Severance, Apple TV+‘s critically acclaimed psychological thriller, has returned for its much-anticipated second season after a three-year hiatus. The show, known for its mind-bending plot, tense atmosphere, and dark commentary on corporate culture, has already captured the imaginations of viewers around the world. With the season 2 premiere, titled Hello, Ms. Cobel, sparking new fan theories and speculations, it’s clear that the mystery surrounding Lumon Industries and its Severance procedure continues to deepen.
In this article, I’ll dive into seven of the most compelling theories surrounding Severance season 2, analyzing clues from the season 2 premiere, discussing character motivations, and predicting where the story might go. Let’s take a look at the twists, turns, and shocking revelations that might define this season!
1. Helena Egan Is Impersonating Helly R to Infiltrate the MDR Team
The first theory that caught my attention after watching the season 2 premiere is that Helena Egan, daughter of Lumon’s CEO Jame Egan, is impersonating her “innie,” Helly R, on the Severed Floor. Many fans, including myself, noticed that something felt off about Helly’s behavior in the episode, leading me to believe that Helena is somehow involved in posing as her.
Why would she do this? Lumon’s secrets are closely guarded, and what better way to infiltrate the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team than by taking on the identity of one of its members? The most convincing evidence of this theory lies in the odd way Helena behaves upon returning to the Severed Floor. When Mark S greets her, she seems surprised by his familiarity and warmth, suggesting she may not be “Helly R” after all. Additionally, she acts unusually calm when discussing matters that would typically upset someone like Helly, such as Mark’s search for his wife, Gemma.
In addition, a file titled Santa Mira appears on Helena’s computer screen – a clear nod to the 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers, in which people are replaced by alien duplicates. This could be a symbolic reference to Helena “snatching” Helly’s identity, reinforcing the idea that she’s not who she appears to be.
If this theory holds true, it would add another layer of intrigue to Severance, as we would not only be dealing with the manipulation of memories but also with a covert infiltration by a key figure from Lumon.
2. Ms. Huang is the Latest Graduate of Myrtle Egan School for Girls
A new character introduced in season 2 is Ms. Huang, played by Sarah Bock. She serves as the deputy manager of the Severed Floor, which immediately raises questions. Why would Lumon hire a child, and what role does she play in the broader narrative? My theory is that Ms. Huang is the latest graduate of Myrtle Egan School for Girls, a mysterious institution that seems to serve as a training ground for future Lumon employees.
This theory makes sense when you consider that Harmony Cobel, one of the key characters from season 1, also attended Myrtle Egan. It’s possible that Ms. Huang is being groomed to replace Seth Milchick, the current head of the Severed Floor, who has proven to be flawed and prone to mistakes. In fact, Lumon may be setting her up for a higher position, ensuring that she’s ready to take over when Milchick eventually falters.
Ms. Huang’s role as a child deputy manager suggests that Lumon is grooming the next generation of leaders, and her character could provide further insight into the organization’s twisted practices.
3. The Macrodat Uprising and Severance Reform Are Just Smoke and Mirrors
In the season 2 premiere, we hear about the Macrodat Uprising, a supposed event where the MDR team’s “innies” escaped into the real world and blew the whistle on Lumon’s unethical practices. This leads to a so-called Severance Reform, which is presented as a sweeping overhaul of Lumon’s policies, supposedly prioritizing the wellbeing of severed employees.
However, I’m skeptical of this so-called reform. For one, the Kier Chronicle, the newspaper that reports on the event, is a fake. The front-page image is doctored, featuring a photograph of former President Dwight Eisenhower’s visit to Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s, rather than anything related to Lumon’s supposed reform. Additionally, Lumon’s wellness division, which was intended to improve employees’ quality of life, has been shut down, further undermining the idea that Lumon suddenly cares about the wellbeing of its workers.
