'Severance' review: Apple TV hit returns for bizarre yet rewarding second season

Courtesy of Apple TV+

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“Severance” was not only the best show of 2022; it’s one of the best shows of all time. An ingenious satire that pokes fun at corporate culture and synergy, with a tasteful sci-fi edge, Apple TV’s sensational first season ended with a mind-boggling cliffhanger that left viewers with their jaws on the floor. The premise follows a lowly group of cubicle workers who, upon entering the elevator at the mysterious Lumon Industries, become “severed” from their real selves (the “outies”) and entirely new people on the inside (the “innies”).

It’s a deceptively simple set-up that resonated with audiences at a moment when everyone was isolated due to the global pandemic. The idea of being able to detach from the daily grind of a 10-hour workday is something anyone who’s worked in a high-pressure office can easily relate to. For the series' protagonist, Mark Scout (Adam Scott), it offers a chance to escape the emotional turmoil of his “outie” life, where his wife, Gemma, is no longer with him. His time at Lumon becomes a daily relief from the pain of his personal life. But is this really a way to live?

The explosive new season of “Severance” is eager to answer that question—albeit with many twists and turns down a perplexing rabbit hole. Over the course of its 10-episode second season (which was provided in advance for reviewing press), “Severance” faces the unenviable task of picking up the pieces from season one while also laying the groundwork for the future. The results are bizarre, abstract, and at times divisive. I suspect “Severance” die-hards will either dig their heels in even more, or perhaps get bogged down by the various expository elements (there are two bottle episodes this season that delve into certain characters' backstories in a way that, frankly, could’ve been handled in an email). Nonetheless, creator Dan Erickson, working alongside producer and director Ben Stiller, seems aware of the challenges and expands the story in new—and sometimes frustrating—ways.

The new season picks up five months after Mark and his severed co-workers, Helly R (Britt Lower), Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan (Zach Cherry), implemented the “Overtime Contingency Protocol.” This allowed them not only to glimpse how their other halves lived, but also to expose the blatant corruption and mistreatment faced by the “innies” under Lumon’s strict rule. For the moment, it seems their efforts have paid off: Lumon has taken the matter seriously, showcasing big “we’ve heard you, and we want to fix it” energy. They've even gone so far as to make a flashy infomercial explaining the “Macrodat Uprising."

Naturally, it reeks of crisis PR, and the crew isn’t buying it. While season one was about the discovery of this world and barely scratching the surface of Lumon’s operations, season two dives deep into the darker secrets lurking beneath. It’s also about value, voice, and visibility, as the “innies” begin to question the lives they’ve been forced into. In one climactic moment, a character exclaims: “They only give us half a life and think we won’t fight for it.” Strong words.

Indeed, the innies want answers. They want to explore and understand their reality, which leads to some brilliant existential commentary on what it means to have consciousness when you share a body with two separate souls. It’s a profound question: How can one person escape themselves?

Without giving too much away, the path forward is paved with strange intentions. Erickson fully embraces the eerie, surreal elements hiding at Lumon’s core. And with rock-solid performances from the returning cast—especially Scott, who delivers an Emmy-worthy gut punch of emotion and vulnerability in the season finale (which, unlike the rest of the season, runs a full 75 minutes and earns every second)—it doesn’t feel like it’s been three years since we last saw these characters.

Yes, there’s still the ongoing search for a certain someone from the aforementioned cliffhanger in season one, along with various subplots involving Dylan, Irving, and Burt (a returning Christopher Walken) that keep things engaging. But the true spark of this season lies in the evolving relationship between Mark and Helly. Lower’s performance is nothing short of amazing. We also can’t forget the enigmatic Tramell Tillman, who plays the unpredictable supervisor Mr. Milcheck. His unhinged presence adds an electric layer of tension to a series already brimming with mystery.

That said, season two of “Severance” won’t answer all your questions. In fact, I found myself perplexed more often than not. But when I took a step back and allowed myself to experience the show instead of overanalyzing it, I was able to simply vibe with it. It’s always refreshing to see creators take risks and explore new territory after proving their concept. Erickson, Stiller, and the rest of the crew are clearly on the same strange wavelength—and I believe the audience will be, too.

Grade: B+

The first episode of season two of SEVERANCE debuts on Apple TV+ on Friday, January 17th, with subsequent chapters dropping weekly.