What they want from you… | SEVERANCE Season 1 RETROSPECTIVE

Identity, Compartmentalization, Manipulation, and Corruption...Severance (Apple TV Series) Season 1 is an incredible commentary on the work place, religion, politics and more.
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[@alliepenaherrera1976]

This is how my old company was to a tee! It's crazy to me. It's a beautiful modern building with couches and a cafeteria downstairs and they have various parties and perks, but they also demand a lot from you for below average industry pay. They have signs all over with company slogans and even mascot (it's an animal) with pictures everywhere and someone even dresses up as it sometimes.... They have mastered corporate speak to sound like they value you but I can tell in the interactions I've had with different managers they all could not care less about us. It's a really eerie feeling.

[@DAVE477]

I've never been more excited for a season 2

[@benjimentv]

From season 3 got me more hype than this but it's good

[@TAEYYO]

I knowww! LOL I'm just surfing youtube looking for Season 1 reviews and stuff despite having already seen it and loved it.

[@RyanMathews-ld7hi]

5 days

[@DAVE477]

@@RyanMathews-ld7hi 😮

[@deesteve4156]

Its been 3 yrs wtf

[@japanimesekai3985]

I can’t get enough of Severance. It’s definitely my new LOST, which was a huge obsession for me back in the day. I have rewatched Severance a total of five times so far, and I see something new every time. It’s really brilliant and I wish so hard that the Writers strike would end so we could get it back up and running again! Ironic. Especially when the Writers strike hit during the peak of LOST as well, those were the days, just repeating again. I really enjoyed this video, and I hope you make more videos about Severance. It definitely seems more niche as I rarely find anyone who’s ever seen or heard of it, but it’s going to become a classic, especially if more people find out about it!

[@RobinHerzig]

There's lots of Severance reviews on youtube. Hope you've read the Lexington Letter + the Lumon Employee Handbook 😃

[@AnalogOcean]

You are a new old friend! LOST was my entire life for 6 years. i had a band,threw lost themed parties,had group watches,.and discussion groups....nothing has compared since then....until now with severance! i can not wait! i hope we get at least 4 seasons.

[@NotAllButMost]

@@AnalogOcean they just got approved for two more, so you were on the right track hoping for four!

[@AnalogOcean]

@@NotAllButMost that is very great news! Thank you for that...ive been so busy i havent been caught up to the news. im so happy...it'll hopefully give fans an end point to look forward to.its gonna be a great ride since if they have an end date,they can write the next 2 seasons with that in mind....once LOST got an end date,it got tighter and so much better. season 5 is my favorite season of television. Merry Xmas!

[@Scarshadow666]

Definitely agree that Severance is really good! Makes me wish that it wasn't hidden behind a major streaming paywall though (Apple TV+ can be unaffordable to a lot of people, so it makes it hard for me to recommend to others). Here's hoping that the Season 1 DVD gets affordable enough that it'll hook people.

[@KingOfWinter]

This show is amazing and your video brought stuff to my attention I never thought about before. Like the escape key missing on the keyboard. Also the way the supervisors act seem devilish at first glance. Like in the first episode when they pass the ball around introducing themselves. Why would you do that to someone you know doesn’t know who they are anymore but you made me realize what they are really doing is trying to speed up the process of the innie creating the person they will be while at work so they can actually work and not sit there and have an identity crisis. Though the supervisors sometimes seem to be purposely making the innies more defiant like how he wouldn’t just tell the guy about his kids or when they act mean and controlling instead of at least pretending to be understanding and like the situation is “out of their control” kind of like how mark acts because the situation truly is out of his control lol. I love how they had their cake and ate it too with how they were able to show what life is like at work but still kept the mystery box of what it is they actually do at work. I hope to see them play around a little more with the innie and outie structure. Like have a super sweet man/woman innie be a serial killer outie or a super mean innie be the nicest person ever outie like how people sometimes tend to hold in their feelings. If you liked this show you should watch “From” imo they are the best two shows out right now.

[@TwiPrime]

Thanks for talking about this show! I can't get enough of deep dives, interpretation and theories as to what's really going on at Lumon.

