Chikhai Bardo

This episode is nothing but perfection and for Severance standards that is a high bar. I truly believe Severance is one of if not the best show ever made (at least in my opinion) and this episode proves why I love this show. It hit me in the feels, it gave me adrenaline, it made me smile, laugh even, and of course it made me cry. This episode is the core reason why Severance is what it is and why it asks more questions instead of answers them, because when they finally answer them it feels better than if they resolved this story in episode 1. Best episode of the season so far and possibly one of the best episodes of television ever created.

Severance is a miracle, the fact that this show works as well as it does is truly groundbreaking. Episode 7 takes what some could consider to be filler, and turns it into a gutwrenching backstory that pushes the main goals of the season into a necessity. I will avoid spoilers, but the story we got this episode truly put me personally in the shoes of our main character, and I am heartbroken.

I can't go any longer without mentioning the cinematography of this episode, oh my god? This should come as no surprise as the show's lead cinematographer made her directorial debut, and she knocked it out of the park.

Adam Scott gives a career performance, which could be said for many episodes this season. I am in awe of the character work and writing that Ben stiller and co. Have crafted here.

This show just went from amazing to a completely whole new level. I really can't remember the last time I watched an episode of any tv show and felt this intrigued. Each scene seems so well crafted it really seems like every single line of dialogue has had tons of thought and consideration behind it. Also, the way the show stays totally unpredictable is actually incredible. I genuinely watch every scene with no idea where it'll go next. And the more I watch the more I realize how much planning and attention to detail has been put into the whole story. Best episode of the season and maybe the entire series.

This is the most powerful, emotional, and arguably lore filled episode of the series so far. Out of all the backstory episodes in television, considering how bold and layered this series is it's no surprise how this one sticks out compared to the rest. The constant back and forth of learning so much about a character and the torturous things they've been accustomed to, to getting emotionally gut punched by the history of the most emotional dynamic of the series that we didn't get to see until now. This is my favorite of the season so far and considering the title of the final episode I'm assuming the climax is going to be a similar but more chaotic and grand finale from what we witnessed with season 1. Gravity Falls had a chokehold on many people episode to episode in terms of theorizing and plotting, and I'm glad it's being brought back with Severance. Dan Erickson impressed yet again, but given the dynamics of this episode Jessica Lee Gagné was phenomenal in the direction she took. Putting aside shows that concluded and were already on-going, so far this is the biggest accomplishment of TV this decade.

Take a bow Jessica Lee Gagné! Everything about this episode - the plot, the pace, the sets and most importantly, cinematography is 10/10.

I have never seen better 50 minutes of television - and rarely 50 continuous minutes of any motion picture.

It has the dead wife montage. But it blooms in a way that we feel like the honeybee flying around in anticipation.

It opens up the Severance lore more than any other episode (barring S1 finale). But it makes it even more eerie.

We see more of the sterile Lumon but with georgious aesthetics. It is menacing with a friendly facade. Its clinical precision is handled by steely grip. It takes you to a prison of hope - that you volunteered into but cannot escape.

This episode should be (and I hope, will be) studied in art schools for ages.