Severance Season 2, Episode 5 Review: I'm Startled By How Different Adam Scott's Mark Behaves With Helly After Episode 4's Pivotal Reveal
Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance season 2, episode 5Severance season 2 had one of the show's best episodes last week. After spending so much time with the Innies inside Lumon in season 1, I fully embraced the opportunity to see them out and about in the real world. Set against a snowy backdrop, I'd say that the ORTBO was a major success for the series, though not for Lumon. Putting the characters in the real world allowed them to have some new experiences, and the show combined them with one of Severance's most tense endings so far.
Irving realized that Helena was pretending to be Helly and forced her and Mr. Milchick to come clean about it, or he would drown her. There are a lot of layers to that reveal, and I'm glad to say that episode 5 does a fantastic job of taking them on and exploring what the events of Severance season 2, episode 4's ending mean for the show going forward. While the first half of season 2 ends on a slower note than I would have expected, I think a breather was needed after last week's ending, so it worked out great.
Irving's Story Is Continued In Two Different Ways
Severance Connects Outies & Innies
Two major stories had to be continued after episode 4's ending — Irving's and Helly's. I wanted to start by delving into the first major loss the show has faced. John Turturro's work as Irving B. has been compelling to watch, with the character being a stickler for the rules who eventually decides to not only break them but challenge them in favor of his friends. It is all very thematic for the series, playing with Severance's search for the self and exploration of what constitutes such a thing.
After Irving and Burt formed such a close bond on the severed floor, I'm keen to see how the show will explore this arc with their Outies now that they have met.
Severance episode 4 featured events that one would never expect Irving would be a part of in season 1. Yet, there he was, firmly standing his ground and seemingly dying to reveal one of Lumon's biggest secrets to his friends and bring Helly back. Episode 5 explored that noble sacrifice, with Lumon holding a brief funeral for Irving that took an awkward turn as Mark still had to get his head together after the events from last week's episode. Still, it was nice that Irving got to be part of the episode's focus, even though he died.
While Irving B. the Innie might be dead, the Outie version is still safe and sound. I did not think about how the show could still keep Turturro around, even if Irving B. is unlikely to reappear. Due to that, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Severance season 2 seemed to be starting a whole separate storyline for Irving's Outie. After Irving and Burt formed such a close bond on the severed floor, I'm keen to see how the show will explore this arc with their Outies now that they have met. Could feelings linger? I think so.
Helena Eagan's Time Pretending To Be Helly R. Has Consequences
Mark S. Develops Trust Issues & It's Understandable
While the aftermath of Irving's death played a role in the slower episode, there was more than enough time to focus on the ramifications of Helena Eagan's actions. Not only did she pretend to be Helly R., but Helena stole Mark and Helly's first time. While I expected Mark S. to be relieved he and Helly were now back together on the severed floor, I totally understand how it is taking some time for him to start feeling comfortable with her again. After all, Mark could not tell that Helly had been switched for Helena, developing trust issues.
After growing used to Mark's whole happy routine and energetic persona, it was hard to watch him behave so out of character in this episode.
Since Helena had been pretending to be Helly, that reveal also means the real Helly had no idea Ms. Casey was Mark's wife. I was shocked by how Mark played it off in such a nonchalant way. After growing used to Mark's whole happy routine and energetic persona, it was hard to watch him behave so out of character in this episode, being an "asshole," as Helly says to his face. It allowed the show to make him feel more like a real person, full of nuances, different from the more caricature-like way Innies are sometimes represented.
I find it interesting that Helena was forced to let her Innie take over again due to how vital Mark's work is for Lumon, so keeping him happy is still the company's priority. Mark and Helly's relationship is at the center of the show, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that will fit in with the search for Ms. Casey/Gemma. That massive storyline got a new chapter; Mark's Outie was able to visually confirm his wife is alive due to a vision caused by his reintegration, and I can't wait to see the search ramp up.
Severance season 2 episodes stream on Apple TV+ every Friday through March 21.
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a "severance" procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
- Cast
- Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, Sarah Bock, Marc Geller, Michael Cumpsty
- Showrunner
- Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman
- Irving's story in the show is not over despite his death
- Mark and Helly's relationship is explored in a way that makes Adam Scott's character more complex than before
- The reintegration process is starting to change the game
- Episode is slower and does not greatly advance the plot
