Last Call for ‘Severance’ Theories

What’s maddening about a show like Severance isn’t that there’s a grand mystery waiting to be solved—oh sure, there’s a ton we’ve yet to learn, such as what Cold Harbor is, Mark’s role in completing the project, and, of course, all those damn goats—but there’s countless details still to be fleshed out and plots to be wrapped up. Honestly, between the fast and loose science and the bizarre Kier work-religion, the upcoming season finale could posit Gemma as an android created to be the second coming of Imogene, and there would be little reason to argue against it. This isn’t actually a working theory of mine but if anything like that pans out, I’m laying claim to it nonetheless. But with the finale streaming tomorrow, there’s no reason why I can’t make wild assertions over what may happen, such as:

Gemma will be the embodiment of the Kier religion

I was largely joking about Gemma being reduced to Imogene version 2.0, but there’s plenty to suggest that Gemma’s brain is essentially being rewritten, a dramatic (and horrifying) step up from mere severance. Several weeks back we discovered what’s befallen Gemma, who’s now living day-to-day as a guinea pig in a sick Groundhog’s Day repeat of unpleasant life scenarios. But Cold Harbor is the lead up to something major, as evidenced by Mr. Drummond, who insists that the project’s successful completion, “will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the history of the planet.” Though Harmony is technically on Mark’s side—I gotta tell you though, I think she’s got one more double-cross in her; you don’t shake off lifelong devotion in a couple of days—when she said that Cold Harbor’s completion would result mean Gemma would be dead, I believe she means that figuratively.

On the screen displaying the Cold Harbor stats on Gemma, you can see four colored indicators labeled WO, FC, DR, and MA, with varying ratios, almost certainly shorthand for the Four Tempers, Woe, Frolic, Dread, and Malice (respectively), that Kier “tamed” in the cave, essentially what makes a person’s soul. The ultimate goal of Lumon is to skip right over the rigor and study of religious ideals and instead use science to essentially make ‘designer worshippers.’ Why win over hearts and minds when you can simply stick a chip in their brains and override what you believe to be their foibles and turn them into the perfect embodiment of your uber-creepy religion? With Innie Mark now on the outside, some kind of plan to save her can be hatched.

Dylan’s going out in a blaze of glory

Heartbreak is hell. Now imagine your body experiencing that twice over. I admit to not being Outie Dylan’s biggest fan, but hearing your spouse say your romantic rival reminds her “of how you used to be!” would be painful beyond measure, even if it’s technically you that she’s speaking of. Sadly, now Innie Dylan is also suffering after that disastrous visit with Gretchen; that desperate proposal was miserable to witness and would be the most heartwrenching scene of the episode were it not for that achingly sad goodbye between Irving and Burt at the train station (“I’m ready.” “We can’t.” I sob).

Both Dylans have decided to quit for the same reason, though their stakes don’t equal out: Outie Dylan’s simply terminating his employment, while Innie Dylan is technically terminating his very existence. He’s resolved as he fills out the Innie Resignation Sheet—seeing reasons for quitting include such options as “Anger,” “Fatigue,” and “Annoyance,” makes me think we should consider using this as standard work practice—including when he makes what we’re to believe is his final walk into the elevator. But we never hear the now-signature ding of the severance switch despite the door coming to a close. I fully expect for Innie Dylan, with one last burst of anger and resentment, to come flying back out of that elevator to give Lumon Industries some hell, just like his dearly departed best friend, Irving.

Wildest swing: Wintertide Fellowship recipients are the children of Jame Eagan

“She’s one of Jame’s,” Harmony tells the guard at the birthing center, alerting us to the fact that the creepy sentient mannequin of a patriarch manages to get around. We know that the Jame Eagan Wintertide Fellowship chooses children out of the Myrtle Eagan School for Girls, designed to mold perfect Lumon soldiers. Between being one of the few paths of education and employment in impoverished places like Salt’s Neck, Harmony’s hometown, it’s only a short leap to imagine Jame being able to access women. Any offspring produced by these encounters would be another branch of the Eagan line, even if they are illegitimate. Tracking these babies and plucking them out of school to fulfill some preconceived ‘destiny’ would fall in perfect creepy line with the odd Eagan family. If this admittedly insane theory bears out, that would make Harmony one of the very first of this insane program, with Ms. Huang the latest (if this is the last we see of her, I’m throwing a flag on the play). Helly is the ‘legitimate’ daughter, hence her being granted the Eagan name. What Jame’s has discovered about her is unclear to me—she’s Helly R. for sure when he surprises her in MDR, but I suspect Helena’s done some sort of trickery—but he’s less of an immediate threat as much as he is an oncoming storm. We’ll find out soon enough. Praise Kier.

The Severance finale officially premieres on Apple TV+ this Friday.

Kaleena Rivera is the TV Editor for Pajiba. She can be found on Bluesky here.