Throughout my life, I have worked a few jobs, some of which I have truly hated. There were jobs that were bad enough that I wished that I could close my eyes when I clock in and end up in my bed with no memory of the shift that transpired. But then I began to think about the friends I have made that would be wiped out if I were to lose all work-related memories, and the idea no longer seemed as appealing. This dilemma of separating all your working memories from the rest of your life, good or bad, is the central hook of the show “Severance,” which just completed its second season on Apple TV.
“Severance” follows Mark S, an employee at the fictional company Lumon, who undergoes the ‘severance’ procedure, ‘severing’ all memories of his work life from his outside life. This simple concept allows you to quickly begin following the story of Mark and his coworkers on Lumen’s ‘severed’ floor, as one of the greatest science-fiction television shows begins to unfold.
“Severance” is by no means a fast-paced show, with mysteries unfolding gradually over the season. Still, the remarkable cinematography, set design and standout acting performances will make you wish each episode lasted longer. You may recognize Adam Scott, who plays Mark S, from his role as Ben Wyatt in the popular sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” The rest of the supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring standout performances from Britt Lower and John Turturro as Mark’s co-workers, and from Tramell Tillman and Patricia Arquette as his manager and boss. This cast of characters will have you deeply attached within a few episodes and emotionally invested in their struggles against Lumon. But through all of the spectacle of videography and acting, the show still carries real substance: the story in Lumon’s basement office offers a brilliantly executed critique of work-life balance, corporate culture and the dehumanization of workers in office spaces.
The mystery of Lumon’s goals, and why a team of people must have their memories altered each day, quickly had me hooked, and with the incredible writing team behind the show, it never let me go. With each new shocking reveal, more questions arise and the show’s intrigue grows. I don’t think I’ve ever been as invested in following a season of television as I was with these last 10 episodes of “Severance” Season 2.
When the first season of “Severance” aired, I recommended it to just about everyone I knew. The caveat to this recommendation is the incredible cliffhanger that ended the first season. But now, with the release of season two and the crazy 10-week event that had me and every member of my dorm suite together each Thursday night without fail, I can once again keep recommending the show with all my heart. “Severance” stands out against almost any TV show currently airing, with quality showing through in every single aspect. If you’re looking for a series that keeps you guessing at every turn, and almost always guessing wrong, I can’t recommend “Severance” highly enough.
