Each Episode of Severance Was Enjoyed Equally
by J. Nagle
For as many grievances as can be aired with its UI, Apple TV+ has been fairly consistent in producing some hit programming that gets people talking. Historically, series like Silo and Ted Lasso have made waves online for their ambition and unique charm, as well as the recent line of Peanuts animated programming produced by the service. Going into 2025, what’s gotten people talking is Severance, a series that ironically was an early 2022 release. However, the second season premiered this past January to the same widespread acclaim that got people talking in the first place.
What immediately grabbed me about Severance is its diving head-first into as many genres as it seems to tackle. At once, the show resembles a dark workplace comedy, a psychological drama-thriller, and a science fiction dystopia in its demeanor. As quirky and eccentric as its main characters and settings can be in nature right from the get-go, each moment the viewer spends with them plants subtle seeds for the more layered writing the show gets to as its seasons progress. Mark Scout’s (Adam Scott) prying nature eventually leads to his unraveling of what really goes on behind the scenes at Lumon, though similar attempts through the more direct nature of Irving Bailiff (John Turturro) later leads to his termination at the company. In his absence, however, the show focuses on his outie’s recurring confrontations with Burt Goodman (Christopher Walken), still employed at the company and giving cryptic hints as to how he got an in.
A lot of what surprised me about the show is its inherent comedic elements being balanced out and sometimes overpowered by such an emotionally loaded story. The show is primarily directed by Ben Stiller, an actor and filmmaker commonly known for his comedic work in both roles, whether you’re a fan of Night at the Museum or more of a Zoolander person. The lead, Mark Scout, is portrayed by Adam Scott, primarily known for his own comedic roles as well, in shows such as Parks and Recreation and The Good Place. However, taking on a series with a more serious lens, both Stiller and Scott find themselves in one of the most unique shows on television right now, and one of the highlights of both of their careers.
Severance was swiftly renewed for a third season following the premiere of its second season finale, teased by Stiller and swiftly confirmed by Tim Cook, head of Apple, on X later in the night. No one knows what to expect—especially following the haymaker that was the finale itself—but Stiller has promised fans that the third season of the series will not take nearly as long to launch. The season finale of Severance currently sits at an astonishing 9.6/10 on IMDb, joining the season one finale of Dexter and the series finale of The Good Place.
Season 2 of Severance is now streaming on Apple TV+.