Mr. Milchick (played by Tramell Tillman) is one of the most disliked characters in Severance, a villain fans love to hate. In Season 2, more layers of his character are revealed, and viewers get a closer look at what’s been going on beneath his cold, professional exterior.
The show has been slowly uncovering his vulnerabilities, especially in Episode 5, which highlights the many mistakes Mr. Milchick has been making since he took over Ms. Cobel’s (Patricia Arquette) position as the manager of the severed floor. Though he has always been one of Lumon’s most dedicated employees, it is clear that the pressure of the job is starting to get to him.
Mr. Milchick has been under a lot of stress. From the bizarre Kier blackface paintings to the ORTBO fiasco and working alongside a child, he has had a tough time. Episode 5 shows how these challenges, along with a poor performance review, have pushed him to his breaking point.
His interaction with Mark (Adam Scott) in the elevator is a clear indication that Mr. Milchick may soon become much harsher in his approach. The promise to “tighten the leash” is not an empty threat, and he may soon take more extreme actions.
Mr. Milchick’s New Role in Season 2
At the beginning of Season 2, after Ms. Cobel’s firing, Mr. Milchick takes over her position as the manager of the severed floor. However, things are not going smoothly for him. In Season 1, Mr. Milchick was the friendly face who acted as a bridge between the MDR employees and Ms. Cobel, who was cold and controlling.
Milchick visited the severed floor to ensure the team was following orders and to prevent any rebellions. Now, though, he has the difficult task of managing the floor, with no Ms. Cobel to report to.
He is now forced to work with the young Miss Huang (Sarah Bock), who has a job at Lumon, though it’s confusing as to why she’s a child. She is a hardworking employee, but it’s clear that she is frustrating Mr. Milchick, especially as she gets on his nerves.
In Episode 3, Mr. Milchick is presented with some “inclusively re-canonicalized paintings” as a token of appreciation from the board. These paintings clearly disturb him, but he does his best to pretend that he’s not bothered by them.
When he tries to talk to Natalie (Sydney Cole Alexander) off the record about the paintings, she refuses to engage. This moment shows that Milchick is unable to open up to anyone at Lumon, and his frustration only grows as the season progresses.
Mr. Milchick is struggling to keep things running smoothly. He is trying to please both Mark and the board, but it’s becoming clear that the job is wearing on him. All of his problems come to a head during his first performance review.
Milchick’s Struggles and Performance Review
During Mr. Milchick’s performance review, Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) starts off with some trivial complaints, like misplaced paperclips and using too many complicated words. But the biggest issue is Milchick’s leadership style.
Mr. Drummond points out that Milchick’s softer approach didn’t stop the MDR team from acting out, and it also didn’t prevent the disastrous ORTBO event. The ORTBO event resulted in Irving (John Turturro) being fired and put the Eagan name at risk. Drummond tells Milchick to treat the employees for what they “really are,” implying that they need to be controlled with more force.
Milchick quickly agrees to “tighten the leash” and change his approach. Though he remains professional during the meeting, there’s a noticeable shift in his attitude. His interaction with Mark in the elevator soon after shows that Milchick is becoming much more aggressive.
Mr. Milchick’s Confrontation with Mark
After receiving harsh criticism in his performance review, Mr. Milchick decides to take action. His first step in tightening the leash is to intimidate Mark. He gets on the elevator with him as they leave the office for the night. At first, Milchick is calm and composed, but when Mark mocks him, the tension rises.
Milchick gets close to Mark and bluntly asks him if he told Helly (Britt Lower) that he “f*cked” her outie during the ORTBO event. Mark doesn’t seem to be very affected by this question, but it’s clear that Milchick’s words are meant as a threat. Milchick is both amazed by Mark’s boldness and the fact that he now has this piece of information to use against him.
This moment marks a significant change in Mr. Milchick’s character. In the past, he has been polite and diplomatic with the MDR employees, but this interaction shows that he is no longer interested in playing nice. This confrontation in the elevator could be just the beginning of a more aggressive and harsh version of Mr. Milchick in the episodes to come.
The Pressure of Mr. Milchick’s Role
Mr. Milchick, as a non-severed employee, has to deal with both internal office problems and outside issues. Since taking over Ms. Cobel’s position, he has an overwhelming number of responsibilities.
This is putting a strain on him, and the increased pressure is forcing him to question how Lumon sees him. Throughout Season 1, the complexity of his character was kept hidden, but Season 2 reveals more about his internal struggles.
He is eager to prove himself as a capable leader and manager, but his soft approach to leadership hasn’t worked. The compassion he once felt for the innies has now disappeared, and he is turning into a harsher manager.
The mistakes he’s made have only added to his frustration, leading him to adopt a more unsympathetic leadership style. This shift is clear in the way he handles Mark and other employees, showing that Mr. Milchick may be ready to do whatever it takes to regain control of the severed floor.
Tramell Tillman’s Brilliant Performance as Mr. Milchick
As Severance continues to show Mr. Milchick’s character, it’s important to recognize the exceptional performance of Tramell Tillman. Tillman, who became a breakout star in Season 1, continues to impress in his portrayal of Mr. Milchick.
His performance brings depth and complexity to the character, making him even more intimidating as he faces the challenges of his role. The darker turn for Milchick in Season 2 gives Tillman plenty of material to work with, and his portrayal of the character continues to be one of the highlights of the show.
Mr. Milchick’s transformation in Severance Season 2 adds an exciting layer of tension and intrigue to the series. As he faces more pressure from his job and struggles with the mistakes he’s made, we can expect his leadership style to become more rigid and aggressive.
His confrontation with Mark is just the beginning, and viewers can expect even darker moments for the character in the episodes to come. Tramell Tillman’s brilliant performance only adds to the intensity of Mr. Milchick’s journey, making him one of the most attractive characters in Severance.
Also Read: Secrets, Betrayals, and Clues: A Game-Changing Episode of Severance Season 2
