In the gripping finale of Severance season two, a pivotal moment emerged that struck a deep emotional chord: Gemma Scout, portrayed by Dichen Lachman, was forced to confront her most painful memory in the “Cold Harbor” room. There, she faced the haunting sight of an empty crib—a stark symbol of her and Mark’s prolonged battle with infertility.
Though viewers are still left wondering how Gemma came to be trapped within Lumon’s confines, the finale revealed significant details about her troubled situation. (Spoilers ahead.) Mark, who believes Gemma died in a car accident two years ago, is unaware that she has been subjected to multiple rounds of the severance procedure, which creates new “innies” each time she enters a testing room. The procedure forces Gemma to confront her deepest fears—such as dentist visits or airplane turbulence—while testing whether these situations could cause her real “outie” persona to resurface.
In Cold Harbor, Gemma’s ultimate challenge involves disassembling the crib she and Mark had once hoped to use for their child, an emotionally charged test designed to break through the severance barrier. This moment follows the couple’s heartbreaking journey through infertility, IVF attempts, and repeated miscarriages, all of which strained their relationship. The show’s portrayal of this experience was both poignant and deeply realistic, something Lachman approached with sensitivity, consulting friends who had experienced pregnancy loss and drawing on her own insights as a mother.
One of the standout moments of season two came in Chikhai Bardo, where Gemma apologizes to Mark upon arriving at a fertility clinic. Lachman, who improvised this line, noted that it was a reflection of a common emotional response many women feel during fertility struggles—guilt, even when the situation is out of their control. “It just sort of came out,” Lachman explained. “We tend to apologize for things we can’t control, even though it’s not our fault.”
In a conversation with Glamour, Lachman elaborated on her approach to portraying Gemma’s infertility struggles. “I was excited but nervous,” she shared, recalling her initial reaction to receiving the script. “It was important to me that we handle infertility with authenticity. We don’t often see this on TV, but it’s a reality that many women experience.”
Lachman, also a mother, found her personal experiences informed her portrayal. “Having a child was a transformative experience. I can’t imagine my life without her,” she reflected. This perspective deepened her empathy for Gemma, who is grappling with the pain of not being able to have a child despite desperate efforts.
The portrayal of miscarriage in Severance was especially poignant, with Gemma’s experience left subtly implied rather than explicitly stated, a creative choice that was lauded by audiences. Lachman drew inspiration from her conversations with women who had suffered miscarriages, both naturally and through IVF. “It’s so much more common than people talk about, and women often feel they go through it alone,” she said. “It’s hard for male partners to truly understand that pain.”
Speculation has also swirled around the character of Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson), whose obsession with Gemma seems to stretch beyond his role in Lumon’s experiments. Some fans have even theorized that he may have lured Gemma into Lumon, possibly with the promise of experimental infertility treatment. Lachman, however, remains open to the theories but prefers to trust the creative vision of the show’s creator, Dan Erickson.
As for Gemma’s eventual fate, Lachman acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding her character’s entrapment within Lumon. Fans are left to wonder: Did Gemma willingly join the corporation, or was she kidnapped? Lachman suggests that Gemma may have joined in search of a solution to her infertility, though she leaves the question open-ended, aligning with the show’s knack for uncertainty.
Looking ahead, the finale left fans with a dramatic cliffhanger, where Mark’s innie, Mark S., abandoned Gemma in a stairwell, staying behind with his love interest Helly R. (Britt Lower). This betrayal adds another layer of complexity to the show’s intricate narrative, leaving viewers divided between their loyalty to Gemma and the fascinating dynamics of the “innie” world.
Lachman’s portrayal of Gemma offers a raw, unflinching look at the pain of infertility and the emotional toll it takes on relationships. As Severance continues to captivate its audience, Lachman eagerly anticipates how the story will unfold in future seasons, hopeful that the portrayal of female struggles will continue to resonate with viewers.
Related topics:
Actress Dayo Amusa Celebrates Son’s 4-Month Milestone After Overcoming Infertility Struggles
Evvy Enhances Vaginal Health Test with Pioneering Fertility Insights
