Severance’s Time Lie: Why Mr. Milchick’s Deception Is So Scary

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Summary

  • Mr. Milchick’s deceptive claim about time passing in Severance reveals his manipulative nature.
  • The lie could be part of a strategy to control the severed employees’ perception, maintaining Lumon’s power.
  • Milchick’s propensity for lying and manipulation suggests he may simply enjoy creating confusion and asserting control.

In the eagerly awaited second installment of “Severance”, we find ourselves once again immersed in its chilling corporate dystopia, with a fresh batch of enigmas to unravel. One intriguing puzzle early on in Season 2 centers around time, or more precisely, the amount that has elapsed since the climactic end of Season 1. Initially, Mr. Milchick claims that five months have transpired since the Overtime Contingency was set off, a statement that is later exposed as untrue. The actual duration of time in “Severance” is only two days, adding another disquieting layer to Lumon’s lengthy legacy of deceit.

This new piece of information leaves us pondering: Why on earth would Milchick fabricate something so seemingly insignificant? His deceit is not just an oversight—it’s a deliberate untruth designed to mislead Mark and the rest. Although the series hasn’t disclosed the actual motive behind this deception, there are several plausible explanations. Given Milchick’s background of dishonesty and psychological manipulation, his claim might be connected to a larger scheme, a straightforward power grab, or perhaps concealing something more malicious happening at Lumon.

Milchick Is Controlling the Severance Narrative

A likely reason behind Milchick’s deception might be his intention to distort the reality perceived by the ex-employees. By informing Mark S that five months have elapsed, Milchick is creating a fabricated timeline that affects how Mark interprets his own Outie’s actions. If Mark thought his Outie had months to consider rejoining Lumon instead of merely two days, it would strengthen the impression that his Outie is voluntarily and contentedly returning to work. This could potentially suppress any doubts or rebellion from arising.

In a nutshell, Lumon consistently employs psychological manipulation as part of its broader scheme. The idea behind severance is to establish a firm divide between work and personal life, yet Lumon’s leaders often trick the Innies into thinking they possess more freedom than what they truly have. By convincing Mark and others that their Outies have adequately adapted to life outside Lumon prior to returning, Lumon may discourage them from doubting their situation.

The Lie Could Be Covering Up Something Bigger

It’s plausible that Milchick’s deceit hides a larger, more crucial event unfolding off-screen. The two days between the Overtime Contingency and Mark’s return make the aftermath of Season 1’s finale seem more recent than he thinks, suggesting there might have been swift repercussions—repercussions that Milchick and Lumon wouldn’t want the Innies to catch wind of.

It’s possible that there were instant repercussions – repercussions that Milchick and Lumon would prefer the Innies remain unaware of.

It’s possible that Lumon is hurriedly managing the fallout from the Overtime Contingency, and by creating an illusion of a five-month gap, they can conceal inconsistencies more effectively. If the inhabitants (Innies) think that five months have passed since this event, they might perceive any extraordinary actions taken by Lumon as outdated news, rather than current, ongoing deception. Since Lumon has shown a pattern of deceit and manipulation to maintain power, it wouldn’t be unusual if this misdirection serves a more significant goal.

A significant aspect is that Mark, at first, chose not to return but soon altered his decision. The timing in the story Severance for this turnaround is vital. If the change occurred within merely two days, it might suggest some external pressure was exerted on him; however, this could be a speculation by the Innies. By extending the timeframe, he can alleviate any doubts about how swiftly circumstances shifted.

The five-month deception provides Milchick with a stronger argument for suggesting that Lumon has reformed and is no longer the malevolent force the Innies once battled. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t necessarily definitive, as Milchick’s tendency towards dishonesty suggests that not all his statements can be taken at face value.

Milchick Just Likes Messing With People

Absolutely, another straightforward interpretation could be: Indeed, it’s quite possible that Milchick takes pleasure in dishonesty. Throughout the series, Severance, he has demonstrated a pattern of misleading, manipulating, and even entertaining the severed employees. From his seemingly friendly yet unsettling adherence to corporate rules to his patronizing explanations about the outside world, Milchick seems to relish control. His claim about the world’s tallest waterfall, which turned out to be false, hints that on occasion, he lies simply because he has the ability to do so.

Created By Dan Erickson
Showrunner Dan Erickson
Starring
  • Adam Scott
  • Zach Cherry
  • Britt Lower
  • Tramell Tillman
  • Jen Tullock
  • Dichen Lachman
  • Michael Chernus
  • John Turturro
  • Christopher Walken
  • Patricia Arquette
  • Sarah Bock

It could be that Milchick doesn’t have a grand strategy behind this specific lie; instead, he finds pleasure in causing chaos. Maintaining the uncertainty and disorientation among the characters in “Severance” keeps them reliant on Lumon’s version of reality, which ultimately benefits the company. Even seemingly insignificant lies, such as the invented five-month gap, can subtly erode their sense of security. When they doubt their own memories or perceptions, they become less inclined to challenge the larger system that constrains them.

Currently, Severance hasn’t given a clear explanation for why Milchick falsified time records. It could be linked to a complex corporate strategy, a mental trick, or simply an assertion of his control over the Innies. Regardless, this action solidifies Milchick as a skilled manipulator. Considering Lumon’s history, it wouldn’t be surprising if the actual motive for this deceit turns out to be more alarming than anticipated.

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2025-02-10 22:35