The Role of Natalie as the Only Voice of Lumon’s Board in Severance

WARNING! This article contains minor SPOILERS for Severance Season 2, Episode 3! In the world of Severance, a significant layer of intrigue envelops the operations of Lumon Industries, particularly regarding the shadowy Board that dictates countless aspects of the severed floor. This elusive group never appears on screen and communicates exclusively through Natalie, a pivotal character who serves as the Board Liaison. Notably, characters such as Cobel from Season 1 and Milchick from Season 2 represent only a fraction of Lumon’s administrative cast, as the upper echelons generally remain hidden, interacting with employees solely on their terms.

The true nature of the Board, including its members, remains shrouded in mystery within the narrative of Severance. It appears that the Board operates independently from prominent Eagan family figures in executive roles, such as CEO Jame Eagan and Helena. When the Board interacts with Lumon employees, they do so through a speaker with a discreet camera, transmitting their messages to Natalie, who relays their instructions. This veil of anonymity surrounding the Board elicits much speculation about its composition and the reasons behind its indirect communication method through Natalie.

The Board’s Anonymity and Its Impact on Employee Dynamics

Maintaining Control Through Distance

Natalie smiling with her earpiece in Severance season 1

The deliberate distance and anonymity exercised by the Board exemplify a broader strategy of control over Lumon’s workforce. When the Board remains unseen and unheard, employees are deprived of insights into how information is transmitted to and from figures like Cobel and Milchick. Consequently, employees are left to interpret directives solely through Natalie’s delivery, rendering the Board’s motivations and any vulnerabilities it may possess obscured from lower- and mid-level personnel.

The only instance where the Board’s voice has been heard occurs in Season 1, Episode 8, where a disembodied male voice simply affirms, “Yes.”This lack of a personalized presence contributes to the Board’s intimidation factor, fostering a sense of impotence among executives like Cobel and Milchick. The unseen nature of the Board echoes real-world corporate dynamics, where upper management can become so distanced from operational realities that employees may question their existence.Severance heightens this theme by making the Board’s disengagement a formal policy, amplifying the sense of alienation within Lumon.

Conjectures About the Board: A Collective Consciousness?

Exploring the Collective Consciousness Theory

The enigmatic nature of the Board has sparked a plethora of fan theories aimed at unraveling the reason behind their reliance on Natalie as an intermediary with Lumon employees. One particularly captivating theory posits that the Board may not consist of corporeal beings, but rather embodies a collective consciousness of deceased Eagans. This notion suggests that after their passing, their minds were uploaded to Lumon’s systems, necessitating the use of Natalie to articulate their decisions and opinions (source: Reddit).

While several alternative explanations for the Board’s actions exist, most share the underlying theme that their elusive presence serves to maintain a grip on Lumon employees. The ultimate truths regarding the Board may not surface until the series progresses further, keeping this crucial aspect of Lumon’s hierarchy veiled in mystery as the employees from Macrodata Refinement grapple with their understanding of authority and control.

Source: Reddit

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