Severance uses futuristic technologies in order to expound its critique on hypercapitalism. This includes code detectors for policing communications.
Warning: the following contains SPOILERS for Severance.
Severance is a dystopian sci-fi series that pivots around highly advanced technology – but are the code detectors even real? The short answer is yes, there are probably real code detectors installed inside the severed floor elevator to prevent communication between outies and innies. Considering the level of engineering necessary to split employees' memories with the severance chip, it's highly likely that Lumon Industries has the resources to also develop a device for detecting any form of code or written language that might be hidden on a person.
In Severance season 1, episode 2 “Half Loop,” Helly writes “I QUIT” on a piece of paper and hurries off to the elevator. Mark warns her not to go, but Helly ignores his warnings and tells him that the code detectors seem like they're just made up. After Helly triggers the code detectors, Mark gets reprimanded. Later, Helly attempts to smuggle information out of the severed floor again by trying to swallow a note. Mark explains to Helly that once she triggers the code detectors again, it will be Milchick's job to extract the information from her, and that it will be easier for both Milchick and Helly if Milchick “knows which end to start from.” In short, Lumon Industries' actual purpose or business is a highly guarded corporate secret, and the company will stop at nothing to protect it.
Related: When Is Severance Set? Why Lumon Has Such Old Technology
Severance, through technologies like the severance chip and the code detectors, puts a unique dystopian spin on the theme of corporate espionage. What makes this premise truly disturbing is the fact that these futuristic technologies aren't that far-fetched. In fact, code detection isn't even the strangest technology in the show.
In the futuristic hypercapitalist dystopia of Severance, code detectors are definitely real. The technology is theoretically possible through the use of x-ray or radar scanners combined with an algorithm for reading all existing languages. If such technology exists, then it can also be programmed to detect even made-up languages or codes by repeatedly analyzing written communication patterns through the process of machine learning. This is why Lumon-prescribed employee watches and other paraphernalia have no writing or numbers on them. Notably, this also underscores the theory that Irving is the Lumon Industries mole or spy that helped Petey with escaping the severed floor and undergoing reintegration. During Helly's office welcome party, Irving notices that the nails of only his right index finger and thumb are marked with ink. This could be a message from Irving's outie, coded in a way that's undetectable to Lumon's tech.
While Lumon's code detectors don't yet exist in the real world, some say it's only a matter of time before they do. In fact, today's ordinary smartphones, through machine learning-enabled apps, are already equipped for scanning books and turning physical pages into digital text. The scanner or code detector used by the security guard who pats down employees who enter the severed floor elevator could be based on a technology that's being developed right under everyone's noses.
Severance uses espionage and futuristic technologies as tools for expounding its social commentary on corporate control and hypercapitalism. This has led to several Severance fan theories about what the numbers mean, the life philosophy of Lumon Industries founder Kier Eagan, and the plausibility of technologies like the code detectors. While Helly is still unsure whether or not the code detectors actually work, what's clear is that the technology is highly plausible. That being said, it's also clear that even if the code detectors aren't real, Lumon has everything it needs in the severed floor to make them seem real to severed employees. In any case, Helly is going to have to get smarter if she wants to quit.
More: Severance: Is June Actually Helly's Daughter? Episode 4 Hints At Big Twist
Peter is an elder millennial, cat-father, illustrator, and freelance writer for Screen Rant. Born, raised, and still based in Metro Manila, Philippines, Peter’s knowledge of geekdom was forged in the lagging fires of 56kbps Internet and dodgy forums, and now burns bright with the light of Netflix and downloads. When he’s not having visions about the end of the multiverse, he’s either bothering his cat or brewing ginger beer.