Severance | How Severance Writes Villains + A Milchick Theory

[@patrickhaynes3090]

Don’t sleep on outie Helly R. Her ‘you’re not a *person*’ was absolutely monstrous villainy.

[@SkylarTheWriter]

It really was! The venom with which she said that to Helly R.? Whew chile! Yeah, Helena definitely has a villainous side to her.

[@ollie2111]

That's a good point!

[@MS-gd8px]

When I tell you I had a chill go down my spine when I first heard that...😦

[@doneisenbarth]

If/when the show reaches it’s endgame, I can’t see a “final villain” more satisfying than Helena Egan. Hellys tenacity and determination on the wrong side feels unstoppable

[@ollie2111]

@@doneisenbarth omg, I got chills just thinking about that. That could be a really good idea.

[@tappajavittu]

Your Severance videos are helping with my Severance withdrawal symptoms.

[@nautilusfiles]

LOL I hear that! I'm going to keep the fire going until season two.

[@ollie2111]

Same 😅

[@neuesachlichkeit6919]

Kind of yes, kind of no--bit like watching a cooking show when you're hungry, lol.

[@kevandre]

You know what I never noticed before, I think Milchick gives me Gus Fring vibes. He can go from smiling and friendly to deadpan and scary in a second

[@nautilusfiles]

Damn... how did I miss that? He really is a lot like Gustavo. He wears charisma like a skin. Great observation!

[@GrannyGamer1]

I hope the writers' and others' strikes go well. The irony we can't watch more severance until the writers' concerns about corporate greed, artificial intelligence, etc. are addressed is certainly not lost on me. I live in poverty, but I'm grateful, every day, that I don't have to go to work any more.

[@nautilusfiles]

The longer this goes on the more pessimistic I become. It makes me think of "essential workers" lauded as heroes during Covid, then just as quickly dismissed the minute things started to get better. We don't have TV w/o writers and the job, like any other, deserves a living wage. What is there to debate?

[@DanDog91]

@@nautilusfiles As far as AI, you can't guarantee a ban on new technology for job security - what if they outlawed CGI in the 90's so that practical effect artists (like miniature model makers) didn't become unemployed. Other demands are unreasonable like requiring 10 writers on a project when only 1 or 2 is needed - not to mention they are expecting unrealistic payouts when the studios have lost 50-90% of their stock value over the last 3 years.

[@nautilusfiles]

Who said anything about banning AI?

[@justink8156]

​@@DanDog91Dude stop bootlicking the companies obviously have tons of money even with the economic downturn of the last few years. I'm sure there is a point of diminishing returns where the room is too busy but generally more writers is better for the quality of the work. They just want to be greedy and not pay for more writers.

[@DanDog91]

@@justink8156 I have no love for the studios .. but like some of those on strike you have trouble with math .. 80% loss in value [Paramount], firing 7K employees, cutting 3B$ in content, and having to pay up to 25B$ to Comcast by year end (Diz), the other studios are not in any better shape and Netflix is the only streamer making a profit. So sure studios are approaching bankruptcy (not just an economic downturn) and we've fired 1000s of other staff, but lets triple our writing budget

[@annasaracinesca7514]

when you trust a Channel so much that you put the like even before watching

[@nautilusfiles]

Much appreciated, Anna 🙏❤

[@ladygrim7658]

😂😂 Facts;

[@eva_marie633]

Yep.

[@tcsnowdream9975]

Just throwing it out there… I have a massive crush on the actor who plays Milchik. I think it’s the short sleeves that do it for me.

[@lyricbot8513]

I think my favourite moments of season 1 were the moments where we thought Milcheck and Cobel might actually be on the progatonists' side. Their ability to turn on a dime is so chilling.

[@nautilusfiles]

I'm still holding onto hope. I think a face-turn from either one of them would work well. They're going to need someone with some power to help at some point.

[@JosephFrietze]

@@nautilusfiles "face turn" We've got a rasslin' fan here! Yes! I just found your channel after watching Season one last weekend and needing some analysis and theories to keep me busy until season two. Keep up the good work.

[@duko3000]

I'm literally crying, Severance videos are back on the menu. bless you

[@nautilusfiles]

Duko! I've got more videos planned. Hopefully it will hold us until season 2.

