The highly anticipated second season of **Severance** premieres tonight on Apple TV+, reigniting the gripping narrative that has captivated audiences with its unique twist on corporate America. With a three-year gap since the first season aired, it's natural to feel a bit out of the loop. Thankfully, we’ve compiled this comprehensive cheat sheet to refresh your memory before diving back into the mind-bending world created by Dan Erickson.

What is Severance all about?

**Severance** introduces us to the dystopian corporate landscape of Lumon Industries, a powerful entity that has developed a radical medical procedure enabling employees to bifurcate their consciousness. Thanks to a chip implanted in their brain, these workers become two distinct selves: the **“Outie,”** existing in the normal world with no recollection of their work life, and the **“Innie,”** who remains confined to the severed floor of Lumon, knowing only what’s essential.

The Eagan Family and Their Cult-Like Control

At the helm of Lumon is the enigmatic Eagan family, who have crafted a cult-like following around their founding figure, Kier Eagan. His teachings saturate the culture at Lumon, influencing everything from employee behavior to company policies, often with dark and eerie overtones reminiscent of a religious cult.

Meet the Main Characters

The series follows four main characters working in the nebulous department known as **Macrodata Refinement**. Their mundane task involves sorting data, a process so opaque that even they struggle to understand its significance: - **Mark (Adam Scott)**: The lead who grapples with truths about his identity in both of his lives. - **Helly (Britt Lower)**: The rebellious character who challenges her severed life. - **Irving (John Michaelson)**: Balances friendship and identity amidst the corporate haze. - **Dylan (Zach Cherry)**: The quirky team member who brings comic relief while steadily awakening to their grim reality.

The Antagonists of Lumon

The villains are equally compelling. **Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette)** stands as a devoted acolyte to Kier’s vision, exhibiting fanaticism that borders on psychotic. Meanwhile, her assistant **Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman)** embodies the sinister face of corporate espionage, implementing psychological tactics that keep the innies in line. Adding another layer of complexity, Cobel lives next to Outie Mark under the alias of **Mrs. Selvig**, revealing a chilling twist in her duality.

Key Supporting Characters

We also encounter key figures in Outie Mark’s life, such as: - **Devon (Jen Tullock)**: Mark's sister, who provides emotional grounding outside the claustrophobic corporate prison. - **Ricken (Michael Chernus)**: Devon’s husband and a pretentious author whose quirks embody Outie Mark’s disdain for his intellectualism. Additionally, the tragic fate of **Petey (Yul Vazquez)**, an ex-colleague whose reintegration procedure goes horribly wrong, serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of Lumon’s unethical experiments.

Unraveling the Season One Finale

As Season One drew to a nail-biting conclusion, the tension escalated when Innie Dylan learned of the **Overtime Contingency Protocol**, allowing innies to temporarily control their bodies. This led to a chaotic attempt by the group to escape their grim reality: - Innie Mark confronts the truth about his life, meeting his idol in the process. - The group orchestrates their exit while unveiling dramatic twists, including Helly’s shocking discovery about her family ties. - The season ends on a cliffhanger, with turmoil waiting to unfold as they seek freedom from Lumon’s grasp.

What Lies Ahead in Season Two?

With Season Two on the horizon, fans are clamoring to see how the characters will navigate the fallout from their actions. Will they find a way to unite their severed lives, or will the dark forces of Lumon crush their rebellion? Expect even more mind-bending twists, existential quandaries, and corporate intrigue. Get ready for an explosive return that promises to challenge your perceptions and keep you glued to your screens. Don’t miss the premiere of **Severance** Season Two, because you won’t want to miss what epic revelations await!