[@Salari]

Severance is so damn good, and I loved your analysis. It's a shame there's been some (alleged) internal difficulties during the production of season 2, because that cliffhanger in the finale was killer. Also wanted to say I've gone through all your Office videos now, keep up the great work!

[@Mulverine]

Means a lot

[@TwiPrime]

I really took the talk of discord in the show-running environment with a grain of salt. I think what might delay us more, now, is the writers' strike. However, more power to them.

[@RobinHerzig]

Also ‘Sorry To Bother You’ seems right up your alley 😁

[@philollenberg]

17:40 My old office had this exact speaker system. It sounded just line a fan, but tuned to a frequency that dampened human speech, so it made people feel safer talking to one another in close spaces (i.e. your cubicle mates) and made it hard for the next cubicle over to hear you.

[@Tony2dH]

I heard in an interview once about interrogation rooms that when speech is recorded with this type of background noise, it is pretty easy to filter the noise out and hear intelligible speech

[@darrylphinnessee3731]

I really enjoyed your insightful dive into the show's underlying psychological structure. I find this show immensely intriguing, especially as I am an outsider peeking Into the corporate world. They had me at: the numbers on the computer screen evoking fear etc. What a wildly imaginative thing to come up with. And that's one of many! I just went back and watched season one again in anticipation of season 2 but I was also spurred on by your coaxing. As many here have surely done, I've scoured the internet for all things severance related to get my "fix" and my visit here has been extremely rewarding! Back to work! (watching a 3rd time that is...) Good job!

[@BrianLarney]

It's wild. In 2019, my company moved to a new, updated office. White noise generators were installed in the ceilings.

[@sunnybunny7053]

Despite this being a new show, it’s probably my all-time favorite, even above Breaking Bad and others. We’ll see how the next seasons go but…yeah. Awesome show!

[@Revan-eb1wb]

agree. The last show that left me amazed like Severance was ''the leftovers''

[@gevoian]

i tried leftovers a long time ago, didnt like it based off the first episode, tried it again recently and it is one of my favorite shows even tho i do find some parts to be slow. @@Revan-eb1wb

[@calvindomin441]

All I can say about this show is I’ve watched it twice, may very well watch it 3 times before the second season comes out and I cannot stop thinking about szn2😭😭😭😭

[@albeit1]

I have lost count. 2 years is a looooong time.

[@burgergud2804]

I’m happy that this show is getting a video

[@lukeluke333lukeluke]

Such a great show. I loved everything about. I love the concept and ideas it presents. The cast and characters are great and all stand out. Nice intro video for the show and love the music. Can't wait for a season 2. Nice video.

[@BarHanSolo]

Lumon is just covered in technical debt - that explains old devices in office and never changed procedures. That also corresponds with the severed people not knowing what is outside. When you give fifty years old tech to modern people they will start to mutiny saying that they have better computer at home. Those people inside will not do that. And also corporate thinking about upgardes: why change something if it is not broken?

[@ballooneyjr4294]

I think you’re way off lol, their tech is clearly advanced…. They have millions for brain surgery procedure but cant accord to update a computer? The “old” tech is clearly used on purpose for an aesthetic they’re trying to achieve on the inside

[@brockjenks]

​@ballooneyjr4294 its also used to reduce outside hacking, since all the older analog tech is able to be more internal, similar to CCTV's

[@Deeper489]

Or they’re all old devices to insure that the innies have no way of connecting to the internet

[@joek81981]

This is the first show I've experienced entirely thru video essays on KZbin. It feels right to me.

[@justinkintzel]

Great take here. The irony in “you can Google it” tho. 😂

[@shelbyguertin3195]

Only a couple minutes into this but I’m SO happy to hear someone else compare this show to Lost

[@ApolloX18]

Mulverine, just wanted to say that I loved your video! Totally turned me onto the show. Sending love your way from the other side of the state; the vastly superior Kansas City ;)

[@Mulverine]

How dare you…

[@alambster]

Are you from St. Louis?

[@cbabe1]

I’m glad you did a video on this wonderful show!

