Warning! This article contains spoilers for Severance season 2, episode 2.
Severanceseason 2, episode 2 shows Helena Eagan taking the blame for Helly R’s speech from season 1, linking to the overall plans Lumon has for the future. Theending ofSeveranceseason 1saw the Innies of Lumon’s severed floor wake themselves up outside of work, leading to many big twists and revelations. One of the biggestdifferences betweenSeverance’s Innies and Outieswas showcased via Helly R’s “real” personality as Helena Eagan, the heir to Lumon Industries.
During her time of lucidity, Helly R found herself at a Lumon gala that was intended to showcase thebenefits of the severance procedureto the world. However, Helly hijacked the event by outlining how tortured and distressed she and her fellow Innies are at Lumon, proving to cause big issues for the company.Severanceseason 2, episode 1depicted the aftermath of these events from the perspective of the Innies, while episode 2 switched focus to the Outies. One step in Helena’s damage control was taking the fall for Helly R’s speech, begging the question of why she claimed responsibility.
Innies Revealing Their Subjugation & Torment Would Ruin Lumon’s Plans For Expanding Severance
Helena’s Actions Were Solely In The Interest Of Lumon
Helena’s videotape inSeveranceseason 2, episode 2 saw her take the entirety of the blame for Helly R’s actions, claiming that the outburst was a joke by Helena, who was intoxicated via a mix of alcohol and medication for a skin condition. The reason for this is simply to save face for Lumon and its plans to expand the severance operation. The gala was intended to do exactly that, showcasing to the world that if a member of the Eagan family can undergo severance safely, then anyone can.
Severance’s Eagan Family Tree Explained
The Eagans play a huge role in Severance, and their family tree is briefly explained during the crew’s visit to the Perpetuity Wing in season one.
If Helly R’s words that divulged Lumon’s authoritarian control and the abuse the severed workers suffer were confirmed as true, Lumon’s plans would have been halted indefinitely. Therefore, Helena Eagan taking the blame for Helly’s words leaves the outside world none the wiser regarding what severed workers experience at Lumon, allowing the company’s plans to still be firmly in place. Thanks to Helena, Lumon’s intended goal of giving more people severed chips remains intact.
Why Milchick & Lumon Lied To The Innies About Their Outies Being “The Face Of Severance Reform”
Another Lie Is Told In The Aftermath Of Severance Season 1
As also revealed inSeveranceseason 2, episode 2, Helena Eagan taking the fall for Helly R’s actions was not the only lie told by Lumon. Beneath the Lumon offices, Milchick was tasked with placating the rebellious Innies afterMark got his new team fired. Milchick tells the Innies that they are famous worldwide and known as the face of severance reform, an initiative implemented by Lumon to improve the ways the company mistreats its severed employees. Just like Helena’s lie, this is another way of Lumon furthering its own gain.
If the Innies believe they succeeded in alerting the outside world to their plight and that Lumon has improved the workplace as a result, they will be less likely to revolt…
Milchick’s severance reforms are fabricated as a way of making the Innies feel like their actions duringSeveranceseason 1’s Overtime Contingencymade a difference. If the Innies believe they succeeded in alerting the outside world to their plight and that Lumon has improved the workplace as a result, they will be less likely to revolt and continue their mysterious work. Evidently, the lies told by Milchick and Lumon have not worked in appeasing the Innies, who seem more committed than ever to exposing Lumon’s lies.
What Helena Taking The Blame For Helly’s Speech Means For Her Position At Lumon
Helena Could Have Changed Her Own Life Entirely
Back to Helena, it is worth exploring how her actions inSeveranceseason 2, episode 2 could greatly affect her life. As one of the faces of Lumon,Helena’s claims will undoubtedly affect public opinion of her. The idea that a revered member of the Eagan family and the heir to Lumon Industries itself got incredibly drunk at a gala intended to strengthen the company’s severance plans and “joked” about severed employees being tortured and mistreated does not reflect well against Helena where PR is concerned.
Not only will this affect her public reception but it could also affect her standing at Lumon. Jame Eagan was shown to be infuriated inSeveranceseason 2, episode 2, likely blaming Helena for the actions of her Innie, despite workers like Milchick and Cobel being more at fault. Moreover, Helana damaging her public perception will likely hinder her from climbing the ranks at Lumon, potentially even meaning she will not become CEO after her father. Overall, Helena’s lies inSeveranceseason 2 came at the cost of her personal, public, and work lives, putting her in a precarious position going forward.
Cast
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
