Warning: Spoilers ahead for Severance season 2, episode 9!Severanceseason 2’s “The After Hours” provides insight into why Harmony Cobel looked so terrified during her last trip to Lumon before driving off to Salt’s Neck. Though Patricia Arquette remains a pivotal member ofSeverance’s cast, her character has been absent for much of season 2. After being asked to return to Lumon, Cobel would only agree if she got back her job as the Severed Floor manager, which Mr. Milchick currently holds. Before anything was made official, Helena invited Cobel to a surprise board meeting, leading Arquette’s character to immediately leave.
Thereason Cobel looked so scared inSeveranceseason 2, episode 3has remained a mystery. Granted, it seemed to have something to do with the driver who was supposedly ready to take Cobel to the meeting. Once she saw the driver, Cobel’s entire demeanor changed, leading her to rush to her car and speed away. Five episodes later, we find out where Cobel was headed and why.Severanceseason 2, episode 8 introduced the town of Salt’s Neck, including more about the Cobel family’s life there and how Harmony was the mastermind behind many of Lumon’s designs.
The Driver Likely Connects To Burt’s Old Lumon Job
Severanceseason 2, episode 9, reveals that Cobel is now on a mission to take down Lumon and the Eagans, or at least reveal the truth about what they took from her. However, “The After Hours” also puts a few other characters on new paths. WhereasDylan’s Innie officially quits from Lumon, Burt sends Irving away on a train. It turns out thatBurt’s old job at Lumon involved driving employees to certain locations to essentially get rid of them. Based on Cobel’s scared reaction when seeing the driver inSeveranceseason 2, episode 3, it seems like she knows what the Eagans' drivers really do.
Severance Season 2 Episode 9 Ending Explained: How It Sets Up The Finale
Like every Severance season 2 episode, episode 9 ends with a major cliffhanger that perfectly paves the way for the Apple TV+ show’s season 2 finale.
Burt never directly admits what happened to the people he drove before becoming a severed employee, but he claims that he never hurt anyone. Cobel implied that she knew what was going on, mentioning what happened to those who threatened Lumon.It’s possible that the Eagans wanted to banish Cobel or maybe even kill herif it meant keeping the truth a secret. The driver Cobel was so afraid of could have also been Burt’s old partner that Fields briefly mentioned. Either way, it seems like there was never a board meeting.
Cobel Has Way Too Much Leverage Over The Eagans For Them To Let Her Go Free
Lumon Will Need To Do Something With Cobel To Keep The Truth Hidden
Knowing the truth behind Lumon’s drivers, it’s now more interesting why the Eagans let Cobel go free. At this point inSeveranceseason 2, Cobel has the leverage against the Eagans. Not only did she design most of Lumon’s significant concepts, including severance, but nowHarmony Cobel has the proof that Jame Eagan took credit for her inventions.If she uncovers the truth,Cobel could bring down the entire Eagan empire, which she seems to be planning with further insight she plans to attain from Mark’s Innie at the birthing cabin.
No matter what Cobel has planned in Severance, the Eagans can’t risk having her as an adversary.
Surely, Lumon, and more importantly, the Eagan family, won’t let her go. They sent Mr. Drummond to Sissy Cobel’s house in Salt’s Neck to find Harmony’s designs, and they seemingly followed her to the seaside town. No matter what Cobel has planned inSeverance,the Eagans can’t risk having her as an adversary. She was right not to trust them earlier inSeveranceseason 2, as her life likely hangs in the balance with Lumon now viewing her as a problem they must eliminate.
