Reasons Behind Harmony Cobel’s Dismissal from Lumon in Severance Season 2

WARNING! This article includes significant spoilers for the first episode of Severance Season 2!

In a dramatic turn of events, Harmony Cobel, portrayed by Patricia Arquette, has been fired from Lumon Industries just before the commencement of the second season of Severance. Throughout the first season, Cobel operated as the manager on the severed floor at Lumon Industries in Kier, PE. However, her duality extended beyond the office as she secretly posed as Mark’s neighbor, “Mrs. Selvig,”engaging in manipulative tactics to uncover the potential crossover of Mark’s Innie and Outie experiences.

At the beginning of Season 2, audiences learn that Cobel’s dismissal occurred months prior to Mark’s return to the Macrodata Refinement department. Following her departure, her responsibilities have been assumed by Seth Milchick, the former deputy manager of the severed floor. Interestingly, despite Cobel’s absence, Lumon has yet to change the welcome message on Milchick’s computer, which still reads “Hello, Ms. Cobel.” This lingering message raises questions about the extent of Cobel’s severance from the company.

The Breach of Protocol and Managing the Uprising

Cobel’s firing stems from a combination of serious infractions following the events of Season 1. Primarily, the Board discovered that she had been interfering with Mark’s Outie, which constituted a significant breach of Lumon’s strict protocols. Cobel was explicitly prohibited from interacting with severed employees outside the workplace, showcasing a disregard for the ethical framework that governed her position. It was an escalation of her interest in Mark that ultimately crossed these lines.

Additionally, Cobel faced repercussions for failing to stop the so-called “uprising” within Macrodata Refinement. As the overseer of the severed floor, her main duty was to maintain order and prevent the Innies from gaining autonomy, yet they managed to break free, most notably when Helly R. awakened in the real world as Helena Eagan. Coupling her unauthorized personal interventions with this failure resulted in her termination.

Cobel’s Current Status in Season 2

The Shadow of Lumon Over Cobel

While Patricia Arquette’s Cobel is noticeably missing from the premiere of Season 2, her return has been confirmed for upcoming episodes. Following her termination, it is probable that Cobel had to vacate her Lumon-sponsored accommodations, thereby increasing her distance from Mark S. However, it is unlikely that Lumon would cut ties so effortlessly; she presumably remains under their surveillance due to the sensitive information she possesses regarding their operations.

It can be inferred that Lumon has orchestrated a deal to monitor her closely, ensuring her compliance and preventing any potential leaks of information that could threaten the company.

New episodes of Severance Season 2 become available every Friday on Apple TV+.

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