Warning! This article contains spoilers for Severance season 2, episode 8.
Severanceseason 2, episode 8 featured a strange scene that featured Ms. Cobel using a breathing tube that held deeper meaning.Severance’s regular cast of characterswas absent from season 2, episode 8, “Sweet Vitriol,” given that it focused entirely on Harmony Cobel. The bottle episode is likely serving as somewhat of a breather between the massive events depicted inSeveranceseason 2, episode 7’s ending, and the final two episodes of the show.
In the episode, Harmony is shown visiting her hometown of Salt’s Neck, which has been left in ruin by Lumon’s mistreatment of it. DespiteHarmony Cobel’sSeveranceidentitybeing tied integrally to Lumon since season 1, “Sweet Vitriol” began showing more cracks in her faith as she came to terms with the harm the company has caused her, her aunt Sissy, her hometown, and her mother, Charlotte. Although Reghabi claimedCobel was raised by Lumon inSeveranceseason 2, episode 7, episode 8 showcased her crumbling faith, linking to a strange scene involving a breathing tube seen in season 1.
Why Harmony Cobel Used The Breathing Tube In Her Mother’s Old Bed
It Was A Way Of Connecting To Her Late Mother
The scene in question involved Harmony Cobel breaking into her mother’s room in Sissy’s house. The room houses the bed in which Charlotte died, resulting in Harmony curling up on the bed and breathing through a tube that was seen donning a tag stating “Charlotte” in season 1. The scene and actions from Harmony seem strange at first, but other elements of the episode give it context.
Harmony used the breathing tube almost as a way of connecting with her mother, with the tube being the one that kept the latter alive for a large portion of her life. Harmony insists that she never got to say goodbye to Charlotte before she died, meaning the tube is all she has left of her. This explains why Harmony used the tube, despite it having no effect on her, in her mother’s deathbed: as a means of almost saying goodbye.
Harmony Cobel’s Emotional Reaction During Severance Season 2’s Breathing Tube Scene Explained
Harmony Could Feel Guilty
As the scene develops inSeveranceseason 2, episode 8, Harmony begins breaking down and crying. Naturally, this reaction will come from the grief of her mother’s death, as I have alluded to. However, this reaction could also have something to do with the faith the Cobel family has - or, more aptly, does not have - in Lumon. It was mentioned in the episode that Charlotte was a non-believer as opposed to Sissy’s devout faith in Lumon and the Eagans. Sissy somewhat resented Charlotte for this, and did not provide her with the best care later in the latter’s life as a result.
She could feel guilty for not being there for her mother near the end…
With Harmony Cobel currently exploring her crisis of faith in Lumon, she could feel guilty for not being there for her mother near the end. Instead, Harmony’s faith saw her leave for Lumon’s school for girls. As such, this newfound bond via lack of faith that Harmony has with her mother, despite Charlotte having passed away, could have led her to feel even more guilty. This would explain her emotional reaction, answering the last main question audiences had after her scene inSeveranceseason 2, episode 8.