[@ahikernamedgq]

Best Severance content on KZbin.

[@DawnDavidson]

Agreed!

[@RendallRen]

That moment that you excerpted at 4:58 was extremely interesting. Cobel had Natalie pinned against the left side of the screen, but that was the moment that the power dynamic shifted in the story, and in the very next shot Natalie loomed over Cobel. Season 2 cast just dropped over at IMDB by the way. Gwendolyn Christie, John Noble coming up on deck, among others.

[@nautilusfiles]

I love that moment because we see just how resentful she is towards the board and the dismissive way they treat her. That was one of the only times I was cheering her on lol.

[@jb76489]

John Nobel is very exciting

[@MrBrno]

Just as I was thinking how this series feels like Fringe for some moments, John Noble comes in. Amazing

[@mrjaja1999]

Never a bad day with a new Severance analysis

[@nautilusfiles]

Thank you!

[@Nappse]

Milchick also left the book on the floor. He is too smart and keen to details to have done that as a mistake.

[@nautilusfiles]

Yeah, that's a good point that forgot to mention. It's been suggested that he did do that intentionally. Right now, if I had to predict a defector, my money would be on Milchick flipping.

[@doneisenbarth]

Hot take: Management at Lumon, as most real-life management, is incompetent.

[@SerPapus]

@@nautilusfiles milchick flipping?? nahh. hey should do a video predicting episode 1 of season 2 since we gonna have to wait like 2 years lol. Please

[@JosephFrietze]

@@doneisenbarth agreed. He was startled by something and left the book on the chair. Helly hanging herself maybe? Now him never mentioning the book again, even a "Now where did I put that....." to himself could be a plot point.

[@toukkero]

They can literally see everything from their control room, even their faces from the pc-cameras. Milchick would have seen Mark and Dylan reading a bright red book at their desks (and propably everywhere else too).

[@MrBrno]

You should analyze the side characters, like Mr. Graner, bonked by Reghabi; Reghabi herself, the unnerving Natalie that speaks with the Board and interrupts Hellys speech, and June, Petey's daughter who seems to be quite aware of Mark. They're quite an important part of the development and have a lot to show in the subsequent seasons to come.

[@mareksbodnieks4796]

Another gem has successfully landed, thank you Brother for another enticing video, just as I finished prepping up my food of the day, perfect timing.

[@nautilusfiles]

Yo, Mareks! Thanks for coming through!

[@toukkero]

After binge watching the whole first season I must say that Milchick didn't trigger my villain alarm. He is a tight part of the system and definetly enabling the situation of innies, but he doesn't seem to do it because he is evil. He has had many chances to missuse his power or make the innies' life worse, but all we see him doing it to follow the protocoll and try to keep them happy. After he was assaulted and bitten he doesn't try to revenge and get Dylan into any serious trouble. Mostly he feels like a servant robot with a detailed hand book about handling the situations with innies. Even when he is operating the punishments in the break room, he doesn't seem to enjoy it one bit. He is stern, but normally you see the villain showing their enjoyment of that kind of act. He has had zero smirks or evil frownings when others are not watching, unlike Harmony, whose obsession and cunningness bacame very clear at the start of the series.

[@mrwhatcanido4942]

no nautilus, you're a star

[@lexwritesthings]

Always so excited when I see a new video on this channel 😊

[@TrishD33LGK]

I was going to rewatch Season 1 for the fun and excitement of it. But, now after this tremendously long delay I'm going to have to rewatch it b4 Season 2. My goodness your channel has grown exponentially. SO VERY WELL DESERVED!!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@nautilusfiles]

Hey, Trish! Good to see you. I remember when I first started out, you were one of the handful of people that used to comment a lot. I won't forget it. I'd love to know if you see anything interesting on your next rewatch.

