For those who have watched the latest episode of Severance, it’s clear that the season has taken another dramatic turn with a major revelation that we won’t disclose here to avoid spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it. This significant plot twist centers around Harmony Cobel, portrayed by Patricia Arquette, and is a focal point of the eighth episode, titled “Sweet Vitriol.” In a recent interview, Arquette delved into not only the implications of this bombshell for the show’s future but also how the new information revealed in the episode affects her character’s development.

The narrative of the episode unfolds in Cobel’s hometown of Salt’s Neck, which has been devastated by Lumon’s actions. There, she discovers an old notebook in her childhood home that reveals a pivotal truth: she is the inventor of severance, not Jame Eagan, a secret she has kept hidden for years under instructions to repress it. This revelation signifies that Cobel has a deeper investment in the events of the show than previously understood, and her sense of betrayal by Lumon is also more profound. In an interview with Collider, Arquette provided additional context and hinted at what this means for Cobel’s character trajectory.

Arquette explained, “She was part of a team working on this concept, which was initially one of Kier’s ideas, but they couldn’t achieve the breakthrough she did. Yet, she never received the acknowledgment she deserved. With her mother largely absent and her aunt un supportive, she lacked the approval and love she has sought her entire life. Despite this, she takes pride in her accomplishments and feels a justified anger towards how her contributions are consistently undervalued and disrespected.”

Initially, the audience encounters Cobel as a figure of authority within Lumon, but through Arquette’s portrayal, we see beyond this façade to her vulnerability. The episode exposes how she has been manipulated throughout her life and her journey towards claiming control.

As the episode progresses, Cobel’s backstory becomes clearer, with the reveal of the Lumon ether factory, her childhood accomplishments, and more, all of which Arquette revealed she was aware of since the first season. “I was initially told about my character’s upbringing in a town heavily impacted by Kier and Lumon, her attendance at the school, and her mother’s struggles with ether addiction. Seeing the school, the world she grew up in, was a significant moment for me,” Arquette shared.

While this might have been a fulfilling experience for Arquette, it translates to a haunting and heartbreaking viewing experience for the audience.

Hopefully, the upcoming episodes will explore how Cobel utilizes the proof of her link to severance and how her past influences the future of the show as season two concludes. Severance is available to stream on Apple TV+, and more insights from Arquette can be found in her interview with Collider.

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