WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Severance season 2
A pivotal scene in TV+’s Severance has sparked intrigue among fans, as Helena Eagan, played by Britt Lower, introduces herself to Outie Mark, portrayed by Adam Scott, at a Chinese restaurant in episode six, titled Attila. The encounter marks the first meeting between the two, at least for Mark’s outer self, and initially takes a flirtatious turn.
However, the atmosphere shifts when Helena mentions Mark’s late wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), but incorrectly refers to her as “Hannah”. Mark corrects her, prompting Helena to apologise for the supposed mistake, reports the .
This error ultimately prompts Mark to realise the need to complete the reintegration process with Reghabi, played by Karen Aldridge. The name mistake combines Gemma and Helly/Helena, potentially alluding to the complexities of Mark’s love life as his inner and outer selves become increasingly intertwined.
Scott, 51, has shared his thoughts on the scene, which the cast and crew referred to as “the Heat scene”, drawing parallels with the iconic 1995 Michael Mann film where Al Pacino and Robert De Niro’s characters finally meet. The Parks and Recreation actor expressed his enthusiasm for the scene, stating: “I love this scene. It was fun to do and fun to get this new dynamic between Britt and I, and kinda figure out what it would be.
Helena got Gemma’s name wrong on purpose (Image: APPLE TV)
“And it ended up having this charge to it, like these two people. Outie Mark is scared s***less of this person and has no idea or concept of who she is to him on the inside. But she does obviously, and she knows they’ve slept together.”
The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott saw discussions delving deep into character dynamics: “There’s so much going on, but the fact that there ended up being almost this flirtatious charge to the scene was something that really started happening while we were shooting it and felt really interesting.”
As things got heated, Scott described the tension: “Well, she starts f***ing with me by getting Gemma’s name wrong,” hinting at the emotional manipulation.
“I think she’s one hundred percent f***ing with me, just toying to see what reaction she can get – and she gets one.”
Fans think Helena knew Helly slept with Mark (Image: APPLE TV)
Co-host Ben Stiller called this an “interesting” manipulation tactic, something that character Milchik (Tramell Tillman) also practices in the show. Stiller then simplified the intricate relationship: “Earlier that same day, you both slept with each other.”
With a hint of mystery, Scott revealed: “But neither of us [Helena and Outie Mark] are aware of that.”
Adding more complexity, however, Stiller clarified: “But [Helena] is aware she slept with you and you’re not aware you slept with her. With either of her.”
Yet, fan theories on questioned whether Helena could be oblivious to the earlier intimate encounter.
Helena stalked Mark and flirted with him (Image: APPLE TV)
One viewer took to the forum, stating: “She knows. She watched them go in there on the cameras.”
Another chimed in with: “And, uh we don’t know if Helly was ever taught to ‘clean up’. So… yeah [sic].”
A third fan speculated: “If I were Helly, I’d make sure not to clean up so Helena can deal with it.”
A fourth observer noted: “In season one, episode five, Helly says (of Helena) ‘What I want is for her to wake up while the life drains out of her and to know it was me who did it.’ I always assumed she meant blood [sic].”
Fans are left in suspense as they wait to see if this plot point will be addressed and whether Helena was aware of Helly’s actions at Lumon.
Severance airs weekly on Apple TV+ on Fridays