[@worldadventuretravel]

Really great analysis. As to the story specifically, I just binge-watched the first season and I remain convinced that they are not employees, but subjects of a mind control experiment. One indicator among many is the way the "company" infantilizes them all the way down to their job descriptions and incentives you'd use to motivate a third-grade classroom, not a team of grown adults doing something important. In fact, the pointless busywork of their "job" is something any company could easily accomplish with AI instead of setting up a Byzantine labyrinth of deception just to keep four human employees in line. They're also obviously in some kind of a cult where the lead figure and his progeny have been mythologized into some type of gods. I don't believe they're putting out a product or service at all. I think they are simply working toward the goal of an entirely compliant, mind-controlled body politic.

[@darrylphinnessee3731]

What they couldn't accomplish with AI is an "emotional" response to the numbers on the computer screen used for binning them into categories. I am infinitely intrigued to find out what the hell that is going on with that!

[@RobinHerzig]

You've gotta do a take on the Lexington Letter + the Lumon Employee Handbook 👏 You must!

[@nothingisoriginal400]

outstanding produced video amigo!!!

[@itsthat8496]

Looking forward to the next Office Video!

[@RobinHerzig]

25:02 completely forgot about that cell phone! That's a telling clue📱on the outie paradigm! Part of the show's design is that time-shifting/decade-shifting set-up, that keeps us guessing. I was looking at the cars trying to identify the era outside, also with Petey's phone… It's a little bit easier to do on the inside at the office… but only kinda

[@Skatche]

It's amazing to me that they would spend so much money and spilled ink on the problem of breaking the silence in open workplaces and ultimately settle on white noise instead of, you know, _music._

[@DarthRayj]

Music inspires emotion, causes distraction, and could reduce productivity.

[@Alvxlw]

Also, I argue this all the time: innie mark is not a boot licker. Petey makes it clear in dialogue to outside mark that they both have tried to escape and have both been anti-Lumon for a long time. I think innie Mark is just trying to survive and protect his coworkers, especially Helly as she’s new

[@exzisd]

I am just now realizing that Ricken's book title alone answers the question we hear at the very start of the show. Who are you? The response, the title of the book, The You You Are. Also the titling of episodes refers to this question and answer but I think the fact Ricken's book is called The You You Are says a lot about his character. These characters are estranged from themselves at work and then this book is introduced to them. We are led to believe the book is not meant to be seen by them at work or outside of work but what if Ms. Cobell brought the book to work intentionally wanting Mark to recreate his identity with this generic slate? There's so many what ifs for this book and for this show at large that I could go on but I'll refrain as I've written to many long comments on my speculations regarding this show. Can't wait for season 2.

[@nedthestaffieegan3452]

I had an elaborate thought process around the various levels and meanings behind the book. I tend to agree with your insight about the book being deliberately left, with the intention of it being found for whatever reason. Nothing is left to chance at Lumen, every single operational aspect and procedure is meticulously documented in manuals (where requests to speak to managers need a formal request to be submitted 😅). If there was some intentionality behind leaving the book, it might indicate the possibility of the purpose behind the 'work' as being some psychological experiment, something about how a new personality/ identity might be created with a blank slate. When they sign up for severance, they arrive for 'work' with no sense of self, preconceptions or self consciousness based on their life experiences, outside relationships and the expectations of who they think they are meant to be, what they are expected to do and their behavior. Most of us wear several masks to function in society, and they form a large portion of our identity and how we present in the external world. It's like a fresh start going into lumen, with the same predispositions and inherent character traits, but how they emerge and develop is mostly determined by the culture and influence of Lumen itself. Playing a parental surrogate role, the Eagan's and the legend are the family. I've gone on a tangent, my point was about the book and a loose connection with my essay 😅 a point I noticed was interesting, about the author and the difference between how much the book mattered inside and outside. The title and the self-helpy vibe came across as cheesy and not something to be taken too seriously. The author seemed to care about it a lot, it clearly meant something to him and he cared deeply about how it would be received. Initially it came across as him being egotistical and self obsessed, to the point of it being more important than the imminent birth of his baby. His disappointment about Mark not reading it was more of a priority, and barely attempting to conceal his distraction. Even the way he went to great lengths the way he wrapped the book and placing it at the perfect spot outside Marks door. He valued Mark's opinion highly, above anything else it seems, but this was impossible due to the book being intercepted. If Outie Mark had read it, he probably would have done so reluctantly, as he didn't seem to have much respect for the author. Whatever his preconceptions were, might have clouded his ability to read with an open mind, free of scepticism or judging it by different standards. It was fascinating to see how innie Mark responded to the book, with it resonating on a profoundly deep level. I found myself identifying with this, with the excerpts having more personal meaning coming from the perspective of the innies. When the book launch party was happening, Mark was genuinely delighted to share his feedback and how much he connected with the book. His enthusiasm and sincerity came across as patronizing and ironic, as he wasn't believed, which had a kind of sadness for me. It says a lot about the precious moments of connection and resonance we miss, through our fixed ideas and preconceptions of other people. If someone we don't like, or respect, creates something, we tend to dismiss or consider objectively. When we pick up a book that is written by an author we respect and admire, we are receptive and open. But if not, we overlook and either reject as irrelevant to us, without even giving it a chance. Severance is such an existential universe for me, I could ponder it for years and find new perspectives 😅

