Severance Season 2, Episode 5 recap: In which Milchick is scolded for using too many big words

Leave it to a show like Severance, the dystopian Apple TV+ hit that’s basically the biggest thing on streaming right now, to follow up last week’s unforgettable outdoor retreat episode with one that switches back to the prosaic — and the show still manages to keep you absolutely riveted.

In retrospect, it actually kind of feels like a stroke of genius that the aftermath of last week’s ORTBO was followed up by something more run-of-the-mill this week: Milchick’s performance review. It once again underscored how much Severance has turned into a masterclass in storytelling, because you actually feel sorry for Milchick by the end of his session with Mr. Drummond (who scolds our favorite severed floor manager over three “anonymous” complaints about him. More about that in a moment).

Here’s a quick recap of the highlights of Trojan’s Horse, which now puts us at the halfway point of the second season of Severance (spoilers to follow).

Image source: Apple

Helly’s back. After Irving nearly killed her outie during the outdoor retreat last week, forcing her to reveal her charade in the process, Helly returns to the severed floor. Her return followed a conversation between Mr. Drummond, Natalie, and Helena, in which Helena initially resists going back, but it’s determined that Helly needs to be there since Mark is so close to finishing the Cold Harbor file.

MDR demands a “funeral” for Irving. If Milchick thought he could zap Irving’s innie out of existence Thanos-style (for nearly killing Helena) and everyone would just go about their business, he was mistaken. An incredulous Dylan demands a funeral for his colleague. During the ceremony, it becomes clear that Irving’s final words to Dylan, “Hang in there,” actually meant something specific. There’s a poster in the break room with those words on it, behind which Irving has hidden a card spelling out the directions for how to get to the Exports Hall. Dylan studies it, but then puts the card back (for now?).

Milchick uses “too many big words”. As Milchick and Ms. Huang prepare Irving’s funeral arrangements, Ms. Huang confesses that she doesn’t understand why they’re bothering. “The Affections Index for Irving B. was in the high 60s,” Milchick coldly responds. To which Ms. Huang replies: “May I say a question?

“You shouldn’t let them have a funeral … it makes them feel like people.” 

His face continuing to betray no emotion, Milchick tells her that was an opinion, not a question. And an “unsolicited” one, at that. So Ms. Huang decides to give him an actual question: “Your first performance review is today, right? … That was a question.”