[@TrishD33LGK]

@@nautilusfiles We had a many a good theory session! And, I'll definitely be back more regularly when this 2nd season starts! There hasn't really been anything on that I've been watching except for basketball (over now except for summer. league) and so I started Suits (which is actually pretty funny) so I'm sorry I haven't been here much. But I'll always make it a point to hit that like for ya whenever I get a notification that you've posted, even if it's a video on a show I don't follow.❤

[@RobinHerzig]

I watch + rewatch at least one more time when each episode drops the 1st time. I've rewatched the whole season now twice more (so far) 😃

[@marcusaurelius5149]

What I love the most about Milchick and Harmony is they appear as two different people striving for the same things. Whenever they're together they're using opposite means to get what they want. Milchick appears as a smiling friend, and everything he does is for your benefit. Harmony makes demands under threats of pain, humiliation, shame, and failure. In both cases you know who's in charge but their means are very, very different. Milchick uses kind eyes and smiles. Harmony scowls and stares a hole right through you. The two lives of Harmony Cobel make her even more sinister. Both Milchick and Harmony seem to live for Lumen. We only know about Harmony's life because she's Mark's neighbor. However, Milchick is ever present as well. There's no indication that he's ever taking any time off either. Milchick is inside Dylan G's home during the OTC. Milchick is testing new security doors for MDR well before they arrive. Milchick is also at Lumen when Mark's outie is socializing with friends and family late at night. Does Milchick live at the homes that Petey drew on his map? And for all of the times we see Milchick we know absolutely nothing about him. He knows everyone and remembers even Mark's uncomfortable storytime confessions about how he "loves the game". He knows about Helly R's weak enamel. What about Milchick? He's still a mystery.

[@sifuweber1478]

Man your killing it. Keep it up, love these!!

[@nautilusfiles]

Hey, thanks!

[@suhazpalace]

I’ve been binging your severance videos for days now I just re-watched severance for the second time. While searching for some theories on KZbin about the show, I found this channel and I feel like I found a classic before it becomes a classic that everybody knows. Awesome production, attention to detail, and just overall so entertaining. You are great! Keep up the amazing work and never give up on your goals for this channel or otherwise 😁🖤.

[@jasonholtz2003]

Nautilus, great Severance videos. If I may, I have a few suggestions I’d love to see you explore as we wait for the next season: (1) allusions to the novelGreat Expectations, i.e. “Pip’s” Bar and Grill, being a different person at work than at home like John Wemmick in the book, the hand washing, the names Helena and Estella both meaning light, and several other examples; (2) separation of trash and recycling, emphasizing what we discard as opposed to what we keep and repurpose; (3) healing vs camouflaging. Just some ideas. Keep up the good work.

[@hanyolo2041]

This show is brilliant and the writers strike couldnt have come at a worse time. I need more.

[@nautilusfiles]

It'd be nice if they just paid the people that make it all possible. Hopefully, we get news before the Summer is out or it's going to be a long wait.

[@alambster]

Agree Hollywood needs to take care of these creative people. Off you go.

[@fakedeath13]

Tramell Tillman and Patricia Arquette did not have to pop off that hard, but they did it for us

[@nautilusfiles]

Thank God for that. These two make the entire season work!

[@katdroidd]

I think that your Nurse Ratchet comparison is spot on, and the actresses are contemporaries.

[@wellaightthen]

Tinfoilhat gang, Ricken is a villain too. I mean the man's name in shorthand is Rick but insists on being addressed by his full name😂

[@nautilusfiles]

😂

[@MrBrno]

I believe the theory that he's actually called Rick N. and he's severed

[@neuesachlichkeit6919]

Dylan running at Milchick with all a father's love and rage (yet none of the joy that should be the other half) is right up there with Caesar saying NOOOO in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," and Joker's few minutes on the couch with DeNiro's jerk character. In other words, deeply, viscerally satisfying and endlessly rewatchable. My husband thinks this show has intense and deliberate Gnosticism undertones, and I can't help but agree with him.

[@Digmer]

What a sunday treat!

