Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Severance Season 2.

While the character of Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale might initially come off as a classic ?nice guy,? he plays a significantly more crucial role in Apple TV+’s Severance than many viewers realize. His ostentatious literary style, showcased in his somewhat pretentious book The You You Are, serves as a misguided beacon for those needing inspiration, including our favorite innies. Played by the talented Michael Chernus, Ricken?s quirky aloofness and unwavering politeness have endeared him to audiences, providing much-needed comic relief amidst the show?s darker themes. However, with the publication of his latest book, he has inadvertently drawn the interest of the malevolent organization behind severance, raising the stakes for his character.

Recognizing the Significance of Ricken?s Character in ?Severance?

Ricken?s inability to recognize his limitations and his simplistic contributions to conversations involving Devon (Jen Tullock) and Mark?s (Adam Scott) more intellectual discussions provide comic relief while also making him an easy target for dismissal. Nevertheless, his connection to severance intricately links him into the storyline, serving as a more substantial support structure than most viewers might appreciate. Unbeknownst to him, his words were pivotal in igniting the Macrodat Uprising, a fact that has not escaped the notice of Lumon, the enigmatic corporation that orchestrates the severance process.

Humor emerged when Ricken equated the loss of Mark?s advance copy of his book to the pain of Devon?s childbirth contractions. We empathized with his candid admission to Mark about his feelings of impostor syndrome regarding his speech. However, the narrative took a serious turn when Natalie (Sydney Cole Alexander) boldly visited his home in Severance Season 2 Episode 3. By flattering his ego, she suggested that he should write a new edition of his book specifically tailored for the severed innies.

Viewers could easily predict, just as Devon and Natalie likely did, that this new edition of Ricken?s book would undergo significant alterations to align with Lumon?s themes. In Severance Season 2 Episode 5, we witness Ricken editing new pages with Devon, who expresses strong opposition to the concept. She points out that the new material contradicts the ideas presented in his original book, voicing her concerns about the implications of the project. Ricken argues that ?Nat?s? publishing opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime chance that could dramatically improve their family?s financial situation. Caught in a precarious position, Ricken finds himself torn between advocating for a significant career advancement and distancing himself from any association with Lumon.

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“Just remember, hang in there.”

The Allure of Ricken?s Book in ?Severance?

The You You Are, available for purchase in the real world, is filled with Ricken?s self-indulgent views and pretentious prose. The book?s elaborate language can often make readers feel inferior, suggesting they require the wisdom Ricken claims to impart. The sophisticated vocabulary used throughout the text can misguide less-educated readers into feeling a genuine sense of enlightenment.

Ricken?s writing is peppered with a sense of intellectual superiority, often utilizing incorrect idioms (such as ?bury your head in the sand like a duck?) akin to the missteps of Michael Scott, or employing misleading phrases that may mislead those unfamiliar with their true meanings. Through an incessant barrage of meandering thoughts and lengthy sentences, Ricken encourages readers to contemplate themes of individuality, identity, autonomy, self-governance, and the complexity of the singular self.

Why Ricken Is the Ideal New Recruit for Lumon in ?Severance?

Ironically, the pages of The You You Are resonate with a sense of connection and familiarity, as Ricken often writes from a perspective that directly addresses the reader, inundating them with absurd ?I? statements. To help guide readers toward self-discovery, Ricken categorizes individuals into five distinct personality types ? The Coward, The Warrior, The Dove, The Scribe, and The Vestal ? which are humorously ranked based on the reader?s willingness to persevere through the book. (Readers should avoid falling into Ricken?s Coward category, as it comes with the harsh label of ?milk-livered swoon? whose servant would be ?better off a beggar.?) This charged language mirrors that of Lumon and its founder, Kier.

Much like cult dynamics, Lumon?s officials, including Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) and Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette), prioritize language that belittles and maintains a sense of inferiority among employees. According to Ricken?s classifications, anyone who thinks themselves above this self-help book is deemed hopeless and should feel ashamed for their lack of engagement; or in Lumon?s case, for not being a cooperative team member. Because the rhetoric of Ricken and Lumon aligns, the innies can grasp the independence-focused themes presented in their forbidden copy of The You You Are. This alignment, however, also positions Ricken as a valuable asset to Lumon, making it only a matter of time before his fragile ego becomes a target for manipulation.

Like the company he unwittingly supports, Ricken portrays himself as a caring individual, believing that his intentions are always for the greater good. With both Natalie and the Board influencing him, and with a now-reintegrated Mark aware of his vulnerabilities, Ricken has evolved into a significantly more impactful character in Severance. As tensions escalate and alliances shift between Lumon and the innies, he is about to find himself caught in a turbulent ethical and political struggle.

New episodes of Severance Season 2 are available for streaming every Friday on Apple TV+ in the U.S.