"Severance" is a Really Good Show

I got caught up on the most recent episode of "Severance" yesterday. We got some answers, some more things came to light and it was a showcase for Patricia Arquette's character Harmony Cobel. It was one of the shorter episodes of the series to date, clocking in at right around 40 minutes.

I thought the episode was fine. It wasn't their best, but it moved the story along. But, I guess there are others who disagree with my feelings. People online have been really going at this episode. People seem to really dislike it. I don't get this take, other than people just want something to complain about. Not everyone can just be happy that a big portion of us are watching some of the best tv that has ever existed to this point.

"Severance" is remarkable. The show is damn good. It's compelling. I crave each new episode every Friday. This is what I miss from watching tv when I was a kid. I wasn't bombarded with a million different viewpoints on why something I really enjoy is so bad. Harmony Cobel is a very important character on the show. She has been important since season one. She clearly has something big brewing in this season of the show. She went on this long car trip at the start of the season and I was curious to see where she was going and what would come of it. That is what this recent episode gave us. We saw where she went. We saw her old home. We saw some people she used to be connected with. And we got some big time answers about the creation of Lumon and the idea of how severance came to be in this universe.

I guess this isn't what the keyboard warriors wanted from this episode of "Severance". I have read some people's reviews, some reputable people, and they are going hard. These writers have called it boring. I read others who said it was pointless. And others talked about it being the "low point". None of that makes sense to me. "Severance" is not a show about one person. All of the characters play a role in the long run. Sure, the episodes centered around Mark and Helena and Dyaln in the severed office are my favorite. And I always pay closer attention when Seth Milchick shows up. But Cobel plays an important role. She seems to be one of the creators and visionaries for Lumon. We were going to see a solo episode based on her sooner rather than later. And I was pleased with what we saw. Everyone in this universe will, most likely, get an episode like this in the future of this show, and I hope that the internet dorks will just leave it alone. All of this is going to culminate in what I imagine will be a glorious series finale, whenever that day comes. But, people on the internet will never be happy. They will find something to gripe about. "Severance" could make what is widely regarded as one of the greatest finales of all time, but there will be a few lonely people that go on the internet and gripe about it.

We live in a weird time where no one is ever pleased with what they see, no matter what. All I can say, I am forever grateful to all the people that work on this show have given us and will give us in the future. Keep up the good work and I cannot wait to watch the final 2 episodes of this season over the next two weeks. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches "Severance"

I fully understand that I'm late to all of this, but "Severance" is one hell of a tv show. I just started to watch the first season this week, and I have already seen all of season 1. I have watched half of the first episode of season 2, and I'm all in.

"Severance" isn't the freshest idea in the sci-fi world, but damned if it isn't one of the best written and acted shows. I find myself endlessly floored at the performances that the actors give. This is a whole new world for Adam Scott and he is absolutely nailing it. I always find it fascinating when an actor who is so entrenched in one genre, I'd say comedy for Scott, does something totally different. It shouldn't be a surprise, Adam Scott is a professional actor. But, going from a very joke heavy show like "Parks and Rec", to doing hard sci-fi like "Severance", this is an accomplishment from him. He does such a wonderful job. Britt Lower matches him punch for punch. She is rebellious and knows this whole world that this show has created is not good. She does a fantastic job, and the big twist with her at the end of season 1 makes her role that much more impressive. John Tutturo is in this show and he shows us all why he is one of the better actors working right now. The two versions of himself in the show couldn't be more different, but I find myself rooting for each one. There are scenes with him and Christopher Walken, another powerhouse performance, that are sweet and heartbreaking in one shot. The work the two of them do together is beautifully done, and Tutturo steals the show for me. Zach Cherry is the "comic relief", but he also does some heavy stuff here. I have always liked Cherry's work, but he is on another level in "Severance". I cannot wait to see what his character does in season 2. Outside the four main actors, Trammel Tillman is so menacing and nice and singularly focused on the task at hand. He has quickly become my favorite character in the show. Jen Tullock, as Scott's sister, and Michael Chernus, as Scott's brother in law, bring a realness and a grounding to this show that is a nice break. And Patricia Arquette is on a whole other level here. I realized watching this show that I had not seen much of her work. She is magnetic and outstanding in this show.

The writing takes this show to a different level as well. For a sci-fi series, the things that happen are easy enough to follow. The show isn't weird just for the sake of being weird. From what I've seen to this point, whenever something odd happens, it has a nice payoff. I like that questions get answered. When the actors deliver the written lines, I believe what they're saying is coming from their character's perspective. This show is so good on every single level. Even the way it is shot, it is cool to look at on my screen. Oh, and the opening credits sequence to season 1 is one of the coolest openings in tv history. I usually skip through the intro of a show, but not here. The music and the animation is so rad.

Look, "Severance" is a critically acclaimed show. It has been nominated I assume. I'm not telling you all anything new if you already watch the show. But if you don't, and you may be on the fence, watch it. It is so well done and so interesting and cool. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.