WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance season 2, episode 1!When Helly (Britt Lower) recounts what she discovered about her Outie in Severance’s season 1 finale, Helly, Irving, and Mark’s Innies were sent to the outside world when Dylan enacted Lumon’s “overtime contingency.” When the three characters woke up in their Outies’ bodies, they finally discovered who they really were and some of the reasons why their Outies chose to get severed, with Helly’s Outie identity being the most shocking of all.

As it turns out, Helly R. is Helena Eagan, the daughter of Lumon CEO Jame Eagan and descendant of founder Kier Eagan. When Helly woke up, her Outie was attending a gala for Lumon executives and influential people, where she would give a speech about undergoing the severance procedure and wanting to expand severance to everyone – not just Lumon employees at work. Ultimately, she only gets a few words out about the Innies’ subjugation before the overtime contingency ends, with Helly then telling Mark, Dylan, and Irving that her Outie was simply wearing sweatpants and watching TV in her apartment.

Helly Thinks The Others Wouldn't Trust Her If They Knew Her Outie Was An Eagan

What If Helena Eagan Was Able To Discover The MDR Employees' Real Plans?

While Mark was completely honest about what he saw at his sister’s house when in his Outie’s body, Irving and Helly weren’t so forthcoming about their experiences in Severance season 1, episode 2. Helly tells her lie about waking up in an apartment wearing sweatpants, watching TV, and eventually confessing to a “night gardener” about what Innies are going through at Lumon, and Irving initially refuses to give any details at all. However, while Irving held back the truth because he was ashamed about searching for Burt G. instead of finding help, Helly’s reason was much different.

Burt eventually confesses to Dylan that he went to see Burt and that his own Outie was painting an image of a dark hallway at Lumon.

Overall, Helly decided not to tell Mark, Irving, and Dylan the truth about what she saw because she feared that they would no longer trust her if they knew she was an Eagan. Severance’s Eagan family rules Lumon, and therefore much of their society and livelihoods, so they’re essentially the “enemy” to Mark, Irving, Dylan, and Helly’s “revolution” at the company. If the others knew that Helly was the daughter of Lumon’s CEO, they might not believe that she could fully separate the contrasing wants of her Innie from the wants of her Outie.

Her Outie being Helena Eagan might also cause them to fear that Helly could secretly be a spy working with Lumon. Mark, Irving, and Dylan may not be as open or trusting about their plans with her if they think that information might somehow be accessed by Helena Eagan. It’s difficult to know the extent to which the Innies and Outies of Severance’s main characters can fully be considered distinct individuals, so they would find it a huge risk to be so forthcoming about fighting against Lumon with the Innie of Helena Eagan – who advocates for increasing Lumon’s oppressive control.

Helly Is Ashamed That Her Outie Is Responsible For Their Subjugation & Torment

Helly Feels Guilty That She's Technically The One They're All Fighting Against

Even if Helly thought that Mark, Dylan, and Irving could move past any fears about Helena Eagan potentially learning about their plans, Helly is deeply ashamed that her Outie identity is one of the most powerful people involved in subjugating and tormenting severed individuals. The Eagans have exclusively served as Lumon Industries’ CEOs with the highest positions of power, and Helena belongs to this family who puts their own greed and influence above genuine ethical concerns for severed people.

Helly despises who her Outie is and what she stands for, and she feels guilty that her friends might apply that same anger to her Innie.

Helly is technically the one responsible not just for her own torture and oppression, but also that of Mark, Dylan, and Irving. Regardless of how distinct Helly and Helena Eagan’s personalities, ideals, and motivations are from one another, it would be incredibly difficult for Mark, Dylan, and Irving to separate the two. This is why Helly is so adamant in Severance season 2, episode 1 that Outies and Innies are not the same; Helly despises who her Outie is and what she stands for, and she feels guilty that her friends might apply that same anger to her Innie.

Irving Is Already Suspicious About Helly's Lie In Severance Season 2 Episode 1

Irving Questions Helly's Detail About A "Night Gardener"

Though he still has no idea what the truth could actually be, Irving gives some indication that he doesn’t believe the story Helly told in Severance season 2, episode 1. When Helly mentions that she told a gardener about severed employees’ torture, Irving immediately questions why a gardener would be working around her apartment at night. Helly tries to double down on her lie by saying that the brother of the “night gardener” was a police officer who would expose the truth, but it’s clear that Irving thinks she’s hiding something upon returning in Severance season 2.

New episodes of Severance season 2 release Fridays on Apple TV+.