Warning! This article contains spoilers for Severance season 2’s episode 1.
A divisiveSeveranceseason 2 theory has left many viewers wondering whether Helly is who she claims to be, especially after she lies about her outie, Helena. FollowingSeveranceseason 1’s shocking finale, season 2 is expected to be jampacked with many mind-bending twists and turns. By hinting atwhat Lumon’s Macrodata Refinement department achievesby sorting the data sets and numbers into bins,Severanceseason 2 episode 1’s endingseems to have already paved the way for a compelling narrative.
Since season 2 episode 1’s final scene establishes a clear connection between Mark’s MDR work and Gemma, it easily qualifies as one of the most intriguing developments in the series. However, as many viewers have pointed out, Helly’s early scenes from season 2’s opening episode also demand attention as they may gradually build up to a surprising twist. Only time will tell howSeveranceseason 2 will unfold, but according to a convincing Helly theory, theApple TV+ sci-fi showmight have spoiled one of its biggest story details in episode 1.
Severance Theory Suggests Helly’s Outie Has Secretly Replaced Her
Helena Could Be Pretending To Be Helly
All seems to go well forMark inSeveranceseason 2’s episode 1when he requests the board bring his old teammates back, and the board surprisingly listens. With what follows, Mark reunites with Helly, Dylan, and Irving even though their Overtime Contingency incident harmed Lumon’s reputation in the outside world. As positive as this story development may seem, it might be leading to a darker truth:Helly never made it back.
How Much Time Has Passed Between Severance Seasons 1 & 2
It’s been nearly three years since Severance season 1 ended, but not that much time has passed since season 1’s ending and the start of season 2.
As apopularSeveranceseason 2 theorysuggests, Helly might have been replaced by her outie, Helena, after season 1’s ending. If this is true, the show will likely take time to reveal this twist. However, it seems to have already dropped many subtle clues to hint that Helly is not who Mark and the other MDR workers think she is.
Many Hidden Details Suggest That Helly Did Not Return In Severance Season 2
Little Signs Hint That Helly Never Made It Back
One of the earliest clues that makes one question Helly’s identity is her reaction to meeting Mark. Mark does not think twice before hugging her as soon as she leaves the elevator. However, Helly is caught off guard by Mark’s hug, and, for a brief moment, seems hesitant about hugging him back. Given how they kissed inSeverance season 1’s finale, one might argue that Helly’s hesitation raises suspicion. The biggest red flag comes whenHelly blatantly lies about her experience as an outie during the Overtime Contingency incidentfromSeveranceseason 1’s ending.
When the Macrodata Refinement team finally gets to work, she even struggles to find her computer’s switch, which seems strange since she has worked in the office for quite some time now.
Instead of coming up with a logical cover-up, she cooks up an unbelievable narrative about interacting with a gardener at night, raising many doubts about who she is. During her interaction with Mark inSeveranceseason 2’s episode 1, she even makes him doubt whether Gemma is still in the Lumon building and tries to convince him to stop caring about his outie. When the Macrodata Refinement team finally gets to work, she even struggles to find her computer’s switch, which seems strange since she has worked in the office for quite some time now.
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Given how Helena is the daughter of Lumon Industries CEO Jame Eagan, making her one of the biggest supporters of the severance procedure, it is hard not to wonder why she would let her innie return after she blew the whistle on her company. Helly also walks with a distinct strut, which she does not seem to have inSeveranceseason 2’s opening episode. InSeveranceseason 1’s ending moments,Ms. Cobel tells Helly that she’ll “be long gone” but her friends, including Mark, will suffer and be kept alive in pain, which is another solid clue that hints Helly may “be long gone.”
Why The Helly/Helena Severance Theory Is So Divisive
There Is A Logical Counter For Every Hint
As fascinating and plausible as the above theory may seem, there is a logical counter to every argument that suggests Helena has replaced Helly. For instance, Helly still seems to be recovering from her outie experience when Mark hugs her, explaining why she takes time to grasp what is happening. She might have also lied about her outie experience becauseshe fears the MDR employees will either judge her for being one of the leading figures at Lumon or, worse, stop trusting herfor being one of the biggest promoters of the severance procedure.
As Lumon’s compunction statement says, the outie probably wants her innie to “atone for” her actions and realize that only in her “their stain live on.”
To some extent, she might also be ashamed of the fact that her outie is among the pioneers of the system she has been fighting against. The switch fumble could be a minor misjudgment, given how she has only worked as an MDR worker for less than a month. Helena might have sent her innie back inSeveranceseason 2 because she likely wants her to suffer and make her pay for all the damage she has caused to Lumon. As Lumon’s compunction statement says, the outie probably wants her innie to “atone for” her actions and realize that only in her “their stain live on.”
Severance
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
