Lumon Is Listening: A Severance Podcast

Laci Roth & Matt Stokes
  • 4.4 (7)
  • TV REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Laci R. and Matt S. go through the episodes of SEVERANCE (the Apple TV+ sci-fi/workplace series) created by Dan Erickson. Together, they analyze the political, economic, and social commentary of the show, dissect the big metaphysical questions it asks, and celebrate the chemistry of the wonderful cast. This is a spin-off of 1-Week Rental: A Movie Podcast, which releases a new deep dive into a movie every Friday.

Episodes

  1. Cold Harbor (Season 2, Episode 10)

    03/24/2025

    Cold Harbor (Season 2, Episode 10)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 10 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Cold Harbor." And in the end, it was all about a baby crib. I don't know how much more to say there is than that, but we manage to break down the exciting and often hilarious season finale of Severance. But this is not the finale of Lumon Is Listening, for we shall return next week with a season-long wrap-up episode. "Cold Harbor" was directed by Ben Stiller and written by Dan Erickson. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette   Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 11m
  2. The After Hours (season 2, episode 9)

    03/16/2025

    The After Hours (season 2, episode 9)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 9 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "The After Hours." Well folks, things are happening. Coming to a head, you might say. First, we wish a tearful bon voyage to Miss Huang as she graduates from the Wintertide Fellowship. And we send her off with the seriousness the situation calls for: with a song. Then we check in on all our friends: Mark's sister has taken charge of his operation in light of his weakened brain condition. Surely they can trust Ms. Cobel, right? Outie Dylan's wife Gretchen confesses she's having an emotional affair with her husbands innie. It's a sad but all-too-common thing that happens in marriages. Irving has an unexpected intruder in his house, and he's invited to take a romantic—and potentially deadly—drive in the country. Helly has a conflict with her father and eggs. Helly's father has a conflict with having a normal name. Mr. Milchick has a conflict with Mr. Drummond. We're having a conflict with potentially saying goodbye to this show next week. :( "The After Hours" was directed by Uta Briesewitz and written by Dan Erickson. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette   Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 1m
  3. BONUS: Laci's (slightly) different perspective on "Sweet Vitriol"

    03/13/2025

    BONUS: Laci's (slightly) different perspective on "Sweet Vitriol"

    Laci R. is back from her absence, and she has many thoughts on "Sweet Vitriol"... both the episode of Severance and the episode of Lumon Is Listening that Matt and John D. hosted while she was gone. Does she have a kinder opinion of "Sweet Vitriol"? Does she see things a little differently. We unpack the episode some more, and Matt confesses he is feeling slightly more charitably toward it than he felt six days ago. "Sweet Vitriol" was directed by Ben Stiller and written by Adam Countee and K.C. Perry. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette   Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    37 min
  4. Sweet Vitriol (season 2, episode 8)

    03/09/2025

    Sweet Vitriol (season 2, episode 8)

    Here for you now, a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 8 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Sweet Vitriol." With Laci R.'s outie missing, management has sent in a replacement in the form of John D., from the Utica branch. Matt and John bond over their shared love of huffing ether out of paper bags, and then talk about this extremely frustrating episode of Severance in which we follow Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) on a Mysterious Mission. Last week, we got the prestige TV-standard seventh episode Flashback Episode, and in episode eight we get the standard Follow Only One Character episode. And unfortunately, it feels like the show is spinning its wheels, killing time till we get to the finale. Still, Patricia Arquette is a delight as this corporate weirdo.   "Sweet Vitriol" was directed by Ben Stiller and written by Adam Countee and K.C. Perry. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette.   Listen to Smash Trivia Presents: The Gamma Analysis on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3XdhiNB Follow John on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@smashtrivia   Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 18m
  5. Chikhai Bardo (season 2, episode 7)

    03/02/2025

    Chikhai Bardo (season 2, episode 7)

    Laci R. and Matt S. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 7 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Chikhai Bardo." So, we finally get some answers. Kind of. Unfortunately, it comes in the form of that most dreaded trope that every prestige TV series engages in around the seventh episode of a season: the flashback episode! At the same time, the show has never been more adversarial toward its viewers in terms of withholding information that would make the whole thing make a lot more emotional sense. Luckily, this is still a very interesting episode that lets Dichen Lachman take the lead as Gemma. And what a challenge she has before her, because this is our first real exposure to Gemma as a character, and Lachman has to let us know who she is and what she really wants, while also playing a dozen or so innie variations, in the show's most horrifying reveal yet. But she handles it extremely well, and gives us a much-needed look at Gemma that lets us see her as more than the Dead Wife of the Main Character™. Next week: Laci R.'s outie is taking an elongated cruise voyage, so Management is sending in a replacement co-host from the Utica office to help Matt S. navigate episode 8, "Sweet Vitriol."   "Chikhai Bardo" was directed by Jessica Lee Gagné and written by Dan Erickson and Mark Friedman. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette. Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 6m
  6. Attila (Season 2, Episode 6)

