Waking Ned (1999)

The Season 1 finale of Severance aired recently and Apple TV already picked up the series for a second season. The final episode delivered, one hundred percent. We’re left with our main character Mark (Adam Scott) running to tell his sister a crucial discovery he has made, before returning back to his severed self, or ‘innie.’

Severance is truly captivating and original. It succeeds at combining dramatic elements with a bit of humor and satire while enthralling audiences with all the makings of a psychological thriller. We are with this eclectic cast of characters at Luman Industries, figuring out things as they go along. Just what’s around that next office hallway corner is anyone’s guess. The possibilities are endless. Much like the plot, the odd mix of characters are filled with layers of mystery and intrigue.

All of the characters in Severance function with some level of detachment. Not only literally, as most Luman employees lead a work life mentally cut off from everyday existence, but also metaphorically as each of the characters are somewhat lost and incapable of expressing their emotions. As if the job produces a dull, limited engagement not only with their work but with themselves.

Mark’s ‘outtie’ lives in a generic residential community. He’s typically moving about in darkness, a stylistic choice that emphasizes Mark’s loneliness. I like this bit of world-building. I believe it’s one of the stronger aspects of the show. The sparse, wintery setting makes me want to curl up under a blanket and get comfy and cozy.