Severance star Adam Scott, who plays Mark, breaks down his character’s reunion with Gemma (Dichen Lachman) in the season 2 finale. Created by Dan Erickson, the hit Apple TV+ series returned for its sophomore outing in January, continuing the story of Mark attempting to find his wife, Gemma, in Lumon after learning that she is alive in the season 1 finale. After nine episodes in season 2, the Severance season 2 finale finally reunites these two characters as Mark’s innie and outie stage a daring and intensely emotional rescue down to the Testing Floor.

In a recent interview with GQ, Scott shares his thoughts about Mark and Gemma reuniting, breaking down not just how emotional it was for Mark, but how emotionally draining it was to film. The star explains that he can see just how exhausted he was when he watches those final scenes back. Check out his comment below when asked what is going through Mark’s head when he finally reconnects with Gemma:

It’s been a long road getting up to this point. He’s exhausted emotionally and physically. This completely ruined his life, and he’s been feeling the past three years. Then this absurd idea that his wife is still alive sickens him. He almost stops speaking to his sister because of that. Then the road back to believing that and reintegrating—he’s depleted, and here she is.

I know this was at the end of a long road for all of us, and I was exhausted. We all were, so when I watch those last few scenes—that stuff, the hallway, Helly running in—I know I was drained. When you’re tired and you’re emotionally frayed and fragile… my nerve endings were live at that point, so I was just running with those feelings.

Scott then explains just what it is that makes Severance such an exhausting show to make, revealing that seemingly even the most simple scenes are approached in a way that makes them very involved and complex. This, however, is also what makes the show so enjoyable for him:

The show is labor-intensive, which is a good thing. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had working. There’s no scene on Severance that isn’t complicated. Over and over, I’ve fallen into the trap of being like, “Oh, we’re shooting the thing tomorrow where I walk into the room and tell Helly to come with me. This will be easy.” But then we’re there on the day, and it’s like, oh, no, this is happening.

There’s always nine things going on. There’s no actual simple scene on the show. And that’s what’s so fun about it. There’s no day of rest. This season in particular was draining physically for me, but that’s also really good. That’s part of what I love about making it: any skills I may have picked up over the years, I use it all on the show. So at the end of a 10-month season, I’m wiped out.

Finally, Scott also shares his thoughts on season 2, episode 7, the first episode in the show to fully explore Mark and Gemma’s relationship before Lumon. Scott highlights the strong work of Jessica Lee Gagné, who directed the episode after serving as the show’s cinematographer:

More than anything, it was joyful to finally be able to color in those lines. And then to have an opportunity to see Dichen—who’s so brilliant as Ms. Casey—show the other side of Gemma and the other Innies as well. Also [there’s] Jessica Lee Gagné, who’s our cinematographer, directing that episode, and just doing such a wonderful job. All the flashbacks were shot on film.

What Scott’s Comments Mean For Severance Season 3

Where Mark & Gemma Could Go From Here

Image via Apple TV+

Severance season 3 is now confirmed. The series continues to be one of Apple TV+’s biggest viewership hits, on top of being critically acclaimed, so this news isn’t entirely surprising, but it does thankfully mean that Mark and Gemma’s story isn’t over just yet. After Mark’s innies and outies work together across floors to rescue Gemma, the episode ends with innie Mark choosing to run deeper into Lumon with Helly R. (Britt Lower) as outie Gemma screams from the exit stairwell.

Shooting Mark and Gemma’s reunion may have been an intensely emotional experience for Scott, but the season 2 finale suggests that Mark and Helly will have some intense emotional moments to come in season 3. With Cold Harbor having been completed, there is seemingly no more need for Mark’s innie, and Lumon could choose to end his existence, along with Helly’s. Where this leaves Gemma remains to be seen, but it’s possible, if she escapes, that she could end up having to rescue Mark.

Stiller told THR in early February that a writers’ room for Severance season 3 had been convened. It’s not yet clear when the season could start filming, but key creatives have been hopeful that the new episodes won’t take another three years to arrive.

Our Take On Mark & Gemma’s Reunion In Severance Season 2

The Apple TV+ Show Is Truly One-Of-A-Kind

Image via Apple TV+

Much of Severance‘s plot revolves around Mark and Gemma, and both of the season finales have featured major leaps forward when it comes to the complex dynamic between them. In another sense, though, the show is about Mark and Helly. The concept of innies and outies has created a truly unique web of romantic entanglements among the Severance cat of characters, and it was exciting to see Mark and Gemma finally have so many big moments together in the season 2 finale.

Innie Mark’s decision to go with Helly instead of Gemma isn’t surprising, given he has no romantic relationship with Gemma, but it was still an extremely emotional moment because of how close outie Mark was to achieving his goal. Many questions remain about what’s to come in Severance season 3, but it will evidently be a draining experience for Scott and the rest of the cast when filming eventually gets underway.