The first eight minutes ofSeveranceseason 2, episode 1 are now on AppleTV+, picking up the action where it left off at the end of season 1. In the season 1 finale, Mark, Helly and Irving pulled off the overtime contingency plan, with Dylan’s courageous assistance, but experiencing life as their true Outie selves proved more terrifying than illuminating. A long-delayedSeveranceseason 2is finally set to premiere on AppleTV+ on January 17, promising answers to the many questions left after season 1’s stunning finale.
In a sneak peek of episode 1 ofSeveranceseason 2, just shared on AppleTV+, Mark is back in the Lumon building after his foray into the real world, but things have changed on the Severed Floor. Mark is seen returning to his Innie form, then proceeds to scramble desperately through the hallways. When he finally arrives at his office, Helly, Irving and Dylan are nowhere to be found. Mark is stunned to meet his new MDR co-workers, one of whom is also named Mark. A familiar face finally arrives in the form of Milchick, who brings a bundle of balloons along with his sinister politeness.
Mark is then escorted to Cobel’s old office, where Milchick reveals that the former manager has been relieved of her duties, leaving him in charge. Milchick goes on to reveal that it’s been five months since Mark and the other Innies executed the overtime contingency, that the trio became famous in the outside world as whistle-blowers, and that Helly and Irving both elected to remain as Outies. The clip ends in menacing fashion, as Mark doesn’t believe the story Milchick is telling him, while Milchick coldly stares him down.
What This Means For Severance Season 2
Things Are About To Get Even Weirder
Mark’s sense of disorientation throughout the clip, effectively set up by the frantic, nightmare-like shots of him weaving through the Severed Floor hallways like a rat in a maze, is passed on to the viewer as the sneak peek plays out. The great reveal of Mark’s new office-mates, Mark W. (Bob Balaban), Gwendolyn Y. (Alia Shawkat) and Dario R. (Stefano Carannante), was spoiled in the season 2 trailer, but the new 8-minute clip goes farther in establishing a sense of intrigue about the fate of theSeverancecastof characters.
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Most revealing is Mark’s tense meeting with Milchick in Cobel’s old office. Not only does the new Severed Floor manager claim Helly and Irving remained as Outies, he asserts that Mark himself begged to be let back into Lumon. But the new Mark is not as naive and gullible as the old Innie Mark, and meets Milchick’s story with skepticism. Milchick’s cold response to Mark’s disbelief sets up conflict between the two characters, making viewers wonder if Mark is in real danger, or perhaps is somehow being reprogrammed.
Our Take On Severance Season 2’s Sneak Peek
Where Are Helly, Dylan And Irving?
The 8-minuteSeverancecold open shared onAppleTV+, and briefly recapped above, does a great job setting up the new season, rekindling excitement for the episode 1 premiere. The big question it raises is whether anything Milchick tells Mark should be believed. Mark seems to think he’s being lied to, which leaves the audience wondering what really happened to Helly, Irving and Dylan. Whether Mark’s new co-workers are there to stay, or are part of some elaborate charade, or are even real people, is yet to be seen, but thankfully, the wait for answers won’t be too protracted.
