milchicks request when Helly gets up and makes her Emmy-moment speech.
She talks about how this floor is going to close and that everyone has already lost friends.
She pleads that severed people are only given half a life and Lumon thinks they wont fight for it.
Fuck you, Mr. Milchick Dylan defiantly says.
Youll kill them all, Dr. Mauer ominously screams as Gemma and Mark make it to the elevator.
Only, its not her Mark.
And heres when that incredible opening to this episode comes back.
Innie Mark has completed his mission for outie Mark.
They worked together to get Gemma out.
But, we know, he also wants to exist.
He decides to leave Gemma behind and be with Helly.
This is their equator.
They only exist in this place.
And if they stay there, changes cant be made to fix it.
But they dont care, theyre in love.
And no one knows whats next.
Then, you had a clear idea of what had to happen.
Here, we have no idea.
Marks decision to stay with Helly asks so many impossible questions with even more devastating implications.
Then theres the potential fallout from Gemmas escape and it means for the future of Lumon.
But, hopefully, we wont have to wait three years for answers to any of it.
Lets do it again in season three.
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