**Analyzing the Timeline and Aesthetic of Apple TV+’s *Severance***
Apple TV+’s *Severance* has enthralled viewers with its compelling storyline, eerie atmosphere, and insightful examination of corporate dynamics and personal identity. Central to its allure is a pivotal mystery that has ignited numerous Reddit discussions and fan theories: *When is the narrative of Severance actually set?*
The vagueness regarding the timeline is intentional. The show’s creator, Dan Erickson, has thoughtfully built a universe that feels both recognizable and strange, a choice that deepens the show’s surreal ambiance and thematic richness. Let’s explore the timeline puzzle, the retro-futuristic design, and how these components contribute to the show’s appeal.
—
### **The Timeline Enigma: “Vaguely Now-ish”**
In a conversation with *The Wrap*, Dan Erickson tackled the timeline inquiry head-on, providing a cryptic yet telling response: the series is set “around now, it’s like vaguely now-ish.” Erickson specified that *Severance* does not take place in a far-off future where the eponymous severance process is well established. Instead, it unfolds in an alternate version of the present — a “vaguely now-ish” timeline that feels simultaneously modern and timeless.
This ambiguity is a intentional strategy, aligning with the show’s overarching themes. By steering clear of a specific year or time period, *Severance* underscores the universality of its commentary on corporate life, work-life integration, and identity segmentation. The absence of a defined timeline allows viewers to project their own experiences and concerns onto the narrative, making it intriguingly pertinent regardless of the viewing time.
—
### **The Retro-Futuristic Design: An Out-of-Time World**
A standout feature of *Severance* is its retro-futuristic design, which keeps viewers disoriented and on edge. Within Lumon Industries, the technology feels antiquated: bulky computers, vintage telephones, and CRT screens dominate the workspace. In contrast, the external world appears more modern, though still somewhat unclear in its aesthetics.
This design choice serves various functions:
1. **Disorientation and Isolation:** The old-fashioned technology inside Lumon fosters a sense of isolation, mirroring the disconnected state of the severed employees from the outside world. The retro appearance bolsters the idea that Lumon exists in its own sphere, removed from the passage of time and contemporary advancements.
2. **Visual Storytelling:** Modern gadgets are typically sleek and minimalist, with much of today’s work executed through digital platforms. Conversely, the physical, analog nature of Lumon’s equipment makes the setting more visually captivating and thematically profound. It follows the storytelling guideline of “show, don’t tell,” using the backdrop to illustrate the company’s stifling and anachronistic characteristics.
3. **Timelessness:** The retro-futuristic imagery blurs the distinctions between past, present, and future, reinforcing the show’s “vaguely now-ish” timeline. This timeless aspect ensures that *Severance* maintains its significance and resonance, irrespective of when it is experienced.
—
### **Thematic Meanings: Corporate Culture and Self-Identity**
The vagueness of *Severance*’s timeline and aesthetic is not merely a matter of style; it’s closely linked to the show’s themes. The severance procedure, which separates employees’ professional and personal identities, acts as a metaphor for the compartmentalization often expected in corporate workplaces. By distancing its characters from their own realities, Lumon highlights the dehumanizing consequences of such environments.
The retro-futuristic design further intensifies this critique. The outdated technology within Lumon indicates a company anchored in the past, clinging to rigid structures and obsolete practices. At the same time, the absence of a clear timeline emphasizes the universality of these challenges, implying that the issues faced by Lumon’s workforce are not restricted to any particular period.
—
### **Fan Theories and Insights**
The timeline vagueness has sparked a plethora of fan theories and speculations. Some viewers propose that the retro technology is a calculated move by Lumon to exert control and surveil its employees more efficiently, as older systems are harder to manipulate or breach. Others speculate that the show’s universe exists in a parallel dimension or alternate reality, where technological and cultural evolution has unfolded differently.
Reddit forums devoted to the show brim with discussions about the timeline, with fans scrutinizing every detail for insights. From Lumon’s office design to the characters’ attire and dialogue, viewers are perpetually hunting for clues about the timing — or location — of the story.
—
### **The Effectiveness of Ambiguity**
The choice to maintain *Severance*’
