“Severance,” created by Dan Erickson, introduces us to Mark Scout (played by Adam Scott), an employee at Lumon Industries who partakes in the company’s radical “Severance” program. This initiative severs employees’ work memories from their personal lives, ostensibly to perfect work-life balance. However, this division creates a chilling reality where employees like Mark are unaware of their actions within the office walls once they clock out.
This concept mirrors the oppressive surveillance and control depicted in “1984,” where Big Brother’s ever-watchful eye keeps citizens in line. In “Severance,” Lumon’s omnipresent monitoring echoes this, with the slogan “Lumon is Listening” serving as a modern counterpart to “Big Brother is Watching You.”
A Closer Look at Character Parallels and Symbolic Scenes
The characters of “Severance” reflect the archetypes found in “1984.” Mark is reminiscent of Winston, Orwell’s protagonist, who also grapples with the pressures of a surveilled existence and finds solace in forbidden acts of rebellion. Meanwhile, Helly represents Julia, Winston’s counterpart in rebellion and romantic entanglement. The show’s depiction of their relationship, particularly in scenes charged with the tension of defiance, draws direct lines to the fraught dynamics between Winston and Julia.
One particularly compelling comparison made by fans involves the infamous “Room 101” from “1984,” a place of ultimate torture, mirrored chillingly in the “Break Room” at Lumon. Both spaces symbolize the extreme measures authoritarian regimes employ to enforce loyalty and conformity.
Insights from Behind the Scenes
Dan Erickson, the visionary behind “Severance,” drew inspiration from his own experiences in the corporate world. The idea for the show came to him as he daydreamed about completely disassociating from his tedious job to cope with the drudgery of daily responsibilities. This personal revelation reflects a broader societal anxiety about the nature of work and personal autonomy—a theme that Orwell too scrutinized under the guise of totalitarianism.
A Cultural Resonance Beyond Literature and Television
The discussions surrounding “Severance” are not limited to comparisons with “1984.” Fans also note references to other cultural touchstones like the “Black Mirror” episode “White Christmas,” and films such as “Total Recall” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” These comparisons enrich the conversation, illustrating how “Severance” taps into a longstanding tradition of exploring dystopian themes through various media.
The show’s ability to weave these elements into its narrative fabric, while maintaining a unique voice, is a testament to its cultural relevance and the keen insights of its creator. As “Severance” continues to unfold on Apple TV+, it invites viewers to reflect on the nature of control, freedom, and the ever-blurring lines between work and personal life in our increasingly surveilled world.
For those who have traversed the grim corridors of Orwell’s “1984,” “Severance” offers a familiar echo, serving as a compelling contemporary companion to the classic dystopian narrative. It stands as a stark reminder of the power of television to challenge, reflect, and expand upon the literary themes that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.