WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance season 2, episode 2! The conclusion of Severance season 2, episode 1 introduced Mark’s enigmatic new assignment, “Cold Harbor, ” underscoring its significance as emphasized by Lumon’s executives in the subsequent episode. Since the series’ inception, one of the most perplexing mysteries has been the role of the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) Department and the true significance of the numbers they manipulate. The vague nature of their responsibilities includes sorting files identified as “Siena, ””Tumwater, ”and now “Cold Harbor, ”where the refiners categorize segments of numbers based on the emotional responses they invoke, including fear.
Theories suggesting that MDR’s numbers lack substance—implying they are merely components of a psychological experiment—have gained traction. However, this perspective seems increasingly implausible following Helena Eagan’s (Britt Lower) insistence on Mark completing the “Cold Harbor”file in Severance season 2, episode 2. This highlighted importance is further underscored by the Board’s willingness to acquiesce to Mark’s demands of bringing Helly, Dylan, and Irving back to the office solely to ensure the file’s completion. While the definitive purpose of the Cold Harbor file remains obscured, major clues regarding Mark’s involvement were given in the season 2 premiere.
Unpacking Cold Harbor: Mark’s New File and Its Connection to Gemma
Mark’s Sorting of Numbers for Cold Harbor Linked to Lumon’s Experiments on Gemma
In the finale of season 2, episode 1, Mark’s task involved sorting numbers into distinct categories, revealing the file titled “Cold Harbor.”Unlike any previous assignment shown in Severance, the Cold Harbor file’s last moments featured an image of Ms. Casey/Gemma trapped in a peculiar room within Lumon. This file contains not only her likeness but also critical data such as her vital statistics and references to Kier’s Four Tempers.
Some theories speculate that these numbers are being classified according to Kier’s Four Tempers: woe, frolic, dread, and malice, potentially to “refine”Gemma’s character, crafting her into an ideal subject from Kier Eagan’s perspective.
At the conclusion of season 1, Ms. Casey was dismissed from the Wellness Department, moved to the Testing Floor by Ms. Cobel, but the rationale for this shift remained undisclosed. In season 2, her absence from the severed floor signals she is still captive at Lumon and undergoing experimentation. Since Ms. Casey is a “part-time” severed employee, and her Outie, Gemma, is believed to have had her death staged by Lumon, it’s apparent that the Cold Harbor file aims to provide her with a renewed sense of purpose.
Despite this, the specific implications of Mark sorting these numbers concerning Gemma/Ms. Casey remain tentative. Some theories suggest these numbers categorize her personality traits, calling into question how the emotions elicited from specific groupings relate back to her essence.
Mark and Gemma’s Connection Illuminates the “Feelings”-Based Sorting of MDR’s Numbers
Is Mark’s Innie Subconsciously Classifying Data Related to Gemma’s Personality and Biology?
A critical detail about the Cold Harbor project disclosed by the Eagan family and associates in season 2, episode 2 is that only Mark can effectively complete this file. This specificity explains why Lumon opted not to terminate him after the “Macrodata Uprising, ”while dismissing Dylan and Irving instead; they require Mark’s unique connection to finalize the Cold Harbor file attributing partially to his relationship with Gemma. Yet, Mark remains unaware of what the numbers signify, suggesting the particulars of his involvement must derive from an intrinsic, subconscious level.
It’s plausible that the numbers from Macrodata Refinement produce emotional responses rooted in how they align with individual personality traits. Understanding how a “2, ” “5, ” and “9” are classified as “scary” necessitates a hidden index representing their true meanings. It’s conceivable that Mark’s Innie, in a subconscious link to Gemma, can detect and assess these traits they wish to alter or erase—evoking certain feelings within him.
The Significance of Mark’s Cold Harbor Project for Lumon’s Future
Mark as the Key Player in Lumon’s Experimentation on Gemma’s Innie
Ms. Casey/Gemma appears to be a groundbreaking type of severed individual at Lumon. The company’s decision to “kill” Ms. Casey’s Outie allows them to manipulate her Innie through a range of unethical experiments.This suggests that Lumon is utilizing Gemma as a singular test case to investigate the evolution and conditioning of a severed individual separated from their Outie. However, to successfully influence her Innie, they require a connection to someone familiar with Gemma’s Outie—hence Mark’s necessity.
The Intriguing Name of Cold Harbor in Severance Season 2
Could It Be a Hidden Lumon Testing Facility?
Considering its potential implications for Lumon’s trajectory, the name “Cold Harbor”must possess significant connotations. The exploration of “colder”themes in season 2 suggests both literal and metaphorical interpretations, reflecting Lumon’s increasingly harsh treatment of humanity while hinting at a snowy locale underscored in the trailers. Consequently, it is feasible to posit that “Cold Harbor” could refer to this anticipated, snowy location where Lumon conducts tests on severed individuals like Gemma. This theme resonates with the season 1 files, including Tumwater and Siena, corresponding to areas in Washington State and Italy, respectively.
Additionally, it’s noteworthy that “Cold Harbor”served as the working title for Severance season 2 during production.
Alternatively, the term could reference the historical Battle of Cold Harbor, a significant event during the American Civil War in 1864. This battle resulted in disproportionately high casualties for the Union Army due to the Confederates’ strong defenses. This portrayal could signify Lumon’s representation of a fortified regime, with the severed people viewed as disadvantaged combatants in a larger struggle. Given that the Confederates eventually lost the war overall, this narrative might foreshadow Lumon’s potential downfall against insurrection.
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Upcoming Schedule for Severance Season 2 |
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|---|---|
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Episode # |
Release Date |
|
3 |
January 31 |
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4 |
February 7 |
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5 |
February 14 |
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6 |
February 21 |
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7 |
February 28 |
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8 |
March 7 |
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9 |
March 14 |
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10 |
March 21 |
If Cold Harbor is a fictional setting, its unveiling would contribute valuable context regarding the geographical framework of Severance’s narrative. The characters’ locations suggest they reside in “Kier, PE, ” an ambiguous abbreviation that hints toward a fictional domain named after Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan. Thus, “Cold Harbor”might conceal deeper insights into Lumon’s clandestine operations beyond Gemma’s experimentation.
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