Severance Season 1 Episode 9 recap

The We We Are – The show begins with dials being turned to the ON position. Mark Scout (Adam Scott), Helly (Britt Lower), and Irving “Irv” (John Turturro) appear on the screen. Mark acknowledges that he is fine. Mrs. Selvig (Patricia Arquette) suggests he speak with his sister, Devon (Jen Tullock). He appears to not understand what she is referring to. She asks if he is positive that he is okay. He claims to feel “woozy” and will go to the toilet.  She informs him that he is going in the right direction. As he walks to the restroom, everything appears to be foreign to him.

Irv halts his painting to look around his apartment, which appears to be strange to him.

Natalie (Sydney Cole Alexander) asks Helly how many drinks she has had. She acknowledges having only one drink. Natalie reminds Helly of her of the gala beginning in 20 minutes. She assures her the Board is grateful for her accepting the role of Helena Eagan. They encounter Gabby Arteta (Nora Dale) along the way. Natalie tells her about Helly playing Helena Eagan. Gabby jokingly greets Helena. Helly stares at her, with a kind of vacant look on her face.

With his arms stretched out to his side, Dylan (Zach Cherry) warns them that is better work.

When Mark reaches the restroom, he asks himself where he is at. He turns to see his reflection in the mirror. Devon walks him to see if he is okay. She tells him that Rebeck (Grace Rex) has a strange odor. He repeats her comment. She says Rebeck acts like she is chewing, without actually chewing. He asks, “How’s our baby.” She assumes he means a village is needed to raise a baby. She reminds him of their discussion early about having a “life talk.”

While petting his dog, Irv reads the name tag. He whispers, “Radar.”

Mark encounters Patton (Donald Webber Jr.) and Danise (Annie McNamara). Patton tries to pull him into their discussion about Devon introducing her baby to everyone. Danise assures him it isn’t necessary to get involved in their conversation. Mark asks if the woman, with the baby, is his sister. Danise points out to Patton that Devon is his sister. As he walks away, Danise says meeting him was weird. While telling himself that his sister has a baby, he acknowledges Harmony Cobel’s (Patricia Arquette) presence. Rebeck approaches to inform him that they are to share a book. He assures her it will be fine. As he tries to walk away, she tells him about her bird making sores on her head.

Devon asks him what is going on that he would like to discuss with her. He questions if they are close. Confused, she asks what is happening. As he tries to explain, Ricken (Michael Chernus) requests everyone come to the living room. Devon assures him they will talk soon.

Irv looks around his apartment. When he opens a door, Gabby, Helly, and Natalie appear on the screen. Gabby tells Helly that your life changes after children. Helly asks about her children. She informs her of just giving birth to her third child but wishes she stopped after the second one.  She introduces Helly to her husband, Angelo Arteta (Ethan Flower.) Gabby comments about advocates who want to ban Severance. Helly acknowledges having been aware of the move.

Irv searches through his closet.

Angelo tells Helly that he is impressed with the photo display. He explains how his mind is already made up about which way to vote. He says her speech could change things and thank her father for him.

Mark enters the living room, where Rebeck points to a seat. He is surprised when she hands him Ricken’s book “The You You Are.” Ricken thanks his guests for coming before dedicating the reading to his baby, Eleanor. When the reading begins, Mrs. Selvig asks Mark if he will share Rebeck’s book with her too. As Ricken continues to, Gabby and Angelo say goodbye to Helly. As they walk away, her smile immediately turns to fear. She looks around to see her picture, name, and “A Severed Story” displayed on the wall.

Dylan is in the same position, with his arms stretched out to his sides. He slowly works to flip a switch.

Irv finds a key in his pocket. He utilizes it to unlock a chest to expose a US Navy uniform and a photo of a man. Dad is written on the back of the photo.

Ricken continues to read from his book. Mark smiles from the audience. During the reception, Mark speaks with Ricken who complains about his shaky voice. Angry, he questions why he ever speaks. Assuring him that the reading is going great, Mark describes his book as “brilliant.”  Ricken tells him it isn’t necessary to describe his book in such a manner. Mark says his book allowed him to see the world. Ricken asks if he is all right. He credits Ricken’s book for changing his entire life. Ricken tells him about finding a photo of him, with Devon, Gemma, and Mark. Mark asks if has the photo on hand. Balf interrupts before he has a chance to show Mark the photo.

He encounters Mrs. Selvig on his way to speak with Devon. She asks him about his tenseness while they were hugging. He claims to not be aware of it. Before he can get away, she reminds him of their previous comment about resigning from Lumon Industries. Confused, he acknowledges having made up his mind. She tries to convince him to talk about it, but he refuses. He addresses her as Cobel as he walks away.

Helly walks around the room to see her pictures everywhere. She stops to stare at a picture of Mark.

Mark approaches Devon to talk privately, but the baby is fussy. When Mrs. Selvig enters, she asks if she would mind caring for the baby while she speaks to Mark.

A video of Helly talking about her childhood plays. She explains how her co-workers are her family. She denies being Severance divides them.