[@bunkle96]

Im late to the party but my theory building off of theories ive read is this: Charlotte Cobel (3/17/44) assuming the timeline is supposed to be roughly the same as ours only alternate, this could place her as harmony's mom. (Harmony being born 20+/- years later would be the 60s/70s and age appropriate for her appearance). The item we see Charlotte's name on could be a breathing apparatus (any medical ppl feel free to chime in) but it also could be a feeding tube - which the Lexington letters mentions the controversy with. So, if we infer Charlotte was in ill health and was given a feeding tube that led to her dying prematurely, we can start connecting dots on Harmony's obsessive behavior and devotion to Lumon. -Lumon seems to have immortality on their mind. Jame implies it, Keir's quotes hint at it, and as many have theorized Ms. Casey may be a part of it. -Perhaps as an apology to Harmony for her mother's premature death they offer her a possibility: her revival, in some manner, when the tech is ready. This would obviously create a very loyal employee who is fascinated by Severance and the technology associated with it. She never seemed upset or worried by reintegration, but intrigued. She tested the limits of Severance many times with Mark and "Ms Casey" but we only see that AFTER she learns about Petey. And based on Ms Casey's # of active hours, I assume it wasn't happening much before. This implies reintegration would be something she wants to be possible, so that her mother will not be a drone of herself, but have her memories too. -Why would Lumon offer this to the Corbels? I saw a theory that their family has gone back generations working for the company (as a kind of wet nurse?) that seems plausible and works in my line of thinking. The type of work (although the nurse theory would explain her knowledge on lactation and why she was assigned a position practically babysitting since there seem to be no young Eagers) isn't important. If her family goes back generations with Lumon, theyre bound to have bought in to the religious/cult type culture and believe in it fully. This would explain the worship and add to the total loyalty, after all- only gods have the power to raise the dead. - her obsession with Mark is a direct result of her own selfish interests in the progression and viability of the chips. Scent is said to be one of the strongest memory triggers, so she used the candle during his next wellness check and he recreated the tree from the accident with Ms Casey. She wants him to remember. She wants reintegration to be survivable. -there is a lot relating to motherhood with Harmony. She talks about her mother's religion twice with a different story each time, all her time as a lactation consultant which seemed to come from real knowledge, her position over the child-like innies (who were originally much younger), and her nuturing demeanor towards Mark's outie self. how her motivations tie in to the overall plot and the Gemma questions, I'm not entirely sure but those are my thoughts on Harmony and why she's Like That lol

[@narutobullock]

Harmony Cobel is dominant in the local BDSM club. Every time she appeared on screen, I knew entertainment was on the horizon.

[@sucroseskulls7488]

can i just say, you're so cool. love how much thought you've put into all your severance videos! ill have to check out more of your work - honestly pretty inspiring in how to present a well rounded video essay!!

[@nautilusfiles]

Wow, thanks! I'm just geeking out to some shows I like, but I love to hear that it affects people this way. Thanks for the kindness 😊 And I love the wordplay on "sugar skulls". I see you!

[@sucroseskulls7488]

@@nautilusfiles Geeking out is the best way to make some quality stuff hahaha. And thank you!! 💀💛

[@jellyrcw12]

I just watched the show. One of the most compelling and thought provoking shows I've seen in ages

[@evenoddridge4829]

Im glad the algo gave me this i had forgotten about this channel!

[@531237774]

"Off you go". These videos are keeping me sane while I wait for s2 and try not to rewatch the show a fourth time

[@lexvonrockets]

So, dude I've been lingering/malingering on KZbin since the early 2000s, and I don't believe I've ever written a comment this vapid, but I'd like everyone to know that I just found this channel and I find the narrator's combination of humor and a very sexy voice fairly enchanting. Cheers to you, Mr. Nautilus!

[@MS-gd8px]

The "congenial manner" is something cops/investigators use in interrogation in order to establish relativity with the person being interviewed and bring down their guard in the hopes that person slips up and reveals information. In cases where someone was k!lled, the interrogator will say "hey, I get it. We all have our bad days...we've all been there" to create a falsehood where the suspect might feel like they're understood and almost comfortable...which character sounds like they'd use this tactic? Milcheck. With Cobel, she has her two personas which is fairly genius (in an evil way) and uses a similar interrogation false-empathy tactic where that congenial manner while she's "Selvig". I distinctly remember Selvig always asking Mark if he's okay or feeling alright. We'd NEVER hear Cobel asking this cause she doesn't give AF if the employees are okay so long as they're meeting quota and are quiet lol Both are such excellent characters, outstanding writing and the actors delivered above and beyond so I agree that I wouldn't be surprised if these character from Severence start becoming a popular referenced example of quality villian/antagonist writing.

