David Bridges
Severance enthusiasts, rejoice! If you’ve been eager to dive into the insightful musings of Dr. Ricken Hale, portrayed by Michael Chernus, your opportunity has arrived. On January 31, Apple Books unveiled the first eight chapters of The You You Are: A Spiritual Biography of You, Ricken’s self-help guide that ignited the Innies of Lumon Industries in Severance Season 1. These chapters are readily available in both ebook and audiobook formats, with Chernus himself providing the narration, delivering an authentic experience for fans.
The You You Are marks the second companion book related to Severance, following 2022’s The Lexington Letter. While The Lexington Letter is an epistolary thriller that unravels the enigmatic secrets of Lumon, The You You Are combines elements of self-improvement with cringe-worthy humor. This blend of genres is quintessentially Ricken, who is notorious for hosting a dinnerless dinner party that left guests in stitches.
4 intriguing insights from the ‘Severance’ companion book
Apple Books has provided an excerpt that includes several unforgettable lines from The You You Are, echoing memorable quotes from Season 1. Notable phrases such as “they cannot crucify you if your hand is in a fist” and “a society with festering workers cannot flourish, just as a man with rotting toes cannot skip” resonate deeply. Additionally, the quirky “Destiny, An Acrostic Poem Experience” is also featured, giving fans a taste of Ricken’s unique perspective.
Furthermore, the initial eight chapters of The You You Are provide a deeper understanding of Ricken, whose often exasperating personality is explored in greater detail. These chapters also offer intriguing insights into the broader universe of Severance. From Ricken’s unconventional backstory to the meddling of Lumon in his creative endeavors, we uncover four captivating revelations drawn from The You You Are.
Discover Why Lumon Aims to Suppress The You You Are
Zach Cherry, Adam Scott, and John Turturro in ‘Severance.’
Credit: AppleTV+
In Season 2, episode 3 of Severance, Ricken confides to his wife Devon (Jen Tullock) that he is collaborating with Lumon to create a version of The You You Are tailored specifically for the Innies. However, this alternate version is set to completely distort the fundamental themes of the original book. For Ricken, this presents an opportunity that he finds impossible to resist.
The version released by Apple further suggests that Lumon has significantly hindered the publication process of Ricken’s work. In an introductory note, Ricken mentions, “As you know, the book was meant to release nationwide this week, and I was deeply eager to share its splendors with you. Unfortunately, events beyond my control have led to a brief delay as I liaise with several corporate parties as to precisely where and in what form the book should be released.” This statement paints a picture of corporate interference and highlights the ongoing struggle for creative freedom.
I visited the ‘Severance’ pop-up in Grand Central. It was an unforgettable experience.
This scenario suggests that Lumon is engaging in crisis management in response to the dramatic events that unfolded during the Season 1 finale.
Ricken elaborates that he successfully negotiated for the release of the first eight chapters, although Season 1 indicates there are at least 29 chapters in total. Thus, readers miss out on the context surrounding memorable lines from Season 1 like “bullies are just bull and lies” or “it was not me who was wrong, but literature itself.” Fans are now left hoping that the remaining chapters will debut by the end of Season 2—or perhaps in a future season.
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Unravel the Wild and Bizarre Backstory of Ricken Hale
Patricia Arquette, Michael Chernus, and Jen Tullock in ‘Severance.’
Credit: AppleTV+
The You You Are is essential reading for anyone who has ever pondered the question, “why is Ricken so insufferable?” (Trust me, you’re not alone in this inquiry.) The answer to this perplexing question can be traced back to the circumstances surrounding his birth, which are so outrageous that I feel compelled to present them verbatim:
Readers of my previous books know that both my conception and birth took place in a small theatre behind a defunct perfumery in Western Oregon, as part of a nine-month performance art piece originated by my parents titled “Smells Like Afterbirth, Fker.” It was noteworthy in that I was the first child sired exclusively for theatrical purposes, and critics at the time hailed it as “a baroque deconstruction of the increasingly perverse human urge to procreate.”
