Wild Helly Theory in Severance Season 2 Explained: A Perfect Interpretation

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Season 2 of Severance.

Article Overview

Helly’s true identity may be Helena Eagan, secretly observing the MDR team.
The lack of an elevator notification for Helly suggests a potential identity switch.
Helena’s detached personality hints that she could be the season’s antagonist.

Apple TV+ welcomes viewers back to the mysterious and thought-provoking realms of Severance. Nearly three years after the show’s initial release, the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team is once again engaged in the demanding work that allows their “Outies” to remain uninterrupted. As Season 2 kicks off, numerous theories are emerging, building anticipation for revelations that could surpass the dramatic season 1 finale.

At the heart of Severance lies the complex dynamics between the MDR employees, particularly Mark S.(Adam Scott) and Helly R.(Britt Lower).The shocking conclusion of Season 1 unveiled Helly R.’s true identity as Helena Eagan — the daughter of Lumon Industries CEO, Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry).This twist has sparked concerns about Helly’s character trajectory in the current season.

Theories About Helly in Season 2

As audiences delve deeper, questions abound: What’s the significance of the room filled with baby goats? Why does Severance seem to favor pineapples? What role does Mark play in the Cold Harbor initiative? And what are the developments occurring on the Testing Floor concerning Gemma/Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman)? A compelling hypothesis suggests that Helly and Mark’s reunion may be part of a more sinister plot orchestrated by Lumon. Could it be that it’s actually Helena Eagan posing as Helly R.in the MDR? This scenario would enable her to monitor the team while masquerading as their ally.

In the episode titled “Goodbye Mrs. Selvig, ” a significant observation was made: the elevator did not chime when Helena descended to the Severed Floor, which serves as a critical point in understanding the character’s transition. While Mark, Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan (Zach Cherry) received their elevator notifications, Helly’s absence of this signal raises unsettling questions. A Reddit user noted: “The elevator didn’t f***ing ding for Helly.”

Helena’s indifferent demeanor during her elevator descent adds another layer of intrigue. If Helena truly embraced her role with the MDR, her disinterest appears puzzling. As an Eagan committed to the Lumon vision, her actions suggest a calculated approach to thwart Helly’s attempted rebellion. Observers point out that Helly’s behavior has grown increasingly erratic. For instance, she previously withheld crucial information during the Overtime Contingency incident, potentially jeopardizing her colleagues.

Additionally, Helly did not immediately embrace Mark upon their reunion, which some fans interpret as a sign of her altered identity. Her struggle to locate her computer switch further underscores speculation that Helena has made her first descent into the Severed Floor. A user on Reddit succinctly remarked:

I suspected she was Helena the whole episode, from the very moment she didn’t hug Mark back immediately… It’s gonna get SO ugly when the truth comes out.

With Helly R.’s past rebellions posing a significant threat to Lumon, it raises questions about Helena’s plans moving forward and how she intends to deal with her counterpart.

Helena Eagan’s Agenda in Season 2

Unlike the troubled Helly R., Helena embodies the core values of Lumon. Before Helly joined the MDR, operations were already efficient, leading to the assumption that her removal would allow Mark to focus on Cold Harbor. Since Mark was adamant about not returning to work without his entire team, it’s plausible that Helena chose to infiltrate the MDR herself, rather than risk Helly compromising their objectives. With the show creators having dismissed cloning theories, Helena’s involvement seems the most logical explanation.

During the revamped days at MDR, it was Helly R.who initiated the removal of the antique security cameras. Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) claimed they were no longer monitored, which raises questions about the truth of that statement. For Helena, creating an environment of perceived safety could aid in her quest to gather insider information from her unwitting teammates. It’s crucial to remember that Milchick is not always trustworthy, and the new, friendlier Lumon is likely a façade. If Helena has indeed substituted Helly in the MDR, it presents a clever twist on the notion that “Lumon is Listening.”

Another critical inquiry centers on the fate of Helly R.herself. It seems unlikely that this persona has been entirely eradicated, suggesting that Helly may exist in a suppressed form, possibly in the obscure Testing Floor alongside Ms. Casey. Notably, Irving’s Outie has repeatedly depicted ominous imagery of the red elevator, suggesting deeper implications for the show’s narrative. Ben Stiller, executive producer and director of Severance, has teased that the opening credits contain significant clues about Season 2. In a recent podcast, he stated:

“It was fun to think about, okay, what could it be for season 2 that is maybe more specific, has more Easter eggs, and more little nods to the season that people might not even appreciate until the season is over and they look back at it.”

One detail in the new opening sequence hints at a transformation where Ms. Casey appears in the elevator before shifting into Helly, followed by Mark utilizing the elevator. This suggests that his search for both his wife and Helly R.could be central to the ongoing narrative.

As for whether Helena will be exposed before the season concludes, it appears that astute characters like Irving do not fully buy into her fabricated stories. Could Helena undergo a moral awakening, recognizing the humanity of the Innies? Given her cold nature juxtaposed against Helly R.’s struggles, she increasingly resembles the season’s primary antagonist. Even Mrs. Selvig/Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette), who grapples with her ethical dilemmas, seems more sympathetic than Helena, who shows little compassion toward the Innies. While viewers may initially support Mark and Helly, that sentiment may shift dramatically if Helena’s true identity is revealed within the confines of the Severed Floor.

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