What is Wintertide in Severance Season 2 and why is it important? Explained

Severance Season 2 continues the suspense from Season 1, revealing more secrets about Lumon Industries. At the heart of the show are the psychological and ethical dilemmas faced by the severed employees, as their consciousness is now divided into their Innies and Outies.

While Season 2 brought back titular characters, it also introduced fans to some new characters, including Miss Huang, the youngest employee on the severed floor. In the latest Severance Season 2 episode 6 "Attila", Huang has a conversation with Milchick during which a mysterious term "Wintertide" is introduced.

Since the episode came out, fans have been wondering about this term and the meaning behind it. While Mr. Milchick didn't explain what exactly Wintertide is, the LinkedIn profile of Lumon Industries suggests it's an institution connected to the company.

However, it seems different from normal institutions and is possibly training selected individuals to align with Lumon's ideology. Additionally, Milchick seemingly plays a key role in determining who qualifies, as he told Miss Huang in Severance Season 2:

"I feel I should remind you, you cannot graduate from this fellowship until I have deemed you Wintertide material."

Mr. Milchick further reminded the young employee to focus on her duties. This suggests that Huang's time on the served floor isn't just a regular job but a test to check if she's capable of holding the company's values.

Continue reading to learn more about the series and the latest term introduced in Episode 6.

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What does Wintertide mean in Severance Season 2?

From Kelly exposing Lumon to Helena Eagen impersonating her innie, Severance has introduced numerous twists and mysterious terms like the "Cold Harbor" project and now "Wintertide". While not much is known about the two, we do know that Wintertide is connected to Lumon and possibly training individuals to take on leadership roles in the company.

While talking to Miss Huang in Severance Season 2 Episode 6, Mr. Milchick makes it clear that the young employee won't be able to graduate from her fellowship until she meets certain expectations and is deemed worthy of advancing.

By saying, "This will mean using your time well, focusing on your own duties, and eradicating from your essence childish folly," Milchick reminds Miss Huang that she is being evaluated and must carry out the responsibilities expected of a Wintertide candidate.

If Wintertide turns out to be more than just a school, it suggests that Miss Huang’s presence at Lumon might take on an unexpected or even disturbing significance. Milchick's stern tone during the conversation further fuels speculation that Huang's success depends on more than just academics.

Instead, she must prove her obedience and learn to suppress emotion, like every severed employee in Severance Season 2. Wintertide possibly being an institution also hints at Lumon's broader plan for indoctrination.

This would mean that the company isn't just recruiting employees but is also shaping young minds to accept and enforce the controversial severance procedure. Not to mention how Miss Huang stated that Innies are not human, suggesting that the institution is likely teaching students to dehumanize severed employees.

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Also Read: How did they shoot the Severance Season 2 opening scene? Explained

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