CHICAGO — Adam Scott gives a performance of his career in "Severance" — a good thing, because Apple TV+'s nimble, thrilling workplace thriller-dramedy is enough to make its audience think seriously about retirement, with its cast Nothing to say about it. If he never takes on another role again, we must hold Ben Stiller accountable.
Stiller, an executive producer who directs most of the episodes in this excellent first season, won't be the only one guilty. (Aoife McArdle directs episodes 4-6, and since those episodes are great too, she's on the list too). There's also the room of series creator Dan Erickson and his top writers, who designed this nightmare yet strangely familiar world - a little bit of "The Office", a bit of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and a bit of "Lost". Small dash. All are in the mix.
But Scott's most likely to be at fault. If he weren't so good in two connected-but-distinctive roles, "Severance" wouldn't pack even half of its undeniable and unforgettable punch.
Scott ("Parks and Recreation") plays Mark Scout, a former professor whose grief prompts him to accept a job on a "dissected" floor at Lumon Industries, an all-encompassing, mysterious, and massively powerful corporation. Who has developed a technology that brings a whole new technology. Meaning for the idea of work/life balance. A chip is inserted into the employee's brain, and when the worker in question crosses a particular threshold, their existing self - called an "outie" in corporate parlance - disappears, leaving behind an "eney". Leaves one who has no knowledge or connection to the outside world.
So it's "Mark S", not Mark Scout, who greets "Haley R." (Brit Lower, top-notch) When she wakes up on a shredded floor without any memory of her life, her family, or even her name. The day is not good for either of these two. Mark S receives a dangerous promotion (with a handshake on request) from his dangerous boss Mrs. Corbell (a terrifying Patricia Arquette) and his right-hand man Mr. Milchik (Tramell Tillman, the great) - he turns his best. There has been friend Patty (Yul Vasquez, also great) who is "no longer with the company."
Mark S. and his colleagues, competitor Dylan G. And it's surprising and not amused for Employee Handbook devotee Irving B. He has played Zach Cherry and John Turturro respectively, both of whom give amazing performances. Are you feeling a subject?
In short, it's a crackerjack premise brought to life by an equally excellent ensemble, and they're reason enough to watch this corker of a series.
But Stiller and McArdle (as well as director of photography Jessica Lee Gagne), like their partners, worked in every way as complex and impressive. "Severance" is as rich visually as it is thematically; The world is as textured as performance. What makes Gagne Lumone's all-too-familiar corporate luster both pristine and ostentatious, a sterile environment designed to expel all foreign matter—up to books written by anyone except the company's founder, a godly figure. As reputed and captured in both 8-. Bit animation and in the form of a talking wax sculpture. (Lumen is a lot.)
Still, as beautiful (and terrifying) as it is to look at, it's the writing of "Severance"—and Scott's masterful performance of that writing—that's the real secret sauce of the series. Like a lot of great science fiction, the out-of-this-world reality is designed to prompt viewers to question themselves. We may not all have coffee makers branded with our employer's logo at home, but the question "Severance" asks is how we sell and spend our time and how we are shaped by the corporations that serve us. employ, are relevant to the real world as they are to this imaginary one.
But please, Mr Scott, don't give up on us. Jobs can be terrible — but if you don't finish it, we'll have a terrific first season, a mess of great performances, and one hell of a cliffhanger left.
Grade A-
Nine-episode thriller series. Complete the first season displayed for review. The first two episodes stream on February 18th, followed by episodes weekly. Featuring: Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Trammell Tillman, Dichen Lachman, Jane Tullock, Christopher Walken, Michael Chernas, Yul Vazquez.
Other highlights of the week in streaming
- From (Epics): It's a big week for shows of the genre, which have "lost" in their DNA, either structurally, spiritually, or both. It stars a criminally underrated Harold Perrineau ("William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet," "Lost") as the sheriff of a town that no one can ever leave, who unfortunately turns out to be a mysterious figure in the night— The devourers are also pursued by demons. Of all the joints in the whole world, he had to walk into one, where scary things gnaw meat off human ribs, it's literally impossible to avoid. Catnip should be "from" for fans of character-driven small town horror—big Stephen King vibes here—but the real key to its success is its clever world-building. Perrineau, Ricky Hee and Catalina Sandino Moreno are the standouts. One hour horror/drama series. Three episodes were screened for review. Premieres Sunday, February 20 at 9 pm. ET on Epix.
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video): The Miz (Rachel Brosnahan) is back for the fourth round; This time around, Amazon's Prime Video will roll out two episodes each week instead of skipping them all at once. You have to take your fast-paced fun in small doses. This is also the final season of the show, as the streamer revealed that the recently renewed fifth season will be its last. One hour drama on comedy. Seasons 1-3 streaming on Prime. The first two episodes of Season 4 will be streaming on February 18.
- Painting with John (HBO): Painter/actor/musician/director/recontor John Lurie invites viewers into his own world in this charming little series, which HBO describes as "part meditative tutorial, part fireside chat" . It's not for everyone, but if it's for you, then it really is for you. (It really, really is for me.) Unscripted comedy series. Season 1 Streaming on HBO Max. Season 2 premieres Friday, February 18 at 11PM. ET.
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Scooby Doo, Where Are You? (1969): If the kid in your life doesn't already know the show's iconic theme song by heart, now's the perfect time to teach them. Rated TV-G. 25 episodes.
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