WELCOME BACK, REFINERS!! ARE YOU READY FOR MORE "ORIGINS"?
Last time we gathered, we were just getting into the 1999 sci-fi classic "The Matrix." It's about time to meet Morpheus. It's also about time to find out just what the heck "The Matrix" is and why Neo is such a threat to the continued peaceful existence of the A.I. that has all humanity enslaved in a giant VR machine.

But I might be getting ahead of myself. We need to free Neo from his goo-pod before we can get to the business of saving the world. This week, we free Neo, get Neo healthy and introduce Neo to the ultimate version of "World of Warcraft"...the virtual reality game we're all playing, whether we want to or not, called The Matrix.

Saddle up, Refiners, and get ready to find out what's really going on as we continue to breakdown that classic 1999 sci-fi: 'The Matrix.'

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

A big 'thank you' to Kier Eagan, er I mean Marc Geller! Marc both sat for an interview (make sure to check it out) AND recorded some great bumpers as Kier himself.

Support the podcast on Patreon! (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed'.

WELCOME BACK, REFINERS! TIME FOR MORE "ORIGINS"...
It's been a long, hot summer on the picket line for both WGA and SAG-AFTRA members. Nothing is moving so far in the way of negotiations or agreements. Instead of sitting around bored down here on the Severed Floor, I've started to take a look at those things that influenced Dan Erickson as he was creating "Severance." I'm calling it the "Severed: Origins" Series. Hey, it may not be Season Two, but it's better than listening to Dylan tell us about his caricatures again.

This time out on "Origins", we begin our epic breakdown of the 1999 sci-fi masterpiece "The Matrix". We will be ripping this baby apart in intimate detail. We came really close to breaking down "Dark City'...but then I watched "Dark City." Details in the podcast.

"The Matrix" was a philosophical and cultural phenomenon...or maybe it was nothing more than a high-minded shoot-em-up (according to Roger Ebert). Wherever you fall on the "Matrix" importance continuum, we can all agree Keanu was cool and the effects were AWESOME! Here...have a Blue Pill 'n Chill. It's time to go find that spoon.

This is Part One of "The Matrix" Origins Breakdown. Be watching for additional installments of "The Matrix" Origins in coming weeks. Want to watch "The Matrix" for yourself? It is available for immediate streaming to Max subscribers. You can rent it from all of the usual rental places for anywhere from $1.99 to $3.99.

Questions? Comments? Recipes?? Send 'em all to: [email protected]. 

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

A big 'thank you' to Kier Eagan, er I mean Marc Geller! Marc both sat for an interview (make sure to check it out) AND recorded some great bumpers as Kier himself.

Support the Podcast on Patreon! (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN TODAY, REFINER!!
Since things are kinda quiet down here on the Severed Floor, I've decided to lighten things up a bit. This week, we're going to do a full breakdown on the file marked "Sizzler" Corporate Video. It's loaded with Big Hair, Big Plates of Food and some Big Platitudes about corporate Steak House chain 'Sizzler.' Dan Erickson has talked about it in interviews as being an inspiration for "Severance." What is it? Where did it come from? How did the not-quite-40-year-old DE come across this relic from 1991?? I've got all the answers plus a fun breakdown of the video, scene by scene.

You REALLY need to see this video. Here's a link:
(1153) Sizzler Promotional Commercial 1991 - YouTube

Following the video, DON'T MISS a Special Interview! I talk to Sharon Simon, East Coast Stand-up comic and 'Severance' fanatic. Sharon got in touch with me about doing an interview. Why? Why NOT?!!? So, we did an interview. It was a lot of fun.

Video breakdown AND Interview not enough for you?? Strap in, Refiner...we've got an MLE planned for the end of the day. That's right: a Music Listening Experience. Music Producer Michael Orbit sent me some hot tracks inspired by 'Severance.' I had to share! I've got samples and links for you to check out.

It's a full day, Refiner! Pour another cup of coffee and let's get to work!!

EASTER EGG; Be listening during the interview with Sharon. Yes, that would be Siri, thinking I'm trying to get her to tell me something in the background...twice. The noise of things banging and falling would be me frantically trying to silence an iPad.  

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

A big 'thank you' to Kier Eagan, er I mean Marc Geller! Marc both sat for an interview (make sure to check it out) AND recorded some great bumpers as Kier himself.

Support the Podcast on Patreon (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed'.

WELCOME BACK FOR MORE, REFINER!! (My, you are a glutton for punishment, aren't you??)

This is it! We've finally reached the third, and final, part of our "Severed: Origins" deep dive into the 1985 movie "Brazil." If this is the first installment you've found for "Brazil", STOP HERE!! You need to go back and find parts One and Two before you wade into this.

Enjoy, refiners! Tons of interesting new goodies to lay on you about this storied film. We get to break down the coolest scene Terry Gilliam has ever shot as a director AND we attend Alma Terrain's weird funeral. It's gonna be a big day!! 

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the "Severed" Podcast on Patreon (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'

HEY THERE, REFINERS!
Welcome back for more "Severed: Origins." This time out, we are continuing our re-watch of the 1985 Terry Gilliam dystopian sci-fi comedy "Brazil."

We've got a LOT to cover....and we won't even finish it this week. The coffee is on, refiners...time to boot up your workstations and open the file called "Brazil."

