Milchick's "Grow" Scene In The Mirror In Severance Season 2 Episode 6 Explained

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance season 2, episode 6!Throughout Severance season 2, episode 6, Milchick (Tramell Tillman) works to improve upon criticisms raised in his performance review, which leads to one of his most haunting and heartbreaking scenes yet. After the shocking events of Irving’s firing and Helly/Helena’s identity twist reveal in Severance season 2, episode 4, “Woe’s Hollow,” Milchick underwent his first performance reviews as manager of the severed floor. While Drummond and the Board raised concerns about what happened at the ORTBO, they also addressed problems with Milchick installing paper clips incorrectly, using too many big words, and his kindness reforms failing.

In Severance season 2, episode 6, Milchick leaves the young Miss Huang in charge of the severed floor while he works on these concerns. After spending what appears to be hours paper-clipping sheets together, he stands in front of a mirror while addressing the complaint about his big words – implied to be reported by Miss Huang. To start, he takes a phrase he said to Miss Huang shortly beforehand, “You must eradicate from your essence childish folly,” and changes the wording until he simply lands on “Grow,” which he begins to frustratingly repeat to himself in the mirror.

Why Milchick Changes His Line About "Childish Folly" To Simply "Grow"

Milchick Drops His Big Vocabulary In Favor Of Harsher, Succinct Language

When Milchick uses “big words,” he’s trying to maintain professionalism and neutrality with his language which he hopes will be respected and received with more openness. Therefore, when he told Miss Huang she needed to “eradicate from her essence childish folly,” he intended to give her guidance about being more professional and disciplined, which she would need to work on before joining the “Wintertide” program. But, considering Milchick knew Miss Huang was behind some of the reports in his performance review, his advice was also based on his frustration and annoyance with her after the funeral for Irving’s Innie.

An edited image of Milchick and Miss Huang smiling in Severance season 2.

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Even if the words themselves may have similar meanings on the surface, the tones and conveyances of language can completely change how they’re perceived. Milchick’s phrase about “eradicating childish folly” can be interpreted with the same surface meaning as “grow,” but their delivery and the weight those different words carry are completely different. As Milchick adjusted the phrase to become more simple, using fewer “big words,” the meaning and tone of what he was saying changed.

Miss Huang took over Milchick's role as deputy manager of the severed floor when he was promoted to Harmony Cobel's department chief position.

So, Milchick goes step-by-step with more simplicity each time. However, as the phrase becomes smaller and more direct, it also becomes more cruel. “Eradicate from your essence childish folly” turns into “eradicate from yourself childish folly,” to “you must abandon childish things,” to “you must grow up,” to “grow up,” and, finally, to “grow.” Once he gets to “grow,” he’s finally being more straightforward about how he feels, but it’s no longer Miss Huang who he’s talking to.

Severance Reveals The Real Reason Why Milchick Uses Such Big Words

Milchick's Vocabulary Helps Separate Him From Cobel

Miss Huang (Sarah Bock) and Milchick (Tramell Tillman) preparing everything for the campfire in Severance Season 2 Ep 4

Milchick being very verbose was always a strange quirk for the fan-favorite Severance character, making the uncomfortable corporate atmosphere of Lumon somewhat less disarming. His corporate jargon kept the office from feeling casual, while also working to establish superiority above the employees in Lumon’s severed departments. Everything at Lumon is already so complex, mysterious, and difficult to understand for Innies, and Milchick’s vocabulary enhances those uneasy feelings. In some ways, his more obscure, impersonal language keeps a barrier between himself and the Innies, avoiding a level of humanity that would open up more ethical dilemmas with his work.

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However, a deeper reason for Milchick’s expansive language is that these big words make his communication seem more gentle without personal attachment to the language. Milchick has never wanted to be like former severed floor manager Harmony Cobel, whose curt attitude and harshness with Innies certainly contributed to their rebellion in Severance season 1’s ending. Ultimately, his big words were meant as a kindness. While still serving in a supervisory and disciplinary role, Milchick could use bigger words to take away some of the sting of interactions with his subordinates without being too personable.

Milchick Repeating "Grow" Confirms How Unappreciated & Isolated He Feels At Lumon

Milchick's Lack Of Respect & Disillusionment With Lumon Is Becoming Much Deeper

When Milchick begins adjusting his phrasing from “eradicate childish folly,” he’s simply trying to find a simpler way to say that to Miss Huang with fewer “big words.” However, as the language changes, he starts saying these phrases to himself rather than Miss Huang. Phrases like “grow up” turning into “grow” start piercing Milchick himself, as he looks at his reflection and sees someone whose unappreciated service and loyalty are being undermined by his company.

When Milchick starts repeating “grow,” it’s an indication that he’s starting to crack.

After risking his job with initiatives like the ORTBO, allowing the Innies to honor Irving’s memory, and generally trying to be more accommodating to Macrodata Refinement’s employees, Milchick has to wonder whether Lumon’s mysterious Board is right and his kinder, gentler approach is “childish folly.” Is it silly for him to believe that Innies should be treated like people? Is it childish for him to feel insulted by Lumon’s Kier paintings? By the time he keeps saying “grow,” he believes he’s the one who actually needs to “grow up” and become more intimidatingly strict, not Miss Huang.

Milchick has given everything to this company, yet they prove time and again that they don’t truly see him or appreciate him. When Milchick starts repeating “grow,” it’s an indication that he’s starting to crack. After the Black Kier paintings Milchick received from the Board and the ridiculous, demoralizing scrutiny in his performance review, he’s seeing the Lumon “machine” for what it really is. Milchick is becoming disillusioned with Lumon, as he knows he has to abandon his sense of self, kindness, and sympathy in order to fit their expectations.

Furthermore, Milchick’s more articulate language was one aspect that separated him from other employees at Lumon, and now he’s being punished for it. What should be a positive feature of having someone so verbose on their team is vilified and “othered” for Milchick, which only worsens the isolation and disrespect he’s felt with racism at the company. Milchick’s vocabulary and mannerisms at Lumon are part of his work persona, essentially a version of his own “Innie” at Lumon that helps him appeal to the corporate culture, but it’s still not enough for them.

Severance Season 2's Remaining Episode Schedule
Episode #	Release Date
7	February 28
8	March 7
9	March 14
10	March 21

So, Milchick has a choice to make in Severance after he starts repeating the word “grow” over and over again. Does he “grow” by having the courage to stand up to Lumon or leave his job? Or, does he “grow” by abandoning his beliefs and individuality to fit their cold, robotic mold? Plus, if he chooses the latter, he still risks winding up like the fired Ms. Cobel, while also feeling oppressed by the company that he’s dedicated his life to. With this harsh dilemma at play after episode 6, Severance might be setting up a heroic redemption arc for Milchick.