Severance’s «innies» are the individuals stuck in a perpetual cycle of office work, and they should harbor a genuine disdain towards their «outies» – their counterparts who live outside the confines of the office. While outies enjoy a carefree existence devoid of the toils and monotony of office life, innies find themselves trapped with no means of escape. As they step into the elevator at the end of their shifts, transitioning back to their outie persona, innies simply blink and re-enter the sterile corridors of Lumon Industries, a malevolent biotechnology firm. Their reality lacks weekends, holidays, and even the luxury of sleep.
The debut season of Severance tackled the notion of separating work and personal life, introducing the terms «innie» and «outie» as part of the show’s lexicon. While the first season predominantly focused on the outie perspective, the second season shifted its gaze towards the innie experience. Questions arose about whether innies deserve a complete life or are destined to shoulder the burdens their outies shun. Can they pursue love? Are they truly human?
Throughout the second season, the innie narrative grew increasingly poignant. Characters like Mark S., Irving B., and Dylan G. grappled with complex emotions and relationships, shedding light on the plight of innies. These individuals essentially serve as tools for outies, existing solely to facilitate a convenient life for the latter. The severance process, involving a brain injection to split innie and outie personas, reduces innies to mere workers devoid of knowledge beyond what Lumon dictates.
While the season delved deeper into the innie perspective, it also offered a sharper portrayal of the outie side of the equation. The show humorously addressed the «return to office» phenomenon and highlighted the challenges faced by outies attempting to navigate life beyond Lumon. Severance underscored the entrapment of both innies and outies within the company’s confines, painting a bleak picture of loyalty bound to a cult-like reverence for Lumon’s founder.
Inspired in part by the Hollywood writer’s strike, Severance season two delved into themes of workers’ rights and the sacrifices demanded by employment. The narrative prompted reflection on the balance between work and personal life, resonating with audiences grappling with similar issues. As the season unfolded, parallels to Kazuo Ishiguro’s poignant novel «Never Let Me Go» emerged, emphasizing the value of individual lives and aspirations amid a dehumanizing system.
The season culminated in an explosive finale, leaving viewers pondering the fate of Lumon’s inhabitants. With a third season confirmed, the saga of innies and outies at Lumon Industries is set to continue, offering a compelling exploration of human rights and the quest for fulfillment in a world dominated by corporate interests.
Update: This article was originally published on Engadget and has been updated to include an editor’s note about the season finale and the announcement of a third season of the show.
FUENTE