Warning: This article contains spoilers for Severance season 2, episode 7, "Chikai Bardo."Dichen Lachman, who plays Gemma, has shed new light on "Chikai Bardo", provides a deeper look into Gemma's psychological torment, her dynamic with Dr. Mauer, and her long-standing fight for freedom.

This latest episode of Severance sees Gemma reaching a breaking point after being told the devastating lie that Mark has remarried and had a child. In a post-episode interview with Variety, Lachman reveals that this outburst wasn't an isolated act of desperation but rather the latest attempt in what seems to be a long history of rebellion against Dr. Mauer, who seems to have some sort of fixation on Gemma. Read her full comment below:

He definitely does. She loathes him, obviously. His relationship with her is totally different because he gets to experience being in all these different rooms with her. He’s infantilizing her in a way. I think maybe she understands that they have time together that she’s not aware of, which is super creepy. That could go into some really dark places.

Gemma has been on the Testing Floor for so long that she is numb. Finally she breaks, especially when he revs her up with that horrible lie about Mark. I don’t think it’s the first time she’s tried to make it out, because Drummond asks Mauer, “Didn’t she break your fingers?” So, she’s had these moments where she’s lost all tolerance and makes a break for it. It’s heartbreaking, she’s trapped by her own mind.

What This Means For Severance Season 2

Gemma’s Fight Against Lumon Is Far From Over

Gemma's escape attempt and the revelation that it's not her first paint a grim picture of the Testing Floor's true horrors. While much of Severance has focused on Mark's grief and the unrest brewing within Lumon's walls, Gemma's torment suggests that the corporation's hold on its employees is stronger than previously thought. The episode also focuses on her current situation, confirming that Gemma has been stuck on the Testing Floor, with Lumon subjecting her to being severed multiple times.

With Gemma's escape attempt failing after entering the elevator and transforming into Ms. Casey, it is safe to say that there is more to unveil about her and the trauma she has endured. What's even more disturbing, though, is Dr. Mauer's fixation on Gemma. With Lachman describing his behavior as "infantilizing", she highlights the power imbalance between them. This hints that Mauer has spent significantly more time with Gemma than she knows, ing the theory that Lumon has subjected her to far more than just severance. The question that remains unanswered is what all has been done to Gemma while being held on the Testing Floor.

Our Take On Gemma’s Escape Attempts

A Tragic Revelation That Adds More Depth To Severance

Gemma's repeated escape attempts fundamentally changes how audiences perceive her character. Up until now, Gemma was largely seen as a tragic figure, someone who was unknowingly severed multiple times and transformed into a tool for Lumon. However, the fact that she has been resisting for so long indicates that she is far more than a victim; Gemma is a survivor. This revelation also raises the stakes for Mark. While his journey has been about uncovering the truth, it's clear he's unaware of how much Gemma has suffered. If he is to save her, he must understand that the woman he once knew might not be the same anymore.

With Severance season 2 hinting at a rebellion, Gemma's continuous fight against Lumon and Dr. Mauer could play a bigger role in the episodes. Her struggle is no longer just about reuniting with Mark, it's about escaping a system that has held her captive and stolen years of her life.

Severance season 2 episodes are available Fridays on Apple TV+.

Source: Variety