Why you should watch... Severance
United in severance, a story told with twice as many main characters as lead actors... a gripping, twisting thriller-series, with some of the best comedic timing on television, and prescient themes...
Being late-to-the-game with high-quality television has become such a common theme in the streaming age, that many of the most ardent fans of shows like Severance (myself included) only find these gems when their first (or even, only) season has already concluded.
I was absolutely one of these people, only watching Severance well after its first season had concluded, and I’d resigned myself to having had the show already spoiled for me by the various TikToks on it, and overly spoiler-filled YouTube thumbnails that populated my various feeds.
It’s a testament to the show’s quality, engrossing narrative, and profoundly human characters that despite having many ‘beats’ of the overarching story spoiled for me… I felt as though I was going in blind with every episode, of Severance.
“…the show’s otherworldly, Kaufmanesque aesthetic, from Jeremy Hindle’s corporately brutal production design to Theodore Shapiro’s eerie score, belies a great humanity…”
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair
(March 18, 2022)
Telling a unique ‘grounded yet surreal’ story — one that affords the actors the unique chance to play two separate characters, exploring the same mystery from two different perspectives — the story of Severance is one that is ever more prescient for our times… that of reconciling being a ‘cog in the machine’, never knowing ‘the full plan’, and being encouraged to ‘find joy in the important work’ one is left to toil in.
In its somewhat anachronistic setting, we’re given a look into a world (though the fictional town of Kier, PE) where people are afforded greater ‘work/life balance’ through a process that spatially displaces their consciousness when in and out of work.
A mystery that grows in both scale and severity with each beat of the story, Severance effectively builds suspense and investment in the ‘truth’ of what’s going on at a steady rate without ever causing fatigue. Many shows have ‘lost steam’ with compounding mysteries that see little pay-off or follow through, all while adding more questions for the audience & characters alike (see: Lost)… but this is yet another way that Severance sets itself apart.
“…there are some big, fascinating questions at play in “Severance” about grief, connection, and identity […] What are they hiding? What can we handle not knowing about ourselves and those we work for when we’re behind a desk?…”
—Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com
(February 17, 2022)
Like my other recent posts that have lauded effective story-telling (and perhaps, a look into something of a growing ‘through line’ in my writing on You Should Watch) the stand-out part of this intentionally and lovingly crafted series for me isn’t the mystery… isn’t the pain-staking attention to detail… isn’t the masterful musical scores, set design, or even the narrative pacing… it’s that this story is beautifully, painfully human in ways that most TV series can’t ever hope to reach.
As with most great science-fiction stories (which Severenace is arguably a member of, with its pseudo-fantastical use of technology at the core of its narrative), it uses its more surreal elements not just to make it stand-out as a ‘genre piece’, but to greatly elevate its narrative, discussion, and dissection of the human experience.
It tells the story of love and friendships transcending consciousness, as we perceive it…
It showcases that the breadth of human resillience, and ability to break-free of shackles, even in the most controlled environments…
It makes you feel genuine comprehension & compassion of each character on screen — be they innie or outie, main or supporting cast — coming across as complete, well-rounded individuals… and ones that you find yourself more and more invested in, with each ‘ding’ of the Lumon building’s elevator…
You should watch Severance (2022-) if you…
Are looking for a new streaming series that will sink its hooks into you in the first five frames, and leave you anxious for each new release
Have an enjoyment of stories that use fantastical narrative tools to tell wholly grounded, real, and relatable stories
Find joy in seeing strong ensemble casts perfectly playing off one anothers personalities with natural ease & chemistry
Like a good mystery that both doesn’t give you all the answers up front, while still adding more questions without leaving you feeling lost
Enjoy stories that use elements of ‘science fiction’ without making you feel like you’re watching a Sci-Fi production
Where to Watch
Drama/Thriller • 2022- • 2 seasons • TV-MA • English
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