Percy Bartelt, opinions editor

Apple TV’s hit show, “Severance,” recently released their second season on Jan. 17, three years after its first one back in Feb. 2022. This new season is currently still releasing episodes every Thursday night, and I don’t know how they do it, but each episode is even more wild than the last; a rare sight for any TV show in my opinion. Even though I was not seated when it first came out — I honestly had no idea it even existed — I can assure you I am fully sat, I am seated, I ain’t moving from my seat for this next season! 

“Severance” is a dystopian corporate thriller about a group of four employees, Mark S., Helly R., Irving B. and Dylan G., and their mysterious work life in the basement of an even more mysterious corporation called Lumon. The most important part? Once they leave the lower level, they have no knowledge or recollection of what work they did down there, who they met or how long they were even down there. Select employees at Lumon elected to undergo what is called the “severance procedure” which plays into the concept of the work-life balance — your brain is literally being severed, your work life stays your work life and your real life stays the same as well. You may have gotten ready and driven yourself to work at nine in the morning, but suddenly eight hours have gone by and you’re heading back home. As for what they call their “innie,” (and conversely “outie”) that’s a whole different story. Every day they wake up in the elevator, never seeing the light of day or talking to any of the people they see — hell, they barely see anyone aside from the same three people everyday. But you’re still the same person… aren’t you?

“Parks and Recreation” star Adam Scott also stars in “Severance,” playing one of the protagonists, Mark S. And you’ll never guess who the executive producer and one of the directors of the show is… the “Night at the Museum” (2006) nightguard himself: Ben Stiller! The entire cast meshes together on screen, all their characters feel very realistic, especially with the dialogue, which is not something you see everyday. Not only that but the sheer amount of symbolism and hidden messages in EVERYTHING we as the audience see is so interesting. If you like rewatching things you’ll definitely love this show and all of its hidden messages, lore and foreshadowing. Not to mention the gorgeous intricacies of the camerawork! As someone who loves to do cinematography, I absolutely love the work that goes into this show. 

There’s so much to love about “Severance” and it’s easily my all time favorite show. I urge everyone to at the very least watch the first two episodes, if not the whole thing! “Severance” is the extremism of what corporate culture is like, the fakeness, the artificiality of behavior and treatment of employees, as well as the unnerving devotion to God-like CEOs is perfectly captured in this liminal space, dystopian horror! If you’re drawn to any of these themes, you HAVE to watch “Severance.”