Severance season 2 explained: We know what Cold Harbor is!

[@fgoindarkg]

In Maritime law, passengers are cargo. Harbor is where ships park to load\unload cargo. Cold Harbor is the floor where the cargo (dead people) are stored before delivery. The data are likely memories that are assigned emotions to help rebuild personalities.

[@MattandJessTV]

This does make a lot of sense, as well. Could it also work? I can see it, even though I went more down a historical rabbit hole just because of a lot of the show's various Civil War references and Easter eggs. -Matt

[@fgoindarkg]

​@@MattandJessTV Multiple meanings my man Matt.

[@andreacarreiro5436]

WOW!!! That's amazing

[@amandahill4289]

Long comment incoming: This is why I think at this point it’s pretty clear based on S1, that Cobel had ulterior motives to get a loved one back through the severance procedure on people declared “brain dead”. We saw the ventilator tube she had with the hospital bracelet for Charlotte Cobel (maybe a mother, child or sister). I think she did everything she did (albeit in seemingly sinister ways), following Mark both inside and out, because she actually hoped that he and Gemma would remember each other. I think Gemma was likely declared “brain dead” and had to pull the plug, but Lumon (as Devon says) “has their hands in so many pies” that they were able to take her with Mark presuming she was dead. You could see that Cobel was visibly disappointed in S1E8 that Gemma and Mark weren’t remembering anything, also when she has Gemma light her own candle in a room with Mark. She was almost in tears when she said “take her back down to the testing floor”. She also seems to be somewhat hopeful about reintegration. I think she hopes someone staying alive through Severance can be reintegrated, so that she can have this loved one back. Milchick, as we know, is full throttle about severance working in perhaps the way y’all explained. “You know it’s good they don’t remember each other, it means the chips work.” You could always see how apprehensive he was when Cobel broke protocol and tested Mark with Gemma, which is why he turned her in and got her fired. But in my opinion, we need her back somehow. I also have no idea how Milchick still has a job, let alone became her replacement as his screwup in S1E6 and actions that followed was the catalyst for them breaking out in the first place.

[@MattandJessTV]

I originally thought that Gemma was brain dead or in a coma and Mark and the family was told that she was dead but that lumon took her to have her permanently severed as part of the program. the issue i ran into with my theory was that everyone in the severed world has a functioning body which doesn't work with this theory if she's basically bed ridden :( - Jess

[@MattandJessTV]

Fun thoughts! Does Lumon just value loyalty above all else, even with mistakes? We also have to ponder over the idea that the company itself has a clear old and new guard with varying philosophies on what could be happening. Cobel seems to have at least some sort of ulterior motive, whether it be Kier, her past, or otherwise. Milchick is a little more unclear. -Matt

[@cchester543]

I have been following Matt and Jess for years. They never fail to deliver timely and thoughtful commentary. Very pleasant as well. Worth subscribing.

[@MattandJessTV]

Awwww thank you so much :). How did you like the premiere of Severance? - Jess

[@cchester543]

@ I love shows that keep me guessing. I have faith that the team behind this show will deliver. The show’s concept is so fresh and unnerving. I just hope they divvy out the answers in a timely manner and don’t frustrate viewers so that they start tuning out. I’m a loyal viewer once I get hooked so I will stay to the end regardless, (i.e.-I never missed a single episode of The Walking Dead).

[@MattandJessTV]

i completely agree with you on that! I think this show will deliver and we will get really interesting and satisfying answers when the time comes. I'm the same, i'll watch till the wheels fall off, I also watched the walking dead to the end hahahaha - Jess

[@BradsPitts.]

My theory is that there’s sort of a Frankenstein element of the Severance project that’s looking to keep Keir’s consciousness alive (the “revolving” mentioned in the season 1 finale). Maybe that’s what the Cold Harbor project is, where the original Keir actually died in battle. Gemma/Ms. Casey is a viable test subject because she actually did die

[@BradsPitts.]

Basically like Get Out or that one season of the 100 lol

[@MattandJessTV]

Hahaha oh I know! And wouldn't that be a way to keep a part of Kier alive? I can see it -Matt

[@taylorlong2838]

You both are the best! We look forward to your theories so much!

