Severance has surprised viewers with many shocking twists. From Mark’s (Adam Scott) discovery about his wife to Irving’s (John Turturro) strange personal mission, every episode brings something unexpected. However, one of the biggest surprises comes from Helly R. (Britt Lower).
In the Season 1 finale, the innies finally get a glimpse of their outside lives. Mark S. realizes he is Ricken’s (Michael Chernus) brother-in-law, which surprises him because he admires Ricken’s book. Dylan (Zach Cherry) learns that he has children. Irving notices a painting his outie keeps making, which shows a hallway on the severed floor.
But the biggest reveal happens when Helly finds out her outie is Helena Eagan, a member of Lumon’s founding family. This revelation is shocking because Helly has been the loudest voice against the severance program, yet her outie is someone who strongly supports it.
Season 2 dramatically continues Helly’s story. The premiere reveals the consequences of MDR’s rebellion, and Helena secretly replaces Helly on the severed floor. At the beginning of the season, Helena pretends to be her innie, tricking the rest of MDR into believing she is still Helly.
However, as the episodes progress, it becomes clear that Helly and Helena are not as different as they seem. Irving is the first to realize something is wrong when Helena lies about a “night gardener.” Even though he tries to warn the others, they do not believe him until he takes extreme action during the ORTBO.
Once the truth is revealed, Helly’s place in MDR becomes uncertain, and Episode 5, “Trojan’s Horse,” raises even more questions about her identity. As Helly returns to the severed floor, doubt and suspicion follow her everywhere.
Helena’s Return to the Severed Floor is Another Betrayal for Helly
Helly’s situation becomes even more complicated in Episode 5 when she returns to the severed floor. For the first time, she experiences the changes at Lumon firsthand, but the audience has already seen what appeared to be her reaction before—when it was actually Helena pretending to be her.
Helly demands answers, questioning whether Irving really tried to harm her and wondering who Miss Huang (Sarah Bock) is. However, after Helena’s deception, it is difficult to know what is real. Helly feels deeply violated by the body swap, believing that Helena stole her life. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) tries to justify it, but Helly refuses to accept his excuses.
The innies already endure extreme mistreatment. No matter what new policies Lumon introduces, they still lack freedom. They have no connection to their families, and their actions are heavily controlled. Helly has faced more restrictions than most, as her repeated requests to resign were denied.
She has every reason to resent her outie. Now, she suffers even more because of something she did not do. Irving is no longer there, and Mark has become distant. Helly feels abandoned and powerless. The worst part is that nobody realized the truth about Helena’s deception until it was too late.
Mark Can No Longer Trust Helly
Helly is not the only one affected by Helena’s actions—Mark suffers as well. Throughout their time at Lumon, Mark and Helly develop a connection. Just before she first enters the outside world, she kisses him, showing that their bond is growing stronger. However, when Helena takes over Helly’s body, Mark does not notice.
During the ORTBO, Mark ignores Irving’s warnings and ends up getting close to Helena, believing she is Helly. This deception shakes him deeply. As a result, he struggles to trust Helly, fearing she may still be an imposter.
While Helly sees his distrust as a betrayal, Mark’s concerns are valid. He does not know whether he is speaking to his true friend or someone who wants to manipulate him. With everything he has risked—especially his search for Ms. Casey and his efforts to regain his past—he cannot afford to make another mistake.
Mark keeps his distance from Helly and refuses to share information with her. He does not tell her about his discovery that Ms. Casey is his wife. He also avoids discussing his plans, making Helly feel even more isolated. Helly tries to convince him to trust her, even stopping him in the hallway after Irving’s funeral.
However, Mark refuses to see them as a team anymore. He blames her for giving Lumon an advantage and refuses to let himself be fooled again. Helly is not responsible for Helena’s actions, but Mark’s reaction is understandable. If he cannot identify his enemies, he has no chance of winning the fight against Lumon.
Helly and Helena Are More Alike Than Expected
Helena’s ability to pass as Helly reveals something unsettling—the two are more similar than anyone realized. Helena had an advantage because she observed Helly’s behavior through Lumon’s surveillance, but even so, she was so convincing that not even Mark suspected her. This suggests that despite their different beliefs, Helly and Helena share core personality traits.
Helly is determined to control her own fate. In Season 1, when she cannot communicate with her outie directly, she takes drastic action to send a message, harming herself to force Helena to acknowledge her suffering. She is also the first to stand up for the innies, refusing to accept Lumon’s control.
Meanwhile, Helena expresses her strength differently. As an Eagan, she naturally takes on a leadership role. She insists on delivering important news to her father herself, showing confidence and authority. Both women refuse to back down, even if their motivations are different.
Helly and Helena are on opposing sides—Helly fights for the innies, while Helena belongs to the family that rules them. However, their similarities highlight an important idea. The severance procedure does not completely change a person.
Helly and Helena have developed differently due to their environments, but at their core, they share the same nature. This realization is disturbing because it means the enemy is not as different as Helly thought. Even her closest friends could not recognize the deception.
As the season continues, Helly must figure out how to reclaim her identity and prove herself to those who doubt her. Mark must decide whether he can trust her again, and the rest of MDR must come to terms with how easily they were deceived. With the battle against Lumon intensifying, Helly’s true role in the fight remains uncertain.
Severance is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
Also Read: ‘Severance’ Season 2 Episode 5 Recap: Secrets, Betrayal, and a Shocking Discovery
