“Each instance ‘Severance’ suggested a major Helly twist”

revealed a major twist in its latest episode, “Woe’s Hollow,” where Lumon’s Innies head back to the outside world for an Outdoor Retreat Team Building Occurrence. The camping trip quickly turns chaotic when Irving discovers that Helly is actually her Outie Helena, who has been pretending to be Helly since the beginning of Season 2.

Suspicious Signs of Helena’s Deception

From the moment Helly returns to the Severed Floor in Season 2, her behavior raises red flags. Unlike the other Innies, she appears out of breath and on edge, as if she had been on the run. Her reaction to seeing Mark is also strange, showing confusion rather than familiarity. These discrepancies hint at Helena’s deception.

Helena’s Manipulation Tactics

Throughout the season, Helly consistently questions Lumon’s lack of security cameras, trying to assure the Innies that they are not being surveilled. However, these remarks are actually part of Helena’s scheme to gather information by encouraging the Innies to speak freely. It becomes clear that Lumon has been listening in, just not through traditional means.

The Overtime Contingency Lie

One of the clearest indicators of Helena’s true identity is her lie about the Overtime Contingency. By fabricating a story about a night gardener, Helly raises suspicions among Mark, Irving, and Dylan. This deceitful behavior goes against Helly’s character, suggesting that Helena is behind the facade.

Helena’s Manipulative Behavior

Helena’s insistence on keeping the group together at all times reveals her ulterior motives. She prioritizes gathering information over genuine connections with her colleagues, highlighting her manipulative nature. This desire to control the group dynamic points towards her true identity as Helena Eagan.

Suspicious Reactions and Deceptions

Helena’s reactions to various events, such as Mark’s search for Gemma, further indicate her deceptive tactics. By exhibiting behaviors that are inconsistent with her known character, Helly inadvertently exposes her true identity as Helena, revealing the extent of her manipulative schemes.
Another clue in the first episode is Helena’s subdued reaction to the reveal that Gemma is alive at Lumon and that Mark wants to get her out. Instead of immediately jumping at the chance to free someone else from Lumon’s clutches, Helena-as-Helly questions why Mark owes Gemma anything. While this hesitation could be attributed to romantic entanglements between Helly, Innie Mark, Outie Mark, and Gemma, it seems unlikely that Helena would pass up an opportunity to defy Lumon. This suggests that Helena is attempting to steer Mark away from acting on the information he obtained during the Overtime Contingency, hoping to refocus him on finishing Cold Harbor.

Helena’s true feelings about the Innie-Outie divide become evident during their conversation about Gemma, where she asserts, “We’re not the same [as our Outies], actually.” This intense declaration recalls Helena’s video message to Helly in Season 1, in which she plainly states, “I am a person. You are not.” Despite attempting to backtrack by saying, “I don’t think we owe [the Outies] shit,” the cracks in her Helly persona begin to show, revealing Helena Eagan underneath.

### An Invasion of the Body Snatchers reference hinted at Helena replacing Helly

Viewers keenly observed that the file Helly is working on at the end of the Season 2 premiere of Severance is labeled Santa Mira, the fictional town from Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Just like the aliens in the film, Helena has effectively taken over Helly’s identity. This subtle reference serves as an intriguing nod for movie enthusiasts.

### Helena’s body language was a clear indicator of her impersonation as Helly

Helena’s awkward movements and gestures, such as her hesitant walk and fumbling with the computer switch, point to her struggle in posing as Helly. While the other Innies effortlessly navigate their tasks, Helena’s minor missteps stand out as significant red flags, exposing her true identity as Helena Eagan.

### Watching Lumon’s security footage foreshadowed Helena’s replacement of Helly

In the second episode of Severance Season 2, Helena is seen meticulously studying security footage of Helly’s previous interactions with Mark. This preparation mirrors an actor immersing themselves in a role, with Helena Eagan delving into a version of herself subjected to Lumon’s torment. The portrayal hints at an impending transformation that Helena is orchestrating.

With the revelation that Helena plans to assume Helly’s identity, Lumon’s expectation for her to intensify the intimacy with Mark adds a sinister layer to Mr. Drummond’s ominous declaration. This manipulation further underscores the control Lumon exerts over its subjects, highlighting the complexity of Helena’s infiltration.

As Helena descends to the Severed Floor in Season 2, episode 2, the absence of the trademark elevator ding associated with the transition from Outie to Innie serves as compelling evidence of her subterfuge. This deliberate omission, following Dylan and Irving’s audible entry, symbolizes Helena taking charge on the Severed Floor, emphasizing the meticulous attention to detail on Severance.

### Helly’s behavior during the “Woe’s Hollow” field trip sealed Helena’s fate

Throughout the field trip, Helly’s actions further confirm Helena’s undercover mission, solidifying her role as an infiltrator within Lumon’s deceptive world.
Helena’s true identity as Helly on the Severed Floor is finally revealed in a shocking turn of events. Her behavior on the ORTBO exposes her true nature, particularly her cruelty towards Irving regarding the loss of Burt. However, other subtle moments also indicate that Helly is indeed Helena.

Understanding the story about Kier Eagan’s twin brother Dieter in the Fourth Appendix as an anti-masturbation tale suggests Helena’s familiarity with the text, given her Eagan lineage. Her disdain for the story at the campfire could be seen as a performative act to align with Helly’s anti-Eagan stance or as a rebellion against outdated family teachings.

A moment of introspection occurs when Helena visits the Woe’s Hollow waterfall alone. Her contemplative gaze hints at her acknowledgment of her family and her role in it, reflecting on her actions throughout the season to serve Kier. This moment of reflection, following a night of intimacy with Mark, symbolizes a personal victory for Helena until Irving confronts her.

The revelation of Helena’s true identity adds an intriguing layer to the narrative of Severance Season 2, enhancing the rewatch value of the series. Britt Lower’s performance gains new depth and significance, prompting viewers to analyze other subtle clues throughout the season.

Severance Season 2 is available for streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes released every Friday.