[@MattandJessTV]

We appreciate that! What are you liking the most about the season? -Matt

[@georgiadavis9646]

one thing, I don't know if we can really trust is that it has been five months since their outie/innie swap. Some time must have passed for Lumon to have created the claymation onboarding video/make the newspaper, but Milchick's office still isn't set up, and we have nothing but Milchick's word to validate this timeline. I just don't think we should assume the five-month timeline to be true

[@MattandJessTV]

Yea, someone else mentioned that as well, and it's a good point! How much time HAS passed? It's something that we can, at the very least, keep watch of moving forward. -Matt

[@suzebeerens4422]

Unless you live on Vancouver Island and then we get very mild weather.

[@andrewsj70]

Here's my two cents. There are two purposes to the severance procedure that are closely related to each other. The first is to turn people into blank slates upon which they imprint the ideals of work into their employees, putting Kier's philosophy into practice. If the goal is to recreate Kier to resurrect him by recreating his "soul" via a proper combination of the Four Tempers, having blank slates may make it easier to find and sort the coded numbers to reassemble Kier's mind. Without interference from people's daily lives and experiences. Having Kier's manuals as the only reading material for the innies may help tune them to Kier's way of thinking. Gemma fits into this as an experiment in mind recreation. We know that Mark was highly successful when he started, far and away outperforming his coworkers. That alone make him more valuable. Ms. Cobel was conducting her own unsanctioned experiment with Ms. Casey and Mark, because of their outie relationship. After season 1, the Board would know about this experiment, and it may have been quite successful, if not reaching their goal yet. This would increase Mark's value further. And if he wants his crew back to be that productive again, they may move Heaven and Earth to continue the experiment as it would further their actual goal of Kier's resurrection. Perhaps they named Gemma's file Cold Harbor because they think it may be the turning point that allows them to accomplish their goals. I think I may know how other parts fit into this (goats, selection for severance, employee treatment), but this is where I'll leave it for now.

[@MattandJessTV]

I think I could see that. Out of all projects, doesn't it at least feel like Lumon is prioritizing Cold Harbor? It's possible they have ones of equal import elsewhere, but why are we seeing this one specifically? -Matt

[@andrewsj70]

@@MattandJessTV they may be prioritizing Cold Harbor because of the success with Ms. Casey in the last quarter, due to Ms. Cobel's experiment. That's why Mark is working on the file. Something about their outie connection is enhancing the process of resurrection. That could be why Helly was brought on board. Because of her connection to Kier.

[@lauravs9754]

Thanks for covering.

[@MattandJessTV]

Thanks for watching! -Matt

[@PaganSkye]

Love this show. I liked and subscribed 🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@MattandJessTV]

thank you so much! How are you enjoying the season so far? - Jess

[@djburnette87]

VA boy born and raised. Loved this vid🤌🏿🙌🏿💪🏿

[@MattandJessTV]

Appreciate it! What do you think is gonna happen with Cold Harbor? -Matt

[@djburnette87]

@@MattandJessTV when you are severed and your outtie dies the innies consciousness is preserved in underground storage called cold harbor waiting for the confederates to rise or something.lol 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@MattandJessTV]

Lol I know, whatever they are doing 100% it ain't good -- why else you gotta keep their entire work environment a secret from their true selves? -Matt

[@francescaa8331]

BTW - saw an interview with Ben Stiller and he said those balloons are significant. Ben referred to a specific scene. Mark walks down the hallway and lets go of the balloons...they hit the ceiling. Ben loved that scene and he said it was meaningful. My guess...something in the floor above Mark is very important. Maybe Gemma is right above him. Maybe other people.

[@MattandJessTV]

Could the balloons be symbolic as well? I think there are a lot of different meanings that could be taken from it ... at least for now. -Matt

[@JohnSmith-bq6nf]

I think someoe brought up balloons are them. The innies can't escape where they are at just like balloons are stuck there.

[@T121T]

Ben Stiller has already shown they wont keep away from doing us dirty, like what they did with the baby and Ms Cobel/Selvig, creating high tensions over nothing.

[@francescaa8331]

Someone suggested that they have more personalities in there than we know created from the chip. That would really explain the balloons.

[@JohnSmith-bq6nf]

@@francescaa8331 What would be point of them having multiple personalities? If cloning is truly ruled out I guess that could be it.

[@kristenskaff1669]

This all is giving me Scientology vibes lol

[@MattandJessTV]

lol well I think at the very least you have someone who wants people to think that their teachings are right above all others -- but can they really keep all of these "followers" in line? -Matt

[@kristenskaff1669]

@MattandJessTV yeah it's going to be very interesting to see how they will try to make that happen.