The cast of ‘Severance’ discusses navigating the vast hallways of Lumon
Ricken recounts that his parents, who were part of a performance group known as HumpDumpster, once held a Boston bar hostage at gunpoint as part of their next performance piece. This incident not only led to a prison sentence for them but also left Ricken with a childhood filled with solitude, which is both tragic and darkly humorous. It’s no wonder that Ricken craves connection with others, often seeking out pretentious artistic circles.
The You You Are is replete with further tales from Ricken’s life, including far too much information about his sexual escapades, along with glimpses into the lives of Mark (Adam Scott) and Gemma (Dichen Lachman) prior to Gemma’s tragic death and subsequent entrapment within Lumon.
Mark and Gemma’s Unforgettable Appearances in The You You Are
Michael Chernus and Adam Scott in ‘Severance.’
Credit: AppleTV+
Throughout The You You Are, Ricken reflects on his relationships with Mark and Gemma, referring to them by the pseudonyms Flip and Nan, respectively, as they requested anonymity in his writing. In one memorable story, Ricken describes a hiking trip involving himself, Devon, Mark, and Gemma—a tale he brings up in the Season 1 finale when he playfully asks Innie Mark, “do you remember the funny bees?”
The “funny bees” incident, as we discover in The You You Are, stemmed from a wild beehive Ricken found amusing, viewing it as a metaphor for human society. However, the most compelling aspect of this hiking anecdote is the insight into his bond with Gemma. Ricken reveals that they shared a deeper connection than he currently enjoys with Mark. He recounts how the two read Doctor Zhivago during a lunch break on the hike, while Devon and Mark dismissed his observations with mockery.
These interactions could be interpreted as Ricken projecting kindness onto Gemma, which is further illustrated by a later story where she texts him about enjoying a “self-produced Tuvan throat singing album” he gifted her. After her death, a mourning Mark confides in Ricken about how he and Gemma had laughed at the album. This leaves Ricken pondering whether the laughter was lighthearted or filled with malice. Regardless, it adds a layer of melancholy to his reflections on Gemma, creating a poignant moment in a book predominantly filled with Ricken’s eccentricities.
Mark’s significant presence in The You You Are adds depth to his Innie’s engagement with the text. While he may not have been aware that “Flip” refers to his Outie, it’s surreal to consider him discovering memories that only a part of him knows. Furthermore, this dynamic amplifies Ricken’s sorrow regarding Outie Mark’s lack of exposure to the book. The You You Are transcends mere self-indulgence for Ricken; it serves as an exploration of his grief for Gemma and perhaps his unconventional attempt to reach out to Mark.
Unearth the Hidden Lexington Letter Easter Egg in The You You Are
Jen Tullock and Michael Chernus in ‘Severance.’
Credit: AppleTV+
In a fleeting yet significant moment, The You You Are makes a brief reference to “the Dorner truck explosion,” which prompted Devon and Ricken to finally relocate from the city. This explosion is pivotal in The Lexington Letter, where Dorner refers to the Lumon competitor Dorner Therapeutics.
‘Severance’ Season 2: What does Cold Harbor signify?
The Lexington Letter follows Peggy Kincaid, a former severed Lumon employee who devises a method to bypass Lumon’s code detectors and communicate with her Innie. Through their written exchanges, Peggy discovers that she completed a file just two minutes before a Dorner truck detonated in New York City. This raises the question: was it mere coincidence, or did the Lumon file trigger the explosion?
The You You Are does not expand on this narrative, but its mention underscores the broader implications of the Dorner truck explosion in the Severance universe. It seems only a matter of time before this incident is woven into the show’s storyline itself.
The You You Are is available for free download on Apple Books. Meanwhile, Severance Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes released every Friday.
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Daniel Mercer
Ethan Carter
