Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- the_subtle_inconsistencies_of_severance [2022-08-01 03:48] – Scribe of Kier
+++ the_subtle_inconsistencies_of_severance [2022-08-18 19:32] (current) – Saeid
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 ===== Inconsistencies (in order of appearance) =====
-==== 1. Incoherent dates on Mark’s watch ====
+==== Incoherent dates on Mark’s watch ====
 <WRAP gallery-container>
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 **Explanation:** At the beginning of [[Good News About Hell]], as [[Mark Scout|Mark]] is about to leave his car to go to work, he glances at his watch, which shows the date as ''4''.((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (6:00) )) On the same day, as he is leaving work, his watch shows the date as ''5'',((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (33:57) )) implying that a full day has passed. This is most probably not the case, as spending thirty-two consecutive hours at the office is likely to raise some questions. In a later episode, Mark’s watch shows the date as ''4'' again, further supporting the idea that these are inconsistencies.
-==== 2. Continuity error at the receptionist ====
+==== Continuity error at the receptionist ====
 {{ receptionist.gif |The receptionist makes a call before allowing Mark to proceed}}
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 **Explanation:** [[Severance Procedure|Severed employees]]’ entrances and exits are staggered, as revealed in the first and second episodes.((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] ([[Good News About Hell Transcript#section003222317|32:22]]) ))((Season 1, Episode 2, [[Half Loop]] ([[Half Loop Transcript#section000916014|9:16]]) )) As Mark enters the [[Main Lobby]], he is greeted by the receptionist, also known as [[Florence]], who then makes a call before allowing him to proceed to the Severed Access area. During this time, there are a few camera cuts between the receptionist and Mark, and upon close examination of the frames, as the GIF above shows, the time elapsed seems to be much longer than intended. Another visible change in the scene is the movement of the pen.
-It is possible that this was done on purpose to illustrate a severed person’s damaged perception of time. However, comparing the time Mark leaves his car after glancing at his watch to when he arrives at the [[Severed Floor]] shows that only four minutes have passed, lending credence to the idea that this may have been a continuity error. The movement of the sun across the floor is so short a time would also indicate that there were many minutes between these cuts being shot and no one is going to spend VFX money moving a pen back into place.
+It is possible that this was done on purpose to illustrate a severed person’s damaged perception of time. However, comparing the time Mark leaves his car after glancing at his watch to when he arrives at the [[Severed Floor]] shows that only four minutes have passed, lending credence to the idea that this may have been a continuity error.
-==== 3. Slightly tilted clock ====
+==== Slightly tilted clock ====
 {{ tilted_clock.gif |Slightly tilted clock}}
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 **Explanation:** The show introduces [[Judd]] in the very first episode, a security guard who sits outside the elevator to the Severed Floor, with a retro-styled flip clock right above his desk. The same composition of his desk is shown twice during the episode, the first time when Mark is heading in((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (8:33) )) and another when he is leaving.((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (33:55) )) In the second instance where the clock is showing ''05:25'', it appears to be slightly tilted upward on its right side.
-This also could be a function of multiple shooting days days, weeks, or as the creators have indicated, possibly even months apart. If this section of set had been disassembled to accommodate a different scene, or moved or jostled, it could have knocked the clock askew. It is not impossible, though, that the set dressers wished to add a subliminal layer of disorientation for the viewer as they empathize with Mark's character.
+This could be a function of multiple shooting days, weeks, or as the creators have indicated, possibly even months. If this section of the set had been disassembled to accommodate a different scene, moved, or jostled, it could have knocked the clock askew.
-==== 4. Placement of armchairs ====
+==== Placement of armchairs ====
-{{ severed_floor_lobby_1.png?1500x850 |Mark met by Cobel and Milchick in the Severed Floor lobby}}
+{{ severed_floor_lobby_1.png?1400x800 |Mark met by Cobel and Milchick in the Severed Floor lobby}}
 **Explanation:** The Severed Floor lobby has four leather armchairs, placed on a carpet with rectangles of varying shades of green. In at least two instances, including a behind-the-scene photo, the armchairs appear to be lined up on the edge of the second rectangle. However, the placement isn’t consistent throughout the first season.