[@MattandJessTV]

maybe it's like Jess said and that's the idea of the severed program - to get people to fall in line? -Matt

[@kristenskaff1669]

​@MattandJessTV I think Jess is definitely on to something with that

[@MattandJessTV]

I do too! -Matt

[@pdill9712]

Looking at this show in relationship to cults, brings a whole new layer. I have studied the cult of scientology and this show references so much of what goes on when you become a sea org member. You dedicate yourself to a billion year contract. They believe you have lived many lives and will continue to. When they introduced a child in season2 Episode 1, that is totally scientology. They believe a child is just an adult in a child's body.

[@jeralddarakjy2989]

Mark being a history teacher could play into it

[@MattandJessTV]

Oh 100%! Almost an unspoken connection in a way. -Matt

[@darlenehynes855]

Ben Stiller was in the area around Bonavista, Newfoundland filming Severance. He actually promoted a music festival in aid of a local woman’s shelter.

[@MattandJessTV]

Oh that's wonderful! I knew he was up there but didn't know about the festival. -Matt

[@Sachistar7591]

I also think of cold spring harbor which is a forefront location for molecular biology and neuroscience research

[@MattandJessTV]

Oooo great theory! That would make a lot of sense - Jess

[@devinleisinger4855]

Episodes been dropping Thursday night

[@MattandJessTV]

Yup! Every Thursday night :) - Jess

[@rini6]

I wish I could stay up! I get up for work too early.

[@dont_be_a_marder]

There's also a "Dranseville" file. Another historic battleground site in Virginia.

[@MattandJessTV]

Nice catch!!! - Jess

[@GarageSpaceship]

"...named for the Cold Harbor Tavern which provided shelter (harbor) but no hot meals." Remember the dinner party with no food? I'm starting to suspect that some of the "people" don't need food, because they are some sort of man made construct. No hot meals for them, only shelter.

[@GarageSpaceship]

When the Innie Mark S. sustains a minor injury during Helly R.’s orientation, his Outie is given an apology note and a Pip’s VIP Card as compensation. The card grants Mark a visit to the restaurant’s VIP section, where he later goes to have a meal. While there, Mark mentions to Mrs. Selvig that "they've cooked the food and it's here" ... is Pip's the only place for a hot meal? I think everything else we've seen them eat is cold... "Life is not food" Something interesting to think about.

[@MattandJessTV]

Hmm that is interesting! So it's not necessarily like an android, but some other creation? Just like a good meal, I'll let this simmer for a while. -Matt

[@GarageSpaceship]

@@MattandJessTVI’ll let it all simmer 😁 So many possibilities. I’ve recently begun to wonder if some of these characters are only in their minds. Petey certainly seemed to be hallucinating on the outside. 🤔

[@BMORETODAY]

Cold Harbor is basically shut down think West world when they had all copies in a cold storage room basically on idle. 68% loading once shes at 100% back on the floor. They had to reset her due to the comment she said about liking being in the room with Mark

[@Croc_Clips]

On the Apple TV page, their seems to be a secret trailer. It shows clips of the testing floor, Burt in some kind of jungle with a computer with two cursers, and mark seeming to undergo the Regabi precedure. I SWEAR its all their, nd theirs a lot more I didnt feel like typing out. (It seems like red sweater mark is his outie inside of Lumon!)😮😮

[@MattandJessTV]

If they do pull a switcheroo like that, can you imagine? I think there are likely going to be at least a few big twists ahead... -Matt

[@msdew5631]

Which AppleTV page?

[@ceefrmdatwo]

i think while Gemma was alive she worked at Lumon without mark knowing, and when she passed away in the car accident her innie remained at Lumon as "Ms Casey".

[@MattandJessTV]

I had thought something similar but I couldn't reconcile how would she be there without a body or a functioning body. We have severed people there and unsevered people like milchick that are actually physically there. How can she physically be there? - Jess

[@Carlitty]

She was a professor in Ganz University.

[@francescaa8331]

Good review. Oh, that's fun that they used a code name.

[@MattandJessTV]

Lots of big shows do, but it's always fun to hear about it. -Matt

[@whatthewonder]

i've been wondering if the "Sunset Park" that Petey mentioned during his reintegration sickness episode is similar to Cold Harbor

[@MattandJessTV]

Possibly? I will at least say this if we're talking history: Sunset Park in Brooklyn saw a lot of building in the years after the Civil War... -Matt

[@whatthewonder]

@MattandJessTV by any chance would the location of “Lexington” also have a relation? Like from the Severance spin-off short story “The Lexington Letters,” it was the name of a completed file in their MDR department.

