Severance Star Confirms Whether That Was Helly R. Or Helena Egan In The Season 2 Finale

Warning! The following contains spoilers for Severance season 2.Severance wrapped season 2 with a showstopping ending that saw Mark S. (Adam Scott) abandon his wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman) moments after the two reunited. Mark, in his innie state, opts to leave Gemma—who he long believed to be dead—in Lumon’s stairwell and takes off through the warped building with Helly R. (Britt Lower) instead. However, Helly’s identity came under fire throughout the season when it was revealed that her outie, Helena Egan, had entered the innie world. This begs the question: was it Helly R. or Helena who Mark chose at the end of Severance season 2?

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Lower answers whether it was Helly R. or Helena Egan running through the halls of Lumon with Mark. She confirms that it was indeed Helly, not Helena, with whom Mark ends season 2. She belives Helly wants to see Mark one last time, and the opportunity to take down Lumon is now on the table.

That’s Helly R. in the final episode. But I think, in [Episode 9], Dylan has thrown some doubt in her own understanding of herself. She’s lost this father figure in Irving and then she’s lost this brother figure because Dylan seems to have turned his back on her, at least in that episode. When Mark, at the beginning of [Episode 10], presents her with this chance for him to get to live in some capacity, and she’s just seen her weird dad, who’s told her, “Oh, I see Kier in you,” it cast some doubt inside of herself that she has a family anymore.

I think when Dylan comes back and to the vending machine and the marching band [is playing] and he’s on her side, then all of a sudden she’s standing on a desk remembering Irving and remembering that their half-lives are worth fighting for, I think she just runs to go see Mark one last time. Maybe there’s a chance they can do this all together. For all they know ,if he crosses that barrier, they’re going to take down Lumon entirely and all of these innies are going to get wiped away. I think it’s just gut instinct that she runs.

What This Means For Severance Season 2’s Finale

Helly Is A Critical Motivation For Mark

Mark and Helly’s relationship develops as they evolve from coworkers to lovers. However, when Helena Egan—a member of the powerful family behind Lumon—steps into Helly’s place earlier in the season, it strains their romantic dynamic. The two become intimate in Severance season 2, episode 4, with Mark incorrectly believing that he’s with Helly R. She is sent out of Lumon and Helly returns for the rest of the season. Mark feels betrayed, but the two eventually rekindle their relationship, coming to its head when they take off through the halls of Lumon.

Severance Season 2’s Cold Harbor Project & Why It’s So Important For Lumon That Mark Finishes It

Mark’s new project in Severance season 2 is the mysterious Cold Harbor file, which is linked to Gemma & has a major role in Lumon’s bigger plans.

The emotional debacle and fight for power between Mark’s innie and outtie reaches a boiling point when Mark’s innie chooses Helly over Gemma. Mark’s outie still loves Gemma, but his innie ultimately takes charge and leaves her behind in favor of who he believes to be Helly R. Mark and Helly running through the severed floor together highlights their devotion not only to each other, but also to figuring out the messy, intimidating world at Lumon. They need each other to get closer to solving the mysteries of Severance.

Our Take On Helly In The Severance Season 2 Finale

Helly Has Stakes In The Final Moments Of Season 2

Britt Lower embracing Adam Scott in Severance Season 2 Ep 10 — Image via Apple TV+

It makes Severance season 2’s ending feel more powerful knowing that it is Helly R. and not Helena who is so deeply entwined with Mark and the innie world. Helly is motivated by her feelings for Mark as well as a desire to stay alive, even if that life is contained to just the innie world.

Having Helena stay on the severance floor would make the end of Severance season 2 less compelling as it’s Helly R. who truly has something to fight for. Helly’s connection with her fellow innies and romantic entanglement with Mark propels her storyline forward and opens the door for season 3 to take their relationship even further.

Source: LA Times