The fifth episode of Severance, called Funeral for a Friend, takes the show to new emotional depths. It dives into themes of grief, identity, and the effect of corporate control on our lives. This episode is directed by Aoife McArdle and written by Anna Ouyang Moench. It is one of the most emotional and thought-provoking episodes so far, showing just how powerful Severance is as a series.
A Funeral That Brings Big Questions
This episode is focused on the funeral of Petey (Yul Vazquez), a former colleague and friend of Mark (Adam Scott) at Lumon Industries. Petey died after trying to bring his memories back together, which makes Mark question his own life and choices. The funeral scene is tense and emotional, as Mark feels guilty about not remembering his friendship with Petey because of the “severance” procedure that separates his work and personal memories.
At the funeral, Petey’s daughter, June (Dichen Lachman), confronts Mark about his connection with her father. This leads Mark to think about the morality of severance, which erases memories to separate work and personal life. The conversation is both sad and disturbing, showing how Lumon’s actions hurt real people.
Helly Fights Back and Demands Answers
Meanwhile, Helly (Britt Lower) is still resisting her “innie” (work) life. She is angry about the limits Lumon has placed on her and wants to know more about her “outie” (outside) life. In this episode, her anger boils over as she openly defies the company. Helly’s struggle for control over her life raises important questions about personal choice, especially in a world where corporations have so much power.
Britt Lower does an amazing job showing Helly’s frustration and determination. Her performance makes these scenes incredibly powerful, as Helly tries to fight against a system designed to hold her back.
Dylan Gets Suspicious and Uncovers Secrets
Dylan (Zach Cherry) also plays a big role in this episode. He starts to get more suspicious of Lumon’s motives and begins to investigate the Optics and Design (O&D) department. He starts to uncover a darker side to Lumon, hinting that there might be a bigger conspiracy behind the scenes. Dylan’s growing sense of paranoia adds even more tension to the episode, leaving us wondering who we can trust at Lumon.
Themes of Grief and Identity
At its heart, Funeral for a Friend explores grief and identity. The episode shows how memories shape who we are and how losing them can make us feel lost. Mark’s struggle to mourn Petey, even though he can’t remember their friendship, shows how important human connections are and how painful it is when those connections are broken.
The episode also raises important questions about corporate control. Lumon’s severance procedure, which splits employees into “innies” and “outies,” shows how society often values work over personal well-being.
Final Thoughts
Severance Episode 5: Funeral for a Friend is a standout episode that mixes deep emotions with important themes. It tackles grief, identity, and corporate control in a way that feels both timely and timeless. The episode shows how technology and capitalism can sometimes dehumanize us.
With strong performances, gripping storytelling, and powerful visuals, Funeral for a Friend is a must-watch for fans of the show and newcomers alike. As Severance continues to unfold its mysteries, it’s clear this show is one that everyone should watch and talk about.
Severance is available to stream on Apple TV+.