In my view, Lumon’s claim of reform is nothing more than a strategic ploy to get the MDR team back to work. The company doesn’t care about its employees – it just wants to resume its dark, mysterious operations, and this fabricated narrative is meant to smooth over the team’s suspicions and get them back on track.
4. Dylan and Irving Were Fired, Not Voluntarily Absent
Early in the season 2 premiere, Milchick tells Mark S that Dylan G, Irving B, and Helly R didn’t want to return to work. However, I believe this is yet another lie from Lumon. It’s likely that Dylan and Irving were fired for their involvement in the Macrodat Uprising, and Helly wasn’t allowed to return because her “outie” Helena didn’t want her to. In fact, it’s entirely possible that Helena has replaced Helly in order to infiltrate the team and gather information about their plans.
Mark S, on the other hand, is too important to Lumon to be dismissed, which is why he’s brought back into the fold. This theory suggests that Lumon is manipulating its employees, controlling their movements and choices, in order to maintain its secretive operations.
5. Project Cold Harbor: The Connection to Gemma
In the season 2 premiere, we get our first glimpse of Project Cold Harbor, a mysterious task that Mark S has been working on. As seen on his computer screen, the project is 67% complete, and the name Cold Harbor is prominently displayed. This immediately raises questions: What is Cold Harbor, and how does it relate to Mark’s missing wife, Gemma?
The name Cold Harbor could be a reference to various historical events, but it’s most likely a symbolic tie to Gemma’s fate. We know that Gemma was allegedly killed in a car accident, but her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. Could Project Cold Harbor be connected to her abduction or even her current whereabouts? Was she taken by Lumon and hidden away, possibly as part of the project Mark is now working on?
The name Cold Harbor may also hint at something darker, and the fact that Gemma’s face appears on the monitor during the episode’s final moments suggests that her story is intricately linked to whatever Cold Harbor entails.
6. Irving Knows About the Dark Hallway Because He’s Been There Before
Irving B’s eerie obsession with painting a dark, black hallway throughout season 1 remains one of the show’s most haunting mysteries. In season 2, we learn that the hallway leads to an elevator that goes down rather than up, hinting at another secret department or floor that Lumon doesn’t want anyone to know about.
But how does Irving know about this hidden space? My theory is that his “innie” discovered the hallway and was somehow erased by Lumon to prevent him from snooping around further. However, Irving’s “outie” still retains fragmented memories of his discovery, which is why he continues to paint the same disturbing scene over and over again. This theory ties into the broader mystery of Lumon’s secretive operations, which may involve something far more sinister than we’ve yet seen.
7. Dylan G’s Family Encounter Will End in Chaos
One of the most intriguing developments in the season 2 premiere is the introduction of the Outie Family Visitation Suite, a controlled space that allows “innies” to meet their “outie” family members. Dylan G, who has long been desperate to learn more about his “outie,” is likely to make use of this new facility.
However, I believe this will lead to chaos. Dylan’s desire to understand his “outie’s” life could create a host of complications, especially if he grows emotionally attached to the family members he meets. Will he fall in love with his “outie’s” wife? Could this lead to a breakdown in his relationship with his “outie,” causing him to act out in dangerous ways? Furthermore, the emotional turmoil could create tension between Dylan and his colleagues on the MDR team, especially if they find out about his privileged access to the family suite.
Whatever happens, it’s clear that the Outie Family Visitation Suite will play a significant role in the drama to come, and I can’t shake the feeling that things are going to go horribly wrong for Dylan.
Conclusion
Severance season 2 has undoubtedly upped the ante, introducing new characters, mysteries, and potential twists that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. From the possibility of Helena Egan impersonating Helly R to the dark secrets of Project Cold Harbor, it’s clear that Lumon Industries remains at the heart of a vast and convoluted conspiracy. Whether these theories prove true or not, one thing is certain: Severance is as captivating and unpredictable as ever. As the season unfolds, we can only speculate about what new revelations and surprises await.