Macrodata Refinement

This is a recreation of a fictional computer program from the excellent Apple TV show - Severance.

The work is mysterious, and important.

Season 2 is going now. It’s one of my top 3 shows of the last decade, highly recommend it.

I am enjoying the form and structure but still uncertain about the substance.

I do hope they have a narrative arc planned with a satisfyingly metaphorical conclusion and will not, like certain other shows in a similar genre, meander from one surrealist allegory to another because additional seasons were ordered. The only truly exemplary production I can name in this vein being the sole season of The Prisoner (McGoohan, 1967-68).

Be seeing you

aka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_box_show

I will never forgive Lost (which I originally watched in real time) and almost always wait for shows to conclude now before giving them my time.

Nonetheless, I'm enamored by Severance. The attention to detail by the show runners is amazing[1]. It's absolutely gorgeous to look at[2]. It's downright funny at times. I've re-watched the entire first season and there's so many details I missed the first time through. I will likely be satisfied even if it doesn't answer all its questions, but I have a feeling it will.

[1] BTW, the first eight chapters of The You You Are were released on Apple Books yesterday in both eBook and Audiobook form (read by the author).

[2] I watch in a home theater on a 120" 2.39:1 screen. I love that recent shows are being released in scope (see also Silo).

Here's the thing I don't get about post-finale annoyance at Lost -- how does the lack of plot resolution impact all of your enjoyment previous to the finale?

You still enjoyed thinking of all the plot points after the second to last episode, no?

And after the end of the first season?

Those moments existed independent of how it ended.

Sure, people having an issue with the ending and plot threads is maybe a reason not to start watching it now (I'd say it's still worth it...), but behaving as though somehow the ending invalidated all the realtime enjoyment is weird.

It's a reason not to re-watch or even talk much about or recommend the show. Compare to something like Babylon 5 (plotted out well in advance) where a rewatch is rewarding because now you see extra significance of so many more early things. It's the complete opposite - everything interesting is now LESS interesting.

The enjoyment is capped at the initial run; a better-plotted show rewards you much more over time.