This article contains SPOILERS forSeveranceseason 2, episode 7, “Chikai Bardo.“Severancestar Dichen Lachman addresses the popular fan theory about Miss Huang’s connection to Mark and Gemma. It’s inSeveranceseason 2, episode 7, “Chikai Bardo”, that the Apple TV+ thriller unveils a lot about the character that Lachman plays. Both through painful flashbacks and scenes set more recently, it’s revealed that Gemma has been severed several times seemingly in order for Lumon to perfect a sever on-demand service that rids people from ever having to experience anything unpleasant. But the flashbacks also zero in on another possibility that’s related to Miss Huang (Sarah Bock).
In an interview withVariety, Lachman was asked about the theory that Miss Huang, the new Lumon supervisory character introduced in season 2, is actually the lab-grown child of Mark (Adam Scott) and Gemma.Lachman acknowledges there may be validity to the theory, pointing out the apparent flash of recognition Mark hadwhen he first saw Miss Huang:
I have seen that. I don’t blame people for having that theory, because when Mark looks at her in the first episode [of Season 2], there is some sort of flash, isn’t there? Initially, I even wondered if she had something to do with Gemma. I wasn’t 100% sure. I didn’t ever get to ask, but I don’t know whether I like or dislike that theory. I can see why people might think there is a link.
When asked in a follow-up whether the theory was possible or completely off the table, theDollhousealum pointed out thatthere were inconsistencies in the timeframe. Still, in the quote below, Lachman praised Bock and the ambiguity of the storyline:
I don’t know! The time frame would be off, because of her age. But it is interesting: why would a young teenager be in this place? Why isn’t she in school? It does raise a lot of questions. Sarah is an extraordinary actress. She did such a wonderful job, and the ambiguity there is really intense.
What The Miss Huang Twist Would Mean For Severance
Mark & Gemma Struggled To Conceive
“Chikai Bardo”, which is directed by cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné, with Dan Erickson and Mark Friedman sharing writing credits, also reveals thatGemma and Mark struggled to conceive. Those struggles lead to some distance in their relationship, but it also leads them to a fertility clinic that’s run by Lumon. The implication, of course, considering where they both end up, is that Lumon did something to them.
It could be the case, then, that Miss Huang is some sort of experiment. It may also be true that Lumon severed Mark and Gemma, meaning that neither would recall conceiving Miss Huang. There are a lot of possibilities at play after the revelations inSeveranceseason 2, episode 7. And with three more episodes to go, audiences should prepare to have the rug pulled out from under them.
Severance Already Confirmed Severed Pregnancies
It Goes Back To A Minor Season 1 Character
The case for a severed pregnancy was made inSeveranceseason 1 via the character known as Gabby Arteta. Played by Nora Dale, Gabby has appeared in three episodes of the series so far. She is a senator’s wife and it seems that shehas chosen the severance procedure to avoid the difficulties of childbirth. This is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred through Gabby’s interactions with Mark’s sister Devon (Jen Tullock).
Gabby is introduced at a birthing retreat. She and Devon have a bit of bonding over coffee, with Gabby sharing that she plans to name her newborn William. But later,when she runs into Devon, she doesn’t appear to recognize her. Gabby’s husband, Angelo (Ethan Flower), cuts this interaction short.
Severance: The Senator’s Wife Reveals An Even Darker World For Innies
Lumon Industries' memory-bifurcating severance chip is capable of so much more than just protecting corporate secrets and keeping employees in line.
Gabby and her husband are again seen in theSeveranceseason 1 finale. Gabby is thankful for what Lumon has done while Angelo pledges his continued support to Lumon. They then watch as Helly R. goes on stage to reveal that Lumon has been torturing innies. Taken in this light, at that point in the show,Gabby looked to be a rare example of someone who likely underwent severance for reasons other than work.
In any case, at the time, when the series was still fairly new and relatively under the radar, Gabby and her husband looked to be an isolated instance of a luxury that Lumon provides. It could have just been a slight commentary on how the wealthy and powerful choose to float their access and shrink away from difficult possibilities. But after “Chikai Bardo”, it looks increasingly like the chance to sever yourself at will is something that is actively being refined. It may have been something that was done, already, to keep Miss Huang a secret from Gemma and Mark.
Our Take On The Miss Huang Theory
A Swerve Would Be Fun
While the signs, for the moment, point to Miss Huang having a connection with Mark and Gemma, it would be fun if the twist turned out to be that the new addition had another part to play amongtheSeverancecharacters. Whatever it is, it will likely be teased out by the time the second installment arrives at its finale and the hit thriller moves on to the next phase of its storytelling. Especially considering her rivalry with Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman), she could have more than one episode to stick around.
New episodes ofSeveranceseason 2 are available to stream Fridays on Apple TV+.
Cast
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
