What’s for Dinner? – The show begins with Irving “Irv” (John Turturro) reading a book while sitting on a bench. He walks his dog, Radar through the snow to his home. After pouring himself a drink, he flips on some music. He squeezes some black paint out of the tube and scoops it up in a pallet knife. He aggressively paints a picture on a piece of plywood. All his paintings appear to be the same, with what looks like a door.

One by one, Macrodata Refinement workers are shown in the elevator. Helly (Britt Lower) is working at her computer. Mark Scout (Adam Scott) peeks over the cubicle panel to see if everything is going well. When he asks if she will have it by, she promises to get there. He leaves his desk to speak with Dylan (Zach Cherry) who questions if Helly is going to make it. He suggests Dylan and Irv stay at their desk. Dylan reminds him that they finished a week ago. Irv questions if it would help for them to stand behind Helly and chat her name. He says to let her focus.

Pacing back and forth, Harmony Cobel/Mrs. Selvig (Patricia Arquette) asks Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman) about Helly’s progress. He assumes it will be down to the wire. They watch Helly work from a remote location. Cobel suggests they prepare for when she does make it. As she prepares to leave, she asks him to schedule Mark for a wellness session for the last time. Surprised, he stares at her. Approaching him, she explains how Kier and Mr. Graner (Michael Cumpsty) are probably content with his work over the past difficult quarter.

Helly continues to work at her computer while Mark plays with a rubber band ball. She informs him of her 100%. Dylan and Irv join them at Helly’s computer to watch her message from Kier Eagan (Marc Geller). Kier assures Kelly that she has brought him and Lumon Industries glory. He professes his love for her before flying away to help others. She exhales as Dylan reminds everything that they made quote. Mark congratulates her for doing good work. Irv asks Mark if it is on.

Laughing, Cobel and Mark discuss Macrodata Refinement making quota. He boats they did it even with a staffing restructuring. She says it was questionable, with all the time they spent “farting around the halls.” Mark chooses Dylan to remain behind for the waffle party. She reminds him that anyone, including himself, can be chosen besides Dylan. He assures her that Dylan is into parties and has earned it. She informs him of her plans for him to undergo one last wellness check. Surprised, he asks if she is serious. She says Mr. Graner’s retirement and everything else has been stressful.

Mark is waiting when Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) calls his name. When he asks about her things being boxed up, she informs him that Lumon found a wellness director replacement. His session will be her last. He asks when she found out. She says just now before turning on the music. She speaks of his success in leading Macrodata Refinement to meet its quota. He assures her that he had no idea Lumon would fire her. Ignoring him, she continues with the session. He offers to speak with someone about her getting fired. Whispering, she describes the day they all spent together as more enjoyable than any of her half-hour sessions. She calls it “her good old days.” He says they should be able to do something. She questions why he cares.

Cobel monitors Mark’s wellness session. He appears on the screen, saying, “Because we’re people, not parts of people.” Cobel is intrigued by Mark and Ms. Casey’s conversation. Milchick says them not remembering each other is a good sign the that chip is working. She orders him to return Ms. Casey to the testing floor.

Milchick escorts Ms. Casey to the testing floor. When he opens the door, she enters a long, dark hall. She confesses how much she likes being there. He boasts of the many good things they do there. As she is walking down the hall, she stops to ask for a favor. He cuts her off, saying he is busy today. She enters an elevator at the end of the hallway.

When Mark walks into the Macrodata Refinement office, they immediately ask where he has been. He informs them of how they ordered him to attend another wellness session. He tells Dylan the waffle party is arranged. Dylan asks about Ms. Casey. Mark tells them about Lumon firing her. Helly asks if they can do something to help her. Mark asks if everyone is truly on board with their plan. Everyone looks at each other when happy Milchick enters, with the egg bar social cart. He assures them their meeting quota deserves a celebration. Dylan is given a special gift that he doesn’t want to share with others. Milchick suggests he show the others his request. Dylan reluctantly opens the gift box.

Helly is surprised the food is good. Milchick takes pictures while they celebrate. Helly tells Dylan it should be her who is staying behind. He disagrees. She asks if he wants to see his son again. He assures them that their plan is a step in the right direction.

Cobel meets Natalie (Sydney Cole Alexander) who shows her images of Helly’s suicide attempt. He acknowledges that she did try to kill herself. Natalie asks why they weren’t informed. She questions if the board is in attendance. Natalie informs her of the Board knowing about her visits with Mark’s sister, Devon (Jen Tullock). Natalie fires her. Cobel becomes frantic, demanding to know if the Board is there. The Board responds, “Yes.” Immediately changing her tone, she promises to explain everything tonight. Natalie tells her the Board has hung up before walking away.

Irv reads from a Compliance handbook, “Endow in each swing of your ax or swipe of your pen the sum of your affections, that through me they may be purified and returned.”  When he stops reading, he places a deviled egg on a napkin in the center of the book before slamming it shut.