    02/23/2025

    Attila (Season 2, Episode 6)

    Laci R. and Matt S. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 6 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Attila." This episode turns inward and focuses on our four heroes and their... (record scratch) love lives? Actually it's a fascinating and deeply moving look at what it means to be a human, what it means to love, the different forms love can take, and that age-old question of whether we'll be reunited with the ones we love when we die... and if so, what they will look like. It's a less plotty episode than normal, but there is so much going on here. "Attila" was directed by Uta Briesewitz and written by Erin Wagoner. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette   Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 6m
  7. Trojan's Horse (Season 2, Episode 5)

    02/16/2025

    Trojan's Horse (Season 2, Episode 5)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 5 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Trojan's Horse." Helly R. is rightfully restored to her body and mind, Dylan G. is in mourning, Mark S. is being a complete a*****e, and Ricken deserves to be catapulted into the sun. It's another wild episode of Severance! "Trojan's Horse" was directed by Sam Donovan and written by Megan Ritchie Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 4m
  8. Woe's Hollow (Season 2, Episode 4)

    02/10/2025

    Woe's Hollow (Season 2, Episode 4)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 4 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Woe's Hollow." Something weird is going on here, folks! All of a sudden our Severed Foursome finds themselves in... Siberia?? Or something. And what's going on with Helly? Aw man, were the people on the internet actually right? That can't be good. Also, there's a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of tent sex. Also: How good can an innie actually be at having sex? "Woe's Hollow" was directed by Ben Stiller and written by Anna Ouyang Moench. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette Watch this episode of Lumon Is Listening on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BpPwm8hqCEc   Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 6m
  9. Who Is Alive (Season 2, Episode 3)

    02/03/2025

    Who Is Alive (Season 2, Episode 3)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 3 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Who Is Alive?" Aside from the usual commentary on the exploitation of workers, the importance of collective action and solidarity, and the fun espionage angle, the show seems to have a lot of criticism for the self-help industry. Learn more about how the self-help industry serves the interests of capital from the wonderful Citations Needed podcast: episode 109, "Self-Help Culture and the Rise of Corporate Happiness Monitoring." https://bit.ly/3Q0ie3N "Who Is Alive?" was directed by Ben Stiller and written by Wei-Ning Yu. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette Watch this episode of Lumon Is Listening on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-qTcwJl9sHA Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 37m
  10. Goodbye Mrs. Selvig (Season 2, Episode 2)

    01/27/2025

    Goodbye Mrs. Selvig (Season 2, Episode 2)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 2 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Goodbye Mrs. Selvig." It's such a joy seeing Patricia Arquette and hearing Ms. Cobel's weird voice again, as she moans things like, "I welcome your contrition." And how great is Britt Lower as the evil version of Helly? "Goodbye Mrs. Selvig" was directed by Sam Donovan and written by Mohamad El Masri. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette Watch this episode of Lumon Is Listening on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZjQnbH34CMg Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 21m
  11. Hello Ms. Cobel (Season 2, Episode 1)

    01/20/2025

    Hello Ms. Cobel (Season 2, Episode 1)

    Matt S. and Laci R. provide a spoiler-filled recap and analysis of season 2, episode 1 of Apple TV+'s Severance: "Hello Ms. Cobel." After a three-year absence, the series described by one of our hosts as "the only good show on television" returns... and it does not disappoint. Although it teases you along the way by hinting at the annoying directions it could go. How incredible is the stop-motion animated video by Starburns Industries (Dan Harmon's animation house that also did the Community Christmas special)? How great is it to see our four pals back together again? How funny is Bob Balaban? And what a tour-de-force Tramell Tillman is as Mr. Milchick. And what's up with him, anyway? "Hello Ms. Cobel" was directed by Ben Stiller and written by Dan Erickson. Severance stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette Watch this episode of Lumon Is Listening on YouTube: https://youtu.be/enSIxxLMGac Subscribe to 1-Week Rental on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/45fA9IW) or Spotify (https://bit.ly/3tk7FAr). Music credit: "Winston-Salem" by Rural Route Nine. Listen on Spotify (https://bit.ly/40SvexA), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/4hvL48d), or YouTube (https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM). Subscribe to the show on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@1weekrental   #severance #severancetvshow #severancepodcast

    1h 19m
  • 11 Episodes

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Laci R. and Matt S. go through the episodes of SEVERANCE (the Apple TV+ sci-fi/workplace series) created by Dan Erickson. Together, they analyze the political, economic, and social commentary of the show, dissect the big metaphysical questions it asks, and celebrate the chemistry of the wonderful cast. This is a spin-off of 1-Week Rental: A Movie Podcast, which releases a new deep dive into a movie every Friday.

Information