Warning! This article contains spoilers for Severance season 2’s episode 6.
This article mentions a storyline that involves a suicide attempt.
Helly seems to have every right to complain about Helena and Mark’s romantic developments in her absence, butSeveranceseason 1 has subtly revealed how Helena has experienced a similar tragedy.Severanceseason 2 has featured many surprising story beats in its first half and will likely continue to explore more mind-bending arcs in its upcoming episodes. However, among all the twists and turns delivered in the series so far, the most compelling one arguably revolves around the Helly/Helena swap.
What made the character switch so intriguing is that it cleverly kept viewers divided and made them wonder whether the show was intentionally misleading with well-thought-out red herrings or setting the stage for a massive revelation. Audiences endlessly theorized whether Helena had replaced Helly in the Lumon office or whether Helly had somehow returned afterSeveranceseason 1’s ending. When the show finally confirmed the former was true, many could not help but empathize with Helly. However, a closer look at Helena’s season 1 story proves that the innie/outie switches have not always favored her.
Helena Got To Experience Helly’s Romance With Mark, But Helly Got To Experience Jame Being Proud Of Helena
Both Characters Experienced The Peak Moments Of Each Other’s Lives
Helena got to experience the aftermath ofHelly and Mark’sSeveranceseason 1 kiss. After she replaced her innie, she got to live through many meaningful moments of romance with Mark that Helly deserved to feel after her season 1 arc. Unfortunately, for Helly, Helena snagged her life without permission and stole the romantic journey she seemingly deserved to walk through with Mark. As unfair as this story development may seem, however, things have not always been favorable for Helena Eagan.
Helly/Helena’s Innie Twist In Severance Season 2, Episode 4 Fully Explained
Severance season 2, episode 4 confirms a popular theory about Helly and Helena, which will have major consequences for MDR’s Innies and Outies.
Helena’s father, Jame Eagan, is portrayed as someone who is not often proud of his daughter. His disdain towards her is visible in the way he treats her and calls her a “fetidmoppet.” However,Severanceseason 1’s ending arc featured a rare moment when Jame went up to his daughter and told her he was proud of her before she delivered her speech at the Lumon Gala. This could have been one of the most defining moments of Helena’s life. Sadly, she had been replaced by her innie, Helly, during that moment,depriving her of the fatherly approval she had longed for her entire life.
Helena Is Trying A Little Too Hard To Acquire What Her Innie Possesses
Image via Apple TV+
Severanceseason 2 has established that Helena’s decision to replace her innie was primarily driven by her desire to free herself from her suffocating life as an Eagan. She feels weighed down by her family’s legacy and expectations and seems envious of how Helly gets to do whatever she wants. Helly’s romance with Mark becomes a stark reminder for Helena of her own insufficiencies and inability to live her best life. Owing to this, even after she fails to pursue her innie’s life, she does not give up on her pursuit of having a romantic connection with Mark.
In one ofSeveranceseason 2’s early episodes, Helena also witnessed Mark save her in the elevator after her innie attempted suicide.
While Helena’s feelings for Mark can partially be blamed on her shared physiology with her innie,it is hard not to see how she perceives Mark as a symbol of her freedom. In one ofSeveranceseason 2’s early episodes, Helena also witnessed Mark save her in the elevator after her innie attempted suicide. This explains why, even though she dehumanizes the innies by calling them animals, Mark has a special place in her heart. She follows him to a Chinese restaurant inSeveranceseason 2’s episode 6and tries to repeat her innie’s romance with him because she genuinely admires him.
Severance
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
