Discover Lumon’s Secret Departments and Their Darkest Truths

In “Severance” on Apple TV+, viewers are introduced to the eerie notion of the Severed Floor at Lumon Industries, where employees have a chip implanted that divides their work memories from their personal ones. Each department in this sanitized setting plays a unique role in Lumon’s enigmatic activities. Yet, the true purpose of their tasks is frequently obscured, leaving both employees and viewers guessing. Moreover, Lumon’s segmented structure intentionally keeps workers separated, denying them insight into the full extent of their joint work and the ethical quandaries that would emerge if they uncovered the truth. This deliberate concealment is one reason why the show is so captivating; viewers are drawn back week after week to gather more fragments of the puzzle.

In the second season of “Severance”, we gained a deeper insight into the mysterious happenings within those white-walled corridors, uncovering unsettling links between various departments that initially appeared disconnected. It became increasingly clear how Lumon’s actions were serving a more sinister purpose. From data processing to wellness programs, each office space serves to uphold corporate mythology and further Lumon’s research objectives. Let’s take another look at the departments we’ve already explored in “Severance”.

Macrodata Refinement (MDR)

the data they process matches up with rooms on the Testing Floor where human subjects are subjected to psychological testing and experimentation.

As I sift through files labeled “Wellington,” “Dranesville,” or “Allentown” at work, what I’m really doing is crafting or refining digital personas that will later be activated in test subjects on the Testing Floor. This might sound harmless, but let me clarify: by completing each file, I’ve unwittingly contributed to a series of traumatic experiences endured by an innie, one of my coworker Gemma’s (Dichen Lachman) alternate personalities. So, in a sense, I’ve unknowingly been part of her torture process.

Testing Floor

Below the primary level of Lumon’s Severed Floor lies The Testing Ground, where the true intentions behind the Severed Floor are unveiled. This area is home to human research subjects who endure rigorous psychological testing. The setup is a meticulously clean environment, with a corridor branching off into several rooms that mirror the files handled by MDR. When test subjects such as Gemma enter these rooms, their severance chips trigger distinct personalities tailored to each room. These personas exist exclusively within their assigned environments and are subjected to specifically engineered stressors or discomforts.

In Wellington, Gemma takes on the role of a dental patient, enduring multiple procedures. Meanwhile, in Allentown, she spends hours writing Christmas thank-you notes until her hand aches. A different setting imitates an unsettling airplane ride, causing her to feel constant fear. These distressing situations are carefully crafted to test the boundaries of the severance chip, assessing how much trauma each artificial personality can withstand before the barriers between minds start to falter. Mr. Drummond (played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) and Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson) observe these tests, keeping tabs on whether the severance barriers remain intact under various pressures.

Optics and Design (O&D)

Initially, the Optics and Design department was merely established to manage, preserve, and rotate Lumon’s extensive collection of artwork, which were said to embody the teachings of its founder, Kier. However, hidden within this department lies a momentous secret: beyond a single door in O&D, there’s an expansive workspace filled with rows of machinery manned by numerous employees. These workers produce a variety of items such as hatchets and watering cans, but the true purpose behind their work is shrouded in mystery to those within the Optics and Design department itself.

In the second season of Severance, we learn that items produced in the Optics and Design (O&D) department are sent down to the Testing Area, implying that this section provides the test chambers with all necessities for replicating distressing scenarios for human subjects. Moreover, O&D is responsible for creating peculiar cards whose purpose remains somewhat enigmatic. During a flashback in season 2 of Severance, Gemma successfully completes a test sent via email, which included identifying a set of cards. Thus, it appears that O&D plays a role in Lumon’s operations beyond the Severed Floor as well.

Mammalians Nurturable

In an unusual, playful section of the company Lumon, known as Mammalians Nurture, baby goats are reared in small enclosures by employees. These pens are linked to a large lawn area where workers interact with their charges. The final episode of season 2 of ‘Severance’ discloses that these goats are destined for ritual slaughter. When experiment subjects on the Testing Floor fulfill their purpose, they are put to death in a ceremony that involves sacrificing a goat. Mr. Drummond explains that the animal must be buried with the subject to direct their spirit towards Kier, thereby confirming Mammalians Nurture plays a quasi-religious role within Lumon’s cultish practices.

Choreography and Merriment

In the final episode of Season 2 of “Severance,” a group called Choreography and Merriment, which is made up of Lumon employees serving as a marching band, was introduced. They harmoniously play music in sync while performing intricate dance routines, serving as an entertaining reward for Mark S. upon completion of the Cold Harbor file. Since their department focuses solely on music and dance, it’s possible that they orchestrated the elaborate “waffle party” sequence, where food rewards were paired with choreographed performances by figures masked to represent Kier Eagan’s four tempers (sorrow, mirth, fear, and malice).

Administration

On the severed floor, Administration acts as the central hub for operations, encompassing both the Manager’s office and the Deputy Manager’s workspace. Collaboratively, the Manager and Deputy Manager ensure that departments remain distinct and their subordinates obedient and cooperative. The main objective of Administration is to encourage innies to continue working diligently to further the research being conducted on the Testing Floor.

Security Office

The Security Department serves as the tech hub overseeing the entire designated floor, keeping tabs on both the actual workspace and the severance system. To gain entry, you need a black security pass, symbolizing its high-security status within Lumon’s organizational structure. This exclusive area is filled with multiple surveillance screens showing footage from cameras all around the premises, as well as advanced tools for interacting with employees’ severance devices. Among the gadgetry here is the switch for the “Overtime Contingency,” a mechanism that can briefly reactivate innie minds when workers are off the Severed Floor. In the second season of Severance, the Security Office has been transformed into the Outie Family Visitation Center, meaning the security hardware has been moved elsewhere.

Perpetuity Wing

The Perpetuity Wing functions as a museum, showcasing Lumon’s history and the enduring influence of its founder, Kier Eagan. Nestled beneath the primary Severed Floor and accessible via a staircase, this underground section hosts three primary exhibits: a gallery featuring current and past CEOs, photographs claimed to depict smiles from individuals positively impacted by Lumon, and a life-size replica of Kier Eagan’s residence. The replica house showcases items from Eagan’s personal history, such as embroidered slippers, shaving accessories, and early Lumon goods, all presented with the respect usually reserved for sacred artifacts. Additionally, the Perpetuity Wing is the venue for the sought-after “waffle party,” where top MDR performers are honored with a feast and a unique dance performance.

The Perpetuity Wing serves as a museum dedicated to Lumon’s history and Kier Eagan, its founder. Located under the main Severed Floor and accessible via a staircase, this underground area showcases three major exhibits, including CEO galleries, smiles from helped individuals, and a replica of Eagan’s house. The replica home displays artifacts from his life, such as embroidered slippers and early Lumon products, with the same reverence typically given to religious relics. Moreover, the Perpetuity Wing is where the popular “waffle party” takes place, a celebration for top MDR performers featuring food and dance presentations.

Wellness Center

At the Wellness Facility, former workers receive personalized sessions aimed at strengthening their bond with Lumon and providing a controlled outlet for emotions. Originally overseen by Ms. Casey, this department features a cozy waiting area and a unique therapy room, identifiable by doors labeled “Enter” and “Exit.” Although these Wellness sessions are supposed to be confidential, they’re secretly monitored by the Administration via a hidden camera in the therapy room, recording both the Wellness supervisor and employee. At the conclusion of the first season, Ms. Casey is transferred back to the Testing Floor, and the Wellness Facility is shut down completely, with its entrances permanently sealed.

2025-03-24 00:40