In the second season of the series, Britt Lower takes on a dual role as Helena Eagan and her Innie, Helly R., which reveals a profound inner conflict. The finale, directed by Ben Stiller, culminates in pivotal moments for both characters, escalating tensions between the Innies and Outies. The show depicts the radicalization of Helena through her experiences as Helly, particularly as Helly challenges Lumon's oppressive practices. Lower emphasizes the provocative nature of this duality, suggesting audiences are drawn to the characters' struggles as they navigate their identities and fight for autonomy.
Lower says the show has been planting seeds for this since the first season - and the narrative twist is enhanced by what she believes to be Helena's own quiet radicalization while undercover as Helly at the start of the second season. "She's waging a war inside of herself within the same body," the actor tells me during a recent makeshift art session on a bench at the Pratt Institute Sculpture Park, adding touches of paint and marker to our shared canvas. "It's quite provocative and relatable."
In the combustible finale, directed by Ben Stiller and written by showrunner Dan Erickson, both Mark S. (Adam Scott) and Helly make drastic choices that will inevitably set off further hostilities between the Innies and the Outies: After succeeding in an escape attempt to free his Outie's captive wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), Mark S. remains and runs hand-in-hand through the severed floor with his redheaded love.
Helly unionizes another department against Lumon's severed-worker practice, reminding everyone how they're all treated like 'fucking machines' that can be turned on and off at the will of the company. ('They give us half a life,' she spits, 'and think we won't fight for it.')
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