Behind the Scenes of “Severance”: Secrets You Didn’t Know
The Genesis of Lumon: A Corporate Dystopia Born from Personal Experience
Dan Erickson, the creator of “Severance,” didn’t dream up the chilling Lumon Industries in a vacuum. His initial concept stemmed from a series of unfulfilling office jobs he held while pursuing his writing career. The monotony, the feeling of being a cog in a machine, and the inherent disconnect between personal life and professional duties fueled the central premise of the show. He imagined a scenario where the ultimate work-life balance was achieved through surgical intervention, allowing employees to compartmentalize their existence completely. This wasn’t just a science fiction thought experiment; it was an extrapolation of the anxieties many face in the modern workplace.
The original script, titled “Severance,” was featured on the 2016 Blood List, a list of the best unproduced dark genre screenplays. This recognition brought it to the attention of Ben Stiller, who was immediately captivated by the concept’s potential for both dark comedy and profound social commentary. Stiller’s involvement was crucial, not only in securing funding and production but also in shaping the tone and visual language of the show.
Building the Lumon Aesthetic: A Blend of Mid-Century Modern and Clinical Precision
The unsettling visual style of “Severance” is a deliberate choice, meticulously crafted to enhance the show’s themes of isolation, control, and corporate alienation. Production designer Jeremy Hindle drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including the architecture of Eero Saarinen, particularly his design for the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport. The sterile, symmetrical hallways, the low ceilings, and the muted color palette contribute to a sense of unease and disorientation.
The Lumon offices are deliberately devoid of personal touches. No family photos, no desk trinkets, nothing to remind the “innies” of their outside lives. This absence of individuality reinforces the idea that Lumon wants to erase their employees’ identities and transform them into purely functional units. The use of fluorescent lighting, often harsh and unflattering, further emphasizes the oppressive atmosphere.
Even the furniture within Lumon’s headquarters was carefully selected. Mid-century modern pieces, while aesthetically pleasing, are often uncomfortable and impractical for prolonged use. This subtle discomfort is another layer of control, subtly reminding the “innies” that they are not truly at ease, even within their designated workspaces. The deliberate lack of windows in many of the offices adds to the feeling of being trapped and disconnected from the outside world.
The Lexington Hotel: A Real-World Inspiration for Kier, Eagan’s Vision
The fictional town of Kier, named after Lumon’s enigmatic founder, Kier Eagan, draws heavily from real-world influences. One key inspiration is the Lexington Hotel in New York City, a historic landmark known for its Art Deco design and its connection to the world of espionage. During World War II, the hotel served as a covert base for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA.
The hotel’s secret passages, hidden rooms, and clandestine history resonate with the themes of secrecy and manipulation that permeate “Severance.” The show’s writers and production designers drew inspiration from the hotel’s architecture and its atmosphere of intrigue when creating the town of Kier and the surrounding Lumon facilities.
Adam Scott’s Dual Performance: Navigating the Internal Conflict of Mark S.
Adam Scott’s portrayal of Mark Scout is a masterclass in nuanced acting. He effectively captures the stark contrast between Mark S., the grieving widower on the outside, and Mark B., the diligent but increasingly inquisitive Lumon employee. Scott approached the role by treating each version of Mark as a separate character, developing distinct mannerisms and emotional landscapes for each.
The challenge for Scott was not only to differentiate between the two versions of Mark but also to convey the subtle ways in which their experiences were influencing each other. Even though the severance procedure is supposed to create a complete separation between their lives, there are moments where glimpses of the “innie’s” experiences leak into the “outie’s” consciousness, and vice versa. Scott masterfully portrays these moments of confusion and disorientation, adding to the show’s overall sense of unease.
To prepare for the role, Scott reportedly engaged in extensive conversations with Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller, delving deep into the psychology of the characters and the ethical implications of the severance procedure. He also studied various psychological disorders, including dissociative identity disorder, to better understand the potential effects of such a radical separation of consciousness.