[@nautilusfiles]

Yeah, I think your assessment is spot on. The through line with both of these characters is their instinct to appeal to their targets behaviors that evoke trust, only to turn around and weaponize it, like the chameleons that they are.

[@astrominister]

going through all of your severance content and man! great videos, great channel. good luck on your youtube journey bro.

[@nautilusfiles]

Much appreciated!

[@skdjirrrdjdm3926]

Clever comparison to make between milchek and hans landa! I find his character very intriguing and wonder to myself what makes him such a compelling villain compared to Harmony and you gave me great insight here.

[@Angel-kl1ml]

I'm subscribed to you and spend all day on KZbin. It's such bullshit my algorithm didn't tell me one of my favorite video essayists updated until a day later. This website is bunk. But as always, you're fantastic.

[@nautilusfiles]

Thanks, Angel! Very kind of you and I'm glad you still caught the new vid 😊

[@ollie2111]

Have you done any videos on Love, Death, + Robots, I feel like that's right up your alley. I just watched a couple episodes from the 3rd and 2nd seasons. Like one where a giant washes up onto shore. I saw the first season when it came out, which was really good.

[@nautilusfiles]

I also saw the first season when it first aired. I thought many of the stories were good, especially from a technical perspective. Could be a candidate for future videos if there is an interest.

[@ollie2111]

@@nautilusfiles yeah! Cool, well you got my vote on that one ☺

[@eva_marie633]

This was great as usual, my friend! I just had a thought I never had. What if Milchick and Reghabi were married or in some kind of relationship? Maybe they disagree(d) on severance ? Anyway, just a thought I had. Thank you for the great work. I cracked up when you said “Co- “🔔” 😂 I always enjoy your videos. Can’t thank you enough. 🥳🥳

[@nautilusfiles]

Eva! I've wondered the same thing, myself. If anyone knows Reghabi personally, he's the one I would suspect. The way she phrases things gives the impression that's she's part of a network or group that wants to topple Lumon, so unless there's someone helping her that we haven't met yet... I get angry comments from time to time about my pronunciation, "bull" rather than "bell", which I find hilarious because it's not important. That's literally how everyone in my neck of the woods pronounces it (I actually asked). Anyway, always good to hear from you 😊❤

[@eva_marie633]

@@nautilusfiles thank you for always responding to all of us and being such a genuinely nice person. I think that’s so neat that I’m not the only one. I can’t wait for October!!

[@Ohmverse]

I won't be watching Season 2...but that has everything to do with Apple and nothing to do with the show. Indeed, I subscribed tonight because I am studying Jessica Lee's cinematography, as it is some of the most stunning visuals and visual storytelling I have ever seen. Absolutely top notch. So I'm taking in all the content I can that offers different perspectives on how people are reading what they see. This is actually my second full viewing of your Severance videos, though I think the first time was on my original channel. I will happily watch when you review Season 2, as it is likely the only real view on S2 I will get. Thank you for what you do.

[@vee.5594]

I love your severance videos so much!

[@nautilusfiles]

Thanks, Vee! Love to hear it! More to come.

[@alerixv]

Amazing video, amazing show, cant wait.

[@MoxieMcMurder]

Great editing in this video!

[@nautilusfiles]

Thanks, Moxie! It took me long enough so I'm glad it worked out lol.

[@MoxieMcMurder]

@@nautilusfiles It's impressive!

[@wendyblanchard6496]

Don't forget that Mrs Selvig is also super creepy by litteraly stalking Mark. The scene where she comments that Mark doesn't usually take out his trash in the morning whe he is throwing his clothes gave me he chills

[@ChobThomas]

Hey, have you ever considered doing videos about Deadwood? Would definitely watch your takeaways!

[@nautilusfiles]

I love Deadwood! Maybe I'll have time with the strike an all to cover some older shows.

[@laurapepe8341]

I personally love Milchik. I realize he is doing something wrong but I dont think its veen revealed what exact role he plays in that yet. But he is oddly welcoming as well as sincere in all his actions. Im not sure how to explain it. His actor is phenomenal and I really hope that both Milchik and Cobels development as characters isnt sabotaged (I have terrible doubts in writers after many shows have lost its buzz after 1 or 2 seasons). This is an incredibly refreshing show and I think all of us are excited to see how it pans out.