Having trouble finding "Brazil"? It's been pulled from streaming services all over the U.S. You can find the 142 minute copy on the free "Internet Archive." Here's a link:

https://archive.org/details/7.9-8-brazil-1985

REMEMBER REFINERS: Make sure to PROMOTE "SEVERED" to your "Severance" watching friends. Word of mouth is the best promotion for the show, and it is growing every week!! THANK YOU, and keep it up!! 

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the show on Patreon (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed'.

HEY THERE, REFINER!! 
Glad to see you've come back for more Severed: “Origins”! Since the WGA continues to strike for the rights of our beleaguered writers, I decided we needed something to keep us busy between now and S2. Enter the "Origins" series from "Severed"!! It's a deep-dive look at those things that INSPIRED the creation of "Severance"! The logic goes like this: if you like the end result, you'll probably like what went into it, right??

This time out, we're going DEEP into the 1985 Terry Gilliam movie, "Brazil." It's a personal fave of mine, and one of the influences cited by Dan Erickson regarding the creation of "Severance." Strap in, Refiners!! This is a MAJOR file! We're covering some bio info on Director Terry Gilliam and we're going to get about half an hour into the movie this time around. Be ready for more parts in this series!!

For now...it's time to get on the elevator. We've got a file to work on!!

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the show on Patreon! (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'

WELCOME, REFINERS, TO A SPECIAL "ORIGINS" EDITION OF "SEVERED"!
As the WGA strike grinds on, I decided to look into some of the things that have been cited by Dan Erickson as inspiration for "Severance." I'm calling this the Severance 'Origins' series. Look for it in the regular 'Severed' Podcast feed.

Philip K. Dick's work is often referenced as heavily influential to 'Severance'...some even think the relief statue in the Lumon Atrium is an homage to PKD. I don't know if I would go that far, but I'm certainly in awe of Mr. Dick's ideas and have been a fan ever since "Bladerunner."

Today we're going to have a look at a story called "Paycheck" by Philip K. Dick. Dan Erickson has mentioned it several times in interviews as being an inspiration for "Severance." It was originally written in 1952. It was then adapted and made into a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster in 2003. It didn't bust any blocks...but it did hang onto some of the more important ideas found in Dick's original story.

Fire up your workstations, Refiners, and let's take a look at the file called "Paycheck."

[WARNING: SPOILERS!! This podcast will spoil KEY PLOT POINTS from the 2003 movie "Paycheck", the 1952 novella "Paycheck" and another movie inspired by a PKD story: 1990's "Total Recall." You have been warned...]

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the show on Patreon (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'

HEY THERE, REFINER!
I realize waking you up at home is not the most ideal situation, but I had more thoughts about "Severance" Season One. We'll make this quick.

Don't expect to hear from me again until Season Two...but, you never know. Keep the lines of communication open, just in case I need to be in touch between now and then.

In the show I mention checking out Dylan's tour of the Severed Floor. It's a series of short videos available on the Lumon LinkedIN page. Here's a link that will take you to the entire collection. Enjoy:

(18) Lumon Industries: Posts | LinkedIn

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the show on Patreon! (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'

HEY THERE, REFINER...SURPRISE!!
I know, you thought I wasn't going to be talking to you until the Second Season rolled around. I didn't think so, either. Then I tried to give Season One a casual watch for fun after wrapping up the podcast. That's when I started to see MORE stuff!! I've got a few observations, a couple of weird theories and some other goofiness in this shortened "add-on" episode. Call it "Season Wrap-up  PT1A". 

It won't take long...just until Dylan's kid counts to a thousand.

Remember to keep listening to all past SEVERED Episodes!! Tell your friends!! Leave a 5-Star rating and review at Apple Podcasts!! 

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the show on Patreon!! (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'

PULL UP A CHAIR, REFINERS!!
Time to get out the red rubber ball and talk over what we just saw in Season One. I've got theories all over the place. Where is this going? How are they going to start out Season Two? 

I don't KNOW anything...but I've got enough wild speculation to keep everyone busy for a while, at least.

There are things I didn't get deep enough into during the season. There are things I got WRONG! (can you imagine?) There are even things I totally MISSED! (I know, shocking, right?) Let's pass that ball around and I'll spin your head around. I've got a ton of leftovers and goodies that didn't fit anywhere else from the first Season of "Severance" and the first season of "Severed: The Ultimate Severance Podcast."
 
Join me, Refiners!! Shriveled Raisins all around... 

Huge thanks to Adam Scott, star of 'Severance' and host of the Severance Podcast for recording a custom intro for "Severed." Make sure to check out 'The Severance Podcast w/Ben Stiller & Adam Scott" wherever you found this one!

Support the show on Patreon! (Click Here)

APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more "Severance" fans find the show. Thanks!!!

Season 2 of "Severance" is underway as of 1/17/2025. New episodes are released at 9E/8C on Thursday evening through the end of March. Join the 'Severed' Patreon page for new episode chatroom viewing parties every Thursday night. (www.patreon.com/SeveredPod)

Join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. Throughout this very exciting Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show.

Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!

Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:

LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf
HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MDROrientationHandbook.pdf

You haven't completely watched 'Severance' until you've listened to 'Severed.'