Since her introduction in *Severance* Season 2, Episode 1, Lumon’s latest hire, Miss Huang (Sarah Bock), has ignited a flurry of fan speculation. Is she a robot? A clone? What other explanation could there be for a child working on the Severed Floor if something truly nefarious wasn’t involved?

Now, the enigma has been unraveled. Episode 8, titled “Sweet Vitriol,” ultimately discloses the reason behind Miss Huang’s presence at Lumon. Although the reality may not lean as heavily into the sci-fi realm as some theories proposed, it remains quite disturbing.

### Miss Huang is essentially a Lumon intern—similar to what Harmony Cobel once was.

While Miss Huang doesn’t appear in “Sweet Vitriol,” the episode centers on Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) and offers a vital clue about Huang’s position. Previously this season, Lumon’s LinkedIn page recognized Miss Huang for being appointed “this quarter’s Wintertide Fellow.” In Episode 6, “Attila,” Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) informs her, “You cannot graduate from this fellowship until I have evaluated you as Wintertide material.”

The term “fellowship” implies that Miss Huang is engaged in an internship program at Lumon, with “Wintertide” representing the criteria she needs to satisfy. However, the specific details of this program remain ambiguous until Episode 8.

In “Sweet Vitriol,” Cobel’s Aunt Sissy (Jane Alexander) remembers Cobel’s own Wintertide Fellowship as a significant accolade bestowed by Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry). Subsequently, as Cobel browses through her yearbook from the Myrtle Eagan School for Girls, she stumbles upon a photograph of herself receiving the Wintertide Fellowship from Jame. The caption below the picture states:

*”Harmony Cobel’s exemplary commitment to the Nine Core Values has garnered her the esteemed recognition of being selected as the Year of Wiles Wintertide Fellow.”*

Thus, the conclusion is clear—Miss Huang is neither a clone nor a robot. Rather, she is part of an exclusive Lumon internship program tailored for those nurtured within the Eagan and Lumon ideologies, much like Cobel was.

### A Disturbing Truth

Even devoid of sci-fi elements, this discovery is deeply unsettling. If Miss Huang’s background reflects Cobel’s, she was essentially raised by Lumon, shaped to conform to their standards. The program acts as a mechanism of indoctrination, guaranteeing that Lumon’s influence permeates beyond employees—it crafts future generations.

Cobel’s former partner, Hampton (James Le Gros), bluntly describes their experiences in Lumon’s ether factory as “child fucking labor.” This aligns with the narrative from Episode 4, “Woe’s Hollow,” which uncovers that Kier Eagan and his twin, Dieter, also toiled in the ether mill during their childhood. Child labor, it appears, is yet another troubling cornerstone of Lumon Industries.

The manner in which Lumon exploits children through institutions like the Eagan schools and the Wintertide Fellowship emphasizes its insidious grasp on society. The organization is not only focused on controlling adults—it aims to influence the thoughts of future generations as well.

Miss Huang might be on the trajectory to become the next Harmony Cobel. But considering Cobel’s destiny, is that really a future anyone would desire? Someone must liberate Miss Huang from Lumon’s clutches before she meets a similar fate. Allow her to enjoy her theremin undisturbed!

***Severance* Season 2 is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes debuting every Friday.**