Chikhai Bardo

One of the most beautifully crafted episodes of television ever, and the most emotional episode of Severance yet.

It's hard to talk about how amazing this episode is without spoiling anything but god the way it just weaves this mind-bending torturous sci-fi story with this beautiful Orpheus and Eurydice analogy of two lovers mourning each other, not knowing how close they really are. Just absolutely heart wrenching.

As many lore bombs as someone could hope for, impeccable cinematography, set design, acting, writing, just absolutely beautiful from the top down.

There are still three episodes left and whole season(s?) ahead of this show and this still feels like the Magnum Opus of Severance.

In my opinion, this is the greatest episode of television ever, and this cements Severance as my favourite show of all time.

It's kind of insane to think this was originally inspired by the backrooms. Almost every scene leaves you mind blown with the camera work, set design, color grading. Everything is phenomenal. The transitions are so constantly creative you are siting there wondering how did they do that nearly every other scene. As far as story telling goes this is easily the most abstract and non-linear severance has ever been. It's unclear who's memories we are looking at half the time and who's perspective we are watching, and yet it still makes senses. We see more of lumon and what they are doing but there is still pieces missing, everything is there but it isn't quite connecting yet. I think most importantly this episode effectively sells Gemma as a character and it sells Mark and Gemmas relationship as something we should care about. This show continues to push television as a median forward and I'm on the edge of my seat to what comes next.

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 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.

Severance has exceeded my expectations in multiple ways. The last three episodes of season one cemented the show for me but this episode managed to bring this series to a whole different level.

The first thing I would like to point out is the cinematography and directing. Severance hasn't fallen short, especially in this second season, but this one blew my mind. You can feel the passion and care that has been put into this project. The transition and the grainy look in the flashback sequences really made it feel intimate and meaningful.

The acting was also top notch. Dichen Lachlan (Gemma) was incredible and managed to bring a powerful rollercoaster of emotions, all ranging from confusion, sadness, and hope. Adam Scott and Jen Tullock have always impressed me but they also tapped into untouched territory that we haven't seen yet in this series.

I'm trying to avoid spoilers but if you haven't seen this series and want to know if it's worth watching, the answer is yes.