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Everything That Led to Ms. Cobel’s Decision in Severance Episode 8

BBG News

There have been numerous significant events in the Severance universe, ranging from MDR’s ORTBO to Irving and Burt’s social gathering to Gemma’s attempt to flee Lumon, since Harmony Cobel was last seen hastily departing from Helena Eagan and her security detail in the third episode of Season 2.

Don’t worry, fans of Patricia Arquette, Episode 8, titled “Sweet Vitriol,” significantly brings Ms. Cobel into focus. This shorter-duration episode, running at just about 38 minutes, starts with Harmony making an appearance in the gloomy coastal town of Salt’s Neck. It was this same location we first saw her heading towards in Episode 3 before she returned to Lumon for a final attempt at reclaiming her role as head of the severed floor.

Salt’s Neck is where Harmony was brought up and it used to be a company town owned by Lumon, which has been heavily damaged by its corporate owner’s exploitation. Many residents of Salt’s Neck are addicted to ether, a substance that appears to have been distributed among them by Lumon in the past, but is now being sold by Hampton, Harmony’s childhood friend, love interest, and apparent antagonist who seems bitter towards her. Despite their strained relationship, there’s an underlying sense of loyalty between them. Later, Harmony asks Hampton to drive her to the home of Celestine “Sissy” Cobel, her late mother’s sister who took care of her when her mother fell ill.

Sissy is an outcast in town and a devoted follower of Kier, adhering strictly to his nine key teachings: vision, vigor, intelligence, cheerfulness, modesty, kindness, agility, integrity, and cunningness. It’s not hard to see that she made young Harmony’s life, who was compelled to work in Lumon’s factory with Hampton, a living nightmare.

After losing her job at Lumon this season, Harmony, now filled with anger, is determined to unlock her late mother’s sealed room, hoping to find a cherished item from her childhood that she believes is hidden within. It’s known that the breathing device Harmony carries everywhere belonged to her deceased mother, Charlotte Cobel, who passed away while Harmony was at the Myrtle Eagan School for Girls. Charlotte is said to have disliked Lumon and not been a follower of Kier. Harmony accuses Sissy of snatching the tube from her mother’s mouth and ending her life without allowing Harmony a farewell. However, later on, Sissy claims it was Charlotte who removed the tube herself.

It’s worth noting that the circumstances surrounding The Lexington Letter, an additional reading material penned by the team behind Severance, might not be mere coincidence. This book provides more depth about the series, and it casually mentions Lumon’s “feeding tube devices,” which resemble a different product. Interestingly, a Nashville newspaper attempted to publish an investigation on these devices but was swiftly sued out of existence, closing down just six months later.

In simpler terms, Harmony finally discovers a sketchbook containing her Lumon-related designs hidden in a sort of underground room near Sissy’s house. It is revealed that Harmony was a diligent worker who was chosen by the Eagans to attend the Myrtle Eagan School for Girls and receive the Jame Eagan Wintertide Fellowship. The twist comes when we find out that it wasn’t Jame who created the severance process, but Harmony herself. “Mine! My designs,” she exclaims to Sissy. “The circuit blueprint, base code, overtime contingency, Glasgow block – everything was mine.

Harmony discloses that the Eagans warned her if she ever claimed credit for her work, she’d be exiled. Just then, a vehicle, presumably owned by a Lumon enforcer, appears on the secluded road leading to Sissy’s home. Harmony manages to flee in Hampton’s pickup truck, but it seems unlikely that Lumon will simply let her go without retaliation.

Leaving Salt’s Neck, Harmony eventually engages in a conversation with Devon (Jen Tullock) who had been persistently calling during the episode. Upon discovering that Mark (Adam Scott) is now being supervised by Reghabi (Karen Aldridge), Harmony appears to swiftly reach a conclusion: she decides to aid Mark, and maybe initiate an endeavor to take down Lumon in the process.

Originally creating the disconnection process, Harmony is likely the sole individual knowledgeable about safely undoing it. Yet, given her emotional attachment to Mark and the conclusion of Cold Harbor, it appears she might be reluctant to forgo pursuing her lifelong ambitions. As her allegiances become unclear, they could significantly impact not only Mark’s fate but also Gemma and all other innies. However, we must wait to learn more about Harmony’s true objectives.

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2025-03-07 12:06

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