The most recent installment of Severance, available to stream on Apple TV+, has a distinctly different feel to it. This is largely due to the fact that it explores the relationship between Mark, played by Adam Scott, and his late wife Gemma, portrayed by Dichen Lachman, in greater depth. Moreover, the episode boasts a more fluid and lyrical quality, setting it apart from the show’s usual tone. This can be attributed to the directorial debut of Jessica Lee Gagné, who typically serves as the show’s director of photography. In a recent interview, Gagné shed light on the intriguing aesthetic choices she made while directing the episode “Chikhai Bardo.”

Without giving away too many spoilers, it’s worth noting that the episode’s narrative is presented in multiple timeframes, including flashbacks to when Mark and Gemma first met and fell in love. To create a visual distinction between these scenes and those set at Lumon, Gagné opted to shoot the former on film. She explained her reasoning in an interview with Collider, stating: “I’m not one to push for filming on film merely for its sake. I have a deep appreciation for the medium, and I believe it’s a privilege to work with it. In this instance, we sought to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and warmth, prompting the decision to use film.”

Throughout the episode, time-lapse sequences are employed to convey the passage of time in Mark and Gemma’s life, with many of these scenes taking place in their home. Interestingly, the house used for filming was actually Gagné’s residence at the time, allowing her to capture scenes during downtime. As she recounted, “I lived in the house and recognized the need to shoot scenes that would illustrate the passage of time. The gaffer lent me his Bolex, and I took time-lapses in the house, often during mornings before shooting Severance. I even left the camera there to capture scenes of snow falling and melting, which proved to be incredibly useful.”

Gagné also shared that she had Ben Stiller capture additional moments during filming, which would later become part of a “big, big side project collage thing” that she knew would be valuable. One of the most striking aspects of the episode is the seamless transition between moments from Mark and Gemma’s past and their present, often achieved through in-camera shots. Gagné discussed the challenges of executing these scenes, stating, “I wanted to create a sequence that would flow from Ms. Casey and Mark into the cables and reveal the room below them, all shot in camera. There are some stitches, but it was still a complex feat. The shower scene, where we transition from one setting to another, was a significant risk, but it paid off.”

Adam Scott, who plays Mark, expressed his admiration for Gagné’s directing in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating, “The cultural tone of Severance shifted with this episode. Even the sound of the cameras was different, and we had to adjust our approach to filmmaking. I think the episode looks beautiful, and Jess did an outstanding job.” For more insights from Gagné, you can read the full interview on Collider, and catch her episode of Severance on Apple TV+.

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