Warning: Spoilers for Severance season 2, episode 5!Mark is a major jerk toward Helly inSeveranceseason 2, episode 5, “Trojan’s Horse,” but based on what Lumon Industries has done to him, his bad attitude makes sense. After what happened followingSeveranceseason 1’s ending, Mark needed some convincing before agreeing to return to Lumon. Some of that convincing linked to Mark’s Innie relationships on the Severed Floor, specifically with Helly. Fast-forward toSeveranceseason 2, episode 4, and Mark discovered that Lumon may not only be messing with his Outie’s life regarding Gemma, but the company also used Helena to manipulate the MDR team.
Severanceseason 2 confirmed the theory that Helly was really Helenauntil her true identity was uncovered by Irving in “Woe’s Hollow.” Lumon was using the Glasgow Block to allow the real Helena into the Severed Floor, pretending to be Helly since the MDR team reunited. Irving was ultimately fired, and the Glasgow Block was removed, allowing Helly to rejoin the MDR team, not Helena. Rather than a warm welcome from colleagues, Mark, in particular, is an a**hole towards Helly in “Trojan’s Horse,” but the attitude is more a result of Lumon’s betrayal and his own shame.
Mark Is Embarrassed & Ashamed That He Fell For Helena & Couldn’t Tell She Wasn’t Helly
Mark Shuts Out Helly Even Though She’s Not To Blame
Mark’s attitude toward Helly isn’t necessarily aimed at her, specifically, but instead, it’s a result of his shame for how he was completely fooled by Helena. Despite how well they got to know each other as Innies,Mark never suspects that Helly is actually Helena inSeveranceseason 2.Aside from feeling ashamed, Mark is understandably embarrassed when the real Helly returns to the Severed Floor since he doesn’t want to face the fact that he can’t tell the two apart. There’s also the fact that he shared secrets about his Outie and Gemma, thinking he was conspiring with Helly, not Helena.
Severance Season 2 Episode 5 Ending Explained: What Ms. Casey & Mark’s Scene Really Means
Severance season 2’s episode 5 ends with an intriguing scene in which Mark’s outie finally encounters Ms. Casey, setting up many story developments.
The shame and embarrassment shown through Mark’s interactions with Helly in “Trojan’s Horse” also stems from Mark’s interaction with Helena inSeverance’s “Woe’s Hollow” episode. During the ORTBO,Mark and “Helly” end up sleeping together shortly before the MDR team learns about the Helena Eagan twistthe next morning. Once learning that he’s been fooled since returning to Lumon, there’s obvious regret involved, so it makes sense why Mark doesn’t want to be caring and friendly to Helly after being burned by her Outie.
Mark Is Afraid To Trust Helly After Being Lied To By Helena
Is Helly Really Back This Time?
It might be difficult for Mark to open back up to Helly after everything that happened. In truth,Mark is likely still worried that the Helly on the Severed Floor is still Helena continuing Lumon’s ruse. No matter how much Helly tries to convince him and Dylan otherwise, her team will remain suspicious. Only Irving was able to tell Helly and Helena apart, but now that he’s gone, Mark can’t rely on his own perception again. Therefore, Mark’s fear of trusting Helly will linger through the rest ofseason 2, further complicatingSeverance’s love triangle with Mark, Helly, and Helena.
Aside from brushing Helly off and not wanting to interact like they used to, Mark’s demeanor greatly bothers Dylan in Severance’s “Trojan’s Horse” episode.
Ironically, Dylan is mad enough at Mark in “Trojan’s Horse” that he pulls up the divider between their workspaces. Mark, on the other hand, builds a metaphorical wall between him and Helly, but in both cases, it’s Mark’s jerky attitude causing the divisive nature. Aside from brushing Helly off and not wanting to interact like they used to, Mark’s demeanor greatly bothers Dylan inSeverance’s “Trojan’s Horse” episode. With Irving’s firing, the distrust surrounding Helly, Dylan’s anger, and Mark’s self-interest focus, things aren’t looking good for the future of the MDR team.
