Cobel was Robbed Twice
Severance is called a “transformative technology” (S1E9) and a “revolutionary medical procedure” (S2E6). Both Lumon and the severance procedure are a household name, being talked about over (non) dinner parties (S1E1), on the streets (S1E2), and on the news (S1E3). Jame Eagan, who is known for inventing the severance chip, is viewed as a “remarkable man” (S1E3) by Kier believers.
The true inventor, Harmony Cobel, was forced to keep quiet about it under threat of banishment and out of true belief for Kier’s principles (S2E8). Instead of receiving recognition for her contributions, this loyalty led to nothing but belittlement by Lumon higher-ups. Her new office is “horrid” (S1E1); her knowledge about reintegration is disregarded (S1E3); and her rightfully wanting to see her project through to the end is called nothing more than “arrogance” (S2E3). Although leader-in-waiting Helena Eagan claims that Harmony’s “expertise is greatly valued” (S2E2), she later tells Harmony that she’s “overestimated her contributions” (S2E3).
The first (public) severed office opened 12 years ago (S2E6). Throughout all of that, Harmony never wavered in her loyalty to Kier and Lumon. She told no one that Jame was lying about his inventing the severance chip, not even her family (S2E8). When she was fired for keeping secrets and inserting herself into Mark’s outie’s life, without even being given the chance to explain herself, her faith in Kier wavered briefly. She destroyed her Kier shrine and encouraged Mark to quit his job, knowing he was key for Lumon’s plan (S1E8).
That hesitation didn’t last long. That very same night she was the only person to realize that the overtime contingency was triggered and she went above and beyond to notify her replacement and confront Helly R before Helena’s scheduled speech promoting severance (S1E9). Without her quick reaction, that night would have resulted in disaster for Lumon (S2E2).
The thanks she gets is to be offered a made up position on the newly formed Severance Advisory Council (S2E2). When she doesn’t meekly accept that and instead demands to “finish the work that [she] started”, Helena instead offers to “reset” (S2E3). Had Harmony gone with Helena that night, she would have been granted forgiveness and shown mercy - in the form of death (S2E8).
The full impact of Helena’s refusal to rehire Harmony as the severed floor manager isn’t revealed until Seth Milchick’s first performance review. “Mark Scout's completion of Cold Harbor will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the history of this planet.” This milestone event will now be taking place under Seth’s stewardship, who’s been floor manager for less than a month and has already made several missteps causing delays. (S2E5). These issues were predicted by Harmony, who knew that Seth wasn’t “equipped for the task” (S2E3), but her expertise and concerns were dismissed yet again.
Not only did Lumon steal credit for Harmony’s transformative and revolutionary invention, they now intend to negate her years of devotion and dedication, snatching her legacy away right as the project’s completion is finally in sight.
Winter in Kier
“Kier’s Fourth Appendix: …the snowfall's yearly thaw.”
-S2E4
The snow will melt eventually…right?
Icy Roads
“Helena: Hey!
Mark: Sorry.
Helena: Maybe keep your eyes on the icy road.”
-S1E1
“Weatherwoman: …the cold's not letting up anywhere. And those roads are going to remain icy throughout the week and on into the weekend. So wherever you're headed, please do commute with care.”
-S1E3
“Audio Description: Headlights shine across a road surrounded by woods. A car glides down the dark road. It’s headlights sweep across the icy road and the surrounding trees.” (Mark driving to the tree where Gemma ‘died’)
-S1E4
“A patch of ice on a dark road had taken her life from us…”
-The You You Are, page 16
Mark’s Romantic Parallels
“Alexa: Yeah, I'm kidding.
Mark: I know.”
-S1E2
”Helena: I'm kidding. You're clearly not dumb.
Mark: I don't know…. ”
-S2E6
”Alexa: So, Lumon?
Mark: Yeah.
Alexa: Like half this town.
Mark: And half of me. That was a joke.”
-S1E2
“Alexa: She's a part of you. You know? You can't just separate yourself...
Mark: Oh, no, but you can, Alexa.
Alexa: Oh. Oh, shit.
Mark: With this exciting new procedure.
Alexa: Walked right into that.
Mark: Yes, you did.”
-S1E6
“Helena: It's really great to run into you. I've heard nothing but good things about your work, by the way.
Mark: Thank you. I've heard nothing at all about my work, so...”
-S2E6
“Alexa: So, as a local, this just feels like a reasonable temperature to you?
Mark: Well, technically, I'm from Ganz. And you're one to talk. Isn't Minnesota, like, crazy cold with the lakes?
Alexa: Yes. Minnesota was very cold the one time I visited from my home in Montana.
Mark: Oh, so, so those are different places.
Alexa: Uh-huh.”
-S1E2
“Mark: …I brought you something.
Gemma: Oh. Um…
Mark: It's an ant farm. Last night you said you liked ants. So…
Gemma: I said I liked… I like plants. Plants. I hate ants.
Mark: Oh, shit.”
-S2E7