Lumon deals with Severance outies in Overtime Contingency’s aftermath [Apple TV+ recap]

In our Severance season 2 episode 2 recap, we discover the lengths to which Lumon Industries went to clean up after the Overtime Contingency (OTC) that enabled the rebelling innies to briefly escape to the outside world at the end of season one.

In last week’s season two debut, the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) crew came back to work on the severed floor. This week’s episode, “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig,” doubles back to show what it took for Mr. Milchick, Helena Eagan and others to get them there. It doesn’t quite have the first episode’s high impact — it brought the show back to us after season one’s climactic cliffhangers three years ago — but it clarifies matters while introducing new questions.

Severance season 2, episode 2 recap: ‘Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig’

In last week’s episode one, entitled “Hello, Ms. Cobel,” our friends in the MDR department on Lumon Industries’ severed floor returned to work five months after their uprising and temporary escape at the end of season one. They’re hailed as heroes of reform, but Lumon’s reforms seems to all be surface BS. And yet the refiners decide to stick with their work to find out what’s really going on with Lumon, and possibly save terminated Mrs. Casey (Dicken Lachman), who appears to also be Mark S’s (Adam Scott) supposedly dead wife Gemma.

So the second episode of Severance’s sophomore season deals with the immediate aftermath of the OTC incident, focusing on the outie world and Lumon’s damage control efforts. And by the way, don’t just skip the incredibly trippy opening title sequence — it’s a new one for season two.

Damage control at Lumon

The episode opens exactly where season one left off, with Mark’s outie coming to consciousness after shouting “She’s alive!” while holding a photo of himself and Gemma. Meanwhile, at Lumon, Helena Eagan (Britt Lower) faces her father’s displeasure over her innie Helly’s actions at the gala. He calls her a “fetid moppet.” Taking charge of the situation, Helena orders Milchick (Tramell Tillman) to investigate what the MDR innies said to their outies during the breach.

Helena moves quickly to contain the PR crisis. She records a video statement claiming her outburst was caused by mixing alcohol with “non-Lumon medication” for an arm rash. She frames her innie’s claims of torture as a misguided attempt at humor, emphasizing that she remains committed to Lumon “with every part of me.”

Helena also watches security tape of the moment her innie, Helly R., left during the OTC, but rushed back from the elevator to kiss Mark after they had just joked that maybe they’re married as outies. Helena seems amused and perhaps even touched. And it lends credence to the theory that Helena replaced Helly as an innie in season two’s first episode.

The Cobel/Selvig situation

In a significant development, Helena meets with Harmony Cobel to address recent events. Cobel demands and gets an apology from Helena for Cobel’s firing. Helena offers Cobel a position on the newly-formed Severance Advisory Council, framing it as a promotion.

But Cobel sees through this attempt at appeasement, recognizing it as a way to sideline her while Milchick maintains control of the severed floor. When Cobel confronts Helena about this, suggesting they fear her, Helena firmly denies it. “We fear no one,” she says of Lumon. Cobel leaves without accepting the position, stating she needs time to consider the offer.

Mark’s dilemma

Mark struggles to understand why his innie shouted about someone being alive while holding Gemma’s photo. While Ricken (Michael Chernus) suggests it might refer to their baby’s safety, as everyone had panicked when it appeared Cobel/Selvig had abducted the infant during the book reading in season one’s final episode, Devon (Jen Tullock) suspects there’s more to it.

Milchick visits to damage-control the situation, first to Ricken and Devon’s house just hours after the OTC and later to Mark’s house with a pineapple offering meant to tempt him to return to Lumon. He also offers Mark a 20% raise and promises regular wellness checks if he returns to work. He reminds Mark that his innie is happy and has even “found love.” But he doesn’t specify with whom.

Dylan’s job hunt

During his brief termination, Dylan interviews for a job at Great Doors, a door manufacturing company. It’s an odd and funny scene because the door executive, Mr. Saliba (Adrian Martinez) and Dylan look a lot like each other. And for a moment, Dylan brilliantly fields questions like “if you were a door, what kind of door would you be?” The exec, though disgruntled about Lumon’s “hubris” in making all of its own doors in-house, even says Dylan reminds him of himself. But then Dylan reveals he was a severed worker at Lumon.

Ultimately, the scene provides insight into how the outside world views severed workers. The interviewer expressing disgust at the practice of severance, calling it “abhorrent” and refusing to hire Dylan because they “need a certain kind of person here, not a certain kind of two people.”

The Cold Harbor connection

A crucial subplot emerges around the mysterious Cold Harbor file. Helena reveals that Lumon desperately needs Mark to complete this project, which was approximately 68% complete. But we’re left wondering what it is and how macrodata refinement completes it.

The file appears connected to Ms. Casey/Gemma. Its briefly shown metrics include what might be iteration numbers and emotional responses labeled with abbreviations matching Kier’s Four Tempers, which he said every soul possesses — Woe, Dread, Frolic and Malice. Lumon’s imposingly large and bearded Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), by the way, sports a “Frolic” tattoo on his hand.

Surveillance and secrets

The episode reveals ongoing surveillance of the MDR team members. Mr. Drummond eavesdrops on Mark’s conversation with Devon at a diner, while Burt (Christopher Walken) is shown watching Irving from a car as Irving makes a mysterious phone call claiming his “innie got the message.” It’s the first time we see Burt in season two after his outie’s retirement. Innie Irving fell in love with Burt at Lumon before he left. During the escape, Irv was heartbroken to see that Burt’s outie appeared to be married. To find Burt watching Irv is a surprising twist.

Resolution comes with new questions

By the episode’s end, Lumon’s board agrees to reinstate the original MDR team, prioritizing the completion of Cold Harbor over the risks posed by the group’s previous insubordination. The episode concludes with a tense confrontation between outie Mark and Cobel about Gemma — “Do you know something about Gemma?” he asks, accusingly — that ends with Cobel not answering from behind the wheel of her car, but screaming in rage and frustration and driving away into the night.

Episode’s key developments:

• Helena’s video statement attempts to minimize the PR damage from the OTC incident.
• Cobel’s offered position suggests internal power struggles at Lumon.
• The Cold Harbor file emerges as a crucial project probably connected to Ms. Casey/Gemma.
• Lumon prioritizes Mark’s return over security concerns, resulting in his team being lured back, too.
• The outside world’s prejudice against severed workers shows up in Dylan’s job interview.
• Surveillance of the MDR team continues through various Lumon operatives.

So in this Severance season 2 episode 2 recap, I find the episode effectively builds on the more-exciting season premiere by exploring the consequences of the innies’ actions while deepening the mystery around the Cold Harbor file and its connection to Gemma’s apparent resurrection. Bring on episode three!

Watch Severance on Apple TV+

Severance season one and season two’s new episodes now stream on Apple TV+. New episodes air on Fridays (though they’re usually available the night before after 6 p.m. PT).

Apple TV+ is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. Customers who buy a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.

After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.

Apple TV+ is home to more than 200 exclusive movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso). The service also offers documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.

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