Severance

I don't know if this episode could satisfy my strong desire to just understand what exactly Lumon is doing here. The most dissatisfying thing is they didn't really answer what's going on with Cold Harbor. But aside from that I loved this season.

Like yes, more implications about Cold Harbor are confirmed. There seems to be a connection between Lumon and their aim to remove tragic memories, hence their approval when Gemma doesn't react emotionally to dismantling the baby crib. I can even see a future back story episode where Gemma is talking to the doctor character speculating about "what if you forget all the painful moments of your life?" before she is eventually abducted (or maybe she willingly chose to be severed at first?)

Then there's the whole, who is outtie Irving talking to? I speculate it's the Whole Mind Collective. I think we might see outtie Irving and outtie Burt again at some point, but have no idea what they'll be up to next.

Dylan had a satisfying end to this season, albeit kind of a repeat ending of last season. I'm pretty sure next season is going to be a search for meaning for him without his wife, without his work, and without anymore perks for them to lord over him.

I still don't know what the fuck James Eagan is doing though. I could have sworn they were trying to resurrect Kier, or give James a new body using Cold Harbor somehow, but there's so many questions as to why he's so interested in witnessing whether Gemma is so thoroughly a blank slate inside that room. Like, why? Why does James need her to be a blank slate with no memories? Is he trying to erase past sins like Burt? Are you developing an Endless Sunshine of the Spotless Mind kind of technology to sell to the masses? For the love of God, Ben Stiller, just tell me!! Lol.

And then we get to the climax, where Mark S decides to simply stay with Helly R. (or Helly E. As she indicates to Milchick in last episode). They built up to this beautifully. The conversation/confrontation between Mark Scout and Mark S. at the beginning was brilliantly written and I love how they portrayed it. It perfectly encapsulates the relationship the outties have with their innies. We've been rooting for Mark Scout finding and saving his wife this entire season, but the argument Mark S. makes is very compelling and in all honesty I don't blame Mark S. for sort of cutting it both ways at the end there. He saves his outtie's wife, but takes his outtie's time/life in exchange.

It's such a beautiful turn of events where Mark S. turns the tables on the outties and in a way says, "Y'know, you guys on the outside get to call all the shots and say what's important...but for once in my life I'm going to call the shots, I'm going to say what's important, and now, you all have to wait on us on the inside."

Its an interesting plot twist. And yeah, I've already seen the conversations elsewhere saying "But where will they go? This is such teenage romance schtick." Its a valid criticism, but I honestly think it's beautiful. From a practical standpoint though, yeah, the innie's are kind of in between a rock and a hard place. I like the theory that the innies will refuse to leave the building until more demands are met. Perhaps Mark S. will demand Helena never be allowed to exist again and Helly will be given complete control over her body...in exchange for him returning to be Mark Scout forever. Only for the reintegration to kick in fully once he finally leaves.

I theorize that Gemma will immediately go to the authorities and we'll see a sociopolitical drama unfold where Lumon tries to once again put out a PR Marketing dumpster fire. Or she'll be sent in to get Mark S. to compromise somehow so she can get her husband back.

Its an amazing show, but damn do I hate how it's become a more modern day Lost. I'm a selfish little plot pig and just want my questions answered now, oink oink, lol.

Anyway, nerd rant over.