Apple TVAs we near the climax of Severance Season 2, Episode 8 will differ to previous instalments in one very specific way.
Severance Season 2 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and one of the best TV shows of 2025 so far. Mark has edged ever closer to the truth about his wife Gemma, while in an emotionally charged Episode 7, we learned about their heartbreaking past.
Helly was Helena and did some terrible things before Irving made Lumon turn her back into Helly. Dylan’s own wife appears to be cheating on him, with Dylan. And we’ve lost Innie Irving, though that’s meant we’ve spent more time with his intriguing Outie.
Each of those stories has contributed to episodes that clock in at somewhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour. But that changes for the next instalment.
Episode 8 of Severance Season 2 is the shortest episode ever
Apple TV+In Season 2 of Severance, Episode 8 is the shortest instalment yet, clocking in at just 37 minutes. Here’s how that compares to previous episodes this season:
- Episode 1 – 48 minutes
- Episode 2 – 46 minutes
- Episode 3 – 53 minutes
- Episode 4 – 50 minites
- Episode 5 – 46 minutes
- Episode 6 – 48 minutes
- Episode 7 – 50 minutes
The longest in Season 1 was Episode 1, which lasted 57 minutes, while the shortest was Episodes 4 and 9, which were both 40 minutes.
As for what might happen in this shortened outing, the episode’s title is ‘Sweet Vitriol,’ from which we can extrapolate some information. As that phrase is a 16th century term for ether, an addictive drug that was inhaled at parties known as “frolics.”
Apple TV+That ties back to the show as “Frolic” is one of the Four Tempers in Severance, alongside Woe, Malice and Dread. Furthermore, Kier Eagan met his wife while working at an ether mill, so one wonders if the compound will play a role in Episode 8.
The other thing we know about ‘Sweet Vitriol’ – thanks to early Season 2 reviews – is that it will largely focus on Ms. Cobel, who has been missing for several episodes.
For some Episode 7 breakdowns, find out why you need to read The Death of Ivan Ilyich, and why the Damona Birthing Retreat is so important, and keep our guide to the Severance Season 2 release schedule bookmarked.
You can also read Dexerto’s guides to Asal Reghabi, the Glasgow Block, and the Lexington Letter. While there’s another big theory you should check out: Helly might be pregnant.