[@thewellnessessentials6478]

I think they NEED Mark because as a husband he has an subconscious connection to her…

[@MattandJessTV]

100%! I think that's why the numbers just "kinda come to you" as you see them and put them in the box. I think each person has a person they are intuitively connected too. - Jess

[@D_Rahs]

Are there any other tv shows with this many questions? This much of a puzzle? I can't think of any other show with THIS much!

[@MattandJessTV]

Good question!! There are certainly some like Yellowjackets that always have a ton of questions, but severance is next level! - Jess

[@cinne2135]

"From!"And unlike the 3rd show, Silo, From & Severance are unique to their screenplays, not relying on previously published material. The best!

[@lunacascade1125]

IMO Cold Harbor is definitely a reference to the Civil War battle. I dont think they are referring to a place but rather a state of mind. Lumon wants to create modern day total slaves. Completely devoted drunk the koolaid employee doing the Eagan agenda without conscious. Perfection in Severance. What I’m curious about are the attitudes of the insevered Lumon employee.

[@MattandJessTV]

I do think that they are trying to create their own group of private employees that can be controlled at will, while at the same time maintaining a pristine image? Is that going to be so much easier said than done? Sure, and it does feel like that bubble could eventually burst! -Matt

[@visualoo1918]

Oh shit, the companion piece to this show is the short story “Lexington Letters”.

[@lunacascade1125]

@@MattandJessTV but isn’t Keir /Jame Eagan ultimate goal to to “gift” everyone globally severance? Wouldn’t that realistically be global slavery?

[@Gemstar_70]

IMO & guess, I think that Irving used to work in the Break Room that Mark S.'s wife goes to the elevator, which leads her to the basement. This may be the reason why Irving's outty keeps painting the same room & elevator (with an arrow pointing downward) every night.

[@MattandJessTV]

Oh that is possible! Could it be his subconscious telling him something, just as Mark's may be with Gemma at all times? -Matt

[@Gemstar_70]

​@@MattandJessTV If not Irving's former position or was a victim, but now Ms. Casey is the current victim. To answer your question, I similarly believe & agree with you that Irving's subconscious has been revealing something to him. So whatever torment Irving endured (if he was a victim), even if Lumon tried to erase all memories of that room & its functions, consequently, I think it caused Irving PTSD. Perhaps it's the reason why Ms. Casey was subconsciously strict with him during his sessions with her b/c Irving was probably her former tormentor, if that was his former position.🤔

[@fgoindarkg]

Irving likely had Milchick's job. That's how he got inside info. Lumon found out and sent him down for retraining.

[@Gemstar_70]

@@fgoindarkg That could be possible.

[@Gemstar_70]

@ If you noticed, Milchick doesn't seem to like Ms. Huang b/c he's rude towards her. I think it's b/c it diminishes his managerial position by having a child as his backup & who assumed his former position. I think he feels insulted, which I get how he feels!🤔

[@MediaMelanieTV]

Great theories!! 🔥

[@MattandJessTV]

Thanks Melanie! What do you think Cold Harbor is? -Matt

[@MediaMelanieTV]

@ I mean I have no idea but there’s gotta be a tie in with the Kier origin like you said?? Or maybe it’s the name of the town they live in or sourced these other testing floor people(?) from?? Either way I can’t wait to find out!!

[@MattandJessTV]

Hopefully they gave us more soon! I just don't wanna be waiting ALL season where we're stuck trying to figure at least this part out haha -Matt

[@garyseven777]

I like where you are going here, the Civil War must have some formative influence on Lumon. The new painting with a Civil War General Sword and an army points this way as well. Is the idea to restore a new form of slavery?

[@MattandJessTV]

I think they are looking for a form of corporate control, where they can have their way, look good for the public, and achieve constant results. We'll need more of the 19th century to understand Kier's full viewpoints, but what happened in and around Cold Harbor feels like a clear influence. -Matt

[@garyseven777]

@ I think it is much more nefarious than that…

[@fgoindarkg]

Some have said that the 14th amendment didn't free the slaves, it reduced everyone to a corporate servant.

[@garyseven777]

@@fgoindarkg the Innies are slaves by definition- they see zero fruits of their labors and are never allowed to stop working unless they die.

