In the second-to-last episode of 'Severance,' Ms. Huang leaves, Dylan files a request, and Burt and Irving take a drive

Disclaimer: Severance Season 2 Episode 9 spoilers ahead! The article also contains the writer's personal opinions.

Season 2, episode 9, of the Apple TV+ original thriller airs Thursday evening/Friday. "Severance," directed by Ben Stiller, follows a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives.

Following two episodes away from our main heroes, 'The After Hours' moves through a ton of plot—but it's all (seemingly) in service of a supersized finale.

In the first scene of season 2’s penultimate episode, “The After Hours,” we watch a literal ticking clock as Helena Eagan swims laps in her father’s pool. Cold Harbor, we may infer, is impending. (Again,