Severance’s Mark S. Is Finally Hungry—And It Means More Than You Think
4 min read
Mark S. is starving—not just for food, but for something deeper. In Apple TV+’s Severance, the moment he starts eating ravenously signals something profound: a break from the robotic efficiency imposed by his severance and a reawakening to the fullness of life. Season one introduced us to the haunting world of Lumon Industries, where workers are fully alienated from their labor. Season two asks: What happens when you realize you can’t escape yourself, even if you split your mind in two? The answer, it seems, begins with hunger.
The Illusion of Work-Life Balance
Severance was supposed to be a gift to employees—an ultimate work-life balance hack. Leave your work at work, forget your job the moment you step outside. But, like many corporate “solutions,” it benefits the bosses far more than the workers. The employees of the Macrodata Refinement Division (MDR) have no context for their labor. They sit in basement offices, sorting “scary numbers,” with no understanding of why their work matters. Stripped of autonomy, they become easier to control.
But the separation isn’t clean. The workers carry their alienation home, whether they know it or not. We see this especially in Dylan (Zach Cherry), who has a wife and children yet remains chronically dissatisfied. Irving (John Turturro) obsessively paints the same eerie scene from his workplace, a subconscious effort to piece together his missing reality. Even Helly (Britt Lower), an heiress from the ruling class, suffers—proof that wealth does not shield anyone from the isolating effects of capitalism.
Mark S.: The Path to Reintegration
Mark S. (Adam Scott) chose severance to escape grief over his wife, Gemma. But severance doesn’t truly erase pain—it only buries it. His outie drinks alone, struggles with relationships, and gets dragged to dinner parties where there’s often nothing to eat.
As he starts to reintegrate—merging his severed and whole selves—he becomes hungry. Not just metaphorically, but physically. His fridge, once filled only with beer and an unappetizing “chicken soup Soylent” product, no longer satisfies. He grimaces at its artificiality and instead devours plate after plate of real food at a local Chinese restaurant. This moment is more than just a meal; it’s a reclamation of pleasure, autonomy, and selfhood.
The Hunger for More Than Food
Capitalism demands optimization—treating our bodies as machines for productivity. Mark’s shift from bland, efficient meal replacements to a feast of Chinese food represents his rejection of that mindset. It’s a quiet rebellion against the idea that we should streamline every aspect of our existence for maximum output. Real food takes time. It demands presence. It nourishes both body and spirit.
His hunger mirrors his growing resistance to Lumon’s control. As he feeds his body, he feeds his spirit, gaining the strength to resist and fight back. His journey reflects a broader truth: alienation in the workplace doesn’t just stay at work. It seeps into every part of life. And breaking free starts with recognizing our own needs.
The Power of Connection and Pleasure
Mark’s late wife, Gemma, embodied this philosophy. She crafted candles—not for money, not for efficiency, but because it brought her joy and gave her time to think. This is the essence of what Karl Marx called “species-being”—a fully realized human existence beyond productivity.
Work takes something from us. It drains energy, creativity, and sometimes even identity. The remedy isn’t just rest—it’s pleasure, community, and reclaiming our time. Whether it’s eating good food, engaging in art, or simply being present with loved ones, these acts replenish what work takes away.
From Workplace Alienation to Collective Action
Severance highlights a fundamental truth: we don’t start out radicalized. We become radicalized at work. The MDR team’s defiance of Lumon isn’t just about escaping the office—it’s about realizing they deserve better, inside and outside of work. Real-world labor movements follow the same pattern. Small moments of resistance—demanding fair pay, forming a union, standing up to a toxic boss—lead to something greater.
The wealthiest, most powerful people fight unionization not just to control workers but to maintain a status quo that keeps people compliant in all areas of life. When workers challenge workplace oppression, they also start questioning rent hikes, student debt, and systemic inequalities. The fight doesn’t end at the office doors—it extends into everything.
Reclaiming Ourselves
Severance is science fiction, but its message is painfully real. The workplace is often the epicenter of what makes life exhausting. But the antidote isn’t just quitting—it’s reintegration.
To be whole, we must acknowledge and reject the ways work has fractured us. We must allow ourselves joy, connection, and yes, even hunger—for better food, better conditions, and a better life. Because once you get a taste of something real, you’ll never be satisfied with less again.
About The Author
