The Haunting Echoes of the Past in Severance: A Deeper Dive into Darkness and Redemption
Severance, the mind-bending Apple TV+ thriller, masterfully explores the concept of a bifurcated existence, where individuals voluntarily sever their work lives from their personal lives, creating two distinct consciousnesses: an "innie" confined to the sterile environment of Lumon Industries and an "outie" who lives a separate, unaware existence. While the show initially captivates with the inherent horror of the innie experience – a blank slate thrust into a world of perplexing tasks and unsettling corporate rituals – it soon becomes clear that the characters burdened with memories of the past often grapple with an even more profound and disturbing reality.
The existential dread of existing as an innie, devoid of prior knowledge, is undoubtedly terrifying. To awaken within the fluorescent-lit confines of Lumon, stripped of identity and purpose beyond one’s assigned tasks, is a chilling prospect. However, Severance argues that the horrors lurking within the known pasts of certain characters can be even more agonizing than the gaping void of the severed consciousness. The latest episode, "Sweet Vitriol," serves as a stark reminder of this, peeling back the layers of Harmony Cobel’s history and exposing the deeply ingrained roots of her unwavering loyalty to Lumon.
Harmony, from the very beginning, has been portrayed as an enigmatic figure, almost religiously devoted to the teachings and legacy of Kier Eagan, Lumon’s founder. Her apartment is a shrine to Kier, complete with meticulously recited prayers and enthusiastic renditions of the Kier hymn. Her dedication borders on obsession, extending far beyond the boundaries of professional obligation. The revelation in "Sweet Vitriol" of Harmony’s origins and the forces that molded her Lumon-centric worldview provides a critical lens through which to examine her actions and motivations.
Raised in Salt’s Neck, a dilapidated former Lumon factory town, Harmony’s childhood was steeped in the company’s influence. The town, now a desolate shell of its former self, stands as a testament to Lumon’s exploitative practices. Harmony’s early exposure to the "ether mill," where she even inhaled the mysterious substance, highlights the insidious nature of Lumon’s presence in the town. Her academic achievements offered her a glimmer of hope, a pathway out of Salt’s Neck and into the heart of Lumon’s operations. The prestigious Wintertide Fellowship served as her ticket to a seemingly brighter future.
The episode’s bombshell revelation that Harmony was the true architect of the severance procedure, rather than Jame Eagan, further complicates our understanding of her character. She was a brilliant innovator, yet she allowed her boss to take credit for her groundbreaking, albeit ethically questionable, invention. This act of self-sacrifice, driven by her ingrained belief in Lumon’s ideals, reveals the extent to which she has internalized the company’s values, even at the expense of her own recognition and agency.
Harmony’s journey of "deprogramming" from the cult of Kier is a gradual and painful process. Her regret over abandoning her Lumon-hating mother, who suffered a difficult life and ultimately succumbed to illness in their dilapidated Salt’s Neck home, suggests a growing awareness of the company’s destructive impact. The presence of Sissy, Harmony’s aunt, in the same house, a fervent Kier worshipper, further emphasizes the deeply entrenched nature of Lumon’s influence within the family. Whether Harmony can truly break free from the shackles of her past remains to be seen, but the seeds of doubt and rebellion have been sown.
However, Harmony is not alone in her struggle with a troubled past. Mark and Gemma’s relationship, though initially filled with joy and affection, was clearly strained and faltering before their forced separation. The pain of remembering their past, particularly the unresolved issues that plagued their relationship, is almost too much to bear. Mark’s decision to undergo severance was motivated by a desire to escape the grief that consumed him, hoping that his innie could provide a temporary respite from the torment of his memories.
Even seemingly minor characters like Dylan hint at past lives filled with uncertainty and instability. His outie’s wife reveals that he has struggled to find his place in life, flitting from job to job and hobby to hobby. Lumon has provided him with a sense of purpose and stability, but his restless nature persists, creating tension in his marriage.
Perhaps the most intriguing and unsettling revelation about a character’s past comes with Burt Goodman. Season two’s "Attila" suggests that Burt harbors secrets of immense darkness, actions so reprehensible that he chose to undergo severance in the hope that a part of him could still find redemption and join his husband, Fields, in the afterlife. The fact that these past deeds are connected to Lumon only deepens the mystery and raises disturbing questions about the company’s reach and influence.
The exploration of Salt’s Neck and the ongoing development of Mark and Gemma’s storyline pave the way for a season finale filled with revelations. The audience is eager to delve into Burt’s secrets and uncover the nature of his past connection to Lumon. The show’s intricate tapestry of character backstories, interwoven with the central mystery of Lumon Industries, creates a compelling and unsettling narrative that challenges our understanding of identity, memory, and the enduring power of the past. Severance reminds us that the darkness we carry within ourselves can be just as terrifying as the unknown, and that confronting our past is essential to forging a more authentic and meaningful future. The show expertly uses the characters’ histories, or lack thereof, to highlight the varying degrees to which we are all shaped by our experiences and the choices we make, even when those choices are shrouded in the fog of regret or the sterile environment of corporate control.
