In Severance Season 2, Reintegration is discussed as a means to reunite the severed identities of employees at Lumon Industries. This process reconnects the "innie," or work persona, with the "outie," or personal persona.
The narrative explores this technology, particularly through Mark Scout, who wants to undergo Reintegration to reconnect with his wife, Gemma. The process involves advanced techniques that aim to bridge the gap between these two distinct identities, raising questions about identity, memory, and the ethical implications of such technology.
The mechanics of Reintegration in Severance Season 2
In the world of Severance season 2, especially at Lumon, Reintegration is mainly managed by a program known as transcranial magnetic stimulation. With the use of TMS technology, magnetic fields are applied specifically to areas within the brain to initiate repressed innie and outie memories in individuals.
By Severance Season 2, Episode 3, the introduction of TMS is developed from earlier treatments, which, during the period, were initially witnessed in earlier parts of the show. During Reintegration, a subject is asked several focused questions in the presence of TMS.
This two-step process is used to induce the retrieval of memory from both characters. For instance, Mark receives this treatment hoping to recover the memories of Gemma that he cannot remember due to his being cut off from his life.
The process seeks to create an uninterrupted flow of information between his work life and personal experiences. It is not a risk-free process. Characters that have undergone Reintegration in the past, like Petey, had a terrible time.
After going through the process, Petey was extremely confused and disoriented as he tried to cope with his memory of the severance. It was Mark's need for relating but also ambiguity in the method that made it dangerous.
Mark's journey through Reintegration
Mark's motive for undergoing Reintegration is fundamentally personal. Having discovered that the head of Lumon is still alive and attached to Gemma, he feels compelled to reconnect with her. This emotional journey propels him to face fears related to the procedure, all the more so considering what happened to Petey. As Mark prepares for Reintegration, he grapples with conflicting emotions.
He desires closure and reconnection but fears losing parts of himself in the process. The narrative emphasizes his internal struggle as he weighs the benefits against potential risks. Ultimately, Mark's decision signifies a pivotal moment in his character development, illustrating how personal relationships can influence one's choices within the confines of a corporate environment.
Viewers witness the Reintegration process itself in which TMS stimulates Mark's memories. He recalls his life outside of work, shaping his identity through memories. This confluence of memories is a crucial plot device that not only furthers the character arc of Mark but also brings up questions of what it means to be whole in a world where identities can be artificially separated.
The wider implications of Reintegration
Relevant implications of successful reintegration extend beyond individual characters; they pose important questions about identity and autonomy within Lumon Industries. If Mark successfully integrates his innie and outie selves, he will have new insight into operations in Lumon Industries and ethical considerations thereof.
If more such processes occur to characters like Helly, the storyline might produce an entire set of employees coming together to do a better job and understand who they are as people. Thus, resistance can emerge, given the recognition of themselves, in this oppressive corporation of Lumon.
The possibility of Reintegration also raises ethical questions about consent and manipulation. Characters may be dealing with memories they did not want to access or confront. Severance season 2 challenges viewers to think about how technology can change human experience and identity.
Watch Severance on Apple TV+.
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