The **Severance** Season 2 trailer has finally been released, unveiling the aftermath of Season 1’s shocking cliffhanger — and, true to its nature, it’s presented us with even more intriguing enigmas. Could it really be **Severance** without a new set of conundrums to ponder? From Lumon’s questionable assertions of “severance reform” to a peculiar field trip, here’s an analysis of the 12 most crucial questions posed by the trailer.
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### 1. Is “severance reform” merely an elaborate deception?
At Season 1’s conclusion, the Innies — Mark S. (Adam Scott), Helly R. (Britt Lower), Irving B. (John Turturro), and Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) — managed to briefly break free from their severed existences through Lumon’s overtime protocol. Before Lumon could reverse the process, they created chaos — particularly Helly, who disclosed at a Lumon gala that her Outie is Helena Eagan, the daughter of Lumon’s CEO, and revealed the company’s appalling treatment of Innies. Surely Lumon would retaliate, right?
However, the Season 2 trailer indicates otherwise. The MDR group appears to be reunited, seemingly unscathed, and Lumon claims to have enhanced its treatment of severed staff. “What you all did was one of the most painful moments in the history of this company,” Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) tells Mark. “But the four of you have become recognized as the face of severance reform.” He even presents Mark with a newspaper, *The Kier Chronicle*, showcasing a ticker-tape parade in honor of the team.
But let’s face it: the image is evidently altered. The parade scene is actually from President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1960 journey to Rio de Janeiro, not to mention that the poses of the MDR team are borrowed from a photo Milchick captured on Helly’s first day. So, why is Milchick deceiving? Is this a complex scheme to placate the team? And why can Lumon not simply terminate them as they did with others, like Burt (Christopher Walken)? What makes Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan so vital?
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### 2. What is the actual purpose of macrodata refinement (MDR)?
The trailer introduces new cast member Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who ominously states, “Their work will be remembered as one of the greatest moments of this planet.” But what is that work? How can sorting numbers into boxes carry such monumental importance?
One plausible theory suggests that MDR’s task is related to resurrection. In Season 1, we discovered that Mark’s Outie’s late spouse, Gemma, was somehow revived as Lumon wellness counselor Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman). Could the enigmatic mission of MDR involve the defiance of death?
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### 3. How will Mark save Ms. Casey?
Innie Mark reveals to his companions that Ms. Casey is Gemma and shares his intention to liberate her from Lumon. While this may serve as the season’s key quest, the logistics are overwhelming. How will they pinpoint her location in Lumon’s intricate building? And how will they sneak her out without Milchick catching wind of their “missing posters”? If they’re discovered, any potential severance reforms will likely disappear immediately.
The last time we saw Ms. Casey, she was sent to the cryptic testing floor — the same location where Irving’s Outie has been obsessively painting. Now that Irving’s Innie is aware of those paintings, perhaps he can assist Mark in locating the testing floor and revealing its mysteries.
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### 4. Will we learn more about the Outies’ existences?
Season 1 primarily concentrated on Mark’s Outie, but the trailer suggests deeper explorations into Helly and Irving’s Outies. Helena Eagan seems to be struggling with her involvement in Lumon’s scandal, even rewatching footage of Helly and Mark’s kiss. Meanwhile, Irving’s Outie appears to be making secretive calls. Could he be reaching out to Burt, who makes a brief appearance in the trailer? Considering that Irving’s Innie visited Burt’s residence in the Season 1 finale, it’s plausible their Outies are in touch.
The trailer provides little insight into Dylan’s Outie, but we hope to uncover more about the family he found in Season 1.
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### 5. Is Irving retiring?
One peculiar image from the trailer features a watermelon sculpted to resemble Irving’s face. Could this signify a retirement celebration, akin to Burt’s unsettling farewell party in Season 1? Alternatively, it might be a new perk for MDR workers, similar to the melon bar or the notorious waffle party. (Speaking of which, let’s hope those breakfast-themed gatherings are relics of the past.)
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