A lot unfolds in the second-to-last episode of Severance Season 2, leaving fans with more questions than answers. As tensions rise, Mark (Adam Scott) fights to save his wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman). At the same time, Helly (Britt Lower) shares a cryptic moment with her powerful father, Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry), inside Lumon’s ominous corporate offices.
No, we’re not talking about the strangely unsettling egg scene at the beginning of the episode. The real mystery lies in Eagan’s final words to Helly:
“You tricked me.”
With Severance being as cryptic as ever, what does James Eagan mean? And what does this chilling exchange mean for Helly’s fate? Let’s break it down.
What Happens at the End of Episode 9?
Near the episode’s conclusion, Helly—who had previously played a pivotal role in aiding Irving (John Turturro)—manages to hide directions to the export hall for Dylan (Zach Cherry) on the back of a sign. Alone in the Lumon offices, she attempts to memorize the note, only to be interrupted by an unsettling presence.
A ghostly figure emerges from the hallway behind her—it’s Jame Eagan, the CEO of Lumon Industries and her own father.
In a low, almost ominous voice, he utters:
“You tricked me. My Helly.”
Helly, clearly confused, shoves the note under her keyboard and turns to face him, responding with an exasperated:
“What the f**?”*
And just like that, the episode cuts to black, leaving us to speculate on what exactly Jame meant.
What Did Jame Eagan Mean By “You Tricked Me”?”
There are several possible explanations for Eagan’s cryptic remark, each raising new layers of intrigue about Lumon’s power structure, Helly’s true purpose, and the looming clash between the Innies and Outies.
Theory 1: Jame Knows Helly Is Plotting Against Him
One obvious interpretation is that Eagan has caught on to Helly’s rebellion. If he somehow became aware of her memorizing the note, this could be a direct accusation—indicating that he knows she’s working to undermine Lumon from within.
But if that were the case, why would he personally come to confront her? Someone in his position wouldn’t typically descend to the Severed Floor just to call out an Innie’s disobedience. This suggests something much deeper at play.
Theory 2: Helly’s Outie and Innie Have Swapped Again
Another possibility is that Eagan isn’t actually addressing Helly’s Innie, but her Outie—or at least, believes he is.
The show has already toyed with identity swaps before, and if Helly’s Outie somehow infiltrated the Severed Floor again, Eagan may believe she’s merely pretending to be her Innie. But given how Severance avoids repeating the same twists, this seems too convoluted to be the real answer.
Theory 3: A Father’s Unfinished Business
The most intriguing possibility is that Jame Eagan simply wants to confront his daughter.
- He may not fully understand why she chose to rebel against Lumon.
- He could be searching for answers about her actions at the end of Season 1.
- His visit to the Severed Floor may be a last-ditch effort to convince her to abandon her mission.
Given that Helly was initially positioned as a pro-Lumon figure, her betrayal could be deeply personal for Eagan—especially if he still believes in the company’s vision.
What’s Next for Helly and Jame?
With the Severance Season 2 finale on the horizon, Helly’s face-off with her father could be one of the biggest turning points of the season.
- Will Jame try to manipulate Helly into siding with Lumon?
- Could Helly uncover deeper truths about the company’s experiments?
- And most importantly—is she in immediate danger?
One thing is certain: Lumon’s grip is tightening, and the battle between the Innies and Outies is far from over.
The Severance Season 2 finale drops next Friday on Apple TV+—and we’re not ready for what’s coming.