Cobel drives erratically while trying to reach Milchick (Tramell Tillman).

Irv looks at a newspaper article titled “Lumon needs to be held accountable.” He picks his name from a list of Lumon workers. Burt Goodman’s (Christopher Walken) name and address are on this list. Burt’s address is marked on a map.

While Helly is in the restroom, a woman addresses her as Helena. When James Eagan (Michael Siberry) enters, he pays her a compliment before asking about her pain. He admits to crying when he heard what her innie tried to do to her. He promises she will be with him during his revolving. He asks if she can recall when he showed her Lumon’s first prototype chip. He repeats what she said to him, “It’s so pretty, Daddy. Everybody in the whole world should get one.” He assures her that everybody will have their own chip, so they will be his children.

She asks to be forgiven for the damage she has done to the world.

Irv grabs his documents before leaving his flat. He doesn’t immediately recognize his vehicle. He looks at the keychain, with a brand logo to locate his vehicle. Frantic, he drives away.

Devon asks Mark if he is being truthful. He promises to be telling the truth. He suggests Lumon be thoroughly inspected. She informs him that his outie had been researching Lumon’s work. He tells her that he just wants to know why his outie did it. She tells him about Gemma not surviving a motor vehicle accident. She says his outie found teaching history impossible after her death. She describes Gemma as “wonderful.”

Cobel drives past Irv at an intersection. Milchick informs her of the Board’s order to not talk to her. She tells him about Mark. He assures her it is not possible. She points the finger at Dylan. When he tells her that Helly is at the Gala, she promises to take care of her. She orders him to shut the security office down. He runs through the hallways toward the security office. Dylan is still in the same position when Milchick tries to break through the jammed door. He orders him to open it, but he refuses.

Devon suggests he speak with a journalist in New York. He asks if speaking with a journalist would be more effective than the police. She reminds him of Lumon having lots of connections. He admits to only having an hour to do it. He tells her about Cobel being his boss. Confused, she asks who he is referring to. He provides her with a physical description of Cobel. She questions if Mrs. Selvig is Cobel. Cursing, she remembers her baby.

Helly is still at the gala.

Irv is driving to Burt’s place.

Milchick utilizes a knife to cut away the cable holding the door.

Devon informs Ricken of Eleanor being with Mrs. Selvig. She has a meltdown when she sees Mrs. Selvig’s car is gone.

Irv arrives at Burt’s place.

Milchick tries to convince Dylan with whatever perks he would like. Yelling, Dylan says he just wants to be able to remember his son’s birth. Milchick tells him there are three children in all. He offers to trade their names for giving him access to the security office.

Upon arriving at the Lumon, Cobel immediately jumps out of her car without putting it in park. A valet chases the car as it rolls away.

Natalie gives Helly a cue before she goes on stage.

Irv sees Burt through a window while sitting in his car. A man wraps a blanket around Burt’s shoulders while he looks at a camera. Irv appears to be heartbroken.

They find Eleanor in her carrier.

Milchick screams at Dylan as he continues to cut away at the cable.

As Natalie introduces Helly, Cobel approaches her from behind. Helly warns Cobel that she is going to kill Lumon. Cobel promises to make Mark and the others suffer while she is no longer in existence. Helly is brought to the stage.

While Helly enters the stage, Mark stares at a photo of him and Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman). Irv walks up to Burt’s home. Mark suddenly takes off running to find Devon. Helly introduces herself as Helly R., an innie. She tells the attendees everything they heard about Lumon is a lie. Mark yells for Devon. Calling Burt’s name, Irv bangs on his door. Helly tells the audience the innies are miserable. Natalie stares in shock.

Breaking open the door, Milchick rushes into the security office to disable Overtime Contingency. Mark pleads with Devon. Helly tells them about the innies being tortured. Someone pushes Helly off the stage. Mark yells, “She’s alive” but Devon is preoccupied with Eleanor.

Milchick takes down Dylan. The screen scrambles before the episode comes to an end.

 

Severance Review

Not a strong finale but decent, nonetheless. Nothing of significance happened, just a few unexpected revelations. After Mark and Ms. Casey’s last meeting, it was obvious they had some type of personal connection. So, her being Gemma was not surprising.

I was disappointed, Burt was already in a relationship with someone else. I was hoping for a Burt and Irv love connection.

Instead of one child, Dylan has three children. It is unfortunate that he never got to delve into his outie’s life like the others.

Helly discovers her outie is promoting Severance through her work in the Macrodata Refinement Department. Her connection to Eagan is still a bit confusing. I’m not positive, but she appears to be Eagan’s daughter, Helena.

Eagan reveals his plan to have everyone severed, so he can revolve. It is still questionable if Milchick and Cobel have their own agenda. They do conceal some important details from the Board. I was expecting to see Regabhi, but there was no mention of her.

What type of disciplinary actions will be taken to ensure Mark, Dylan, Irv, and Helly never reintegrate again. We will not find out until the launch of the second season.

The episode deserves a 7. Get more Severance recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.