[@ColeWoodruffMusic]

Milcheck is a mix of Hans Landa and Dr Pendanski from Holes 😂 definitely hope we get some deeper Milcheck backstory next season

[@nautilusfiles]

Nice! I haven't heard that name in ages, but you're so right 😂💀

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

I see glimpses of milchick empathy.

[@TwiPrime]

w00t!! Nice to see you!!!

[@nautilusfiles]

You too! 🙌

[@galexcia]

It was horrifying watching milchick dance.. he looked crazy AF

[@jasonwalter-tz4qz]

Burt G has a fever, and the only prescription is more Cobel

[@SerPapus]

seen this show 3 times already. So sad it wont come out until late 2024.

[@MsClaudz]

Harmony’s behaviour totally reminds me of how people can experience trauma. For me there is a dark past for her. Is she severed though? She seems to be in “off” mode if she is. But if she were severed could there be a part of her early life that was lost in the severing? Was she an early trial? Was she brainwashed in the children’s home? She seems like someone who has adapted to know how to behave around a lot of toxic people. It’s interesting though to me that Selvig mentioned having a dead husband. Is there a part of her that she’s still trying to escape? Is she related to one of the other characters but they don’t know that? Who was her husband if he isn’t made up?

[@SergeKulyk]

Dance scene had Ex Machina vibes which just might prove Milcheck is a Blade Runner style replicant.

[@blackcorp0001]

This show is very special 😮😊

[@jasonluna2919]

I see Milchick as a bad baby sitter. He also doesn't see them as real people too, he even said, "I don't know what has gotten into you people lately.."

[@jellyrcw12]

This show has THE BEST actors!!

[@exzisd]

The theory about Milchek flipping checks out. My questions are innumerable but I wonder what MDR is really doing and I wonder what the bosses are really doing and how they got their and what their end game is. Clearly the board silently controls them and watches them just as they watch MDR. I could write another really long comment with more theories but alas it is late and it’s time to start watching the season 1 for a 3rd time as I drift off..

[@josephstandley8149]

Helena is going the be the big bad, not her father.

[@ladygrim7658]

Okay okay okay.. Tinfoil is super tight, like cutting circulation off tight, just a thought, What if Cobel has Dissociative identity disorder? 😶😐 I said that because she got fired went home and went to that book reading look like she was still severanced. Especially when she goes at find Helly. I was just wondering because she so was so different after getting fired but she didn't go back to that nice lady next door who cared for Mark.

[@nautilusfiles]

If you could see my face right now... I like this! What if she wants to try to integrate both personalities?

[@ladygrim7658]

@@nautilusfiles Absolutely, but just like on the movie Split all her personality have there own hive mind.

[@nautilusfiles]

@@ladygrim7658 I wouldn't mind if they go in this direction at all.

[@curieuxctv]

Really enjoyed this!

[@nautilusfiles]

Awesome, thank you!

[@cawsomeaolin]

they remind me of the network from the hit british 2013 conspiracy drama series called “utopia” which aired on channel 4 and is not uploaded in its entirety on youtube

[@cawsomeaolin]

shameless plug😀

[@dannyp-ufc8883]

Are we even getting a second season?!

[@sarak5148]

Great great great video!!

[@nautilusfiles]

Hey, Sara! Appreciate it!

[@doris4989]

You uploaded a Severance video and I didn't see it? What's up with notifications on yt? They started recommending me things in the notifications, but doesn't let me know when someone uploads... Anyway thank you for giving us a fix for now. Season 2 isn't even annouced with a release date yet...

[@nautilusfiles]

Hey, Doris! Yeah, I hear this a lot. It seems like it's a pretty common issue and it makes me wonder what the notification bell is for if doesn't work half the time. I might need to post a community thingy before each vid releases as a backup lol.

[@DanDog91]

I think Cobel is chipped, but with a modified programming that allows her to flip between Harmony and Selvig. Dual personality is well within the ability of that technology and it would much easier to program a split-personality psychopath than find one in the wild that would also put Lumen first in their lives. On a tangent, there were many specialized functions besides "Overtime" available in the control room - hopefully those will get explored in Season 2.

