(This story contains spoilers for the Breakup season two premiere.)
“Admit it. I’m your favorite perk.
Leave it to John Turturro’s grieving Irving to give you the biggest smile in the world. Breakup season two premiere, in the midst of one of its saddest moments. Just when he’s about to end his innie life for good, Dylan (Zach Cherry) arrives to rescue his friend from the brink – and in the blink of an eye (though he’s still sad), Irving can’t not pass up the opportunity to try his luck with Dylan’s love. for finger traps, caricature portraits and all the rest of the Lumon incentives.
But when it comes to Breakup public, the favorite benefit is a little different: the weekend-to-week Easter egg hunt! As one of the most notable mystery shows around, the Apple TV+ thriller from screenwriter Dan Erickson and director Ben Stiller still has something huge hiding in plain sight — and there are at least three big theories that are worth exploring right here in the premiere. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what Breakup is already on the board for season two.
Lumon lies
Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) tells Mark that five months have passed since the events of the first season finale and that he and the other members of Team MDR are heroes who saved the day. Is this true, or just another lie from Lumon? Lots of reasons to think so, including the fact that — hey, it’s Lumon… they’re lying! Everything we see in the episode in terms of updates to the outside world comes from Lumon, and since when do we trust these guys? Add in that Milchick is still unpacking his new office, Ms. Cobel’s (Patricia Arquette) name is still on his computer screen, and things don’t seem quite level.
Helly R or Helena E?
Also not on the level: Helly, or maybe Helena. Which version of Britt Lower returned in this episode? Rebel Helly, who would do anything in her power to stand up against Lumon? Or the powerful Helena, a real, factual Egan? Helly tells the group when she wakes up that she didn’t see anything unusual, which we know is a lie. Is she lying because she’s going through the trauma of finding out she’s an Egan, or is she lying because, well, she’s an Egan? Helly is otherwise extremely Helly when she returns in the episode, so it’s hard to tell. But it’s worth keeping an eye on as the show progresses.
Coming from Cold Harbor
It wouldn’t be a mystery show without something to capture, and the premiere gives us a thrill at the end of the hour: LOL, back in action, refining his data, only for Mark’s screen to briefly flash a image of her partner’s wife. , Gemma (Dichen Lachman) – aka Mrs Casey – along with some sort of analytical data. This appears to be our biggest clue yet to understanding the “mysterious and important” work of the MDR and the best of the Internet. Breakup detectives are everywhere. Some people think it is some kind of brain map. Others focus on the file’s apparent name: “Cold Harbor.” Does this have anything to do with the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a scientific community focused on research into DNA and cancer genetics, among other areas? And if so, is this a cry for… me? Search for my last name and “Cold Spring Harbor Lab” and you’ll see the connection! My mind is blown, at least, if not yours.
***
Breakup is now streaming the first episode of season two, with new episodes airing Fridays on Apple TV+. Read THRInterview from the first season with writer Dan Erickson.
