What the Severance Season 2 Finale Means For the Show’s Future

To say that Severance Season 2 has taken the internet by storm would be an under-exaggeration.

After the much-anticipated finale, Severance Season 2 Episode 10, “Cold Habor,” dropped on Apple TV+, fans of the show have been speculating about what might happen next. Especially because the show has been renewed for a third season, there are endless possibilities for upcoming episodes. 

The finale, which clocked in about a little over an hour, kept fans guessing up until the very last minute. In this article, we break down what the events of the finale mean for the future of the show. 

Mark’s Decision

Throughout Season 2, both Innie and Outie Marks’ mission is to find Gemma or Ms. Casey, as she is referred to inside Lumon. There’s even an entire episode, Severance Season 2 Episode 7, “Chikhai Bardo,” dedicated to exploring Mark and Gemma’s relationship before Lumon. 

Finally, on Severance Season 2 Episode 10, “Cold Habor,” Mark finds where Lumon has been hiding Gemma. He saves her from the “Cold Habor” room after he completes the MDR file that tests how effective the Severance procedure is on Gemma’s emotional well-being. 

Although Outie Mark saves Gemma, Innie Mark brings her to the “equator” and effectively frees her from the building. Surprisingly, he decides not to leave and turns around to run away with Innie Helly. 

This moment is particularly shocking for fans as many expected Innie Mark to leave, even if it means that his Innie self would essentially cease to exist. While many saw this action as Mark choosing Helly over Gemma, that isn’t exactly what it means. 

Innie Mark’s choice to stay demonstrates that his Innie self has his own wants and desires separate from Outie Mark. He doesn’t want to give up his feelings for Helly, even if it’s at the expense of Outie Mark’s ability to run away with Gemma. 

This ties into the show’s essential message that the Innies have autonomy and are more than just workers who supply labor. While Lumon has attempted to dehumanize and control the Innies, Innie Mark and the MDR department have fought back.

By choosing to run with Helly even though he knows that he will have to face the consequences, Innie Mark shows that he’s choosing to live in his own way, separate from what his Outie wants.

This seems to set up that in future Severance episodes, we will get to see Innie Mark struggle for freedom and continue to battle his Outie self and Lumon for autonomy. 

Mark’s Reintegration

Another major plot point during Season 2 is Mark’s decision to reintegrate. On Severance Season 2 Episode 3, “Who’s Alive?,” Mark undergoes the reintegration procedure to blend his Innie and Outie selves together. 

There are instances where the procedure seems to be taking effect, such as when Innie Mark gets a nosebleed on Severance Season 2 Episode 6, “Attila.” Yet, during the finale, Innie and Outie Mark seem to be operating as two separate people. 

While many people have speculated that this means the reintegration process is not effective, that may not be the case. As Reghabi, the reintegration scientist, mentioned, reintegration is still a new process with unknown effects. 

In Severance Season 3, the reintegration could fully take effect, and Innie Mark will become one with Outie Mark. This could connect back to Innie Mark’s decision to run away with Helly, as Outie Mark could potentially be trapped inside Lumon as a result. 

If this happens, it could potentially lead to more conflict as Outie Mark and Innie Mark want to be with different people. Additionally, like Petey in Severance Season 1, reintegration could potentially be fatal.

Therefore, Season 3 could see Mark suffering through the physical effects of this process. 

The Future of MDR

The MDR Department experienced multiple changes during Severance Season 2. One of the biggest ones is Irving leaving by train on Severance Season 2 Episode 9, “The After Hours.” 

In addition to how angry Lumon seemed with his attempt to drown Helena on Severance Season 2 Episode 4, “Woe’s Hollow,” Irving’s goodbye to Burt seemed like a final one.

Considering that Irving didn’t appear during the Severance Season 2 finale, it appears that Irving might be gone from the department and the show for good. 

While Dylan seems like he is set to leave, on the Severance Season 2 finale, his Outie convinces him to stay. So it seems like at least three out of the core four in the MDR will remain on the show for future seasons. 

The big question after the Season 2 finale is whether MDR is even going to exist. Especially since the Cold Harbor file is complete, the department doesn’t seem to have a use anymore.

This could mean that Lumon could either abolish MDR or repurpose it to serve another goal. There’s also the question of who will run MDR if it exists.

Considering Lumon fired Harmony after she let the Innies escape on Severance Season 1 Episode 9, “The We We Are,” there’s no doubt Milchick will be fired from his position as well.

If this is the case, future episodes of Severance could see Harmony and Milchick teaming up against Lumon along with the MDR department to seek revenge on the company. This could be the start of the potential downfall of the massive corporation. 

Because this is Severance, there’s no telling which direction the show will go. However, we have enough clues from the Season 2 finale to give us some hints as to possible future storylines.  

Whether it’s reintegration or restructuring the MDR department, the wait for Severance Season 3 will be long and anxious. 

 

Let us know your theories and thoughts on the Severance Season 2 finale in the comments below! 

Severance Season 2 is available to stream on Apple TV+. 

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