[@nautilusfiles]

That's where I am, currently, when it comes what I think is going on her.

[@lolin11222]

I miss this show sooo bad. Your videos keep my hopes alive 😂 Also..have you seen They Cloned Tyrone? And would you ever make a video on it….😅😬

[@nautilusfiles]

Not yet, but it's on my list of movies to check out. I cover films, every so often, so it might happen!

[@lolin11222]

@@nautilusfiles yess, I think you’d like the sci-fi, and maybe the blaxploitation feel!!

[@VjRamkilawan]

Consider doing analysis videos on Silo. It is compelling. Plus the nautilus is a symbol used in the series.

[@nautilusfiles]

Already done. I made a community page announcement that it's coming to the channel a few days ago.

[@nickfromohio6032]

I just finished season 1 this week. Jfc.

[@Semperf11]

Where is season 2? First show I’ve seen on apple worth me keeping apple + lol

[@nautilusfiles]

Probably Spring 2024, with this strike still going, and that's me giving a conservative guess. It was originally supposed to air next month (Oct), and that already felt like a lifetime!

[@ollie2111]

I love Milchick

[@charrid56maclean]

Milkshake is good but he makes errors. He lost or misplaced the book that Harmony stole from Mark. He misreads Dylan's response to the dance, and gets bitten because of it. And he doesn't believe Harmony when she says that Petey's severance was broken

[@nautilusfiles]

Villains don't need to be perfect; they only need to be effective at getting the right response from the audience. I'd say they both made mistakes, but their impact on the protags and the story, overall, were exactly what was needed.

[@Semperf11]

9:41 my favorite scene man caught me completely off guard and of course my man’s can “cut the rug up “ I mean LOOK AT HIM 🤣🤣🙏🏾🫡

[@c-LAW]

It's all true!

[@sketchyjeff2054]

I think that Harmony has an actual chance of redemption and maybe helping our innies some day down the line; but Milchick would NEVER. He enjoys borderline torturing the innies, he’s truly in it for the love of the game

[@omelette_Doo]

I hope Milcheck is just Milcheck. Working day to day to pay his rent. A society too demanding for any single income house to live a fulfilling life. Keep your nose down to keep your income consistent in a middle America city where losing that income would mean homelessness. No sci-fi metaphor to deconstruct. Banal, every day corporate poverty: Working at the mill to make a check.

[@doneisenbarth]

Yep. That’s so much scarier to me than most other options.

[@LOGICZOMBIE]

OBRA MAESTRA

[@cb5484]

Outie Helly was a villainous character. She was scary and cold and had the agency and the information to be a villain. But, Milchick and Cobel aren't really villains. They are creepy at times, but I never found them scary, especially MIlchick. They are cogs in the wheel. They are clearly following orders. They have questionable agency for their actions and are, at times, overruled or dismissed. What is scary is what is unknown. The unknown is the real villain, not these two employees who may not have much actual power.

[@nautilusfiles]

I disagree. They are the villains for this season. In the eyes of the innies, they have more than enough power to be villains when you look at the effect they have on the protagonists. Acting on behalf of a higher power doesn't diminish that. As for Helly, there is very little to say about her as a villain, based on a 30 second video.

[@cb5484]

@@nautilusfiles Just because they are not the scariest villains does not mean that they cannot affect the innies lives. They are responsible for what they do, of course, but I think it does diminish their status as scary villains when they are not in charge. However, there are many good tales without a strong villainous character. The villain usually ends up being the situation, or the unknown, which is actually much more compelling. I think we will have to agree to disagree on this.

[@nautilusfiles]

@@cb5484 I think you are changing your argument a bit here, but that's fine. I'll say what I need to and that'll be the end of it for me. If you had said that there is another more powerful villain in the form of the unknown higher power, then ofc, Lumon is the bigger, scarier bad. There is not argument there. How much these two characters affect you, as a viewer, is subjective and that's fine too. Your original comment said they are "not really villains" and that's what I am disagreeing with. They are, relative to the perspective of the story. Malicious Intent and negative consequences are the price of admission into The Villain Club and both characters possess them in spades. Hans Landa is cited as the main villain of "Inglorious Basterds" even though he was just a highly promoted soldier of the Reich, at the end of the day.

