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The critically acclaimed series “Severance,” created by Dan Erickson and premiered on Apple TV+, immediately garnered praise for the streaming service. The show, where employees at a company called Lumon can’t recall their work lives when they log off, quickly became one of the top-rated television series following its first season, earning 14 Emmy nominations. After a three-year hiatus, “Severance” returned this year to address the huge cliffhanger from season one, revealing that Adam Scott’s character, Mark Scout, found out his wife was still alive in 2022.

As a film enthusiast, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the enigmatic aura that surrounded Lumon throughout season two. The shocking revelation that Mark’s wife was indeed alive and Helly R.’s outie being none other than James Eagan’s daughter added layers to the narrative that were both intriguing and thought-provoking.

However, what truly set this season apart were the subtleties in its imagery. One such instance, which I believe many fans might have overlooked, served as a brilliant nod to one of the most iconic works of our time, offering an insight into the series’ core themes.

Mrs. Selvig’s Car Model Has a Deeper Meaning

Severance Character Portrayed By
Mark S/Mark Scout Adam Scott
Helly R/Helena Egan Britt Lower
Ms. Casey/Gemma Scout Dichen Lachman
Dylan G/Dylan George Zach Cherry
Irving B/Irving Bailiff John Turturro
Harmony Cobel Patricia Arquette
Seth Milchick Tramell Tillman
Burt Goodman Christopher Walken

In a sea of shows gracing streaming platforms, Severance distinguishes itself uniquely, and one key factor is its captivating aesthetic. Even though it delves into complex sci-fi themes, the environment in Severance remains enigmatic. Characters use modern smartphones in the real world, but on Lumon’s segregated floor, they rely on outdated computers. The vehicles in Severance add another layer of intrigue, as all are classic models from past decades. Although old cars are common in reality, it is striking that none from the 2000s or beyond appear in the series. According to the creator of Severance, this was a deliberate artistic choice.

Dan Erickson, the creator of ‘Severance’, shares that he’d rather not reveal too many details. However, he does express his admiration for the show’s visual appeal, hinting at potential hidden layers within it. The atmosphere in ‘Severance’ often feels like being slightly out of sync with reality, an effect that begins on the intentionally outdated floor set below ground. This is due to the absence of modern technology such as cell phones or internet signals, but also to create a sense of disorientation for the workers, making them unsure about the time and location outside of their work environment. Erickson further explains that they aimed to extend this ambiguity from the characters’ perspective to the viewers, sparking curiosity about the location of Kier town and the current year in the show. Despite the presence of modern technology like smartphones and old cars, these elements are all carefully planned for a consistent aesthetic or practical reasons.

The TV show “Severance” gives a car driven by Harmony Cobel, also known as Mrs. Selvig, a mysterious and timeless appearance. This car, specifically a white Volkswagen Rabbit, is significant not just visually but also symbolically. It’s a nod to a well-known literary work that has played a considerable role in shaping the narrative of the series.

White Rabbit Is a Clear Reference to Alice in Wonderland and The Matrix

  • “Follow the white rabbit” is a phrase that originates from the 1865 classic, Alice in Wonderland.
  • The phrase also played a pivotal role in the 1999 film, The Matrix.

The fact that Cobel is driving a white Volkswagen Rabbit is significant because it evokes the phrase “chasing the white rabbit,” a reference originating from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book Alice in Wonderland, where Alice followed the white rabbit to enter Wonderland. Over time, this phrase has been utilized in various works of pop culture, including The Matrix (1999 film). In this movie, Neo received a message on his computer to “chase the white rabbit,” leading him to take the red pill from Morpheus and leave The Matrix to join Zion, which turned out to be the real world.

In the TV series ‘Severance’, the reference to ‘Alice in Wonderland’ played a similar role during season two. Essentially, Cobel held the solution that Mark S. was seeking. The white Volkswagen Rabbit driven by Cobel symbolized the need for Mark to reconnect with her, as this would enable him to link up with his inner self (or ‘innie’), which could help save his wife. Later in the season, with Cobel’s assistance, Mark managed to communicate with his innie and gain insights into what had happened to his wife.

Other References to The Matrix in Severance

  • The Matrix was a clear inspiration for Sevenance since both stories deal with characters questioning their reality.
  • The Apple TV+ series is full of Easter eggs honoring The Matrix in subtle ways.

In the world of Severance, it’s quite simple to draw parallels with The Matrix. The Apple TV+ series is rich with references to the iconic sci-fi film, and both stories share a common theme: their main characters navigate two distinct realities, often faced with challenging choices due to this dual existence. For instance, in The Matrix, Neo has to decide between the red or blue pill, eventually choosing the red pill and discovering the deception of his current reality. In Severance, a veiled nod to The Matrix is present right from the series premiere. In the pilot episode, Mark sits on his couch drinking a beer in his dimly-lit house. A fish tank, one of the few light sources, contains a red fish and a blue fish, subtly echoing the symbolism from The Matrix.

Dan Erickson, the creator and showrunner of “Severance,” mentioned that numerous factors contributed to its creation. These included theater, movies, and TV shows, with a significant focus on ’90s films. There was a period where many works explored the theme of questioning one’s reality, such as “The Matrix,” “The Truman Show,” “Dark City,” and even “Office Space,” which dealt with escaping from a confining reality.

In the first season, I noticed an intriguing allusion to the white rabbit during Burt’s farewell gathering. In a swift instant, there was a wall sign with “Bye Bye Burt!” written on it, and a rabbit sketched beside it. Since Burt was departing from his former existence, this detail also resonated with the symbolism in The Matrix, where the character’s inner self would exit the Lumon-created reality. Although Severance presents an innovative premise, it doesn’t shy away from drawing inspiration from past tales like The Matrix, which challenge our perception of reality. For keen-eyed viewers, there are numerous subtle tributes acknowledging the story’s roots in delightful ways.

Many people view “Severance” as a defining work of television for this generation, primarily due to its polished direction, sharp writing, and engrossing mystery that unfolds consistently. The series has garnered significant acclaim, and though specifics about what’s coming next may still be scarce, fans won’t have to endure the same long wait between seasons as they did for season two. Furthermore, it’s evident from the intricate details, like the white rabbit reference, that the creator of “Severance” has carefully planned out the overall narrative.

As a captivated movie reviewer, I find myself eagerly anticipating the next installment of this mesmerizing series. In season two, we were left on another pulse-pounding cliffhanger as Mark’s ‘innie’ chose to abandon his wife and join forces with Helly – a decision made possible by his ‘outie’s heroic actions. This intriguing narrative not only leaves viewers yearning for more but also skillfully weaves elements of reality-bending storytelling reminiscent of iconic works like The Matrix. With tantalizing mysteries still unraveling, it seems that Mark’s journey to uncover the true intentions of Lumon is far from over. Buckle up and prepare for another exhilarating ride!

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2025-05-28 20:52