By Joanna Orland
Many iconic moments from the first season of Severance involve Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman). From his strange way of speaking, to his hypnotic dance moves, he is pure entertainment. Season 2 sees the character reach new heights, as Tramell Tillman is the season’s breakout star.
With the story expanding and characters dispersing in the second season, Seth Milchick benefits by getting more screen time. A different side to the character is revealed as his life is fleshed out. And of course, there is also more dancing.
With the MDR Team in Shambles, Seth Milchick Gets More Screen Time
In Season 2, more time is spent with Seth Milchick on his own, allowing the audience to see a different side to him and his inner workings. There is a big shift in the story as the MDR team is divided, and Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette) is no longer the floor manager. This gives space for the rise of Mr. Milchick, as he takes over managing the severed floor.
As the story opens up, it gives a once secondary character like Milchick more time and space to develop. Severance Season 2 leaves the severed floor to expand the narrative further afield, while Irv (John Turturro), Burt (Christopher Walken), and Ms. Cobel hardly feature at all. This allows for Milchick to step up and fill the void they leave behind.
Seth Milchick Has His Own Bosses to Report to
With less time spent in the MDR department, we gain insight into Milchick’s job role, and his interactions with his own superiors at Lumon. This is a completely new side to the character, and offers an interesting parallel as to how he treats his team of employees who work under him. His motivations as manager become a bit more clear through these interactions with his employers.
In spite of underlying resentment, Milchick is loyal to Lumon, trying harder to prove himself each time he’s knocked down a peg. Meanwhile, he takes out his frustrations on the innies who work beneath him. As he’s berated by Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) in his own performance review, criticized for using verbose language, or not having control of his team, he internalizes resentment.
Instead of rebelling like the innies are doing to him, he represses his emotions, allowing the resentment to bubble up. It comes out in hilarious, cutting ways when provoked, as he bickers with a robot Kier Eagan, or verbally takes down Mr. Drummond. Each time he gets berated by the Lumon board or bosses, he immediately takes out his frustrations on his own team.
Tramell Tillman Shows Off His Dance Moves
As well as the new layers to Milchick that are explored in Season 2, we also get more of what we loved about him from Season 1. There is more dancing — this time with a marching band! There are more “verbose” lines, funny and simmering traits, and that strange intrigue that Tillman emits through his performance. He masters each bizarre line delivery, such as the entire ORTBO video introduction, alongside perfecting the physical comedy.
From the particular dance moves, to running out the door away from Dylan (Zach Cherry) after he returns to work, Tillman makes bold choices as an actor. Every single one that he makes with his vocal and physical delivery builds not only his character, but the strange world of Lumon and the Kier Eagan cult. He teases something darker and more sinister underneath that humourous delivery, always leaving us wanting more.
As Season 2 of Severance gives Tramell Tillman more screen time, he’s also given much more to work with. He effortlessly, hilariously, and thoughtfully gives depth to the mysterious Seth Milchick. It’s a performance for the ages, and adds new layers to a character we just can’t get enough of.
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Severance is available on AppleTV+