[@Lindsay-Makes-Videos]

Am I the only one who doesn't associate "robot" with "doesn't dance"? 🤔

[@CassidyListon]

The simpler a villain's obstacles are and the more direct and sensible their response, the better the villain. I was playing FF16 and while I'm having an okay time... these villains make choices that don't make sense and give the heroes rope to hang them with.

[@LilBrownieD]

I bet there really are clones of him

[@KierraLovesHipsters]

What do y’all think Lumon pays their workers? Lol 7 figures?

[@MichealQuinm]

Milchick is an innie

[@safaamouradi9981]

Im here before this video gets famous 😊

[@jellyrcw12]

Why does he take so many pictures?!

[@nautilusfiles]

I believe it was preparation for the gala in the the finale, where you see all those blown up photos of her all over the gala floor. Milchick was probably tasked with getting these shots of a happy innie at work, as part of Lumon's campaign to normalize severance.

[@jellyrcw12]

@nautilusfiles now that I finished the show I agree

[@nocontextwhatever]

Milcheck is the best, in all the worst ways 😈

[@olovonborgberlin]

Could Outtie Milchik and Dylan be in a relationship ?

[@tinkergnomad]

I love your perspectives. As a writer (not claiming to be good, just claiming to enjoy writing) it's really helpful to me to know what intrigues an audience. Most of these theories are amazingly fun no matter if they pan out or not. I suspect as season 2 rolls out and some of the answers come to light, even the stuff that no one suspected, the clues will have been there all along. They've really thought this through, and played it close to the vest. I am really curious about the food situation in this world though. The foodless dinners, the diner, the melon/waffle parties and other food based work incentives... All of it is super strange, and I can't help but wonder what's going on with the food in this world.

[@nautilusfiles]

Yeah, I'm of the same mind on the approach to season 2. We know that they are adding quite a few new faces to the cast, which leads me to believe we won't get the answers we want until the latter half of the run. I think we will see a further fleshing-out of the world they exist in with a smattering of breadcrumbs here and there. I'm enjoying this mystery box, so I'm totally fine with them teasing things out a bit more lol.

[@tinkergnomad]

@@nautilusfiles I love that you brought up the "mystery box," and yeah, I think it's brilliant too. Still, I don't like a mystery box that never yields answers. One of the things I really love about this show is I trust the answers are coming.

[@like7Y50N]

I don't hate harmony. I think (for her age), she's a good looking woman. she's got a bit of a halo-effect going on.

[@1maaaks]

For me, Cobel is the least favorite part of the series because I do NOT see her as relatable at all. She is always too fake with the manner she speaks. At first I even thought that it is bad acting, not just intentionally fake character. I don't understand what they were trying to achieve with it - hopefully season 2 will explain it, too.

[@NessieJapan]

Arquette is the weak link in the cast. I don't know if it's the direction or the botox, but she delivers her lines artificially. I know Stiller likes to use her. She was in Escape at Dannemora, which was also outstanding. But, yeah: weak link in an otherwise stellar cast.

[@nautilusfiles]

Interesting take. I think her performance works well given she is supposed to be cold and detached, especially when she's in Cobel mode. She's the living embodiment of the corporation; she should come off as somewhat inhuman.

[@ollie2111]

Ngl I love Patricia Arquette but I felt similarly about her performance in this show 😭. And I KNOW she can be good, she was amazing on Medium. But idk her character feels unfittingly theatrical here. Like her character in Holes except it felt fitting in Holes.

[@doneisenbarth]

The artificial line delivery always feels intentional though. How does Harmony really feel about anything? I don’t know, because all of her interactions seem fake.

[@dubio77]

Hmm, I definitely think that is entirely intentional! I think if that weren’t the case, the performance wouldn’t be nearly as compelling.

[@bufboston1]

This show is such an embarrassment of riches.

[@RobinHerzig]

Didn't realize until now that Petey must've stolen that tape from Milchick! We can guess how he managed that + got it outside, difficult tho not impossible. More puzzle pieces🧩