The Past Looms as a Foreboding Shadow in Severance
In the captivating world of Severance, the lives of the characters are as intriguing as the show itself. Let's delve into the stories of Harmony Cobel and Burt Goodman, two key figures whose pasts are shrouded in mystery yet deeply entwined with Lumon Industries.
Harmony Cobel, a central character, leads a life devoid of memories beyond the day a chip was implanted in her brain. Raised in the former Lumon factory town of Salt's Neck, her academic excellence caught the attention of Jame Eagan, a high-ranking Lumon executive. Harmony's loyalty to Lumon is unwavering, even after being fired at the end of season one for overstepping boundaries.
Harmony's estrangement from her Lumon-hating mother occurred in Salt's Neck, and her devotion to Kier Eagan, the eccentric founder of Lumon Industries, is unusual, to say the least. Harmony has a Kier shrine, recites prayers, and sings a Kier hymn with fervour.
On the other hand, Burt Goodman's past is darker than the shadows of Severance's corporate world. His career at Lumon predates his time as a severed worker in Optics and Design. Burt's past misdeeds are tied to Lumon, adding a sinister layer to his character. Interestingly, Burt chose to get severed not for a chance at a fresh start, but to have a chance at going to heaven with his husband.
Sissy, Harmony's aunt in Salt's Neck, still worships Kier as a god, a stark contrast to Harmony's mother, who ended her days in agony in a grim house in Salt's Neck, far from Lumon's gleaming towers.
The show explores the existential horror of characters with no past and the potential horror of known characters' pasts. A bombshell moment revealed that Harmony, not Jame Eagan, was the creator of the severance procedure. This revelation adds a new dimension to Harmony's character and raises questions about the true nature of Lumon Industries.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Mark and Gemma struggled before their separation, and Dylan's lackadaisical attitude at home strains his marriage. Harmony worked in the ether mill as a child in Salt's Neck, an experience that likely influenced her academic pursuits and eventual career at Lumon.
As we delve deeper into the lives of these characters, we are reminded of the complexities of human nature and the impact of our pasts on our present. The intrigue of Severance lies not only in its exploration of the corporate world but also in the personal stories of its characters, each with their own secrets and struggles.
