The fourth episode of Severance is titled “Woe’s Hollow”. It focuses on Irving B. This episode goes from a strange winter landscape to a powerful ending. Moreover, it shows a journey of change for Irving. There are spoilers ahead for the key moments in the episode. Continue reading to learn more about Severance Season 2, episode 4.
Irving B’s Journey
The episode starts without any credits. It puts the spotlight on John Turturro’s character, Irving B. By the end, his expression changes from confusion and fear to acceptance. Moreover, it turns to peace as well. He faces a symbolic death when he learns the truth about Lumon’s lies with Helly R. Although he hopes to reunite with Blurt, he finds a purpose by helping his friends. Also, he no longer wants to stay in Lumon. However, he spends his last days doing good.
His journey is the main focus of the episode. Other characters in MDR have their moments. But, Irving stands out. At the end, he looks at Milchick (played by Tramell Tillman). He has both hate and newfound confidence. This is a big change from the timid Irving seen in Season 1. Here, he becomes a hero. This is what Lumon fears the most.
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Revealing Secrets
Severance is great at revealing secrets early in the story. This episode continues the pattern. In episode 3, Mark (Adam Scott) discovers that his wife is still alive. In the next episode, Helly R (Britt Lower) is actually Helena Egan. Furthermore, many shows wait longer to reveal such secrets. However, Severance does it quickly.
While viewers suspected Helly R to be a spy, the characters were unaware. Mark only learns about his wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman) being alive. This is when Reghabi (Karen Aldrige) tells him. Moreover, Irving is the only one who believes Helly R is not who she says she is. He realizes her true identity after a cruel encounter.
The Outdoor Retreat
The MDR team goes on an Outdoor Retreat and Team Building Occurrence (ORTBO). This is in the Kier National Forest. They wake up scattered in the woods. Moreover, they are missing each other. Here, they see strange versions of themselves. They are dressed in black winter clothing. Moreover, the sky is an unusually bright blue, even at night.
During their retreat, the group learns about Kier’s twin brother, Dieter. They find a book with the number IV on it. Moreover, they read about Kier and Dieter’s strange journey in the woods. This episode reveals how Lumon lies to them. It includes saying that the waterfall is the tallest in the world.
Also, this is the first time the team has experienced nature. They see trees, and snow, and even sleep outside. This moment becomes significant because none of the severed employees have truly slept. The fact that they can sleep now is a mysterious concept. It shows how Lumon treats them.
Irving’s Transformation
After a tense moment with Helena, Irving goes off into the forest. Here, he loses his way and ends up sleeping outside. While he sleeps, he dreams of his old life at Lumon. When he wakes up, he feels strong and determined. His time in the wilderness helps him discover his courage. Moreover, Helena almost tricks him into thinking she is just ashamed of her real identity. However, there are too many clues that show she is not who she claims to be. The tension rises when Irving confronts Helly at the waterfall. This leads to a shocking climax.
The Dramatic Confrontation
In one of the scenes, Irving drags Helly to the water. He also calls for Milchick. He reveals to Mark and Dylan that Helly is really Egan. Also, he calls her a mole. There is tension as he holds her underwater. He insists that she is not Helly. Now, Helly realizes that she is in danger. She shouts to Milchick for help.
Milchick quickly responds by using a “Glasgow block”. This is to reverse the severance. When this happens, Helly becomes herself again. She is now confused and scared. Irving hugs her and apologizes for what he did. However, Milchick is furious at him for what he did to her.
The Consequences
Milchick punishes Irving with immediate and permanent dismissal from Lumon. He tells Irving to walk into the forest. This marks his end. Milchick’s cold words show the seriousness of Irving’s actions. As Irving walks away, he shows no fear. Moreover, he only shows a sense of victory and acceptance.
The episode ends with Irving closing his eyes for the last time. This leaves the viewers with a heavy feeling of loss. The eerie music plays as the screen fades to black. This creates a powerful conclusion to the episode. It leaves many questions for the future. This is especially true regarding Helly and other characters. Moreover, it is regarding the overall fate of the MDR team.
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Conclusion
The series portrays Irving’s journey from a quiet, fearful employee to a strong rebellious figure. Also, his confrontation with Helly reveals a shocking truth about her identity. This reinforces the oppressive nature of Lumon. Also, it shows the harsh reality faced by the severed employees. The episode shows the implications of each character and their actions. They also share a relationship with nature. This is shown through sleep. Finally, Irving’s connection to his new self portrays a shift in his character.