[@dguzman171]

Crackpot speculation, but do we know anything about what happened to Kier's wife? What if she died at/around the Battle of Cold Harbor, and Kier founded Lumen to work on technology to bring her back to life? Gemma/Ms. Casey could be the vessel they are preparing to host her, or at least the primary prototype, which may be why she (and therefore Mark) is so important.

[@MattandJessTV]

It would not surprise me at all if he was some mad scientist! Also, wouldn't these whole "teachings" be a way to influence others to accept his beliefs? -Matt

[@VanessaM-dg2cw]

So you guys get prime target ahead of time? Nice. Starting tomorrow. I’ll watch.

[@MattandJessTV]

we do get screeners early sometimes! This show is excellent, really fun! - Jess

[@fgoindarkg]

I think everything in this show is a reflection of reality.

[@MattandJessTV]

In what way? -Matt

[@JohnSmith-bq6nf]

I wanted what did you guys think about the balloon symbolism? In the scene with the breakroom I saw a light balloon on the floor. Made me think that they are on a different floor.

[@MattandJessTV]

That is interesting! Could it also symbolism how this entire operation is floating along and could pop at any moment? -Matt

[@JohnSmith-bq6nf]

@@MattandJessTV Maybe so. I do think too that the painting of kier in union uniform with the blue army behind them backs up your theory of them making an army under their control.

[@fgoindarkg]

​@@JohnSmith-bq6nf Or perhaps a navy?

[@JonathanGrandt]

Milkshake is permanently severed.

[@HodajuciParadoks]

To be honest it looks like they are working on AI ...and training it to behave as human, I have that feeling, probably I am wrong. But maybe they are the copy of the personality of the human...training the chip to behave as humans, and at the end they might need to give back that chip in their head and all info and project it did.. I do not think they are just workers, they are the product, part of it. How , not sure if I am right, but it looks like it.

[@MattandJessTV]

People are the product? Or, modified versions of people? It is possible, especially with the way that a lot of AI models seem to be working at this point. -Matt

[@HodajuciParadoks]

And it has cult vibes

[@HodajuciParadoks]

@ We will see what happens. But one thing we all know , workers are replaceable, they only do this much if they are the product. We will see where it goes, for now it is interesting, first season was really good.

[@visualoo1918]

You’re probably on to something. Clearly, this show is a sci-fi dystopian version of where we are now. Many analysts state that we are the product for big companies, especially social media ones. It’s not that the app is the product for us, it’s that we are the product (with our data) for the app to generate revenue.

[@fgoindarkg]

Some have said that the captcha test is training AI for self driving. Text captchas are training AI to read text from captured images from cameras in smartphones. We know they're listening, and watching. They're learning to read our documents. In 2001 HAL learned to read lips. The final frontier is reading our thoughts. I'm not so sure the can't already do that. Have you ever noticed that sometimes you just think something and next day it's in your feed?

[@Anomaly13g]

Oooh awesome sauce theories!! Tin foil hat EXPLOSION 🤯😊

[@MattandJessTV]

Hahaha thanks! What theory are you sticking to about Cold Harbor? -Matt

[@Anomaly13g]

@MattandJessTV I also thought about the historical context to cold harbor. I think there's a quiet commentary and I think it's connected to how lumon began. Also cold harbor the name I could be reaching but these people are essentially cold and are harbored harvested at lumon reprogrammed through that data work. The poetics of the show are profound and I think everything is intentional. Jess said it in the last video.. it is so sad what they are doing. I'm truly fascinated by this show and exploring the end game of it all. Loving the ride.

[@kimmiecarne]

Allentown the file that Mark got is engraved face thing from is also a Civil War battle. They mak sure to keep showing us that it says Allentown. I don't know why the files are named after Cilvil War battles though, lol

[@MattandJessTV]

Doesn't it seem somehow tied to the founding date? Feels like there's some sort of Kier secret hidden there! -Matt

[@fgoindarkg]

MDR vs O&D, innies vs outies, lumoneers vs punks, management vs staff, board vs management, Reghabi vs Graner, Cobel vs everyone... Divide & conquer, it's all the rage these days.

[@HobokenSquatCobbler]

Oh yeah... great theory about "The Battle of Cold Harbor" in Virginia. Except... it's Cold SPRING Harbor, as in Cold Spring Harbor in New York, where DNA was discovered. 🙄

[@MattandJessTV]

I dunno! There's just a connection timeline-wise to when Lumon was founded. Something may be a red herring, but there are Easter eggs to battles here as well -Matt