Severance's Innies Vs Outies Explained: How The Procedure Works & What The Rules Are

In 2022, Apple TV+ released its hit sci-fi thriller series, Severance, which centers on a world where people can be "severed" from their work selves, but many may be wondering how the procedure actually works. First and foremost, Severance tells the story of Mark, a man who decided to sever himself after the death of his wife. Now, Mark works loyally for a company called Lumon. However, when a new worker joins his office, Mark begins to question the morality of his workplace, and more importantly, begins unraveling the lies he has long been told.

Severance is an addictive show, and part of that allure is the fact that the series is somewhat confusing. It takes some time for audiences to understand the mechanics of this strange dystopian world. At the center of this is the severance procedure itself. Being severed creates major questions and issues for the main characters, and often keeps audiences in the dark about the true nature of these characters. The end of Severance season 1 offers some shocking reveals about what the severance procedure has been hiding. Yet, it's necessary for audiences to understand being severed before finishing the series.

How The Severance Procedure Works

Severance Is Far From A Smooth & Secure Operation

In Severance season 1, audiences get to see just how Lumon workers are severed. The procedure is essentially a surgery wherein a small chip is placed inside an individual's brain. Though the exact science isn't delved into, it is presumed that the chip splits a person's neural pathways, creating one pathway for someone's personal life, and another for their work life. In their day-to-day life, the Lumon worker doesn't feel any different, but once they descend on Lumon's elevator, the chip snaps into action, forcing them onto their new neural pathway.

In some ways, being severed seems like a seamless process. All it takes is an elevator ride to switch from one self to another. However, Severance hints at the more sinister elements of the procedure. For example, workers must record a video of themselves agreeing to be severed so that Lumon cannot be blamed for any consequent damages. Furthermore, as showcased throughout Severance season 1, Mark and his colleagues are slightly tortured by the fact that they don't know who they really are outside their office. The suspense and the deception from Lumon is all-encompassing.

How Innies Differ From The Original Person

Mark and Helly sit in front of the computer while Irving stands over them in Severance.

According to Severance, the work self is typically known as an innie. After the severance process, innies are only privy to what goes on inside Lumon. They are essentially a blank slate of the person they used to be. For example, Mark's innie still maintains his usual personality, but he has no memories of his past and only experiences what happens at Lumon. As soon as he steps off the elevator at the end of the workday, Mark's innie is essentially unconscious. Once again, this lack of memory leads to inner turmoil for Lumon's employees.

Severance's innies introduce a number of interesting concepts. If an innie does not have any memories, then many may wonder how they differ from their counterpart. Being severed also seems to come with its perks. In terms of Mark's story, he allows himself to be severed so that, at work, he can escape the pain of his wife's death. This certainly benefits him for a while, but at the end of the day, the pain still manages to work its way through in unexpected ways, hinting that severance may not be a totally complete procedure.

Outies Are The Original People In The Outside World & Have No Access To Their Work Lives

How Outies' Lives Are Diminished By Severance

Adam Scott looking surprised as Mark in Severance

As one might expect, the counterpart to an innie is known as an outie. Outies are essentially the real version of a Lumon worker. They have lived full lives, and are the ones who knowingly agree to be severed. The only difference between them and a regular person is that they are not aware of what goes on at work. Once their innie consciousness comes alive in the Lumon elevator, then the outie part of them is shut out. Thus, characters like Helly have no concept of what they do at Lumon, and don't know who they work with.

In Mark's case, his personal life feels even more bleak than his time at Lumon

Although cutting out one's workday may seem like a positive, Severance shows how this can diminish one's life. Being aware of only the beginning and end of the day can take a toll on a person, as countless hours are taken from them. In Mark's case, his personal life feels even more bleak than his time at Lumon. Of course, his depression definitely affects this, but in general, audiences can see how outies suffer from not being able to actively participate in a huge portion of their lives. Plus, just like their innies, outies lack vital information about their lives.

Lumon's Innies vs. Outies Ethical Controversies Explained

Severance's Procedure Is More Than Just A Sci-Fi Trick

Close up of Mark's face in a red-lit hallway in Severance season 2

Clearly, the process of being severed comes with ethical problems, and Severance does not shy away from these. In Severance season 1, viewers see how Lumon comes under fire for the severance procedure. In the media and out in the world, people are actively protesting against being severed because of how innies are treated. Essentially, once an innie stops working for a company, they are eliminated. To many, this comes across as the murder of a real person, even if Lumon does not see it that way. Generally, Severance's characters are judged for their decision to be severed.

In some ways, this is the best part of Severance's sci-fi surgery. While it is interesting to see the difference between innies and outies, the show makes severance more than just a cool sci-fi party trick. Instead, the show explores the real consequences of this procedure, and forces viewers to think about the moral consequences. Unlike other sci-fi series, Severance is willing to dive headfirst into the issues of its world, and hopefully, Severance season 2 can expand on this even more. Either way, Severanceoffers up a story that is incredibly unique, and therefore, captivating.

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