Severance Season 2, Episode 5 Recap: "Trojan's Horse" – Twists & Betrayals

Severance continues to twist its intricate web of workplace dystopia and personal entanglements, and Episode 5, "Trojan's Horse," delivers on that promise with eerie precision. This episode is all about blurred lines—between trust and betrayal, between control and autonomy, and, most notably, between who we are and who we think we should be.

The episode kicks off with an ominous scene: a man dragging a cart through Lumon’s dimly lit hallways, whistling the haunting tune of "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." His journey takes him to Optics & Design, where he collects an unusual item—a full tray of dental picks—from Felicia and her colleague. If past episodes have taught us anything, it’s that nothing in Lumon is without purpose, and this peculiar exchange is bound to unravel something sinister.

Helly’s Struggle for Identity

The revelation that Helly is, in fact, Helena Eagan continues to cause ripples in the MDR department. Though her outie’s status as an Eagan heir places her at the very core of Lumon’s twisted hierarchy, Helly's innie is grappling with a sense of betrayal and confusion. Can she truly be trusted? Or is she, knowingly or unknowingly, an agent of Lumon’s control?

Her return to the Severed floor is met with skepticism, especially from Dylan, who wastes no time in updating her on the latest events—including the dismissal of Irving. This news triggers a sense of paranoia, and understandably so—if Irving could be erased, who’s next? Milchick tries to keep the situation under control, but the cracks in Lumon’s meticulous design are widening.

Irving’s Funeral: A Corporate Farewell

One of the standout moments of the episode is Irving’s funeral. It’s a masterclass in corporate absurdity—an event that straddles the line between honoring a fallen colleague and maintaining the company's sterile, performative professionalism. The funeral features a nine-second moment of silence, mugs adorned with Irving’s face, and a bizarrely sculpted watermelon in his likeness. But beneath this staged farewell, there's real frustration brewing. Dylan’s eulogy is laced with guilt—he regrets not believing Irving when he tried to expose Helly’s dual identity. The irony is clear: in a place where trust is scarce, the only thing binding these workers together is the realization that they’ve been deceived from the start.

Milchick’s Moment of Doubt

Milchick has always been a company man, a dedicated enforcer of Lumon’s policies. But for a brief moment, we see him waver. During his performance review, he attempts to engage in genuine conversation with Natalie, asking what she truly felt when she received those unsettling paintings of Kier Eagan in her image. Was it admiration? Disgust? Milchick, perhaps for the first time, lets himself believe that there might be something real within Lumon’s walls—something beyond protocol and obedience. However, his moment of vulnerability is swiftly crushed when Natalie reminds him that Mr. Drummond is waiting. The scene plays out like a slow, inevitable demise—Milchick, once confident and in control, now walks into the review room with the defeated air of a man about to be devoured by the very system he upholds.

Mark’s Fractured Reality

Meanwhile, Mark’s struggle to reconcile his two selves intensifies. Outie Mark is coughing—a small but significant sign that his reintegration process is affecting him physically. Reghabi, who continues to monitor his condition, rifles through Gemma’s belongings in his basement, unearthing memories that seem just within Mark’s grasp. In a moment of existential distress, he mutters, “She’s not dead. She’s just not here.”

This phrase echoes throughout the episode, blurring the boundaries of reality. Mark sees hallways he isn’t in. He hears affirmations of his own skills—"Your outie can roller-skate with grace. Your outie once captured a butterfly." These fragmented visions suggest that Mark is on the verge of something monumental, an awakening that could disrupt Lumon’s carefully curated order. But just as the pieces start to align, the moment vanishes, leaving Mark in tears—a rare, vulnerable glimpse into the mind of someone fighting for clarity in a world designed to keep him in the dark.

A Dark Path Ahead

Severance has always been a show about control—how it's enforced, how it's challenged, and how it shapes identity. Episode 5 reinforces this theme, setting the stage for even more intense confrontations. With Dylan uncovering mysterious notes hidden behind posters and Irving facing the possibility of reconnecting with Burt under complicated circumstances, the walls of Lumon are closing in. The question remains: will anyone manage to break free?

As we move further into Season 2, one thing is clear—every character is at a crossroads. Whether they succumb to Lumon’s grip or fight for autonomy is the true battle at the heart of this series.

One thing is certain: Severance isn’t just about splitting identities. It’s about putting the pieces back together—and Episode 5 just handed us another puzzle.