@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{severed_floor_lobby_2.png?1500x750|Mark arriving at the Severed Floor}} \\ Mark arriving at the Severed Floor((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (9:20) ))
+{{severed_floor_lobby_2.png?1400x800|Mark arriving at the Severed Floor}} \\ Mark arriving at the Severed Floor((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (9:20) ))
 </WRAP>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{severed_floor_lobby_bts.jpg?800x400|A behind-the-scene photo of the lobby}} \\ A behind-the-scene photo of the lobby
+{{severed_floor_lobby_bts.jpg?800x450|A behind-the-scene photo of the lobby}} \\ A behind-the-scene photo of the lobby
 </WRAP>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{severed_floor_lobby_3.png?1500x750|Mark waiting for the elevator}} \\ Mark waiting for the elevator((Season 1, Episode 8, [[What’s for Dinner?]] (31:01) ))
+{{severed_floor_lobby_3.png?1400x800|Mark waiting for the elevator}} \\ Mark waiting for the elevator((Season 1, Episode 8, [[What’s for Dinner?]] (31:01) ))
 </WRAP>
 </WRAP>
-==== 5. Typos and similar errors ====
+==== The Senior Refiner Morning Checklist ====
-=== a. Training manual ===
+{{ mdr_entrance.jpg?1400x800 |Mark enters Macrodata Refinement at the beginning of the workday}}
+**Explanation:** After a seemingly long walk through the maze-like corridors of Lumon, Mark finally arrives at [[Macrodata Refinement]]. In the frame shown above, the metal hanging pocket on the wall—in which the [[Senior Refiner Morning Checklist]] and general announcements are placed—appears empty. However, as the scene progresses, the checklist looks to be in its proper spot, marking a minor break in the continuity. This also reaffirms the notion that the morning checklist is a routine procedure.
+<WRAP gallery-container>
+<WRAP gallery-item>
+{{mark_sitting_at_his_desk.jpg?1200x800|Mark settling at his desk}} \\ Mark settling at his desk((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (11:08) ))
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP gallery-item>
+{{mark_and_milchick.jpg?1200x800|Mark and Milchick leaving Macrodata Refinement}} \\ Mark and Milchick leaving Macrodata Refinement((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (13:06) ))
+</WRAP>
+</WRAP>
+==== Typos and similar errors ====
+=== Training manual ===
 <WRAP gallery-container>
@@ Line 95: / Line 113: @@
 **Explanation:** (1) In the first and leftmost image, <wrap hi>Guam(GU)</wrap> in the list of US states is missing a space before the opening parenthesis;((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (18:34) )) (2) in the second image, “training manual” is misspelled as <wrap hi>training nanual</wrap>;((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (18:39) )) (3) in the third image, the note to the trainer should read, <wrap hi>“The trainee is disoriented and will want to know your identity**. D**o not disclose this**. D**isregard their question.</wrap>((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] (19:07) ))
-There are various examples of comma misuse or omission as well, although typos and grammatical errors are commonplace in corporate and government documents. Even in the age of 4K and freeze frame, it is still only humans who are preparing graphic art for television shows, and additional typos in [[Compliance]], [[The You You Are]], and editions of [[The Kier Chronicle]] bear that forward. Considering all the more important focus on detail, even the usually pedantic and intolerant Scribe of Kier is inclined to let this one go.
+There are various examples of comma misuse or omission as well, although typos and grammatical errors are commonplace in corporate and government documents.
-=== b. The Orientation Booklet ===
+=== The Orientation Booklet ===
-{{ mdr_introduction_booklet.png?1500x850 |The Orientation Booklet}}
+{{ mdr_introduction_booklet.png?1400x800 |The Orientation Booklet}}
-**Explanation:** In the scene where [[Helena Eagan|Helly]] is browsing [[The Lexington Letter#The Macrodata Refiner’s Orientation Booklet|The Macrodata Refiner’s Orientation Booklet]], an extra article (''the'') can be noticed within the text next to the waving [[Sevy]]: <wrap hi>We know you may be curious about **the** what the numbers mean.</wrap>((Season 1, Episode 2, [[Half Loop]] (9:36) )) This was later fixed in “[[The Lexington Letter]],” a tie-in digital book published on Apple Books.
