Severance
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This is not a drill, people.
Baby goats is code for sex with Mark S., right?
So … baby goats!
It finally happened, but, um, not the way we ever thought it would.
Im just going to say it: Helena Eagan is arapist.
However, childhood is over.
Helena Eagan is now an adult, and her behavior is unforgivable.
Sure, go undercover as your Innie, but dont sexually assault the other Innies!
Now, none may atone for her actions but her.
But lets circle back to that whole mess in a bit.
The premise is absolutely wild.
Is this theBad Place?
It feels like Milchick could have briefed them on this trip earlier in the work week, right?
Oh, I have so many questions.
We open with a completely unnerving visual of Irv waking up in the middle of a giant frozen lake.
The refiners are given very unconventional directions to the cave.
but this is the most overt visual weve seen so far, and it comes courtesy of Lumon itself.
Are the twins actors?
Are they hallucinations that can be triggered via the severance chip?
Is this a simulation?
Watching this episode felt like a fever dream.
How else to explain the sudden drop into an unforgiving landscape?
How else to explain the weird twins that point the way?
Eventually, the group locates the fourth appendix and starts reading from it.
Is anyone else getting the sense that Kier killed his twin?
Finally, they reach Woes Hollow.
Thankfully, Milchick has set up the ultimate glamping experience for the group.
The tents are heated, the TP is four-ply, and there are copious luxury meats to be had.
Irv steps up his line of questioning and scolds Mark for making goo-goo eyes at Helena.
At this point, Irv doesnt exactly know who she is, but hes certain that shes lying.
With Irv gone, Mark sidles into Helenas tent to make goo-goo eyes and more.
The two get busy with the space heater, casting an ominous red glow on their bodies.
He loses his torch, finds a rock, and sits down, possibly to die.
This was not the love triangle we had planned for, folks.
This is a love hextangle, and its going to get messy.
As everyone else sleeps, Irv struggles in the woods.
In his dream, he finds the MDR desk in the middle of a clearing.
Woe is there, too, working diligently on her file.
Eventually, the only numbers on the screen are 1, 4, 5, and 7.
(E = 5, A = 1, G = 7, N = 14.)
Irvs got it now.
He knows who Helly really is.
Woe sidles up beside him, hisses, and the spell is broken.
Irv wakes up and knows what he has to do.
Woes Hollow is truly John Turturros episode.
My breath catches, my eyes tear up, my hands fidget, and my heart races.
Hand this man an Emmy, like.
We dont need to wait for the ceremony or anything; he deserves an Emmy right now.
In the light of day, Irv goes to find Helena.
Shes contemplating her good fortune while gazing upon Woes Hollow when Irv sneaks up behind her.
Hey, kid, he says, madness twinkling in his eyes.
For what its worth, Helena does look contrite.
She genuinely apologizes, which feels like a new thing for her, but Irv doesnt care.
He hauls her ass down to the edge of the frozen pond, and they both start screaming.
Shes been an Outie the whole time!
Im gonna kill her, Mr. Milchick!
Irvs commitment to freeing his friend is admirable, especially as he knows hes sacrificing himself in the process.
The ferocity Turturro brings to this line delivery is blistering.
Milchick gets on his walkie and commands someone on the other end to turn off the Glasgow block.
Helly changes back in an underwater transition moment thats simply a marvel to see.
And then, when Irv pulls Helly up, his face changes.
His seething rage and resentment instantly melt into a triumphant tenderness.
For his efforts, his Innie is killed.
As he begins his final good-byes, he shouts up to his bestie Dylan: Hang in there!
Dylan is confused but mostly bereft at the impending loss of his friend.
Having almost watched the Eagan heir be murdered while under his care, he is fury personified.
Irving walks into the wilderness, closes his eyes, and welcomes his fate.
While this conclusion was certainly electrifying, we do know that well be seeing Irving again.
But, for now, lets pour one out for a real one.
Irving B., youre the friend that all our Innies need but probably dont deserve.
See you on the other side, brother.
It looks like its time for my staggered exit, so Im going to go grab the elevator.
Until next time …
Severed Sentiments
Helena is totally going to get pregnant, right?
Was … that the goal all along?
Holy shit, Mark would be the father to the next link in the Eagan lineage.
Thats an incredibly creepy thought.
Or does the Glasgow block mean that they put the Outies in acomabefore bringing them to the woods?
I do not have any answers for these questions.
The next chapter in the appendix is Kier and the Thieving Nanny.
Excuse me, what?
Perhaps this title is referring to a nanny goat?
Scissor Cave feels like a nod to the Kier maxim, We must be cut to heal.
When Milchick shows the Innies fire for the first time, Miss Huang seems very delighted too.
Its almost like shes never seen it before, either.
Your mileage may vary.
