Why Seth Milchick from “Severance” Is Not What He Seems

The Enigma of Seth Milchick: Lumon’s Reluctant Guardian

The Illusion of Power and Loyalty

In the shadowy halls of Lumon, Seth Milchick stands as a pillar of loyalty. Entrusted with the severed floor and the enigmatic Macrodata Refinement, Milchick is a man deeply entrenched in his company’s inner workings. He oversees Cold Harbor, a project shrouded in mystery, yet holds the knowledge of Lumon’s grand aspirations. Mark Scout’s efforts to complete his wife’s file are touted as monumental. However, despite the Board’s unwavering confidence, Milchick remains just another cog in Lumon’s vast machine.

From the onset of Severance’s debut season, Milchick embodied devotion to Lumon. He performed his numerous duties with zealous precision, championing Kier Eagan’s teachings. The Board and CEO Jame Eagan viewed him as the perfect company man. During the Macrodat Uprising, a critical juncture, he replaced Harmony Cobel without hesitation. Among Lumon’s ranks, he’s privy to the true purpose behind the mysterious work of Macrodata Refinement.

A Disturbing Recognition and Reflection

Milchick’s elevation within the corporate echelons also unveils new vulnerabilities. The same demeaning gift sent to Natalie, another trusted Black employee, followed his promotion. Lumon presented re-canonicalized paintings of its revered Kier Cycle. These artworks depict a Black man resembling Milchick as the company’s white founder—a gesture perceived as both offensive and dehumanizing.

Natalie, the Board’s facade, reassured Milchick that the paintings aimed to help him connect with Kier. Yet, her discomfort was palpable as Milchick opened them. She, like Milchick, erases her humanity with these images, signaling profound disrespect. Milchick stored them away, but their presence lingered in his mind. In season two’s episode "Trojan’s Horse," he discreetly inquired about Natalie’s thoughts. Her silent condemnation mirrored his own unease.

The Corporate Machine’s Callous Grip

Lumon’s Board fails to comprehend why representing a Black person as a white religious figure is repugnant. Their ignorance seemingly compounds the hurdles minorities face within the company. Lumon disregards both severed and non-severed employees as individuals. They are mere instruments within the Lumon cogwork.

Milchick experiences firsthand how Lumon manipulates its employees. Instructions not to scold for trivial mistakes or challenge someone for using complex words serve to control and belittle. The paintings are not acts of appreciation or recognition. Their purpose is to remind Milchick and Natalie of their servitude to Lumon, Kier, and the Eagan lineage.

Milchick now accepts the harsh realities. His position as the severed floor manager became a mirror, reflecting how the company perceives him—no different than the severed employees he oversees. Despite his role, Lumon affords him no more human value than a machine.

A Pivotal Moment on the Horizon

While Lumon once found Milchick’s commitment absolute, his faith may be waning. As the Innies began to see themselves as more than just Lumon’s tools, Milchick, too, grows increasingly aware of his place in the company hierarchy. The looming question remains—will Milchick continue to allocate his unwavering loyalty to those who fail to recognize his humanity? As tensions brew beneath the corporate surface, only time will reveal Seth Milchick’s true allegiance in the face of Lumon’s relentless machine.