Last week’s episode of Severance brought major developments that will impact the rest of the season. The “innies” finally discovered that Helena Eagan (Britt Lower) was pretending to be Helly R., making her a secret agent for Lumon.
Meanwhile, Irving B. (John Turturro) was permanently removed after nearly drowning an Eagan family member. This shocking revelation took place during an outdoor work retreat, where more eerie details about the Eagan family surfaced.
Before the episode revealed some powerful moments, it started with an unusual opening scene. To fully understand its significance, it is important to remember two lessons from Omar Little (The Wire). First, “A man got to have a code” is great advice for everyone, not just men. Second, whistling often signals danger.
The episode opens with a man pushing a noisy cart down a hallway while whistling The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. He makes a mysterious request to Optics & Design head Felicia (Claudia Robinson) and her coworker. Everything about the scene feels unsettling.
The man’s face is never shown, the song choice is eerie, and he asks for a tray full of dental picks. He then rolls the cart down a long black hallway and enters an elevator with a red downward arrow. This elevator leads to the Exports Hall—the same place Irving’s outie had been painting repeatedly.
After the opening credits, Mark (Adam Scott) has a short phone call with Devon (Jen Tullock), who has no idea that he is reintegrated. He quickly hangs up when Dr. Reghabi (Karen Aldridge) enters the room. She has been staying at his house, and Mark wants to continue the reintegration process to recover more of his innie’s memories. However, Reghabi hesitates because she does not want to push him into more trauma so soon.
Meanwhile, Helena Eagan meets with Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) and Natalie (Sydney Cole Alexander). They discuss the fact that her cover was blown in the last episode and that Irving B. nearly drowned her. Helena asks if they have told her father about what happened, and they admit they have not.
She becomes frustrated, but Natalie shifts the conversation by mentioning that Mark’s work is at 81%. This connects back to the reveal in the Season 2 premiere that Mark’s project, “Cold Harbor,” is linked to Gemma/Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman). Natalie insists that Helly can return to work, but Helena angrily calls the innies “f*cking animals,” pointing out that both Helly R. and Irving tried to kill her.
Helena suggests going back to the severed floor as herself, but Lumon does not want to take that risk. Drummond believes that Helly is crucial to Mark’s productivity, stating, “The work is mysterious and important, so we must give him her.” Natalie coldly adds that the Board appreciates Helena’s sacrifice, and the discussion ends.
Helly R. Returns to Lumon
Helly R. comes back to Lumon for the first time this season. She reacts with shock when she meets Miss Huang (Sarah Bock). Later, she joins Mark and Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) in a meeting with Milchick (Tramell Tillman).
Helly bombards Milchick with questions, demanding to know what is going on and why Irving tried to drown her. Dylan bluntly tells her it is because she is “a f*cking Eagan,” which does not help the situation. Mark wants to know if Helena was spying on the MDR team.
Milchick tries to explain the Glasgow block, but Helly becomes more upset. “Are you saying that she was down here? As me?” she asks in disbelief. Mark questions if Helly has truly returned at all. Dylan asks about Irving’s fate, and Milchick claims that Irving’s outie has “departed on an elongated cruise voyage.” Dylan, who does not care about the outies, becomes furious.
Milchick then tells a story about the Gråkappan, a Swedish king who wore a gray robe to secretly observe his people. He says that Kier Eagan did the same thing in his “ether factories.” Mark and Dylan are not convinced, calling it “horsesht.” Dylan only wants to know if Irving is coming back, but Milchick repeats that he is on a “cruise voyage.” Dylan calls them “fcking murderers.”
When the Macrodats return, they find that their four-desk setup has been changed to a three-desk “tri-station,” which they strongly dislike. Dylan demands a funeral for Irving, and Mark agrees, as long as it is quick. Dylan is visibly upset, but Mark heads to the bathroom, where Helly stops him. She asks if he is okay. Mark admits that he does not really know who she is. “Yes, you do,” she insists. “It’s not my fault my outie hijacked me.”
