Warning: Spoilers ahead for Severance season 2, episode 9!Miss Huang is sent away from her job in Kier, but the next chapter of her Lumon journey inSeverancelooks grim based on what we’ve recently found out about the company’s history. Sarah Bock’sSeveranceseason 2 characterhas been somewhat of an enigma since her introduction as the Severed Floor’s new deputy manager. As time has gone on, the show has uncovered tidbits of info surrounding the character, with the biggest detail explaining thatMiss Huang is working at Lumon as part of the Wintertide Fellowship, confirming the company does employ child interns.
The Wintertide program has been mentioned inSeverancebefore, but the previous two season 2 episodes have shed more light on what the fellowship entails.Severanceseason 2, episode 9, features a significant moment with Mr. Milchick declaring that Miss Huang’s Wintertide Fellowship has come to an end. He then presents her with a bust of Jame Eagan’s head that includes a plaque honoring her completion of the program. Mr. Milchick also reveals her full name, Eustice Huang, before he makes her use the statue to smash her ring toss game as her “material sacrifice” and has her sent away.
Miss Huang Was Sent To Svalbard Because Her Wintertide Fellowship Ended
Milchick Ends The Fellowship Early
Along with the announcement that Miss Huang has completed her Wintertide Fellowship, Mr. Milchick shares that she will be leaving Kier that night.Now that the fellowship is over, Miss Huang is being sent to the Gunnel Eagan Empathy Center in Svalbard, a Norwegian chain of islands between Norway and the North Pole. While it’s not entirely clear what her new role will be in Svalbard, Milchick claims she “will work to steward global reforms” for Lumon.
It’s important to note that Miss Huang seems surprised by the update, especially regarding the timeline.Severance’s Sarah Bock shared insight into Miss Huang’s future, explaining what the character is feeling after Milchick seemingly cuts her fellowship short:
“She is being sent away from her home and her family with pretty much zero warning. I think that breaks down the walls she’s put up, and in that moment, she is just a scared and helpless kid who doesn’t know what is coming.”
According to Miss Huang, she is led to believe that her fellowship was meant to last through the quarter before Milchick interjects that she will be catching a shuttle at Lumon that night. Even worse, he tells her that her bed will be moved from her parents' house to Svalbard, indicating that she isn’t being given the chance to say goodbye to her family before heading to Svalbard. ThoughMiss Huang and Milchick’s dynamic is often confusing inSeverance, this is the first time she looks like a terrified kid due to the uncertainty that awaits her.
Ms. Cobel’s Journey With Lumon Didn’t End Well
Image via Apple TV+
While Miss Huang has had her own intimidating qualities despite being a child when working as the deputy manager, her promotion is not a good sign for the character. InSeveranceseason 2’s “Sweet Vitriol” episode, we found out thatLumon has a history of child labor. Moreover,Harmony Cobel also went through the Wintertide Fellowship before rising up the ranks within Lumonand eventually becoming the manager of the Severed Floor. Based on Cobel’s fate, it seems like Eustice Huang is being groomed at Lumon, just like Harmony was, leading to the Eagans gaining control over her inventions.
Dylan’s Big Lumon Decision In Severance Season 2 Episode 9 Explained
Dylan makes a massive decision about his Lumon future in Severance season 2, episode 9, one that has big ramifications on several storylines.
In Cobel’s case, she worked at Lumon’s factory in Salt’s Neck and ended up going on to design some of the company’s biggest inventions seen inSeverance. She may have acquired leadership opportunities at Lumon, but Jame Eagan made sure to take credit for her work. That same company and family are now sending the young Miss Huang to a secluded arctic island in the name of “empathy.” By the look of Miss Huang’s reaction, she doesn’t seem too ready to take the next step of her Lumon journey. Then again, she’s a child being sent away to Svalbard by herself.