Laughing, Helly tells Mark the goats were responsible for laying the eggs. He acknowledges that her answer is correct. He admits being worried about them getting caught. She assures him that they have been left unattended, thinking they were too stupid to notice it. He warns her of them not waking up. He hopes it doesn’t happen because there are things he truly cares about. She tells him that he does a great job pretending to care about her. Milchick interrupts to inform them of a management issue. He promises to return later to take Dylan to Perpetuity. They all stare at each other.

Milchick escorts Cobel to the stairwell door, where he asks for her keycard. Frightened, she walks through the door.

Mark orders Dylan to not mess with any department except for Macrodata Refinement. Helly reminds him that two people need to operate the machine simultaneously. He assures them that everything will be okay. Mark tells everyone to go to the elevator when they wake up, which could be anywhere. He suggests they find someone who appears to be trustworthy and tell them everything. Irv calls their mission a “priority.” Mark admits to keeping the book by his brother-n-law, Richen “Rick” (Michael Chernus). He reads from the book, “Our job is to taste free air. Your so-called boss may own the clock that taunts you from the wall. But, my.” Dylan completes the quote, “But, my friends, the hour is yours.” They all stare at him in surprise.

When Irv gets in the elevator, he says, “Let’s find out what’s for dinner.”  Turning to Mark, Helly questions if they are getting ready to meet their spouses. Mark says possibly. She says it could be them. Mark makes a joke about them arguing over coupons for a carwash. As Helly gets on the elevator, she rushes back to give Mark a kiss. Mark looks around before sliding his keycard into the elevator slot.

Dylan reads the instructions out loud. Milchick returns to Macrodata Refinement for Dylan. Mark exits the building while workers roll up a large rug. Dylan and Milchick walk down the hallway. When they reach Perpetuity, Milchick takes his leave. Dylan enters a room, where his waffles and milk are waiting. He covers the waffles with syrup before eating.

Irate, Cobel is damming possibly Natalie, “Fu** her Godd*** soul forever in hell.” She wants Natalie and her fake smile to die.

Dylan is down to the last bite of his waffles. The message, “Go to the founder’s bed” is written in the center of the plate. Wearing a mask, he sits in a chair while several entertainers perform. Cobel aggressively pulls into her driveway. She angrily pounds on the walls as she walks through the hallway. She rips her art off the wall, screaming loudly. The performance continues. She breaks Egan’s shrine. She continues to destruct her home. What looks like a wristband appears on the screen. It reads, “Charlotte Cobel, DOB 3-17-44, 194-301-092.” When the performance ends, Dylan rushes down the hall to the security off. Cobel lays on the floor weeping when the doorbell rings. Mark reminds her of Devon’s party and asks if she would like to go. With a bit of hesitation, she agrees to go but will drive her own car.

Irv greets Radar who is waiting at the door when he enters. He pours himself a coffee.

Mark arrives at Devon’s place, where he is greeted by Rick who reminds him of the reading. Mark admits to forgetting his copy at his place. Devon approaches, with her daughter. Rick goes to ask Rebeck (Grace Rex) if she would care to share her copy with Mark while Devon and Mark talk. He suggests they speak later about his contemplation of doing something that will be life-changing. Mrs. Selvig interrupts to greet Devon.

Dylan utilizes Mr. Graner’s keycard to enter the security office. Irv prepares to paint another picture. Mrs. Selvig apologizes for her behavior before. He assures her it is okay. Terrified, Dylan pulls out his paperweight, with the Macrodata Refinement workers engraved inside it. Following the instructions, he clicks on the “MDR, followed by “Manage Mode” and “Confirm Manage Mode.” He continues through the steps. Flipping on the music, Irv aggressively paints a picture. An alert pops up on the screen to warn Dylan that he has 19 seconds to open the circuit. Tripping out, he clicks on each of their names.

Mrs. Selvig tells Mark about overhearing his conversation earlier with Devon. He informs of his thinking about handing in his resignation at Lumon Industries. Stunned, she says, “Quit.” Dylan continues through the process. Mrs. Selvig asks Mark if he is truly serious. He is beginning to think that Severance is no longer needed in his life. She hugs him. While the timer counts down from 38 seconds, Dylan studies the instructions. He engages the “Overtime” feature.

While hugging Mark, Mrs. Selvig suggests he do it. Dylan is beginning to trip as Mrs. Selvig continues to prompt Mark to leave Lumon. With one button engaged, Dylan struggles to engage another button. Helly is having a drink with someone. Dylan stretches his arm as far as he can until he engages the “Override” feature. The screen goes black as the episode comes to an end.

 

Severance Review

The episode was a bit disappointing, considering it is so close to the finale. I felt some of the scenes were a bit drawn-out and repetitive. Cobel’s outrageous performance was uncompelling and overplayed. I didn’t think it was ever going to end.

It was nice to see how Irv’s outie lives. His life is lonelier than Mark’s. Burt was sorely missed, as I quite enjoyed his time with Irv. I was hoping the two would make a love connection on the outside.

Mark and Helly have a romance brewing. Mark’s outie never mentioned Alexa, so there is no telling how that relationship will turn out.

Mrs. Selvig is going off the deep end. Mark’s reaction to her pleas for him to leave Lumon was questionable. All in all, the episode was decent but not as good as the previous one. It deserves a 7. Get more Severance recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.