Since the first episode of Severance, many viewers have wondered what the employees in Macrodata Refinement (MDR) actually do. In Season 1, Helly R. (Britt Lower) helped introduce the audience to the department’s strange work.
The employees use computers that have no “escape” button and display endless streams of random numbers. These numbers trigger specific emotions in the refiners, who must sort them into different categories based on the four “tempers.” This process may seem absurd, but when Helly first experiences a “scary” number, the moment feels deeply unsettling.
The latest episode, “Chikhai Bardo,” finally reveals more about these mysterious files, which have titles like “Wellington.” This discovery suggests that MDR’s work is linked to the experiments being conducted on Gemma (Dichen Lachman) and possibly many others.
The refiners’ tasks seem to involve manipulating severed emotions and triggering trauma. However, Lumon’s ultimate goal remains unclear, and the full extent of their actions could be even more sinister.
Mark’s Data Refinement Influences Experiments on Gemma
While the show does not reveal everything, we now know that Mark S. (Adam Scott) is directly connected to the different stressful situations Gemma’s innie personalities experience. These include a plane crash, a dentist visit, or even signing thank-you cards at Christmas.
Each room Gemma enters has a name that matches a file MDR has been refining. This raises questions about whether the other refiners also have loved ones trapped in similar experiments.
Mark may have a unique connection to Lumon because of his relationship with Gemma. He was credited with the “freshman fluke,” which earned him his light-up cube, possibly indicating his deeper involvement in the company’s work.
If the other refiners—Dylan G. (Zach Cherry), Helly R., and Irving B. (John Turturro)—are not refining data related to people they know, the scale of these experiments becomes even more disturbing.
A key detail in the episode is that Gemma cannot enter the “Cold Harbor” room until Mark finishes processing its file. This suggests that his work helps create conditions for the room rather than just analyzing Gemma’s responses.
Mark sorts numbers into categories based on different emotions, possibly shaping the way the room affects the subject. The real question is whether he is influencing the experiences Gemma faces—like the plane crash or dentist appointment—or if he is actually creating new severed personalities with specific traits.
Mark’s Work Supports Lumon’s Growing Control
Whether Mark is designing the rooms or shaping Gemma’s multiple personalities, the outcome is disturbing. Both possibilities suggest that Lumon is developing new ways to control people in distressing situations.
Devon (Jen Tullock) casually mentions a woman who was severed to endure childbirth, which raises even more concerns. If Lumon expands severance to situations like medical procedures or social interactions, they could offer people the ability to escape pain—but at a cost.
If severed individuals only exist in limited scenarios, Lumon could argue that they deserve fewer rights. For example, Mark S. and Dylan’s outie selves appear passive and obedient outside of work, making it easier for Lumon to justify its control.
While Mark is now resisting the company, he was unaware of his role in Gemma’s suffering until he discovered she was alive. His work unknowingly contributes to cruel experiments on his wife. Even though she may not fully understand her experiences, she still suffers the consequences.
When she leaves the dentist’s room, her jaw hurts, proving that severance does not completely separate pain from reality. In Season 1, Petey (Yul Vazquez) tells Mark that innies and outies share emotions, even when switching personalities.
“Cold Harbor” Could Reveal a Darker Connection to Mark and Gemma’s Past
Now that we understand how Mark’s work is used, the next question is why “Cold Harbor” is so important to Lumon. If this experiment is the culmination of Gemma’s experiences, it could be tied to her past with Mark.
The room where Gemma endlessly signs thank-you cards mirrors a past conversation in which she expressed her dislike for the task. This suggests that Lumon pulls elements from real memories to create these experiments.
“Cold Harbor” might connect to Gemma’s supposed death in a car crash. If that is the case, this room could be the most traumatic yet, for both her and Mark. It could also provide a crucial flashback explaining how Lumon gained control of Gemma in the first place. However, Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson) references Kier Eagan while discussing Gemma seeing the world again, suggesting that this room involves more than just a simple memory.
The latest episode answers a major question about Severance: Mark’s work directly influences the creation of rooms that test Gemma’s severed personalities and their reactions to trauma. However, this discovery only raises more concerns.
The idea that countless others could be undergoing similar experiments is horrifying. More than just manipulating individual employees, Lumon appears to be expanding its control on a larger scale. The true purpose of “Cold Harbor” remains a mystery, but when Gemma finally steps inside, the reveal will be more intense than ever.
The latest episode of Severance brings a major revelation about Mark’s role in Lumon’s disturbing experiments. His work in Macrodata Refinement is not just about sorting numbers—it directly influences the traumatic scenarios Gemma’s severed personalities endure.
This connection makes Lumon’s actions even more alarming, as it suggests they are testing new ways to manipulate human emotions and experiences. If severance can be used to control pain, stress, or even entire personalities, Lumon’s influence could extend far beyond the workplace.
Mark’s journey from an obedient employee to someone actively resisting Lumon adds emotional weight to this discovery. The realization that he is unknowingly contributing to his wife’s suffering is heartbreaking.
With Severance raising more unsettling questions about memory, identity, and corporate control, the anticipation for the reveal of “Cold Harbor” is greater than ever. Whatever Lumon’s true goal is, one thing is certain—it is more sinister than anyone imagined.
New episodes of Severance Season 2 premiere Fridays on Apple TV+.
Also Read: ‘Severance’ Season 2 Episode 7 Recap: Chikhai Bardo and the Dark Truth Behind Gemma’s Fate
