Apple TV+’s Severance Expansion Could Fix the Show’s Growing Lore Problem

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Apple now fully owns the popular streaming series and is planning to expand its storyline with new spinoffs. Reports indicate the acquisition cost around $70 million. The show’s creators, Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller, have stated they’re hoping these spinoffs will help reduce the long waits between seasons – which have previously been about three years.

Some viewers are concerned that expanding the universe could harm what makes Severance special. However, it might be necessary to grow the show’s reach. Currently, Severance is critically acclaimed – it has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.7 on IMDb – because of its intimate character studies and unsettling atmosphere. But with the complex backstory of Lumon Industries becoming increasingly detailed after the season finale, the show could become bogged down in its own lore. A spin-off series could be the solution to allow the franchise to thrive.

Severance Is Starting to Feel the Weight of Its Own Mystery

Severance is a show that stands out because of its simple yet unsettling premise: employees separate their work and personal lives so completely that they have no memory of one while in the other. This creates a stark division between their two existences. However, as the series delves deeper into the history and influence of the Eagan family, the story’s focus has begun to change.

Viewers aren’t simply following Mark Scout’s struggles at work anymore; they’re also trying to understand the show’s intricate backstory involving 19th-century business ideas and how the brain chips function. This is partly because the show packs a lot of detailed information into its storyline.

The show’s creators have a tough job: they need to build tension in the current storyline while also explaining the backstory of Kier Eagan, the mysterious “tempers,” and the history of Lumon Industries.

This is the “Westworld Problem,” where the mythology begins to eat the plot.

Adding things like the “Testing Floor” and “Goat Room” feels out of place and slows down the story. After waiting three years for a new season, viewers don’t want to spend episodes exploring unimportant details – they want to see the characters take action and fight for their survival.

A Severance Prequel Could Offload the Lore Without Slowing the Plot

The show could really benefit from expanding its universe. A prequel series, set during Lumon’s beginnings, could reveal its complex backstory. Think of a show like Better Call Saul – it could focus on the person who created the core ideas behind the severance procedure, showing how those ideas came to be.

A spinoff series focusing on him could be incredibly compelling. His life outside of Lumon – particularly his background as a veteran and his repetitive painting – hints at a deeply troubling past connected to the Testing Floor, something the main show only touches upon. This new series could explore his earlier work at Lumon, shedding light on the mysterious “Reintegration” sickness and the company’s potentially disturbing involvement with the military, all without interfering with Mark’s story.

I was completely captivated by that episode in Season 2 that delved into her past – it really showed how incredibly complex and frightening her devotion is, and where it all comes from. Learning about her family, and especially her mother’s connection to Eagon, just adds another layer of mystery and makes me even more eager to see what happens next. It’s fascinating!

Delving into her upbringing at the Eagan boarding school would explain why she’s so conflicted and fiercely loyal. It would transform her from a simple villain into a more sympathetic, complex character without disrupting the main story’s flow. Furthermore, the history of the Eagan family offers exciting potential—think a gothic horror series in the vein of Succession, focused on the ruthless power plays of a family obsessed with power and potentially, eternal life. The conflicts between Jame, Helena, and their predecessors could easily fuel an entire show about this wealthy, influential dynasty.

The show is looking into the frequent changes in CEOs and the unusual world of people who hunt for legendary creatures. If they decide to expand the storyline, they plan to keep the comedic workplace elements and the current plot separate from any historical parts. This separation would allow each part of the show to develop its own distinct style and focus, as the history may not even be set in an office environment.

Apple TV’s Proposed Expansion Can Help Add More Structure

As a big film and TV fan, I’ve noticed something about long-running series. When a show takes years between seasons, people tend to lose interest. That’s why spinoffs are so smart! They keep the world alive while the main show is on break, preventing viewers from moving on. But the best part? They appeal to both those who are totally invested in the original show and those who might be new to the universe – it’s a win-win!

The show’s backstory, particularly the secrets surrounding Lumon Industries, is incredibly compelling. Dedicated fans can explore the history of the Eagan family and the strange technology behind the chip in greater detail, with a deeper look into the past featuring new characters and even more mysteries.

If you’re hoping for a tense thriller about people desperately trying to escape a difficult workplace and the complexities of their personal lives, the original show delivers. Attempting to blend that intense focus with a lighter, comedic tone in a single episode can be risky, and only works if the writing is exceptionally strong.

Ben Stiller has mentioned Breaking Bad as a source of inspiration, and that’s a helpful comparison. Breaking Bad didn’t feel the need to explain every detail of the cartel’s past; it saved those explanations for its spin-off show. Severance could benefit from using the same approach – focusing on the present story and letting potential future shows fill in the background details.

As a huge fan of Severance, I really think expanding the universe is a smart move, and it’s about more than just making more money. The show has so many layers, and I worry it could get lost if they try to do too much at once. By carefully revealing the backstory separately from the main mystery, Apple TV+ has a chance to keep the show focused and suspenseful, which is what I love about it. If they handle it well, we’re in for a really amazing ride with this series for a long time to come!

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2026-02-14 07:10