”The Good News About Hell,” S1/E1
”To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas
We know now that Milchick leaves the Severed floor because he is also in the video, audibly at least, that was recorded by Helly R. two hours before she entered the SVRD workspace. I don’t know if this information is important, but I don’t recall him leaving the floor in any scene.
She’s reading her explanation to herself off of note cards. But it’s important to know that she is NOT reading this to herself, her outie is reading this to her, and she is an entirely different person, even if she is dressed the same. Outie Helly (who we will later know is named Helena) reads the cards with authority and passion, she’s trying her best to convince Helly R. of the truth and value of her statements.
This is also the first time that viewers are explained exactly what is going on with these people. Outie Helly/Helena explains that she is about to undergo a medical procedure, to which she gives consent, that will permanently separate workplace memories from those obtained in her personal life, and vice versa. She notes that the procedure is irreversible and that she makes the statement freely.
Helly gets back to the workstation section turns to Mark and says “so I’ll never leave here …” Mark is back to his corporate gaslighting mindset, responding that she will leave at 5, but actually 5:15 because they stagger exits. She asks if she has a family. Mark says that she’ll never know. She then says “I have no choice.” Mark responds that “Every time to you find yourself here, it’s because you chose to come back.”
Mark’s explanation is clearly no more comforting to Helly than the video was. She turns to sit down at her desk, notes Dylan, then looks through a small slot and sees Irving who says hello. She looks distraught. But we’re done with Helly for now.
We now turn to Mark, who is exiting for the day. As he switches to Outie Mark persona, his face noticeably droops. He is back in the sadder half of his reality. He says good night to the desk clerk, who marks off his exit. Then he opens the drawer with all of his outie accessories, including the Soviet made watch. When he takes off his blue workplace badge, he notices something different about it and stares at it for a couple seconds.
Mark then steps out into the building. We first see shadows against a wall that resemble prison bars. We then get an extremely dramatic shot of Mark walking with the longest shadow I’ve ever seen in front of him. It has to stretch 40 feet. He gets to his car and you can hear Canadian geese in the background. This reminds me of a short work stint I had at IBM where the geese at certain parts of the year would take over the White Plains campus and aggressive protect every inch of territory.
The car’s windshield is slightly frosted, but there’s a note under the driver’s side wiper. Mark removes it. There’s a short explanatory note on Lumen stationary:
“Whilst carrying boxes to a room today, you slipped on an overhead projector slide and sustained a minor blow to the temple. Enclosed, please find a VIP gift card for Pip’s Bar and Grille. Congratulations on the gift card.”
There are so many odd things about this explanation, beginning with the word ‘whilst.’ Also, an ‘overhead projector slide’? Does anyone who has occupied an office since 1990 know what one of those is? He also wasn’t hit on the temple, but on the forehead, something Mark physically notes by reaching first for the temple. And finally, it’s completely bizarre for the note to end not with an apology, but with ‘congratulations.’
Mark then reached down to take off his badge, but while doing so, Helena crosses his path, leading him to slam on his brakes. Helena, by the way, is carrying flowers, so someone is showing special care and attention to her, and she receives it before getting to her car.
Mark reaches up a hand and says “sorry” upon hitting the brakes. Helena responds: “Maybe keep your eyes on the icy road.” It’s the only response to any explanation given in this segment.