A Funeral and a Shocking Discovery
The funeral includes mugs with Irving’s face, an 8-bit screensaver of him waving, and a watermelon carved to look like his head. Milchick explains that when employees leave “to be with Kier,” they usually get a retirement party. The team is asked to take nine seconds to silently thank Kier for Irving.
Dylan delivers a eulogy, joking that Irving was both the “least fun guy in the world” and also surprisingly fun. He recalls how Irving once put toner in his water cup but later forgot and drank it.
Dylan ends by regretting not helping Irving find the Exports Hall. After the ceremony, Milchick tells Miss Huang not to let MDR have funerals, saying, “It makes them feel like people.”
Later, Dylan notices a “Hang In There!” poster on the wall. Behind it, he finds Irving’s drawing of the map to the Exports Hall. He studies it, then places it back where he found it.
Secrets, Lies, and Confrontations
Meanwhile, Milchick attends his performance review. Drummond tells him that these meetings last between two and six hours, depending on the number of issues discussed. If it takes more than four hours, there will be a lunch break, with orders taken in advance. Milchick hopes it will not be necessary, but Drummond hands him a menu.
Drummond acknowledges Milchick’s dedication but also presents complaints. One issue is that Milchick “uses too many big words.” Another is that he clips papers incorrectly. More seriously, Milchick’s kindness reforms have not stopped MDR’s curiosity, which led to Irving’s termination and Helena’s exposure.
Meanwhile, Mark continues working on Cold Harbor, increasing its completion to 85%. He gets a migraine and sees a distorted image of a photo on his desk.
Milchick later stops Mark’s elevator and enters. “I see you left work six minutes early,” he says. He asks Mark about the funeral, then suddenly asks if Mark told Helly that he “f*cked her outie at the ORTBO.” Mark is speechless. Milchick leaves without another word.
A Step Closer to the Truth
At home, Devon and Ricken (Michael Chernus) discuss his book. Devon criticizes the changes, arguing that Lumon is using his words for propaganda. Ricken defends himself, saying the book could inspire a revolution among the severed employees. Devon strongly disagrees.
Irving’s outie tears down his black paintings and takes a walk. He makes a phone call and sees Burt (Christopher Walken) watching him from a car. Burt admits he was fired for having an “unsanctioned, erotic entanglement” with a coworker. He invites Irving to dinner to figure things out.
Back at Mark’s house, Reghabi sorts through Gemma’s belongings. Mark wants to continue his reintegration, but Reghabi tells him to wait one more day. As he walks away, his memory shifts.
He hears Ms. Casey’s voice saying facts about his outie. He suddenly sees her in a bright Lumon hallway. She begins to say something, but he snaps back to reality, stunned and teary-eyed.
The tension in this episode builds as characters face betrayal, struggle for control, and search for the truth. Each discovery brings them closer to answers, but the mysteries at Lumon remain deeper than ever.
Conclusion: Unraveling the Mystery of Lumon
Episode 5 of Severance Season 2 deepens the mystery surrounding Lumon while pushing the characters to their limits. Helena Eagan’s exposure as Helly R. shakes the MDR team, creating tension and distrust. Mark struggles with reintegration, uncovering fragmented memories of Ms. Casey, and hinting at a deeper connection between them.
Dylan and Helly attempt to regain their footing, but the looming presence of Lumon’s control casts a dark shadow over their actions. Meanwhile, Irving’s past resurfaces, leading to an unexpected reunion with Burt, suggesting that his journey is far from over.
The episode’s pacing keeps viewers engaged, balancing unsettling revelations with emotional moments. From the eerie opening scene with the whistling man to Milchick’s manipulative tactics, every moment adds another layer to the show’s psychological intrigue.
The funeral for Irving serves as a reminder of how disposable employees are to Lumon, reinforcing the inhumane nature of severance. Mark’s increasing migraines and memory flashes suggest that reintegration may not be as straightforward as hoped.
With only a few episodes left, Severance is building toward a thrilling climax. As the characters piece together the truth, the question remains: can they break free from Lumon’s grasp, or are they already too deep to escape?
Also Read: Who Is Dieter Eagan in Severance? The Hidden Twin Who Changes Everything
