WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance season 2, episode 9!Helly R. meets Jame Eagan for the second time during another strange scene inSeveranceseason 2, episode 9’s ending, with Lumon’s CEO appearing for a cryptic confrontation on the severed floor. While he was a more enigmatic, removedcharacter inSeveranceseason 1, Jame Eagan has taken on a greater focus within the stories of the main figures throughout season 2. Cobel has more recently referenced Jame with regards to him stealing her severance procedure designs and secretly bringing women to the birthing retreat cabins, thoughhis physical presence has been confined to scenes with Helena or Helly.
After an unsettling breakfast scene with Helena while she eats a hard-boiled egg, Jame unexpectedly returns at the end ofSeveranceseason 2, episode 9 as Helly, the last one to leave the office, sits at her desk memorizingIrving’s directions to the Testing Floor for Dylan.As Jame stands in the doorway, he simply says, “You tricked me. My Helly,”to which an extremely confused Helly responds, “What the f***?” The episode ends without revealing what Jame intends to do with Helly R. on the severed floor, deepening the mystery surrounding the Eagans’ dynamics and intentions.
Why Jame Eagan Tells Helly R. That She “Tricked” Him
Jame Is Referring To Their Season 1 Scene
Considering it’s been three years in the real world sinceSeveranceseason 1’s ending, it’s easy to forget what happened the last time Helly R. met her Outie’s father, Jame Eagan. However, that interaction explains why Jame confronts Helly about “tricking” him, since it seems thatit’s really only been a matter of days since the Innies enacted the overtime contingency protocolwithinSeverance’s timeline.
When Dylan woke up MDR’s Innies outside using the overtime contingency protocol inSeverance’s season 1 finale, Helly R. woke up at a Lumon gala where her Outie was presenting her experiences undergoing the severance procedure. To collect herself and attempt to assess her surroundings and next moves, Helly fled to the bathroom so she could have a moment alone. However,while believing that Helly was Helena, Jame Eagan suddenly appeared in the bathroomand kindly told Helena she looked nice, he was angry to hear about her Innie’s suicide attempt, he appreciated her getting severed, and reminisced with her.
Severance’s Eagan Family Tree Explained
The Eagans play a huge role in Severance, and their family tree is briefly explained during the crew’s visit to the Perpetuity Wing in season one.
WithinSeverance’s timeline, the next time that Jame sees his daughter, hecalls Helena a “fetid moppet” for Helly’s outburst during her speech, reprimanding Helena for the damage this will cause the Eagans’ image. After figuring out what happened with the overtime contingency,James realizes that the moment of vulnerability and affection between himself and his daughter never actually happened with Helena, as Helly had “tricked” him regarding her identity. However, he clearly still recognizes Helly’s personality as being distinct from Helena’s demeanor now, as he seems to sentimentally and affectionately refer to her Innie as “my Helly.”
Severance Confirms The Origin Of Helena’s “Helly” Innie Nickname
Helly Was Jame’s Affectionate Nickname For Helena
After it was revealed inSeverance’s season 1 finale thatHelly R.’s Outie was actually Helena Eagan, there were some discussions over why Helena would have chosen that for her Innie’s moniker rather than just going by “Helena E.” Since Jame affectionately calls her Innie “my Helly,” it’s implied that this nickname has great nostalgic and emotional value for the Eagan family members. Since Helena agreed to go through with the severance procedure to please her father and make him proud,her decision to use the name “Helly” was also a way to pander to his sentimentality.
It’s still unclear where exactly the “Riggs” part of Helena’s Innie name comes from.
It’s implied that Helly was the nickname Jame used for Helena when she was growing up, and she’s perhaps more representative of the personality and mannerisms that Helena once exhibited before conforming to Lumon expectations and having her four tempers balanced. Jame seems to still have fondness for this version of Helena, which could even be part of why he convinced her to become severed in the first place. It’s still unclear where exactly the “Riggs” part of Helena’s Innie name comes from, as it could potentially be completely made up or perhaps even be her mother’s maiden name.
Why Is Jame Eagan Confronting Helly On The Severed Floor?
Does Jame Have Something Else Planned For Helena’s Innie?
Jame wanting to confront Helly about “tricking” him, despite the Eagans’ perception of Innies not even being considered people, parallelsMark’s complex feelings about Helena tricking himabout her identity. Helly got to see an incredibly vulnerable moment from Jame thatSeveranceimplies is a precious rarity, sohe’s doubtlessly curious about Helly and trying to understand why he wasn’t able to recognize that she wasn’t his daughter.
TheSeveranceseason 2 opening title sequence includes a moment in which Gemma transforms into Helly going down the Testing Floor elevator.
Additionally, Jame seems to be hurt and betrayed by Helly’s rebellion and “tricks,” which took a shot at his pride and intelligence. He wouldn’t confront her with others around, and Jame knew that the staggering schedules of Innies would allow him to face Helly alone on the severed floor after Dylan’s departure. It’s been widely theorized that Helly will eventually be brought to the Testing Floor, andJame’s after-hours confrontation could possibly result in punishing Helly by bringing her to those severed roomsfor more “refinement” inSeverance’s season 2 finale.
