Apple TV: “Severance” season 3

There was more going on in the last episode of “Severance, Season 2” than all the previous episodes combined. For those of us who’ve never been 💯 on this show, that’s a welcome relief.

“Severance” (Apple TV) is a sci-fi/thriller series about people who voluntarily undergo a procedure to “sever” their consciousness into two, via a chip surgically inserted into their brain. The “innies”—people who clock into work at an evil-empire company called Lumen—have no idea what their “outies” do once they leave the office at 5 pm. And vice versa.

So what makes the “Severance” finale so special? (Caution: spoiler alerts.) Mark Scout’s “outie” (Adam Scott) finally reconciles with his long-thought-dead wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman). A plot to free Gemma from Lumon’s clutches takes place between Mark’s innie and outie. The subject of their conversation: once Gemma leaves Lumon, will outie Mark terminate his employment there — and in the process terminate innie Mark who has fallen in love with Helly R (Britt Lower), the innie version of the founder’s daughter?

Meanwhile, Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman), Lumon’s obsequious HR director, keeps his innies from getting restless by offering perks like the Choreography and Merriment Department which in the finale offered a performance by “severed” marching band musicians. He also allows innie Dylan (Zach Cherry) conjugal visits with his outie’s wife (Merritt Wever), who has developed romantic feelings for the more confident, passionate work version of her outie husband.

Clear as mud? Exactly. Either you buy into this sci-fi-thriller innie vs outie dichotomy from the start or you don’t. I’d place myself in the latter group if I weren’t so taken with Jessica Lee Gagne’s gorgeous cinematography: the stark white fluorescent-lit space of Lumon’s corridors, and the snowy landscapes that seems to populate many of the show’s episodes.

Directed by Ben Stiller, the show has drawn an impressive cast of bold-faced names, many of whom we haven’t seen much of as of late: John Turturro, Chris Walken, Jane Alexander, Patricia Arquette, Robby Benson, even Sandra Bernhardt. I’m all for full employment of actors of a certain age.

My take? Season 2 of “Severance” overall isn’t as good as Season 1. But what do I know? “Severance” Season 3 is already in production. The people have spoken, so enjoy. Despite my reservations, I probably will too.

PS. My favorite scene in the finale is Mark and Helly R running down the corridors to “The Windmills of Your Mind.” (Scroll down to the comments to see the YouTube video.)

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