Letting Go Season 2 Episode 1 sets up a big twist right away

Warning: This article is for true Kier followers only. If you haven't watched the season 2 premiere of Severance, watch out spoilers.

We finally know what's going on after that fateful Severance cliffhanger literally left us all on the edge of our seats almost three full years ago… and the answer is, apparently, nothing? Season 2 Premiere Episode (which I reviewed here /Film) picks up pretty much right where we left off, with our favorite innie Mark S. (Adam Scott) waking up right back on the Severed Floor of Lumon Industries mere seconds — at least in his view — of being called out that she's (supposedly) dead. . the wife was really alive. For those who need a refresher from what happened last timeMark led a rebellion against their corporate overlords, resulting in Hellie R. (Brit Lower) blowing the whistle in front of several Lumon fans and Irving B. (John Turturro) urgently seeking out his brief romantic flame Bert (Christopher Walken).

When the smoke cleared and Mark returned to work, he was shocked to find that his old team, Macrodata Refinement (MDR), had been completely replaced by a whole new trio of strange groups. This would probably have created a new status quo for at least the first few episodes of the season. Not so! In the first big rug-pull of the season (with many more to come), the horrendously busy premiere episode immediately turns the spotlight on both Mark S. and the audience… and in doing so, sets the tone for the sophomore season. a season that is sure to keep fans guessing at every turn.

Oh, how easily any of us can be replaced as the wheels of capitalism keep turning. Severance Season 2 is back and hasn't missed a beat in its scathing satire of workplace norms, the latest of which is best exemplified by the three newest characters introduced and just as quickly dismissed in this season's first hour. 2. Just when it looked like we were going to have to get used to it weird version of MDR Led by guest stars Bob Balaban, Alia Shawkat and Stefano Carannante, Mark's desperate, law-breaking appeal to the board helps. Halfway through the premiere, the first big twist is that our beloved group of innies are reuniting and ready to be an even bigger thorn in Lumon's side.

Season 2 Trailers sought to highlight the new MDR team, lending credence to the idea that series creator Dan Erickson and his writing team might let them stick around for a while. Well, you know what they say about those who accept. After being caught trying to sabotage poor Mark W. (even Mark S. didn't seem to bother, as Tramel Tillman's Mr. Milchick points out, not even hiding his handwriting on the incriminating note he tried to plant ), Mark S. decides to make his grievances known to the highest part of Lumon's decision-makers. His reckless infiltration of Mr. Milczyk's office pays off in a big way, as even the board seems to recognize that giving in to Inny's demands will be the easiest way to get him back to his desk and improve all those macros.

Sometimes workers can win a small victory against the bosses – although maybe our innies could finally figure out how to unionize by season 3 and make things a little easier for themselves, eh?

So where does all this leave our promising young recruits at MDR? Heading to the new and improved Break Room to watch a Lumon-approved animated video unlike anything we've seen before on the show (including a fake-voice cameo you might recognize), the ever-sardonic Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) encourages Don't feel bad about “ending” Mark. Dylan shows no remorse for these workers who were put in the position of taking his and his friends' jobs, but their uncertain fate is as amusing as it is quietly disturbing. Our favorite innies could easily have been “murdered” in exactly the same way, ceasing to exist, as beloved Burt did last season when he was forced into retirement.

Again, to be fair, Severance plays things smart. The premiere doesn't tip its hand one way or the other on whether or not any (or all) of this trio of new characters will reappear later in the season. But if nothing else, this twist of hope feels like a giant, bright neon sign that our heroes need to watch their backs even more in future episodes.

For now, the premiere leaves us in a tantalizing place — and yes, it's right where our innies were last season. But don't let appearances fool you. Mark S., Hellie R., Irving B. and Dylan G. could all have their old jobs back, but they live very different emotional headspaces than ever before. Despite arguing about whether to accept Lumon's offer to quit voluntarily, Irving B. decides to stay and help his friends. Dylan, after finding out he has a wife and kids, is still more motivated than ever. And as for Hellie R. and Mark S., our newest power couple, it looks like they'll both be up to the mystery of the missing Casey/Ms. Gemma (Dichen Lachman).

New episodes of Severance stream every Friday on Apple TV+.