The psychological sci-fi drama Severance was the subject of intense discussion on streaming platforms after its first season introduced viewers to the esoteric Lumon Industries and the disturbing “severance” procedure. Among the show’s early figures to bring resolution to its central mystery was Petey Kilmer, portrayed by Yul Vazquez.
But when season 2 premiered, fans instantly realized that Petey was nowhere to be seen. Vazquez has since spoken out about his absence, revealing that Petey’s role was always intended to be brief. Though the character was pivotal in establishing the central narrative arc for Mark Scout, his storyline was going to have a very defined function within the larger mystery concerning Lumon.
However, the actor never fully ruled out the possibility of a future reappearance.
Here is what Severance star Yul Vazquez said about his absence in season 2
Talking to ScreenRant at SXSW while promoting another project, Vazquez admitted he always knew his character’s trajectory in the series would be very limited.
“But yeah, I had a very specific function on that show, and I knew what I had to do when I went in, and when I had to set off, and then it’s just things in motion, but yeah.”
His remark implies that Petey’s story was a setup for the bigger story. In the process of unveiling the perils of reintegration and revealing a few of Lumon’s secrets, Petey effectively sets Mark on a path toward finding out the truth.
“You never know with Severance.”
With this comment, Vazquez also teased that the door isn’t completely shut. Given the show’s non-traditional narrative style and cryptic sci-fi plotlines, fans have already dreamed up theories on how that character may make a return.
The series, created by Dan Erickson and executive produced by Ben Stiller, regularly incorporates nonlinear storytelling, memory fragments, and flashbacks.
Petey’s character arc in Severance explored
Petey’s role was always meant to set the story in motion. In Severance Season 1, Petey is established as a former Lumon worker who goes undercover via a perilous reintegration process to consolidate his “innie” memories with his “outie” memories.
After fleeing the organization, he tracks down Mark and attempts to alert him to Lumon’s evil deeds. Petey’s fragmented memories and paranoia help to sow the first seeds of distrust in Mark’s mind about the company and its contentious severance technology.
But Petey suffers extreme physical strain in the process of reassimilation. By the end of his arc in season 1, the character dies as a result of complications from the procedure, making his absence in season two narratively understandable.
By the end of season 2, the narrative focused on a broader conspiracy at Lumon and the emotional journeys of its protagonist characters. Mark’s arc, especially, had a significant moment when he learned that his presumed-dead wife, Gemma, was alive and involved in Lumon’s experiments. At the same time, Mark’s innie began developing a stronger connection with Helly.
These shifting dynamics pushed the show away from Petey’s earlier revelations to focus more on the fallout of Lumon experiments on the core characters. Having fulfilled his role as a harbinger of the threats, the series simply didn’t need him continually in the narrative.
Is there any possibility that Petey could return to Severance in the future?
The show has, on occasion, utilized flashbacks to explore Lumon’s prior procedures, such as employees toiling on the severed floor. Should the narrative cover earlier trials or covert corporate secrets, Petey’s previous dealings with Mark are a natural point of return.
Another popular fan theory is that Lumon can potentially control, or bring consciousness back to, through severance technology. While the series hasn’t suggested there are such powers, it’s opaque science, so anything’s possible.
For now, Vazquez’s statements imply that Petey’s role was always to spark the mysteries that drive the series. The character’s actions continue to impact the story even after him not appear in season 2, as Mark and others draw closer to learning the truth behind Lumon Industries.
Edited by Priscillah Mueni