Uncovering the Sinister Dr. Mauer in Severance Season 2 Episode 7
Image credits: Photo: Apple TV+
The seventh episode of the second season of Severance, "Chikhai Bardo," has left viewers on the edge of their seats, and one character who has garnered significant attention is the sinister Dr. Mauer, played by the talented actor Robby Benson. With a career spanning over 50 years, Benson has had a diverse range of roles, from voicing the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast to directing episodes of popular TV shows like Friends. However, his role as Dr. Mauer in Severance is a far cry from his usual typecast as a sweet and sensitive character.
Benson's career began at a young age, with his first role on Broadway and later on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. He then transitioned to television commercials and dramas, including the 1976 film Ode to Billy Joe, before landing the lead role in the 1978 sports drama Ice Castles. In Ice Castles, Benson played the role of Nick, the ice hockey-playing boyfriend of the talented but poor figure skater Lexie, played by Lynn-Holly Johnson. The film follows Lexie's journey as she achieves sudden skating stardom, only to lose her sight, and with the help of Nick, regains her confidence and ability to skate. Benson's performance in the film showcased his acting abilities and cemented his status as a teen heartthrob in the late 1970s.
Fast forward to his role in Severance, Benson's character Dr. Mauer is a complex and intriguing figure, responsible for conducting strange and sadistic experiments on Gemma, played by Dichen Lachman. The episode "Chikhai Bardo" delves into Gemma's backstory and her relationship with Mark, played by Adam Scott, and explores the themes of liminal spaces, both physical and psychic. Benson's performance as Dr. Mauer adds depth to the episode, and his character's sinister nature is both captivating and unsettling. The use of lighting and camera angles in the episode creates a sense of unease, drawing the viewer into the world of Severance.
The episode also explores the concept of bardos, or states of being, and how the characters are trapped in their own personal liminal spaces. Gemma's journey is particularly poignant, as she navigates the eerie and disorienting world of Lumon, where she is forced to confront her deepest fears and anxieties. The episode's use of symbolism, including the ideographic cards and the eye chart featuring goats, adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Dr. Mauer's true intentions are far from benevolent, and Gemma's fate hangs in the balance.
Some notable aspects of the episode include:
- The concept of bardos and how it relates to the characters' experiences
- The use of symbolism, including the ideographic cards and the eye chart featuring goats
- The performance of Robby Benson as Dr. Mauer and his character's sinister nature
- The exploration of liminal spaces and how they affect the characters
- The themes of identity, free will, and the blurring of reality and fantasy
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