Why did Lumon cut ties with Irving and Dylan’s Outies but hold onto Mark? What sinister game is the company playing? Severance Season 2, Episode 2 throws fans into a web of deception, power plays, and chilling corporate control.
Let’s unravel the truth behind Lumon’s calculated decisions – and what they mean.
Why Did Lumon Fire Irving and Dylan’s Outies?
While Mark was mysteriously retained, both Irving and Dylan found themselves fired – at least for a little while. This decision wasn’t random but rather a calculated move by Lumon to cover up the Overtime Contingency activation that shook the company at the end of Season 1 (let’s not forget – he’s clever when he needs it).
After Milchick shut down the Overtime Contingency, he was tasked with damage control. His first move was to visit the Outies of Irving, Mark, and Dylan to assess the situation. Since Dylan’s Innie had never actually interacted with anyone outside of Lumon, it was easy to fabricate a reason for his termination.
Dylan’s Outie had no knowledge of the Overtime Contingency, making him the perfect scapegoat. Similarly, Irving’s Outie had limited awareness of what his Innie did during the activation, making it convenient for Lumon to remove him without raising suspicions.
The company could easily spin a narrative that justified their terminations while keeping the truth buried, and since no specific verification processes would follow, it was easy to send the word out in that manner.
Why Did Mark Escape Lumon’s Retaliation?
Mark’s situation was vastly different from his colleagues. Unlike Dylan and Irving, Mark’s Innie had awakened in the middle of a social gathering – his sister Devon’s party. This drastically complicated things for Lumon.
Unlike Dylan and Irving, whose Outies were largely in the dark, Mark’s Innie had shared critical details about Lumon’s severed floor with Devon and her husband, Ricken.
When Milchick visited Mark in Season 2, Episode 2, it was clear he couldn’t use the same strategy he employed with Irving and Dylan. Firing Mark under false pretenses wouldn’t work, as his Outie already had too much knowledge of what had transpired.
Instead, Milchick took a more direct approach. He acknowledged that the Overtime Contingency had been activated and attempted to gauge how much information Mark had relayed to Devon.
Realizing that Mark’s Outie wouldn’t be easily manipulated, Milchick decided against firing him outright, fearing it would only draw more attention to Lumon’s questionable practices.
What Is Project Cold Harbor & Why Does Lumon Need Mark?
Beyond the practical reasons for keeping Mark employed, Severance Season 2 hinted at a deeper, more sinister motive – Project Cold Harbor. While the specifics of this project remain a mystery, its importance was subtly teased in the season’s opening episodes.
When Mark was seen working in Macrodata Refinement, his screen briefly flashed an image of his presumed-dead wife, Gemma, also known as Ms. Casey. This cryptic moment suggested that Mark’s work is somehow linked to her, making him an irreplaceable asset to Lumon.
Helly’s Outie, Helena Eagan, even explicitly stated that Mark was needed to complete his work on Cold Harbor. This revelation implies that Lumon’s decision to retain Mark wasn’t just about containing the fallout from the Overtime Contingency – it was about something much bigger.
The company’s reluctance to let him go suggests that whatever Cold Harbor entails, it cannot be completed without him – he’s essential.
What Does This Mean for Mark Moving Forward?
Mark’s continued employment at Lumon places him in an increasingly precarious position. Unlike Dylan and Irving, who were cast aside to protect corporate secrets, Mark remains entangled in Lumon’s machinations.
With Project Cold Harbor looming over him and his personal connection to Ms. Casey still unresolved, Mark’s journey in Season 2 promises to be darker and more complex than ever.
The Final Word
Severance has masterfully crafted a corporate dystopia where every decision has chilling implications.
As the mystery of Cold Harbor unfolds, it’s clear that Mark’s role in Lumon’s plans is far from over—whether he likes it or not.
PS: As always, our favorite reader (that’s you) gets a special bonus tidbit of info 🙂
About Severance
Severance is an American science fiction psychological thriller television series created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle. It stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette.
The series premiered on Apple TV+ on February 18, 2022.
The plot follows Mark Scout (Scott), an employee of the fictional corporation Lumon Industries who agrees to a “severance” program in which his non-work memories are separated from his work memories.
No Comments on Severance Season 2: Why Did Lumon Fire Irving & Dylan’s Outies but Not Mark?