Warning! This article contains spoilers for Severance season 2’s finale.
Severanceseason 2’s finale featured a controversial choice by Mark S., but those disagreeing with it are missing the point of the entire show.Severanceseason 2’s endingwas a massive episode for the show that will have huge implications going forward. The episode saw both versions of Mark, his Innie and Outie, fighting to save Gemma from Lumon beforeSeverance’s sinister Cold Harbor filewas completed. For the most part, this storyline included several conventionally exciting elements.
However, asSeverancehas done since season 1, episode 1, the finale proved to also include some thematically challenging elements. Be it the confrontations betweenSeverance’s Innies and Outieshighlighted via Mark’s story or the outright death of a major character, season 2, episode 10 included several shocking moments that were intended to cause debate among viewers. Perhaps the biggest point of discourse came as a result of the love triangle betweenSeverance’s core cast members, yet those criticizing Mark for a big decision he made are misunderstanding the entire point of the show.
Mark S. Made A Controversial Decision In Severance Season 2’s Finale
He Was Split Between Two Worlds
The decision in question came in the final moments ofSeveranceseason 2’s finale. Mark succeeded in getting Gemma to the stairwell that leads out of Lumon, yet was caught at a crossroads. In front of him was Gemma, the wife of his Outie, and behind him was Helly, the woman he had come to love. Mark’s decision was either to leave with Gemma and reunite her with Outie Mark forever, essentially sacrificing his life for his Outie’s relationship, or turn around and stick with Helly to fight for the life and relationship he has personally built inside Lumon.
Is That Actually Helena In Severance’s Season 2 Ending?
Severance’s season 2 finale continues to explore both Helly and Helena. Here’s who we were watching in the episode’s climactic final moments.
After many moments of deliberation, Mark turns around and chooses to go with Helly. Gemma is shown to be distraught, despite knowing that Mark has been severed. Given that such a big focus ofSeverancehas been Mark’s relationship with Gemma, the former’s Innie choosing Helly has sparked some outrage.Many are angry at Innie Mark and are labeling him selfish, stating that Outie Mark and Gemma are the true “endgame” couple of the showand that the Innies are now racing towards futility, more torment, and a likely tragic ending inSeveranceseason 3’s story.
The Show Is Not As Black & White As It Seems
Image via Apple TV+
Although some anger at Mark’s decision is natural thanks to howSeverancehas made audiences care for Outie Mark, Gemma, and their relationship together, the dismissal of Innie Mark’s choice misses the point of the entire show. SinceSeveranceseason 1, the show has been raising the point that Innies should be classed as people, just as much as their Outies are. For the most part, the Outies have been shown not to think this, especially via Helena Eagan’s storyline and how her views align with the rest ofSeverance’s Eagan family tree.
In dismissing Innie Mark’s choice to pick his own life, his own lover, and his own survival, audiences are just as bad as those who do not see the Innies as people…
Severanceseason 2 raised this on an even bigger level, with the Innies fighting to prove that they are worthy of the respect and treatment that their Outies receive. In dismissing Innie Mark’s choice to pick his own life, his own lover, and his own survival, audiences are just as bad as those who do not see the Innies as people. If Innie Mark had chosen to leave with Gemma, he would be giving up everything he has ever known for a woman he barely knows and an Outie who shows little respect for him.
Outie Mark’s Conversation Proved Why Innie Mark Would Choose Helly
Mark’s Outie Proved How Innies Are Disrespected
Innie Mark’s decision drives homeSeverance’s point that Innies are people, with the season 2 finale previously setting up why he would think the same and choose to go with Helly. The beginning half ofSeveranceseason 2, episode 10 featured Innie Mark and Outie Mark having a conversation via a video recorder, with the latter trying to convince the former to help Gemma. While the conversation began with wonder and amazement, given the two were talking to one another for the first time, it quickly devolved into distrust and confrontation.
Above all else, the reason for this was Outie Mark’s dismissal of Innie Mark’s life. This begins with Outie Mark getting Helly’s name wrong, calling her Heleny, and proving that he does not outwardly respect Innie Mark or his relationship enough to get the details right. Outie Mark then proceeds to lie about hisReintegration storyline inSeveranceseason 2; he tells Innie Mark that his motivation was the suffering of the severed workers, when in reality it was solely to learn more about Gemma and get her out of Lumon.
How Reintegration Works In Severance
Reintegration is a complicated procedure in Severance, with season 2 further outlining how it works and blends the minds of Innies and Outies.
Innie Mark is not aware of this, but the audience is, proving how deep Mark’s dismissal of Innies goes. He has no trouble lying directly to Innie Mark all in the name of an ulterior motive that will manipulate the latter into losing his life. Outie Mark then insists that trust in him alone is reason enough for Innie Mark to sacrifice himself. As evident inSeveranceseason 2’s final scene, though, Innie Mark recognized all of these elements and chose his own life as most people in his situation would.
Severance Season 2’s Controversy Proves The Show Is Telling Its Story Right
Severance Is Challenging Sci-Fi TV Done Right
While it remains true that those angry at Innie Mark’s decision may be letting the point of the show go unnoticed, it has to be said that it is also proof thatSeveranceis telling its story right. At its heart,Severanceis a mystery box sci-fi show that tackles a lot of themes.InSeveranceseason 2, these themes have been taken to more challenging extremes, such as sympathizing slightly with the likes of Helena Eagan or the conflicts between Innies and Outies that many would have hoped were depicted as more of an alliance.
Only Dylan was shown to truly respect his Innie as another person via the resignation letter he sent inSeveranceseason 2’s finale.
Evidently, the show is trying to challenge its audience on who is in the right or who made the correct decisions, as any thought-provoking show should. The reaction toSeveranceseason 2’s finale proves that the show has succeeded on that front by adequately showcasing how Innies and Outies are essentially two different people, each with their own wants and desires. The audience being split between Innie Mark choosing Gemma or Helly typifies this, as it drives home the reality thatSeverancehas succeeded in making at least a portion of its audience view the Innies as real people.