The Goats: A Symbol of Lumon’s Bizarre Experimentation
The mysterious goat room in the Optics and Design department is one of the most unsettling and intriguing aspects of “Severance.” The presence of baby goats within a sterile, corporate environment raises numerous questions about Lumon’s true purpose and the extent of their experimentation.
The goats are a deliberate symbol of the unnatural and the unsettling. They represent Lumon’s willingness to manipulate and control living beings for their own unknown purposes. The fact that the goats are babies adds another layer of unease, suggesting that Lumon is interfering with the natural processes of life and development.
The decision to use real goats, rather than CGI, was a conscious one on the part of the production team. They wanted to create a visceral and unsettling experience for the viewers, and the presence of live animals added to the realism and the emotional impact of the scene. The goats were reportedly well-cared for on set, with animal handlers present to ensure their safety and well-being.
The Waffle Party: A Reward System Steeped in Corporate Mythology
The waffle party, a coveted reward for exceptional performance at Lumon, is a bizarre and unsettling ritual that highlights the company’s cult-like culture. The “innies” are treated to a lavish waffle breakfast, but the experience is fraught with anxiety and a sense of forced celebration.
The waffle party is a symbol of Lumon’s manipulative control over its employees. The company uses the promise of a reward to motivate the “innies” to perform their duties, but the reward itself is designed to reinforce their dependence on Lumon. The fact that the “innies” are not allowed to fully enjoy the waffle party, due to the constant presence of supervisors and the pressure to conform, further emphasizes the company’s oppressive control.
The inclusion of the Eagan family mythology in the waffle party adds another layer of complexity to the ritual. The “innies” are forced to recite passages from the writings of Kier Eagan, reinforcing the company’s ideology and solidifying their allegiance to Lumon.
The Break Room: Psychological Torture Masquerading as Discipline
The break room, where employees are forced to repeatedly apologize for perceived transgressions, is one of the most disturbing aspects of “Severance.” The scene is designed to be psychologically torturous, with the “innies” being subjected to a relentless barrage of self-criticism and humiliation.
The break room is a tool of control, designed to break down the “innies'” resistance and reinforce their obedience to Lumon. The repetitive nature of the apologies, combined with the isolating environment of the break room, creates a sense of disorientation and despair. The fact that the “innies” are often unsure of what they are apologizing for further adds to the psychological torment.
The break room scenes are deliberately uncomfortable to watch, forcing viewers to confront the ethical implications of Lumon’s practices. They serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked corporate power and the importance of protecting individual rights.
The Music of “Severance”: An Unsettling Soundscape of Corporate Dread
The score for “Severance,” composed by Theodore Shapiro, is an integral part of the show’s atmosphere. It’s a blend of minimalist electronica, unsettling sound design, and occasional bursts of orchestral grandeur, all designed to enhance the show’s themes of isolation, control, and corporate alienation.
Shapiro deliberately avoided traditional musical cues that would signal emotional responses. Instead, he created a soundscape that is both unsettling and hypnotic, mirroring the “innies'” disorientation and their sense of being trapped within Lumon’s sterile environment. The use of electronic instruments and sound effects creates a sense of artificiality, further emphasizing the unnatural nature of the severance procedure.
The occasional moments of orchestral grandeur are used sparingly, often to highlight the power and influence of Lumon Industries. These moments are often unsettling, as they suggest a hidden agenda and a sense of underlying menace.
Easter Eggs and Hidden Meanings: Deciphering the Lumon Code
“Severance” is filled with Easter eggs and hidden meanings, rewarding attentive viewers with subtle clues and connections. The show’s creators have deliberately layered the narrative with symbolism and references to various philosophical and psychological concepts.
The names of the characters, the numbers on the doors, and the objects within the Lumon offices are all potential sources of hidden meaning. Some viewers have speculated that the show is a commentary on the nature of consciousness, the dangers of corporate control, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world.
The show’s creators have remained tight-lipped about the true meaning of these Easter eggs, encouraging viewers to engage in their own interpretations and theories. This has led to a vibrant online community of “Severance” fans, who are actively dissecting the show’s every detail in search of hidden clues. This active engagement from the audience has only fueled the show’s popularity and its status as a modern cult classic.
