Though Apple TV had been producing attention-grabbing reveals from its launch in late 2019, the streaming service introduced itself because the “go-to” place for science fiction followers with the success of Severance. A mind-blowing, philosophically arresting collection full of twists and turns, Severance supplied a compelling central thriller that was backed up by sturdy satire concerning the unhealthy work-life steadiness of recent workers. The primary season was a masterpiece that stands as among the finest of the last decade, however Severance reached its emotional apex in Season 2 with the episode “Chikhai Bardo.” It’s a collection that’s usually outlined by its largest revelations, however “Chikhai Bardo” helped flesh out a second-tier character in essentially the most visceral, heartbreaking manner doable.
One of many largest revelations within the first season of Severance is that the enigmatic wellness counselor Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) is definitely Gemma, the spouse of Mark (Adam Scott), whom he beforehand believed had been killed in a automobile accident. The twist has important revelations relating to the best way that Mark has performed himself as a Lumon worker, however “Chikhai Bardo” is the primary Severance episode to discover occasions from Gemma’s perspective, offering a possibility for Lachman to shine. The title itself is a reference to the “second of demise” in Tibetan spiritual tradition, and that theme of loss is offered in advanced methods by the expansion and collapse of Gemma’s relationship with Mark.
“Chikhai Bardo” Is One of many Finest Episodes of ‘Severance’
It could not have been the primary episode of Severance to be informed in a non-linear manner, however “Chikhai Bardo” has a considerably completely different fashion in comparison with the remainder of the present due to its director. Ben Stiller is usually regarded as the first inventive pressure behind Severance, and whereas he directed most of the finest episodes, “Chikhai Bardo” was helmed by cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné in her Severance directorial debut. Gagné had beforehand labored with Stiller on the underrated crime collection Escape at Dannemora, and positively is aware of the way to heighten suspense inside a confined surroundings. Nevertheless, “Chikhai Bardo” is the uncommon flashback episode that doesn’t really feel like a hazy reminiscence, as a result of actuality is all the time visceral when it is occurring. By diving again into the occasions that formed each Mark and Gemma into the those that they grew to become, Severance analyzes how considerably they’ve modified throughout their time at Lumon.
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“Chikhai Bardo” explores the early romance between Mark and Gemma, and the way shortly their relationship fell aside on account of her miscarriage. The episode was a reminder of how tactile the world of Severance is, and that its actuality is one which doesn’t really feel that far faraway from the current; the truth that Lumon’s technological advances have under no circumstances led to raised medical therapy, particularly for ladies, is actually one thing that’s mentioned. Though the “chikhai bardo” phrase is referenced instantly within the episode, it might seek advice from a number of issues; the demise in query could have been the couple’s unborn little one, however it additionally refers back to the collapse of Gemma and Mark’s relationship, as they each develop extra insular as soon as she finds it inconceivable to conceive. Their pissed off, simply manipulated state makes it simpler for Lumon to divide them and benefit from the rising rift. Whereas Mark is lied to and compelled to simply accept the story that his spouse was killed, Gemma is slowly adjusting to her new actuality on the Lumon testing flooring, realizing that she’s going to by no means be capable to revert to her life earlier than.
Gemma Scott Is the Most Tragic Character in ‘Severance’
The thematic “second of demise” in “Chikhai Bardo” isn’t simply the erasure of Mark’s reminiscence of Gemma, however the lack of the prior variations of each characters. After spending time beneath Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson), one of many present’s finest villains, Gemma really turns into “Ms. Casey,” leaving every little thing in her life outdoors of Lumon behind. That is additionally the second by which Mark’s psychological well being takes a flip for the more serious, and his “outie” turns into hounded by grief and despair; the one escape from the tragedy of Gemma’s supposed demise is inside Lumon, which provides extra energy to his “innie.” Even when Gemma is alive, Mark grows so adjusted to his position as an worker that the individual he was earlier than begins to fade away. It’s due to the occasions in “Chikhai Brado” that Mark’s closing alternative throughout the now-iconic ending of Season 2 hits even more durable.
Severance is usually regarded as purely an mental collection, however “Chikhai Bardo” reveals how tragic the collection is when its sci-fi concepts are explored in depth for the results that they might have. That viewers already knew when the episode started the place Gemma and Mark would find yourself solely makes it extra painful; the kaleidoscopic strategy to the timeline displays the confusion that each characters confronted after their minds have been corrupted by Lumon know-how. Though it is vitally a lot a standalone installment, “Chikhai Bardo” additionally capabilities as an essential a part of the present’s serialization as a result of it units up Mark’s reawakening. Stunning episodes like “Chilly Harbour” and “The We We Are” is perhaps amongst Severance’s most iconic moments, however its installments like “Chikhai Bardo” increase the bar to a brand new customary of what sci-fi tv can obtain.
