The primary episode of “Severance” season 2 had the unenviable activity of following the present’s spectacular season 1 finale, and as a substitute of immediately offering solutions, it immerses viewers again into a few of the key mysteries established in season 1. The entire episode takes place throughout the Lumon workplace, with no glimpses on the outdoors world or what the characters there could also be getting as much as. The one clues we get are via exposition given to Mark S. (Adam Scott) and the remainder of the gang, who’re instructed that their momentary escape on the finish of season 1 made them well-known and has led to main reforms in working circumstances for severed workers.
The occasions of the season 1 finale are recapped in an animated company tutorial video, which is proven to the Macrodata Refinement (or MDR) crew after all of them return to the workplace. Anybody who’s seen “The Matrix” or “John Wick” probably perked up at the start of this scene, because the narrator for the video — an anthropomorphized model of the Lumon constructing — is voiced by Keanu Reeves.
You would not know that by trying on the credit, as Reeves goes uncredited. However for those who’ve seen any of his films, it is not possible to not acknowledge that iconic voice, which just lately introduced Shadow the Hedgehog to life in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” And for those who nonetheless doubt that the constructing is voiced by Neo himself, collection creator Dan Erickson could have given the sport away throughout a latest interview with /Movie.
Keanu Reeves’ Severance cameo comes with some large questions
Whereas talking just lately with /Movie about “Severance” season 2, collection creator Dan Erickson was coy about Keanu Reeves’ uncredited look. When requested in regards to the cameo, Erickson replied slyly, “I definitely do not know what you could possibly be speaking about. I am not really accustomed to that actor.” He went on to ask cheekily, “Is that the man from ‘The Lake Home?'”
The chance of Reeves popping again up in some bigger function appears extremely unlikely, nevertheless it provides to the present’s absurdity to have such a recognizable voice backing the weird coaching video proven to MDR. The video itself raises a variety of questions, because it depicts the innies’ season 1 escape as each a violent revolt (known as the “Macrodat Rebellion”) and a vastly influential act for which the corporate is grateful. The “reforms” instituted because of this are definitely a sort of marginal progress for innie rights, however they do not appear to essentially change issues all that a lot. In a means, the corporate appears to be utilizing the dangerous publicity of their escape to foster a brand new public picture of sort and courteous company overlords.
Keanu Reeves is not the one cameo within the unusual Lumon video
Whereas Keanu Reeves is the star of the claymation-style company coaching video in “Severance” season 2, episode 1, he is not the one notable title to voice a constructing with googly eyes in it. Comic Sarah Sherman, finest recognized as of late as a solid member on “Saturday Night time Reside,” additionally pops in ever so briefly as a water tower on the finish of the educational video. However not like Reeves, Sherman is definitely credited for her one line.
Maybe due to how acclaimed and in style “Severance” season 1 was, it appears to have turn into a scorching ticket for established names in Hollywood. Two of the momentary MDR replacements who seem in season 2 are performed by character actors Bob Balaban and Alia Shawkat, and casting information previous to the season 2 premiere confirmed that “Sport of Thrones” alum Gwendoline Christie shall be becoming a member of the present as effectively.
With Reeves’ function being uncredited, it leaves open the opportunity of further cameos hidden in plain sight in later episodes. That is only one extra thriller for eagle-eyed “Severance” followers to be careful for as season 2 continues.