Why Jame Eagan “Sees Kier” In Helly, But Not Helena, In Severance

adminMarch 22, 2025

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WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Severance’s season 2 finale!Jame Eagan confronts Helly about the potential he sees in her in Severance’s season 2 finale, hinting at some darker plans he may have for his daughter’s Innie. After Helena Eagan spent four episodes posing as Helly on the severed floor and at the ORTBO in Severance season 2, the show has put a greater emphasis on the stark differences between Helena’s Innie and Outie. It isn’t just the nature of their roles at Lumon or control over their consciousness that separates them; their personalities and dispositions reflect two entirely different people.

That sentiment is felt even by people who have hardly shared any time with both of them, like Helena’s father Jame Eagan. In Severance season 2, episode 9’s ending, Helly is at the office memorizing directions to the Testing Floor elevator when Jame suddenly appears and says, “You tricked me.” That conversation continues into the finale, when Jame reflects upon his anger at Helly’s gala speech and reveals that he does not love his daughter, who he says Kier has “left.” However, Jame ominously notes that he now sees the same “fire” as Kier inside Helly, who loathes the Eagans.

Helena’s Isolated Upbringing & Balanced Tempers Have Made Her Lose Her “Fire”

Helena Has Lost Her Kier-Like Qualities Due To Jame & Lumon’s Control

An important detail in Jame’s speech to Helly is that he did once see Kier inside of Helena Eagan. However, as she grew older, those signs of Kier waned. His words suggest that Helena’s personality was, at one point, more reflective of who Helly is today, which helps explain why Helena resents her Innie so much. Tragically, though, it doesn’t seem to be Helena’s fault that Kier “left her as she grew,” as it’s implied that keeping Helena isolated, under constant scrutiny, unloved by her family, and her Four Tempers “balanced” created a shift in her personality and being.

Why Helena Eagan’s Innie Goes By Helly “R” Instead Of “E” In Severance

Helena Eagan chose to give her Innie a different name, “Helly R.,” in Severance, and it wasn’t just to hide her identity from other severed people.

From her scenes outside the severed floor and even when she tried to be Helly, it was clear that Helena was someone who was unsure of herself, desperate for human connection, and lacking the leadership and confidence required to amass followers and “greatness” like her ancestor Kier Eagan. The tragedy in Jame being disappointed by Helena for losing Kier, however, is that it seems to be his fault. It was Jame’s lack of affection, unattainable standards for trying to force his offspring to be the next Kier, and manipulation that made Helena who she is now rather than like Helly.

Helly’s “Fire” Reflects The Ambition & Strong-Willed Nature That Made Kier Such A Powerful Leader

Helly’s Leadership Qualities Mirror Kier, But They Use Them For Different Purposes

Though Helly couldn’t be more disillusioned with Lumon, Kier, and the Eagans, that’s exactly the kind of passion and self-assurance that would be required for someone to be the “next” Kier. The stories that Lumon tells about the powerful Eagan family member suggest that Kier’s confidence, courage, ambition, strong will, and charisma contributed to his ability to begin his empire and amass such a sizable, loyal following, which are all qualities found in Helly. However, while Kier used these qualities for evil, Helly strives to use them for good.

Jame Eagan originally convinced Helena to undergo the severance procedure, but it was Helly who heard him say he was proud of her for agreeing to go through with it in the season 1 finale.

Even in Severance’s season 2 finale, Helly is the one who is able to rally all the Innies around their cause against Milchick and Lumon, bringing an empowering and admirable presence unmatched by any of Lumon’s current leaders. It’s the exact “fire” that Lumon has been looking for since Kier Eagan’s death. It just happens to be found in an Innie who is actively working against their mission. Still, rather than “kill” Helly, it seems more likely that Jame will try to use the Kier qualities inside her to his advantage in Severance’s future.