Apple TV+ dropped a Severance promo video Friday with cast members reading and (mostly) debunking online fan ideas guessing at answers to the show’s mysteries. But at the end of the video, executive producer and director Ben Stiller offers a clue that “no one talks about.” Is it a real clue, or is he just trolling everybody?
You can view the new fan-theory video and an older one below. They mention many theories, though even more exist online. And some fans says these videos ignore the best theories that seem more likely to be true (take your pick from cloning, aliens and more).
Severance fan theories range from mundane to insane
In Friday’s video, much of the show’s cast and brass appear. Appearing on camera are actors Patricia Arquette (Ms. Cobel/Mrs. Selvig), Adam Scott (Mark S.), Tramell Tillman (Mr. Milchick), John Turturro (Irving B.), Britt Lower (Helly R./Helenda Eagan) and Zach Cherry (Dylan G.), plus show creator, writer and executive Dan Erickson as well as Stiller. Their in-studio commentary is intercut with humorous bits of show footage edited to appear responsive to what they’re talking about: fan theories.
The new video follows a slew of other promotional Severance video. They include new innie Tim Cook reporting for work at Lumon, a workplace popup in NYC’s Grand Central Station as well as a severance procedure infomercial, a Lumon management training video plus a season two trailer and sneak-peek video.
Theory 1: There’s something in the soap
Photo: Apple TV+
“There’s something in the soap,” Scott reads from a text. “The manual goes on and on about hand washing.”
“It’s obviously some kind of placating topical mind control sauce,” Tillman adds, with a dubious grin and a shrug.
“Who among us hasn’t had tropical mind controlling soap?” Arquette asks facetiously.
Theory 2: Ricken Hale is the villain because … Android
Photo: Apple TV+
Again, Scott reads: “Ricken is the villain because he has an Android in an apple show based off the theory that Apple does not allow villains to use iPhones.”
“There it is,” Tillman says. “You cracked the code.”
“That’s what I was going for,” says the character Ricken (Michael Chernus) in a clip from the show.
Theory 3: ‘The board is a bunch of [Kir] Egan’s brains in jars’
“Man, I so wish that was true,” Scott says. “That’s good.”
“Yeah, that’s really good,” adds a Erickson, looking thoughtful, like he wished he thought of it (or that he did actually think of it).
“You possibly might be onto something, or you possibly might not,” says Stiller.
Watch this Severance fan theory video:
Theory 4: Dyland and Milchick are related (brothers in law or married)
“Very different relationship,” muses Cherry. “And I’m fascinated by someone who could watch and say it’s either this or that.”
Theory 5: The goats grow into Milchicks, one for every Lumon department
They all had a pretty good laugh over this one. And Erickson says, “I just wondering at what point that becomes a man? It’s fascinating.”
“There’s only one Milchick as far as I know, and he’s not a goat,” Arquette adds.
But wait for the cliffhanger clue at the end
Just when the video seems to wrap up after Milchick on the show says, “Thank you for your attendance and your participation,” Stiller reappears.
“It’s interesting that nobody’s ever talked about Mark’s locker tray and the things that are in Mark’s locker tray,” he says. “I’m not going to say too much.”
Theories: Mark’s locker tray
Photo: Apple TV+
Stiller’s dangling clue at the end of the video sparked quite a few theories to crop up in the video’s comments, naturally, and probably on every social media site.
Theories from comments section, with comments:
Mark’s watch tells us he’s on the severed floor for much longer than 8 hours.
In season 1, episode 1, look at the date on Mark’s outie watch when he puts it on the tray. It is the 4th. Look at the date when he checks out for the day and the date is the 5th. He is down there for longer than 8 hours. This also explains why he forgot Ricken’s foodless dinner — he is confused about the date. He thinks it’s a day earlier than it really is.
Mark’s watch bears insignia of Russian Airborne Forces.
For those wondering about Mark’s locker tray: My guess is that Stiller is referring to Mark’s watch. The insignia directly under the Red Star on the watch is called the “Desant” and is found on the flag and other badging of the Russian Airborne Forces. The Red Star then presumably must be the Soviet/Communist Red Star. It’s worth noting that “desant” (Russian: Десант), is also what troops of the Russian Airborne Forces are called and that they are typically identifiable by their signature blue berets. I’m not sure if this is important but their patron is Saint Elijah the Prophet and their motto is “Никто, кроме нас!” (Nobody, but us!).
Ben Stiller is just trolling everyone with this red herring.
If this is a red herring, then Ben’s just having fun trolling the fanbase at this point lmao.
Just looked back into Mark’s tray and I think Ben is trolling, unless the numbers on his drivers license are hinting at something.
The innie watch is another recording device, and innie watch may be stopped.
Helly and Miss Huang (the kid) are both wearing identical watches in the first episode of season 2. I’m sure that’s significant, and given what Ben said I’m sure Mark changing watches to enter the severed area is relevant. My guess… Some type of recording device? Lumen is listening!
Just looked back at the locker tray and noticed that the mark’s innie’s watch’s second hand doesn’t move at all (first episode of season 1) i don’t know if that could mean anything.
Watch an older video with other fan theories about Severance:
