Why The Show Dylan’s Kids Were Watching In Severance Is Important

In Severance, every small detail has the potential to carry hidden meanings, adding layers to its intricate world. One such detail appears in the Severance episode, “Who Is Alive?” the audience gets a glimpse of Dylan’s life outside Lumon Industries. His kids are seen watching an episode of Danger Mouse, a classic British animated series. The choice of this particular episode, “The Invasion of Colonel K,” raises intriguing questions about its thematic parallels with Severance and whether it serves as a clue to the larger mysteries of the show.

The inclusion of Danger Mouse in Severance could be more than just a nostalgic throwback. The episode’s premise—where a villain invades the brain of a high-ranking intelligence officer and attempts to control him—bears a striking resemblance to the fundamental concept of severance and Lumon’s influence over its employees. Whether this was an intentional nod to a thematic inspiration or a subtle hint about what’s to come, it adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already mind-bending narrative.

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Danger Mouse Had Its Own Version of Severance

Though Danger Mouse is primarily a lighthearted animated series, “The Invasion of Colonel K” features a storyline with surprising similarities to Severance. In the episode, Baron Silas Greenback literally infiltrates Colonel K’s brain to take control of his thoughts and actions. He attempts to manipulate the Colonel’s memories and use his knowledge to rule the world. This parallels Lumon’s severance procedure, which effectively partitions employees’ consciousnesses, creating separate identities that can be controlled within the workplace.

The idea of someone’s mind being hijacked, their agency removed, and their body being used for another’s purposes reflects the struggles faced by severed employees like Mark S, Helly R, Dylan G. and Irving B. Just as Greenback seeks to puppeteer Colonel K from within, Lumon’s management exerts absolute control over the severed employees’ “innies.” The difference, of course, is that Greenback’s invasion is a literal takeover, while Lumon’s process is achieved through advanced neurological manipulation rather than microscopic infiltration. But thematically, both explore the eerie concept of external forces exerting control over an individual’s mind, stripping them of autonomy.

Additionally, in Danger Mouse, Colonel K’s true consciousness remains intact despite Greenback’s intrusion—another striking parallel to Severance, where the “outtie” version of a person continues to exist outside the workplace, even as their “innie” remains trapped within Lumon’s walls. This concept of duality, manipulation, and internal struggle echoes throughout both stories, making Danger Mouse an unexpectedly fitting inclusion in Severance’s rich tapestry of hidden meanings.

Interestingly, Danger Mouse has always played with themes of espionage, secrecy, and brainwashing—ideas that align well with Severance’s world of corporate control and buried secrets. In the 1980s, when Danger Mouse first aired, stories of mind control and espionage were prominent in pop culture, often reflecting Cold War anxieties. While the show exaggerated these ideas in comedic and fantastical ways, the underlying fears of manipulation, surveillance, and loss of personal autonomy are themes that still resonate today—especially in Severance, where Lumon’s operations take corporate control to dystopian extremes.

Was It A Hint Or Simply A Nod?

The presence of Danger Mouse in Severance could be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, it might simply be a fun reference—a nostalgic Easter egg thrown in by the creators as a nod to a beloved animated series. Danger Mouse is a cult classic, and its quirky espionage themes align well with Severance’s mysterious and corporate-dystopian world.

However, the choice of episode seems too on-the-nose to be purely coincidental. Severance is a show that thrives on subtle symbolism and hidden messages, and the inclusion of an episode about mind control and infiltration seems like a deliberate thematic parallel. It appears at a crucial point in the story when Mark S is undergoing integration, a process where an innie begins to recall their outie’s memories—akin to Colonel K’s consciousness still lingering despite Greenback’s interference.

Of course, it’s also possible that Danger Mouse served as an inspiration for Severance’s showrunner, consciously or subconsciously. Severance plays with many familiar science fiction concepts—memory manipulation, dual identities, corporate dystopia—but it puts them together in a fresh and compelling way. If the show’s creators grew up watching Danger Mouse, it’s not far-fetched to think that some of its themes might have influenced the world of Lumon Industries.

Whether this reference serves as a clue to deeper plot developments or is simply an artistic touch remains up for debate. But one thing is clear: Severance is a show that rewards close attention, and even a simple children’s cartoon playing in the background could hold layers of meaning. Given how meticulously crafted the show is, it wouldn’t be surprising if Danger Mouse was included for more than just nostalgia. It’s yet another example of how Severance challenges viewers to look deeper, question reality, and consider the ways in which control—whether corporate, psychological, or literal—can shape the human experience.

Severance

Release Date

February 18, 2022

Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

Directors

Ben Stiller

Writers

Dan Erickson

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  Tramell Tillman

  Seth Milchick

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