recap of Severance season 1 is vital before watching season 2 so that audiences can feel the full weight of the story as it continues to explore the deep-rooted mysteries of Lumon Industries.
In season 2, Severance season 2's reviews are somehow even more amazing than those of its predecessor, holding a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and begging the question of what the show employs to make it so beloved among critics.
8 Severance Season 2 Continues The Show's Biting Social Commentary
The Exploration Of Work-Life Balance Has Never Been Deeper
One of the most beloved aspects of Severance season 1 was its ability to explore a world-renowned concept like work-life balance with as much depth, mystery, and intrigue as it did. The show raises difficult questions about occupations and how to blend them with real life in a sci-fi setting, and Severance season 2 is no different. One of the biggest common denominators in Severance season 2's reviews is how the show continues the exploration of its premise, complete with the social commentary audiences come to expect.
Several reviews comment about how Severance season 2 continues to explore the ins and outs of modern-day office culture, though without losing what makes the show so special. This is certainly a big positive, as the reaction to the first season's story could have led the creators of Severance to imbue the show with unintentional "sequelitis" by trying something bigger and losing sight of what made the show compelling in the first place. Thankfully, Severance season 2 continues to explore its unique subject to the fullest, as evident by the sophomore installment's reviews.
7 Severance Season 2 Has A Distinct, Stunning Visual Language
The Depiction Of Severance's Dystopian-Like Future Continues To Be Unique
Another element that has been praised about Severance season 2 is its visual style. It is worth saying that this praise will not come as a surprise to many, with Severance season 1 setting the expectations for what the show will look like. That said, Severance season 2 seemingly outdoes its predecessor by taking its visual depiction of a dystopian future or the retrofuturistic look of Lumon's severed floor even further.
When Is Severance Set? Why Lumon Has Such Old Technology
Severance employs a visual style called retrofuturism, which lays the groundwork for the workplace comedy's unique take on dystopian horror.
Buzzwords like "visually stunning," "unique," and "artistry" are found throughout Severance season 2's reviews, proving just how well-crafted the show is. Be it the aforementioned design work or simply the way the show is shot, Severance season 2's overall style is certainly a factor in how well it is received. In a modern world in which many shows and movies can sometimes feel crafted by a committee with no distinct visual flair, Severance season 2 breaks the trend.
6 Severance Season 2's Writing Continues The Strengths Of Season 1
The Show's Writing Team Do Not Miss A Beat
One of the more vague overall advantages listed throughout Severance season 2's reviews is the show's writing. The writing team, helmed by showrunner Dan Erickson, has continued to push the boundaries of what Severance can explore. While, again, this may seem a vague element to praise without knowing exactly how season 2 plays out, the reviews regularly mention how strong the show's scripts, story, and arcs are. With Severance season 1's writing being as satisfying as it was, the news that its successor follows suit is incredibly promising.
5 Severance Season 2's Cast Give Great Performances
The Central Players Continue To Successfully Perform Severance's Characters
Another broader element of Severance season 2 that is being praised in its amazing reviews is the show's cast. Above many other TV shows, the cast of Severance is in a unique position. The titular Severance process of the show essentially makes it so that each main cast member portrays two characters, the consciousness inside Lumon and the person outside of the office. This was an excellent aspect of Severance season 1, and the reviews for Severance season 2 claim the cast continues their excellent portrayals.
Severance Characters |
Actor |
|---|---|
Mark Scout |
Adam Scott |
Helly Riggs |
Britt Lower |
Dylan George |
Zach Cherry |
Irving Bailiff |
John Turturro |
Seth Milchick |
Tramell Tillman |
Ms. Casey |
Dichen Lachman |
Harmony Cobel |
Patricia Arquette |
Burt Goodman |
Christopher Walken |
In a show like Severance which has such deep themes, compelling mysteries, and otherworldly sci-fi elements, it would be easy for the story to lose sight of its characters. However, Severance season 2 will seemingly avoid this pitfall. Thankfully, the show is maintaining a focus on its strong central quartet and their many allies and enemies, with critics overly praising how strong the performances are a second time around.
4 Severance Season 2 Has A Unique Tone
Bizarreness, Weirdness, Comedy, & Darkness All Blend Together Somehow
Perhaps the most distinct thing about Severance is its tone. The show's dark, oftentimes disturbing story blends with goofy and whacky comedy to make for an overly unique experience, something that Severance season 2 reportedly continues. Many reviews describe the sophomore season of Severance as even darker than the first, though insist that it still does not lose its sense of deadpan, bizarre humor.
3 Severance Season 2 Is A Mystery Box Show Done Right
Questions, Answers, & More Questions Are Delivered Perfectly
As a mystery box story, Severance runs the risk of any show of its ilk: the answers it provides are too infrequent, not satisfying, or create too many extra questions. This criticism was often attributed to similar shows like Lost, and Severance season 2 had a lot of questions to answer after its predecessor. However, it seems the show is acutely sidestepping these issues altogether. This both reinforces the idea that Severance season 2's writing is a factor in its solid reviews and shines a light on the fact that AppleTV+'s thriller is a mystery box show done correctly.
7 Burning Questions Severance Season 2 Needs To Answer
With many questions lingering since Severance ended, anticipation builds for season 2 to answer some of the series' most burning questions.
Many of the reviews for Severance season 2 claim that the show is just as satisfying as season 1 regarding the answers it provides. Moreover, other general aspects of mystery box shows have been praised, from Severance season 2 being able to leave questions unanswered for episodes to its ability to craft genuinely exciting cliffhangers. Some reviews even claim that Severance season 2 does not hold the audiences' hands, which is exactly the type of vibe a mystery show should aim for.
2 Severance Season 2 Takes The Show In New Directions
The Sequel Is Not Just A Repeat Of Season 1
It would be easy for Severance season 2 to do what the first one did again, so as to capitalize on the love for the show. As it turns out, Severance season 2 takes the show in unexpected directions, as per the critical reviews. The show is reportedly not content to repeat what made season 1 great, instead building on the predecessor with new plot points, character arcs, and developments.
1 Severance Season 2 Overcomes Potential Disappointment After Season 1
Expectations Have Been Eclipsed & Exceeded
Finally, another risk that Severance season 2 had - especially after a three-year wait since season 1 - was proving to be disappointing in comparison to its predecessor. The long wait for answers could have meant that anticipations were raised, theories were crafted, and expectations were set for what the continuation would provide. As has been the case in many a franchise, expectations can often breed disappointment should the final result be something altogether unexpected.
The risk of disappointment was high, yet Severance season 2 has a lot of factors that have led to it being received even better than its predecessor...
Severance season 2 has seemingly avoided this pitfall too, with the show's second outing being described as just as satisfying, if not more so, than season 1. The risk of disappointment was high, yet Severance season 2 has a lot of factors that have led to it being received even better than its predecessor. Hopefully, audiences will feel the same once the series begins on January 17, but if Severance season 2's excellent reviews are anything to go by, the show will only continue to sur the high bar it set three years ago.
Severance
- Release Date
- February 18, 2022
- Showrunner
- Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman
- Directors
- Ben Stiller
Cast
Mark Scout
Helly Riggs
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Dan Erickson
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