8 new big theories I have after Severance season 2 episode 6, aka 'Attila': can Burt be trusted, what is Irving up to, what happened to Mark, and more
I've got a bunch of new theories about Severance after the hit Apple TV show's latest episode.
Full spoilers follow for Severance season 2 episode 6.
The sixth episode of Severance season 2 has dropped on Apple TV Plus – and, just like every other episode this season (and the last!), it raises more questions than it answers.
So, as I've done at various points throughout season 2, I'm going to discuss my thoughts and theories on the mystery thriller's latest chapter, which is titled 'Attila'. It goes without saying, but major spoilers follow for Severance's newest episode, so make sure you've watched it first before pressing on.
1. Mark's reintegration will show us flashbacks involving Gemma
Well, that didn't go as well as anyone planned. After his 'outie' unexpectedly runs into Lumon CEO-in-waiting Helena Eagan (more on her later) at his local Chinese restaurant, a shaken-up but determined Mark heads home and tells Reghabi that he wants to move ahead with her plan to fully reintegrate him.
Speaking to me before last week's episode aired, Severance creator Dan Erickson hinted that this would "put Mark in danger" in more ways than one. Unsurprisingly, that's proven to be the case. A combination of Reghabi flooding Mark's severance chip with an unknown substance, his sister Devon's sudden appearance at his house (and the stress that puts Mark's brain under), and him physically moving when he shouldn't be leads Mark to not only collapse in his own home, but also start violently convulsing and frothing at the mouth.
Clearly, Mark is going to be in some form of comatose state for an episode or two – and, in my opinion, that provides Severance with the opportunity to explore his history with Gemma, aka his supposedly dead wife who's actually alive (at Lumon Industries, no less) and going by the pseudonym Ms Casey.
If you watched Severance season 2's official trailer, you'll remember the brief shot of Mark and Gemma enjoying each other's company in a sun-drenched room. Sure, this could be Mark unconsciously dreaming of the life he could have had with Gemma, but I'm convinced it's a flashback sequence from when they first moved in together. Don't be surprised if one of season 2's final four episodes takes a trip down memory lane to show us how they met, fell in love, and, potentially, if their marriage started to fall apart before Gemma's accident.
2. Harmony Cobel holds the key to the reintegration process
Three episodes have passed since we last saw Harmony Cobel, so fans of the hit Apple TV Original are rightly asking where's she gone.
You don't hire an actor as brilliant as Patricia Arquette if you're not going to use her (and her character) for some revelatory story-based purpose. I'm of the opinion, then, that Cobel knows something hugely important that'll help Mark to fully reintegrate, rescue Gemma, and bring down Lumon.
Chatting to me before Severance returned, Arquette suggested that Cobel's loyalty to Lumon would be tested in season 2. With Cobel walking away from Lumon for reasons unknown in Severance season 2 episode 3, it appears she's starting to question her unwavering fealty to the fiendish biotech company. She's always had a soft spot for Mark, too, according to Lumon's Board and Milchick, with the latter telling Mark in Severance season 2 episode 1 that the former believed Cobel had an "erotic fixation" with Mark and wanted to pursue a "throuple" style relationship with his 'innie' and 'outie'. I fully expect Cobel to join forces with Reghabi and Mark, then, to hit back at Lumon by helping Mark to take them down.
3. Burt is a bad guy – and he might still be working for Lumon and Mr Drummond
One of episode 6's biggest talking points centers on the oft-times uncomfortable dinner that Irving shares with Burt and his 'outie' husband named Fields. There's a lot to unpack from these scenes in 'Attila', but there are two big theories that emerged in the wake of that soiree.
The first one I have is that Burt isn't a good guy. That idea came to me after a religion-based conversation that the trio have, which focuses on a sermon delivered by the pastor of the church that Burt and Fields attend. Their religion believes that a person's 'innie' is a complete individual with their own soul. In short: if an 'innie' leads a good, helpful life, they've got just as good of a chance of going to Heaven as their 'outie' has. The same is true of going to Hell if either/or persona spends their days being evil.
soooo outie burt is suspicious af right? his husband letting slip he worked at lumon 20 years ago, him conveniently having irving over the same night frolic tattoo guy broke into irving’s place to snoop…
