Introduction: The television series Severance intricately explores the duality of human existence by placing its characters in a surreal corporate environment, forcing them to confront profound personal struggles. This article delves into the central themes of love, pain, and identity as experienced by Mark and Gemma and contrasts them with the bleak corporate philosophy of Lumon Industries.
In Season 1 of Severance, the protagonist, Mark Scout, grapples with the devastating loss of his wife, Gemma, whom he believes to be deceased. As Season 2 unfolds, we witness flashbacks that reveal both the joyous moments and profound heartbreaks in their relationship, including their struggle with a miscarriage. Maintaining a marriage amid challenges can be a transformative journey, often filled with acute emotional pain.
In the world of Severance, employees of the nefarious Lumon Industries undergo a procedure that splits their consciousness in two. On one hand, the “outie” relishes weekends and paychecks, but is oblivious to work-related matters. Conversely, the “innie” toils away at the office without any recollection of family or life beyond those four walls.
Severance transcends the boundaries of a mere action thriller, even though the “innie” characters occasionally resort to sneaking or fighting their way through the oppressive environment of Lumon. The show presents a philosophical dilemma where the characters’ free selves might find themselves tempted to imprison memories tied to pain in an attempt to escape it. Both Mark and Gemma once believed they could flee from their sorrows before becoming captives of Lumon. This leads viewers to ponder the distinction between short-term pain relief and the challenging journey toward forming a meaningful identity in an imperfect world.
If work is unpleasant, pursuing this separation may seem efficient from a cost-benefit perspective. However, in his book Wild Problems, Russ Roberts cautions against making choices solely based on the desire to avoid pain. He argues that many individuals might forgo having children if they solely evaluated that decision through the lens of immediate happiness. Life’s most significant choices, such as those regarding vocation and parenthood, cannot be resolved by simple analysis; they are “wild problems” that fundamentally shape who we become. The experience of parenthood, for instance, helps forge the future self that will later assess that choice.
Individuals focused on “what makes me happiest this year?” might opt for cooperation with Lumon. Instead of acknowledging that work, grief, and love can mold us, Lumon attempts to sever experiences from one’s identity. In contrast, an adult contemplating, “Who do I want to become?” would likely reject the Lumon framework (an inclination most viewers would support, as it would mean freeing individuals from captivity).
This dilemma is poignantly illustrated in the narrative of Mark and Gemma. Their marriage was not characterized by a series of blissful moments. They faced struggles with infertility, disagreements, and an empty crib in their home serving as a haunting representation of their grief.
Lumon views it as a scientific triumph when a severed version of Gemma dismantles the wooden crib without experiencing the emotional pain connected to that memory. The corporation believes that by erasing her recollection of the crib, it has triumphed over suffering.
While I will refrain from detailing the finale of Season 2, an important event involving the crib takes place that questions the Lumon philosophy and underscores the deeper fulfillment that arises from maintaining human bonds during life’s adversities. The love between Mark and Gemma is inextricably linked to their shared memories and the way they navigated their challenges together.
This is not to imply that suffering inherently enhances a marriage or life experience. Pain can indeed devastate individuals and relationships. Roberts emphasizes that a meaningful life isn’t constructed simply by maximizing pleasant moments while eliminating the unpleasant. Certain experiences reveal essential truths about character and commitment. Moreover, since severance technology doesn’t exist in our reality, we must heed Roberts’s invitation to embrace life’s challenges, fully aware that we will face all the pain ourselves.
Lumon perceives pain as disposable. Wild Problems challenges us to ask whether pain is sometimes intertwined with the person we choose to become. Both Severance and Wild Problems explore whether it’s possible to achieve the life we desire without being transformed by the sacrifices it demands.
Russ contends that this division reflects a misunderstanding of human flourishing. Life is not merely a series of desirable outcomes; it is a coherent narrative that encompasses suffering alongside opportunities for profound love.
The allure of severance promises an escape from pain, even from minor discomforts like attending a dentist appointment. However, the show illustrates that any attempt to entirely evade pain—should severance technology ever exist—ultimately diverts us from true freedom and results in suffering elsewhere. When individuals strive excessively to flee from pain, their lives risk losing meaning, leading to an oppressive societal environment.
Conclusion: Severance invites viewers to reflect on the value of pain and the significance of human connection in navigating life’s challenges. As exemplified by Mark and Gemma, enduring and sharing experiences—both joyful and painful—forms the essence of love and identity, highlighting that a meaningful life cannot be crafted through avoidance but rather through embracing the full spectrum of emotional experiences.