[@jojoma2248]

yo this is actually a fire cometary about society did not expect this. Big ups

[@timothyngo]

Welcome to the apple tv+ field guide

[@richsoutherland2924]

I enjoyed all the comments below equally.

[@Alvxlw]

I worked for a corporation with VERY cult-like culture. They worked tirelessly to convince low level employees that they would get insane payoffs for working 50-60 hours per week. They gave every new employee business cards. They made us compete and ranked us- people who cared would watch their ranking closely and place great value on it. People were manipulated into doing truly disgusting and harmful things to customers/clients for a chance at a better ranking (which you could actively see on your desktop or iPad throughout the day). The top performers each month would get the ✨privilege✨ of joining high level managers for lunch as a celebration. The entire thing was so gross.

[@wolfdesk]

As for the design and tech .. I can't shake the feeling that the Arboria Institute from Beyond the Black Rainbow was on the mood board.

[@AlsoSal]

You’re not the weird one … says the retired philosophy professor. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for normality but hey, you’re one of us man. Like it or not.

[@margaretfk]

Wooooo love the new content!

[@kidreek]

Nah where u get that beat that start at 14:05 lmao i need that lowkey

[@TheDopoqob]

Have you seen FX You're the Worst? Would love to see a video essay about it from you

[@Junemclovin]

Yes!!!!!!!

[@marcusnickens6665]

This show is so good‼️

[@loicduchesne6891]

Covered Black Mirror yet?

[@Loudfilmz]

I can’t believe I only started watching this last week! I’m up to date now! I would like to know why Dylan and Irving choose the severance and what is up with harmony stalking mark

[@alexwright4930]

Wait some cubicle style American offices really don't have windows like Vegas? Pretty much every office I've worked in here in England does thankfully, including the public sector office I work in now. We also generally have open plan offices rather than cubicles.

[@micheles.1179]

Ive only seen it in old offices. The new style is between open concept and cubicle so everyone does share a long desk but there are partitions clearly defining one employees space from another. It creates a “bull pen” atmosphere and feels much more collaborative (and yes we can see the windows lol)

[@davidhill5015]

I used to look at ants and think the same thing

[@jkdbuck7670]

Yeah we had a vp ops force us into the open office concept. It and he didn't last long. It was crap.

[@lenanicole2837]

yeah it's giving Carl Jung 101

[@joaoguilherme5839]

bro how did u not clock u were working side by side with a dude that ended up in rehab? bet you never had that experience before right? now if it happens again, I bet you'll clock it earlier. if my boss had a bad bowel mvmt before work I clock that shit immediately because over time I got very proficient in scanning his moods out of self interest. that's why this show doesn't make sense splitting your experiences in half just create 2 dumb versions of yourself where u never learn social cues from work thus can't apply them in personal life and vice versa

[@Longingforinvisible]

How do we know that that’s not what sleep is?

[@tonygoodkind7858]

Came in expecting to disagree due to the thumbnail and title (corps wanting more) not really being a major theme of the show. But then you immediately launched into an actual main theme (compartmentalization), and yeah that's exactly it. That and broader themes around identity -- and yes a minor theme is also corporate exploitation (ie companies always wanting more).

[@albeit1]

2:37 Ted Lasso is inauthentic, pollyannaish and repetitive. It should not be mentioned anywhere near Severance. 😂

[@Deeper489]

4:58 neither are real they are both subhuman