17 details from Severance that make it the ultimate corporate sci-fi thriller 

This American science fiction thriller television series has been the talk of the town for quite some time now. It tells the story of Mark Scout, an employee of a company named Lumon Industries. The show is critically acclaimed for its originality and compelling characters. In this list, we will talk about 17 details from Severance that make it the ultimate corporate sci-fi thriller.

1) The severance procedure

This is a unique feature on the show where we see that the employees of Lumon Industries have to undergo a surgical procedure. This surgical procedure is known as the severance procedure, where the employees are implanted in a divide, creating a separation between their work and personal life. This procedure helps in maximizing employee productivity.

2) Innies and Outie

The severance procedure creates two distinct personalities among the employees. The innie personality is when they are inside the work environment. They have no memories of the outside world while they are working. The outie is the employee’s real personality where they have no recollection of the work that they do in the company. This is the central element of the show, making it a district feature.

3) Mysterious Work

The industry where the employees work, Lumon Industries, is full of mysteries and operates in a cult-like atmosphere. The atmosphere in the industry has a minimalistic aesthetic, and the employees have to unwaveringly adhere to the company’s norms. The employees are constantly monitored by a surveillance system at an invasive level. It creates a lack of autonomy on the part of the employees.

4) The Mystery Of Macrodata Refinement

The employees who work for the Macrodata Refinement department are unaware of the nature of work that is performed in the department. The company also insists on maintaining the secrecy of the workings of that department. This secrecy raises the curiosity of the employees, who start to question the workings and the purpose of the work at the company.

5) The Overtime Contingency

The Overtime Contingency protocol is a turning point in the series. As shown, the Severance creates a separation between the work and personal lives of employees. The overtime contingency allows Lumon to remotely access and influence the minds of the employees even when they are outside working hours. This is a violation of their privacy and acts as the catalyst for the rebellion.

6) Irving’s obsession with Burt

Despite the severance procedure, Irving forms a deep connection with Burt, a former colleague at Lumon. This connection is formed within the confines of the work environment, which transcends the artificial boundaries created by the severance procedure. This adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, focussing on the theme of human connections.

7) Dylan’s Contraband

When Dylan finds out about the employees who have not gone through the severance procedure, it creates a turning point that offers a glimpse into the confines of the procedure. It raises several questions and fuels the desire to learn more about the outside world. It acts as a symbol of hope among those who have lost freedom through the procedure.

8) The Waffle Party

The Waffle Party is a social event sponsored by Lumon. It also acts as a setup to manipulate the social lives of the company's employees. However, the party is not just a simple social gathering but a disturbing ritual. The party is a symbolic representation of the dehumanizing effects of the severance procedure, which acts as a powerful commentary on unchecked corporate power.

9) The Lumon Wellness Centre

The Lumon Wellness Centre, which promotes the welfare of the employees with its counseling and relaxation techniques, is actually a facade. It acts as a covert medium to survey the employees closely. The wellness center acts as a medium to identify threats in the form of rebellion. It acts as a tool of manipulation and control.

10) The Outside World

The view of the outside world through the eyes of a severed employee offers a stark difference from the world inside Lumon Industries. The severed employees have no memory of the outside world and are in a perpetual state of amnesia. The glimpse of the outside world acts as fuel to their yearning to reconnect with their lost selves. It serves as a constant reminder of their constraints.

11) The Role Of Memory

The fragmented identities created by the procedure of severance leave contradictory memories. This causes disorientation and a struggle to find a sense of self. The profound impact of memory or loss thereof has a devastating impact on the severed employees. It creates the inability to form new memories, leaving them feeling disconnected.

12) The Search for Meaning

As the employees working in the Macrodata Refinement department have a repetitive and monotonous task, they feel disoriented and question the purpose of their existence. This leads to their search for meaning for all that is and the beginning of a rebellion against the meaninglessness of their existence. This creates a unique narrative in the story.

13) Ethical Dilemmas

The severance procedure raises several questions on the ethical dilemma and how the process manipulates the employees. The questionable practices are exploitation of labor and have severe dehumanizing effects on the corporate culture. The potential impact that such complicated technology might have on society raises ethical dilemmas about it.

14) Psychological Impact Of Severance

Not only is the severance procedure dehumanizing and manipulative, but it also has several physical impacts on the employees. The employees who have gone through the procedure suffer from anxiety and depression along with a growing sense of alienation from society, where they are unable to find their purpose. This procedure erodes the psychological well-being of the employees.

15) Corporate Critique

The severance procedure offers a scathing critique of modern capitalism and the dehumanizing effects of corporate culture, according to the viewers. The pursuit of profit and productivity has become the goal, even if it harms people. It acts as a warning against the unchecked power of corporations and how it can quickly turn manipulative.

16) The Search For Truth

The monotonous life and the secrecy of Lumon Industries lead the employees on a quest to uncover the truth about it. This quest eventually leads to a rebellion where they fight for their right to know the truth. The dangers of secrecy and the significance of transparency have been explored through this - how individuals suffer under the impact of powerful institutions.

17) Enduring Relevance

The procedure of severance resonates with modern society - Contemporary anxiety, work-life balance, and the advent of technology, where the maintenance of individuality is more difficult. It is a wake-up call telling people to write their destinies instead of being manipulated by others. This show is thought-provoking in its depiction of the significance of free will and the sense of self.