Within Hollywood, especially television, we as viewers very rarely see something unique or groundbreaking anymore. Something that makes you excited to check out next week’s episode. Something that makes this week-long wait feel like an entirety. However, Apple TV and Ben Stiller decided to bring back what made TV shows like Severance so great.
Severance is a show about people undergoing surgery that severs your work life from your personal life. Your “Innie” as it referred to within the show, has his own life and this cubicle is all he knows. He knows nothing about the outside world or what his “Outie” is like. However, this corporation (which is called Lumon) starts to reveal itself a little more in each episode; it is hinted that Lumon is up to no good.
I have yet to see a recent TV show that is this unique and creative. Ben Stiller and company created something so profound that viewers around the world are jaw-dropping. How one can come up with this genius idea alone is an amazing achievement in storytelling.
This premise is handled so beautifully as each episode is written with care and attention to each character. Our protagonist, Mark S., is a grieving man who recently lost his wife in a car accident. He underwent the severance surgery to help with grief. Adam Scott is the one who portrays this character and honestly, I couldn’t see anyone else as this character.
Scott and the rest of the cast turn in fantastic performances each episode, perfectly portraying their outies and innies. Viewers believe that they are two completely different people who have no idea about the lives of the other. Scott has the tough job of displaying a grieving man one second and a nerdy, happy man the other. He does it perfectly so that you learn to appreciate the characters differently.
As this is a sci-fi mystery type of show, Severance is not afraid to lean into it all. They embrace entirely this bizarre concept and have characters like Mr. Milchick capture how unsettling Lumon is. Whenever a question gets answered, another one forms as you wonder if you will find out what Lumon is up to. The mystery aspect of this show keeps viewers more attentive than any other show out there.
Severance season one picked up five Emmy nominations in 2022. Season two may win almost any major category in this year’s upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025. Season two of this show is simply that good and should be awarded with any award possible.
Stiller is one of few Hollywood talents left creating original and unique pieces of entertainment. He always had a unique feel for the camera and writing earlier in his career with movies such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that Scott was actually in. His creative ability shines throughout the show in almost every episode.
Hopefully, Hollywood wakes up and pays attention to what Severance is doing. Viewers want shows like this that challenge us and make us ask questions about why a character may look in a certain direction. Once Severance is all said and done, it will be considered one of television’s greats.
