Severance, a new Apple TV+ Series, is both completely Original and Electrifying

Helly R. (Britt Lower) and Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) enjoy some 'Defiant Jazz' in Apple TV+'s electrifying series Severance.

With Severance, Ben Stiller has created a completely original Office Drama with hints of Science Fiction and Suspenseful Twists

"In the air the smoke cloud takes its form.
All the phones take pictures while it's warm.

Panopticom, let’s find out what’s going on.
Panopticom, let’s see where clues are leading.
Panopticom, won't you show us what's going on?
Panopticom - so how much is real?" - Peter Gabriel, Panopticom

Severance, Apple TV+'s excellent new series, was informed by Showrunner Dan Erickson's own experiences in the corporate world. As Erickson told Apple Insider, he had a string of office jobs including one in a, "weird little windowless office." He often thought to himself: "Man, I wish I could just totally not experience the next eight hours. I wish I could disassociate and just have it be 5:00 PM and suddenly I'm going home."

Actor and Director Ben Stiller, who directed and produced 6 episodes of the series, said the plot is, "reminiscent of certain workplace office comedies, but then it also had this other strange, dark undertone to it too."

The show's plot revolves around Lumon Industries, a multinational corporation that has pioneered the practice of Severance. This means employees who opt for the procedure have their work and home selves split through the effects of a microchip that is inserted into their Brains. A severed worker's 'Outie' has no idea of the nature of the work he or she does for Lumon, while their 'Innie' has no idea what their life above in the outside world is like.

Lumon Industries was founded by the mysterious Keir Egan, a corporate figure who inspires religious levels of devotion within the firm. The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex in New Jersey was used as Lumon's corporate offices for the show. The floor used for the series' severed workers has a mid-century architecture that gives Severance a feel of existing outside the boundaries of time. 

The Metadata Refinement Team are the show's core characters. Mark S. (Adam Scott), hilariously foul mouthed Dylan (Zach Cherry), defiant newcomer Helly R. (Britt Lower) and rules obsessed Irving G. (John Turtorro) spend their days pulling 'scary' numbers into electronic boxes while working on older computers in a very retro office setup. 

Their employer, it would seem, is up to something rather sinister. 

The team's supervisor is the absolutely terrifying Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) who reminds me very much of the character of Love, a merciless Personal Assistant and Replicant, from Blade Runner 2049. Mr. Milchick doles out awards such as Melon Parties and Musical Experiences for Lumon employees who perform and stay on their best behaviour. Rule breakers are taken to the 'Break Room' where they must repeat a bizarre Mea Culpa with religious overtones until Milchick and his own boss, mid level Manager Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) are satisfied.

Cobel lives next door to Mark S. in the outside world, where he knows her by another name and identity. She gets to spy on her star employee and worship at the altar she has created in her home for Lumon Founder Keir Egan.

The show's writing is solid, bordering on flawless at times. And the concept has been well developed and tested by the show's team of writers. Particularly enjoyable is the character of Burt G. (Christopher Walken), the head of Lumon's Optics & Design department. His office romance with Irving G., and how this in turn kindles a budding alliance between the 2 departments, is both moving and a hilarious send up of inter-office rivalries.

In Episode 3 (In Perpetuity) members of the departments encounter each other in one of Lumon's many bland, aggressively illuminated hallways. Dylan, who has been led to believe the Optics and Design employees were once involved in an attack against the Metadata Refiners, misses no opportunity to take a shot at Burt G. Observing the remnants of their 'Egg Drop Challenge' he remarks, "those Eggs look like shit!" as the teams part ways.

This is quite humourous because Dylan loves the meaningless perks that Lumon doles out for its' star workers - such as Finger Traps, hand drawn Caricatures, and Waffle Parties complete with Eyes Wide Shut overtones.

Season 1 of Severance ends with a nail biting cliffhanger as the Metadata Refiners work to, "burn (Lumon Industries) to the ground," to paraphrase the words of Irving G. The team has found a way to bring their work selves into the outside world,  thus setting the stage for a very exciting opening to Season 2, which has been confirmed by Apple.