Warning: This article contains spoilers for season 1 of Severance.
Severance fans might not work in Macrodata Refinement, but they know how to refine data. Over the show's thrilling first season, many pauses and zoom-ins proved the brilliance of the series' details, providing extensive material for theories.
Among many Easter eggs and purposeful shots, Redditors have kept a close eye on the show, following the trail of clues Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller left for them. All these hidden details help fans of the first season to get excited for the future of the series.
License Plates
Severance's attention to detail is notable, and fans haven't wasted time diving into investigations. Early in the show, fans caught a glimpse of Mark's license plate, which shares the same symbols as Irving's plate in the finale. One Redditor noticed that the unique plate contains a figure of Kier and the Latin saying "Remedium Hominibus," which roughly translates to "cure for humanity."
At this point, it's hard to tell whether or not the plate is exclusive to Lumon employees. However, the saying aligns with Lumon's plans to extend a severance "cure" to the whole world, and it'll be curious to revisit the meaning behind those license plates in season 2.
The Handbook
The handbook is mentioned several times over the episodes, but it only appears in "What's For Dinner?" when Irving reads an excerpt. Fans have zoomed in to analyze the book, which, according to Reddit timgoes2somalia, includes a mention of "children prisons" as well as other creepy concepts and biblical references.
Since, according to compelling characters in Severance.
Ends Of Lumon
The Apple TV+ show is not only well written but also stunningly directed by Ben Stiller. Many shots evoke the main theme of the show, like the scene showing the dichotomy between Mark's fish, and other shots hide a more mysterious meaning.
One Redditor realized that in a particular shot of "What's For Dinner?," the phrase "Welcome friends of Lumon" is captured from an angle where a worker covers part of the sign. Because of that, the viewer reads: "ends of Lumon." Meanwhile, the four refiners are executing their plan of destroying the company, which makes this a "nice foreshadowing" scene.
Ace Of Spades
Irving Bailiff is one of the most likable characters in Severance. Early on, he's involved with the mystery of the "black goo," which viewers later discover to be black paint, in the scene where Irving paints listening to "Ace of Spades." Purposefully, a slowed-down version of "Ace of Spades" already plays in the dozing-off scene, making this a double foreshadowing.
According to /Film, show composer Theodore Shapiro said this Easter egg was "hard to pick up on." However, one Redditor had caught the beat of the "electric guitar" rewatching the scene. This isn't the only time a significant song plays twice in the show. Billie Holiday's "I'll Be Seeing You" plays in both "Half Loop" and "Defiant Jazz," foreshadowing Mark's arc.
Helly (Eagan)
Severance's finale proved the most famous theory in the fan community correct, showing that Helly is indeed Helena Eagan. Before the reveal, the speculation revolved around clues based on the juxtaposition of scenes and peculiar lines.
One Redditor prepared a Powerpoint presentation, analyzing details from each episode that pointed to the shocking reveal. Examples of hints are her "dry" response to the mention of Mr. Eagan's breakfast and her likeness to the Eagan statues in the Perpetuity Wing. Given the number of details related to Helly, rewatching season 1 of Severance can be another exciting ride.
Art Connections
Art accompanies the Severance characters in their character arcs and plotlines, turning into a relevant feature throughout the show. Each of the paintings seen in season 1 aligns with a storyline: "The Macrodata Refinement Calamity" illustrates the interdepartmental conspiracy, while the would-be lovers Irving and Burt see themselves in the painting of two workers in love.
Paint_Her called attention to the painting of Kier on top of a cliff, comparing it to Caspar David Friedrich's portrait "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" since Kier stands in an oddly similar position. Another Redditor also highlighted that the painting is reminiscent of the "Great Lakes" region. While these connections might be just inspirations, one thing this series isn't is sloppy.
Irving's Book
Episode 8 took a closer look at Irving's outie, providing insight on the "sound of Radar" mentioned by Ms. Casey in "Half Loop" and raising questions regarding the hallway painting.
However, there's another detail that many probably didn't catch. Purple_Day_444 pointed out that Irving is reading "The Emperor's Handbook," a book by the stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. As another Redditor added, the book discusses duty and life amid turmoil, both of which fit the character's background accurately, making this a "fantastic detail."
Hope For Innie Burt?
One of the burning questions fans have for season 2 of Severance involves the possible reencounter of Irving Bailiff and Burt Goodman. While "Defiant Jazz" seemed to have ended with their enchanting romantic arc, a hidden detail in "What's For Dinner?" might prove viewers haven't seen the last of Burt's innie.
Reddit whatinthepasta noticed that Burt's chip is "still active," similarly to Helly's and Petey's (which Ms. Cobel uses around her neck). Despite the retirement, it's fair to assume that his innie can be reactivated, a hopeful thought for both Irving and fans.
Refining Data
Fans of the highly regarded Severance fans can call themselves refiners, and they have reasons for it. Following the extensive material that episodes 8 and 9 provided, Paint_Her put together a "list of severed staff," cross-referencing the data seen in the security room with Irving's papers.
The unfamiliar names and departments only show how much the audience is clueless about the other parts of Lumon, and it also raises a question: What is Irving investigating?
Military Background
Apart from the research on employees, the finale offered a glimpse at the lives of Irving and Helly's outies, something that will be expanded in season 2, according to Dan Erickson. Before he went on a heartbreaking journey after the only person he could trust, Irving explored his apartment, from a locked trunk to medals on the wall.
One Redditor did a thorough breakdown of the meaning behind each "US Armed Forces" medal, saying they could signify that the character comes from a military family and is probably a veteran himself. While fans wait for season 2, catching these brilliant details on Severance can make one feel right as rain.