Warning! SPOILERS ahead for Severance season 2, episode 9!The twist reveal about Helly R.’s Outie identity had been cleverly concealed by her Innie using a different surname inSeverance, and there are a few reasons behind why Helena Eagan chose an alternate name on the severed floor.Keeping the identities between Innies and Outies distinct has always been a priority at Lumon, with the only “outside” information the Innies have about one another being their first name and last initial. However, during the overtime contingency inSeverance’s season 1 finale, the Innies discovered their Outies’ real identities, including that Helly R. was none other than Helena Eagan.
Since Helena used the Glasgow Block to return to the severed floor in Helly’s place after the season 1 finale, the truth about her identity as anEagan family memberwasn’t widely revealed until Irving figured it out inSeveranceseason 2, episode 4. However, now that Helly is back,she tries to confront Milchick about continuing to ignore her name discrepancy, noting that he should call her “Helly E.”instead of “R” since the secret is out. Still, Milchick refuses to call her anything other than “Helly R.,” emphasizing the strange power dynamics that her severance creates.
“Helly R.” Separates Her Innie’s Role & Power From That Of Helena Eagan
Helly R. Is An Innie Without Power; Helena Eagan Is The Future Leader Of Lumon Industries
Even though Helly and the others know the truth abouther Outie being Helena Eagan, the deeper reason for her Innie being given a different name still stands. By not using “Helena E.” on the severed floor, the company is able todistinguish and separate the real power and roles of Helena Eagan as the daughter of Lumon’s CEO from that of an Innie on the severed floor. The less formal “Helly R.” ultimately accomplishes a more tangible divide between the Innie and Outie’s identities and their functions at the company.
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Severance season 2 finally confirms the Helly/Helena theory with a massive twist in episode 4, but it was building up to the reveal from the beginning
Like Milchick says, Helena Eagan is his boss and the future leader of this company, whereas Helly R. is his subordinate. The way that Milchick is able to address and treat Helly R. is extremely different from how he’s able to interact with Helena Eagan. While Helena can reprimand him and is a figure he must answer to, Milchick is Helly R.’s superior, who he actually has authority over. By removing the representation of “Eagan” from Helly’s name with the “E” initial,the power associated with her Outie identity is effectively removed from the severed floor.
Where Does Riggs Come From In Helly R’s Innie Name?
Is It Helena’s Mother’s Original Surname?
Still, with Helly now knowing that her Outie’s identity isn’t actually “Helly Riggs,” the question remains of where her Innie’s surname came from. It’s possible that Riggs is a random name fabricated for her Innie’s distinctive identity, or it could have a deeper association with someone in Helena’s life. Since virtually nothing has been revealed about Helena’s mother inSeverance, sometheories have speculated that “Riggs” is or was her mother’s maiden name, which would further allow Helena’s Innie to adopt an identity less associated with her father Jame and relations toLumon founder Kier Eagan.
