The perfect solution to that elusive work-life balance.

Of course, the problem with ‘perfect’ solutions is that they rarely are – as I imagine Severance is about to show us.

Show, as opposed to tell, is what this first episode does from the outset. We experience the ‘severance procedure’ from the point of view of a woman who has just undergone it. As a consequence, we the audience are immediately disorientated – a feeling underlined by unusual camera angles, as if we’re watching from the ceiling. Does Mark even know what he’s doing? I wonder if he ever gets imposter syndrome… possibly he would if he could remember who he was outside of work while he’s buried in Lumon Industries’ basement.

The whole aesthetic, one of delightful 70s and 80s office chic with a cold, clinical and labyrinthine system of corridors thrown in for good measure, has clearly been meticulously thought out. It’s evocative and sinister, with the isolated location of the whole office complex adding to the sense of foreboding. It’s chilling and I don’t know exactly why yet, but I love it. The ‘dinner’ party scene is packed full of clever social faux-etiquette from an unspecified time in the future that give us an interesting window on how things could be… plus it’s funny, both in the sense of ‘weird’ and ‘haha’.

We learn just enough to leave us with a long list of questions that I’m sure will be explored as we dive deeper into Lumon’s clearly nefarious dealings. Don’t underestimate the dark-comedic timing skills of Patricia Arquette and Adam Scott. How they manage to make us laugh at the same moment as, respectively, making us afraid and sad I will never know.

Verdict: A creepy and atmospheric opener. 8/10

Claire Smith