+**Explanation:** In the scene where [[Helena Eagan|Helly]] is browsing [[The_Macrodata_Refiner’s Orientation Booklet]], an extra article (''the'') can be noticed within the text next to the waving [[Sevy]]: <wrap hi>We know you may be curious about **the** what the numbers mean.</wrap>((Season 1, Episode 2, [[Half Loop]] (9:36) )) This was later fixed in //[[severance-_the_lexington_letter]]//, a tie-in digital book published on Apple Books.
-=== c. Credits ===
+=== Credits ===
 <WRAP gallery-container>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{credits_1.jpg?800|Felicia misspelled as “Felica”}} \\ [[Felicia]] misspelled as “Felica”((Season 1, Episode 3, [[In Perpetuity]] (56:04) ))
+{{credits_1.jpg?1200x800|Felicia misspelled as “Felica”}} \\ [[Felicia]] misspelled as “Felica”((Season 1, Episode 3, [[In Perpetuity]] (56:04) ))
 </WRAP>
 </WRAP>
-=== d. The You You Are excerpt ===
+=== The You You Are excerpt ===
-{{ the_you_you_are_excerpt.jpg?1500x850 |The You You Are excerpt}}
+{{ the_you_you_are_excerpt.jpg?1400x800 |The You You Are excerpt}}
 **Explanation:** This excerpt from //[[The You You Are]]//’s ninth chapter, titled “The Quitting Bell,”((Season 1, Episode 4, [[The You You Are]] (41:04) )) uses question marks in incorrect ways. In the second paragraph, the following sentence does not require a question mark at the end: <wrap hi>Imagine, for instance, if our tragic concessions worker awoke one day, and instead of coming in for his shift, simply said “No**?**”</wrap> Since this is an indirect question, it should end with a period.((//The Chicago Manual of Style//, 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 6.69.)) In the next sentence, a question mark is well needed; however, the placement of it is incorrect. As per American style guides, such as //The Associated Press Stylebook// or //The Chicago Manual of Style//, the question mark and exclamation point go within the quotation marks only when they apply to the quoted matter. They are placed outside when they apply to the whole sentence. The sentence should read, <wrap hi>What if, when someone asked him for Lalabees, his answer was a firm and confident “**no**”**?**</wrap>
-=== e. Different spelling of Macrodata Refinement ===
+=== Different spelling of Macrodata Refinement ===
-{{ security_office_id_numbers.png?1500x850 |Macrodata Refinement spelled as “Macro Data Refinement”}}
+{{ security_office_id_numbers.png?1400x800 |Macrodata Refinement spelled as “Macro Data Refinement”}}
-**Explanation:** Across the season, the //Macrodata// in [[Macrodata Refinement]] is spelled as one word. However, during one scene in the [[Security Office]],((Season 1, Episode 8, [[What’s for Dinner?]] (43:17) )) a different spelling is spotted—Macro Data Refinement.
+**Explanation:** Across the season, the //Macrodata// in Macrodata Refinement is spelled as one word. However, during one scene in the [[Security Office]],((Season 1, Episode 8, [[What’s for Dinner?]] (43:17) )) a different spelling is spotted—Macro Data Refinement.
-==== 6. Dylan’s potato chips ====
+==== Dylan’s potato chips ====
-{{ dylans_chips.jpg?1500x850 |Dylan eating chips in one of Petey’s flashbacks}}
+{{ dylans_chips.jpg?1400x800 |Dylan eating chips in one of Petey’s flashbacks}}
 <WRAP figure right>
@@ Line 144: / Line 162: @@
 </WRAP>
-==== 7. Petey’s hair in flashback scenes ====
+==== Petey’s hair in flashback scenes ====
 {{ petey_s_hair.gif |Petey’s different hairstyle in flashback scenes}}
@@ Line 150: / Line 168: @@
 **Explanation:** While in Mark’s basement, Petey finds himself having flashbacks to a time at Lumon.((Season 1, Episode 3, [[In Perpetuity]] (17:27) )) As the experience progresses, his environment keeps changing between Macrodata Refinement and the basement; however, Petey retains his outfit and continues to work behind his desk, indicating that the scenes are shown to be continuous. As the GIF above displays, Petey’s hairstyle and facial hair appear different in the two scenes.
