The fourth episode of Severance Season 2, titled Woe’s Hollow, takes the story in a bold direction, revealing shocking truths and deepening the mysteries surrounding Lumon Industries.
The previous episode hinted at growing tensions between the characters and the company, but this one pushes them further into dangerous territory. The journey into the unknown begins with unsettling discoveries, eerie duplicates, and a final revelation that changes everything.
A Strange Beginning in the Icy Wilderness
The episode opens with Irving B. (played by John Turturro) waking up in a cold and desolate view. He finds himself standing on a frozen lake, feeling lost and confused. He is wearing a heavy coat and fur-lined clothing, which only adds to his confusion. As he looks ahead, he notices Mark S. (played by Adam Scott) standing on a cliff, calling out to him.
As Irving crosses the icy surface, he comes across Helly (played by Britt Lower) and Dylan G. (played by Zach Cherry). The three are surprised to see each other outside of Lumon, something they never thought possible.
Dylan expresses his shock in his usual blunt manner, realizing that the “ceiling” he once imagined does not exist. The moment is both humorous and unsettling, making the characters question how they ended up outside.
The ORTBO Retreat and the Forbidden Appendix
Their questions are soon answered when they notice a television playing a recorded message from Milchick (played by Tramell Tillman). He welcomes them to an event called ORTBO (Outdoor Retreat and Team-Building Occurrence).
According to Milchick, this experience is a response to their desire to see the outside world. The team will spend two days in the Dieter Eagan National Forest, a place named after an unknown member of the Eagan family.
The mention of Dieter Eagan is significant because of the existence of a “Fourth Appendix,” a document so sacred that it is banned on the severed floor. This detail makes the retreat seem even more suspicious. It raises new questions about Lumon’s past and the secrets the company continues to hide.
A Journey Through the Woods and a Shocking Discovery
The team is given a task: to find a place called Scissor Cave, which is believed to be the site where Kier Eagan first confronted the Four Tempers. Milchick warns them about the dangers of nature before wishing them luck. As they move deeper into the woods, they spot a man who looks exactly like Mark, pointing them in a mysterious direction. Despite their unease, they decide to follow him.
As night falls, they stumble upon a strange book inside a cave. The book is marked with the Roman numeral “IV” and contains a shocking revelation.
The first chapter reveals that Kier Eagan was born as a twin. His brother, Dieter, wanted them to escape into the wilderness and live in poverty. Eventually, Kier gave in, and they traveled to a place called Woe’s Hollow.
The text describes their relationship and how Dieter slowly changed, becoming an instrument of nature. Kier narrates how his brother’s presence became overwhelming, leading to a grim and disturbing moment where Dieter “spilled his lineage upon the soil.” The eerie phrasing unsettles Irving and Mark, making them wonder about the true history of the Eagan family.
Tensions Rise and Strange Events Unfold
As they continue their journey, the group finds more unsettling clues. A half-eaten animal carcass, resembling a seal, lies near a river. Irving, feeling desperate, even considers eating it before they are interrupted by another arrival.
Milchick suddenly appears in person, explaining that they are standing on “sacred ground.” He tells them that their duplicates exist to represent the presence of Kier’s twin. The sight of their own eerie doubles standing on a nearby waterfall adds to their growing fear.
As they settle into camp, Milchick hosts a strange storytelling session. He reads aloud from the Fourth Appendix while Miss Huang (played by Sarah Bock) plays the theremin. The passage describes a disturbing scene where Dieter suffers a gruesome fate. His eye pops from his socket, his scalp turns into moss, and he collapses into a pool. Kier watches as his brother’s cries fade into the waterfall.
The story deeply disturbs the team. Helly mocks the absurdity of the tale, joking that Dieter’s fate was punishment for “self-pleasure.” Her laughter angers Milchick, who retaliates by throwing their marshmallows into the fire, a small but symbolic act of control.
Irving’s Growing Suspicion and a Heated Confrontation
Irving grows more suspicious of Helly and begins questioning her. He brings up details about the “night gardener” she mentioned before and presses her for more information. Mark tries to stop the interrogation, but Irving refuses to back down. He accuses Mark of being distracted by Helly while his outie’s wife remains missing.
This argument creates a divide between the teams. Helly dismisses Irving’s comments, but he decides to act on his instincts. He grabs a torch and storms off into the forest, determined to find answers.
Mark and Helly’s Moment and a Terrifying Vision
Later that night, Mark checks on Helly in her tent. They share a quiet moment, and she admits that she does not like who she is on the outside. She feels ashamed and lost. Mark reassures her that he does not care about her past.
As he looks at her, his reintegration begins to cause hallucinations. For a brief moment, Helly’s face shifts into Gemma’s before returning to normal. The vision startles him, making him question his own reality.
Meanwhile, Irving has a disturbing dream. He sees the Macrodata Refinement desks scattered in the forest, covered in insects. As he sits down, he sees Burt (played by Christopher Walken) in another cubicle, smiling before vanishing. Then, he notices the figure of Woe, a ghostly bride-like entity, typing on a computer. The numbers on Irving’s screen turn into letters before he wakes up, shaken.
The Truth About Helly is Finally Revealed
In the morning, Mark realizes Helly is missing. While the others search for her, Irving finds her standing alone at Woe’s Hollow. He confronts her, stating that she has been lying. He demands to know who she really is. Helly tries to insist that she is the same person, but Irving refuses to believe her.
He suddenly drags her to the river, calling for Milchick. He screams that she is an outie, not an innie. As Helly struggles in the freezing water, she finally breaks character and shouts, “Goddamn it, Seth, do it!”
Milchick quickly pulls out a walkie-talkie and gives an order. An unseen figure disables the Glasgow block and Helly’s real self returns. The shocking moment confirms what Irving suspected—Helly has been an imposter all along. The real Helly had been replaced by Helena Eagan, a member of the powerful Eagan family.
Irving pulls the real Helly out of the water, apologizing for what he had to do. However, Milchick announces that Irving has broken the rules and must be permanently removed. As Irving walks into the forest, Milchick declares that his entire existence will be erased.
The episode ends with many unanswered questions. What will happen to Irving? What was the strange entity in the forest? What is the true story of Dieter Eagan? And what are Lumon’s ultimate plans for its employees? The mysteries continue to grow, leaving fans eager for the next episode.
