Apple TV’s 2-Part Masterpiece Series Rewrites The Rules Of Science Fiction

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Apple TV is quickly becoming a major player in science fiction, offering a variety of new shows. However, “Severance” is particularly noteworthy for its original and inventive style. Science fiction is known as a genre that constantly pushes boundaries and redefines what’s possible in storytelling.

Despite the name ‘science fiction’ suggesting stories about advanced science and the future, the genre actually covers a wide range of ideas. Surprisingly, one of the very first sci-fi stories is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Though it’s often considered a horror story with a dramatic, historical setting, the core idea – bringing a corpse back to life – clearly puts it in the science fiction category.

Science fiction has come a long way since Frankenstein, now filled with spaceships, time travel, and aliens – elements many expect from the genre today. However, there’s still room for innovation, and Apple TV is delivering with several shows. Severance is particularly interesting because it both breaks from and reshapes the conventions of science fiction.

Severance Is A Slow-Burn Science Fiction

Many popular science fiction shows today rely on stunning visuals, complex stories set in vast worlds, futuristic technology, and unbelievable adventures. That’s what makes Severance stand out – it takes a different approach. Instead of being fast-paced and action-packed, it’s a deliberately slow and thoughtful story that keeps viewers intrigued and wondering what will happen next.

The first season of the show quickly introduced its central idea: Lumon employees underwent a procedure that divided their memories, creating separate work and personal lives. While seemingly ideal, this setup proved deeply unsettling.

The show carefully revealed a series of unsettling mysteries, introducing a cast of suspicious characters and slowly exposing the underlying horror, corruption, and negligence. Similar to the story of Frankenstein, it often mixes horror and drama with its science fiction roots, creating a blend of different genres.

There Aren’t Many Shows Like Severance

I’m completely captivated by Severance. It’s unlike anything else I’ve seen, not just in how it looks and feels – the sets are incredible! – but in how boldly it tells its story. We’re seeing a lot of shows mix genres these days, but Severance really puts science fiction at the core of everything. It’s driven by technology, sure, but it’s the story that truly matters, not just the sci-fi elements.

Many science fiction shows include elements of mystery or horror, but Severance takes a different approach. It cuts out most typical genre conventions to concentrate on developing its characters. The show’s settings are often stark, featuring long, empty hallways, and any use of color feels strikingly out of place against the otherwise gray and monotonous backdrop.

I absolutely love Severance. It’s like being around a friend who’s totally comfortable with silence, even when things are chaotic. It can be a little unnerving at first, but when they do speak, every word feels so carefully chosen and meaningful. It really makes you listen.

Similarly, Severance amplifies the effect of even the smallest details, making the show more suspenseful, mysterious, and captivating.

Will Severance’s Future Seasons Be As Groundbreaking?

The first season of Severance ended with a stunning finale, leaving viewers eager to learn what happens next and hoping for good things for the characters who live inside Lumon. This has created a lot of anticipation and high expectations for the show’s second season.

While some fans might feel a little let down – now that some long-held questions have been answered and the ‘Innies’ have ventured outside the office, potentially losing some of the show’s original mysterious charm – season 2 of Severance also took risks. It deepened the overall mystery and introduced exciting new conflicts that haven’t been resolved yet.

The show Severance has been renewed for a third season, and the creators have even talked about ideas for seasons beyond that, up to a potential fifth. However, as the story develops, the core mysteries and the feeling of routine that define the show will naturally shift, making later seasons quite different from what viewers have seen so far. We actually saw this happen between the first and second seasons, with significant changes in direction and style.

Even so, the show kept viewers guessing and pushed boundaries with memorable scenes. Highlights included the conversation between Mark’s two selves, the uncovering of Lumon Industries’ origins, and a journey into the lower levels that culminated in a stunning finale comparable to the first season’s ending.

It’s a challenge for Severance to keep innovating and surprising viewers, but the show’s creators have proven they’re up to the task. Ultimately, Severance is pushing the boundaries of science fiction in a remarkable way and could significantly influence how sci-fi stories are told in the future.

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2026-02-24 00:59