-==== 8. Same pattern of wetness across different days ====
+==== Same pattern of wetness across different days ====
 {{ wet_lumon_logo.gif |Same pattern of wetness across different days}}
@@ Line 156: / Line 174: @@
 **Explanation:** The concrete Lumon logo sits beautifully on the front stairs of the company building. The first time it is shown up-close is when Mark is leaving work late one day,((Season 1, Episode 3, [[In Perpetuity]] (51:00) )) and it seems wet from the melted snow. The next time a close-up appears is in a later episode,((Season 1, Episode 6, [[Hide and Seek]] (36:21) )) a few days later, when workers are installing a locking door for Macrodata Refinement. By comparing the two, it is revealed that the pattern of wetness is the same in both instances, which are supposed to be days apart.
-This continuity error is likely due to the fact that cinematographers often shoot all of the scenes that take place at a certain location while they are at that location. Jessica Lee Gagné, the show’s Director of Photography, also confirms this in an interview.((Davidson, Denton (May 6, 2022). [[https://youtu.be/jADhZp0r9fU?t=1215|“Jessica Lee Gagné on Why ‘Any Cinematographer Would Be Afraid’ of ‘Severance.’”]] //Gold Derby//.))
+This continuity error is likely due to the fact that cinematographers often shoot all of the scenes that take place at a certain location while they are at that location. Jessica Lee Gagné, the show’s Director of Photography, also confirms this in an interview.((Davidson, Denton (May 6, 2022). [[https://youtu.be/jADhZp0r9fU?t=1215|“Jessica Lee Gagné on Why ‘Any Cinematographer Would Be Afraid’ of ‘Severance.’”]] //Gold Derby//.)) Additionally, the Lumon logo appears to be a CGI overlay to the real location, and therefore so must be the wetness of the concrete.
-==== 9. Varying versions of Petey’s map ====
+==== Varying versions of Petey’s map ====
 {{ petey_s_map_difference.gif |Varying versions of Petey’s map}}
@@ Line 164: / Line 182: @@
 **Explanation:** [[Petey’s Map|Petey’s map]] is shown up-close a few times, once when Mark discovers it for the first time((Season 1, Episode 3, [[In Perpetuity]] (49:05) )) and at another point in a later episode when he is looking at it in a bathroom stall.((Season 1, Episode 4, [[The You You Are]] (6:28) )) Comparing the two closely, as demonstrated in the GIF above, reveals that they are not the same, meaning they are two almost-identical versions of the same drawing.
-==== 10. Different bins ====
+==== Different bins ====
 <WRAP figure right>
 {{mdr_bin_kier_logo.jpg?800x1000|An MDR bin with Kier’s face}}
-An MDR bin with Kier Eagan’s face
+An MDR bin with Kier Eagan’s face((A prop from the Severance Activation event at San Diego Comic-Con 2022))
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 174: / Line 192: @@
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{mdr_bins_1.jpg?800|MDR’s printer area features two bins, one with a recycling logo on it}} \\ MDR’s printer area features two bins, one with a recycling logo on it((Season 1, Episode 4, [[The You You Are]] (8:46) ))
+{{mdr_bins_1.jpg?1400x800|MDR’s printer area features two bins, one with a recycling logo on it}} \\ MDR’s printer area features two bins, one with a recycling logo on it((Season 1, Episode 4, [[The You You Are]] (8:46) ))
 </WRAP>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{mdr_bins_2.jpg?800|The same recycling bin now has a different logo}} \\ The same recycling bin now has a different logo((Season 1, Episode 4, [[The You You Are]] (9:01) ))
+{{mdr_bins_2.jpg?1400x800|The same recycling bin now has a different logo}} \\ The same recycling bin now has a different logo((Season 1, Episode 4, [[The You You Are]] (9:01) ))
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 185: / Line 203: @@
 **Explanation:** In [[The You You Are]], Irving is quite eager to visit [[Optics and Design]], and with Dylan and Mark unable to discourage him, he soon embarks on his trip. In the background of this scene, there are two bins next to the printer machine, with one of them clearly marked for recycling. After a camera cut, the same scene now features a different bin with [[Kier Eagan]]’s face.
-==== 11. Reused elevator scene ====
+Perhaps, the Macrodata Refinement employee who keeps putting trash in the recycling bin((Season 1, Episode 3, [[In Perpetuity]] ([[In Perpetuity Transcript#section001400591|14:00]]) )) is confused by the different bins.
+==== Reused elevator scene ====
 {{ elevator_scene_comparison.jpg?1500x1500 |Elevator scene comparison}}
@@ Line 191: / Line 211: @@
 **Explanation:** During the reading montage in episode five, Mark is shown calling the elevator and stepping inside to leave the floor.((Season 1, Episode 5, [[The Grim Barbarity of Optics and Design]] (6:57) )) The same elevator scene reappears later on in episode eight, when Mark is about to leave after Helly.((Season 1, Episode 8, [[What’s for Dinner?]] (31:03) )) For a video comparison, please see [[https://imgur.com/a/orFsiTE|here]].
-==== 12. Party hats ====
+==== Party hats ====
 <WRAP gallery-container>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{milchick_mdr_1.jpg?800|Milchick rolling the MDE cart}} \\ Milchick rolling the MDE cart((Season 1, Episode 7, [[Defiant Jazz]] (22:23) ))
+{{milchick_mdr_1.jpg?1200x800|Milchick rolling the MDE cart}} \\ Milchick rolling the MDE cart((Season 1, Episode 7, [[Defiant Jazz]] (22:23) ))
 </WRAP>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{milchick_mdr_2.jpg?800|Milchick plugging in the MDE cart to the floor power outlet}} \\ Milchick plugging in the MDE cart to the floor power outlet((Season 1, Episode 7, [[Defiant Jazz]] (22:27) ))
+{{milchick_mdr_2.jpg?1200x800|Milchick plugging in the MDE cart to the floor power outlet}} \\ Milchick plugging in the MDE cart to the floor power outlet((Season 1, Episode 7, [[Defiant Jazz]] (22:27) ))
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 207: / Line 227: @@
 **Explanation:** As [[Seth Milchick|Milchick]] first rolls the [[Music Dance Experience|MDE]] cart into the office, three party hats are visible on the bottom shelf. There are, from left to right, a light blue, a striped, and a cyan hat. In a frame that follows, the cyan and striped hats switch places.
-==== 13. Fly/gnat ====
+==== Fly/gnat ====
-{{ fly_dylan.png?1500x850 |A fly or gnat behind Dylan}}
+{{ fly_dylan.png?1400x800 |A fly or gnat behind Dylan}}
 <WRAP figure right>
-{{gnat_seven_day.png?1500x850|A man on the TV talks about a gnat}}
+{{gnat_seven_day.png?1400x800|A man on the TV talks about a gnat}}
 A man on the TV talks about a gnat
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 220: / Line 240: @@
 Although probably not related, it is interesting to note that in the first episode when Mark is at home, a man on the TV can be heard saying, “Indeed, this gnat will spend much of its three- to seven-day life . . . .”((Season 1, Episode 1, [[Good News About Hell]] ([[Good News About Hell Transcript#section003630566|36:30]]) ))
-==== 14. Mixed-up ID numbers ====
+==== Mixed-up ID numbers ====
 <WRAP gallery-container>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{security_office_id_numbers.png?1500x750|Mark, Dylan, and Irving’s ID numbers visible}} \\ Mark, Dylan, and Irving’s ID numbers visible
+{{security_office_id_numbers.png?1400x800|Mark, Dylan, and Irving’s ID numbers visible}} \\ Mark, Dylan, and Irving’s ID numbers visible
 </WRAP>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{security_office_id_numbers_2.png?1500x750|Mark and Helly have incorrect ID numbers}} \\ Mark and Helly have incorrect ID numbers
+{{security_office_id_numbers_2.png?1400x800|Mark and Helly have incorrect ID numbers}} \\ Mark and Helly have incorrect ID numbers
 </WRAP>
 <WRAP gallery-item>
-{{security_office_id_numbers_3.png?1500x750|While Irving’s ID number is intact, Helly now has Mark’s ID number and Mark has Dylan’s}} \\ While Irving’s ID number is intact, Helly now has Mark’s ID number and Mark has Dylan’s
+{{security_office_id_numbers_3.png?1400x800|While Irving’s ID number is intact, Helly now has Mark’s ID number and Mark has Dylan’s}} \\ While Irving’s ID number is intact, Helly now has Mark’s ID number and Mark has Dylan’s
 </WRAP>

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