Warning: This article is for true Kier followers only. If you haven't seen the season two premiere of Severance, watch out spoilers.

Well, we finally know what's been going on since that fateful Severance left us all literally on the edge of our seats almost three whole years ago ... and the answer is, apparently, nothing? The season 2 premiere episode (which I reviewed here for /Film) picks up where we left off, with our favorite innie Mark S. (Adam Scott) who wakes up immediately on the cut-off floor of Lumon Industries just seconds - at least in his perspective - after exclaiming that his outfit was (presumably) dead his wife was actually alive. For those who need a refresher on what happened last timeMark led a rebellion against their corporate overlords that resulted in Haley R. (Brit Lauer) played for several Lumon dignitaries, and Irving B. (John Turturro) urgently sought out his brief romantic flame Burt (Christopher Walken).

However, when the smoke cleared and Mark returned to work, he was faced with the shocker that his old team at Macrodata Refinement (MDR) had been completely replaced by a brand new trio of oddballs. This would presumably create a new status quo for at least the first few episodes of the season. It's not like that! In the first big carpet of the season (with many more to come), the wildly busy premiere episode instantly turns the tables on Mark S. and viewers... and, in doing so, sets the tone for a sophomore season that's sure to keep fans guessing at every turn.

Oh, how easily each of us can be replaced as the wheels of capitalism just keep grinding. Season 2 of The Detachment is back and doesn't miss a beat in its sharp satire of workplace norms, the latest of which is best represented by the three newest characters introduced — and just as quickly removed — in this first hour of season 2. Just when it looked like we were going to have to get used to it Bizarro version of MDR led by guest stars Bob Balaban, Alia Shawkat and Stefano Caranante, Mark's desperate appeal to the Rules Violation Board does the trick. Halfway through the premiere, the first big twist is that our beloved group of injis have reunited and are ready to be an even bigger thorn in Lumon's side.

Season 2 Trailers went out of their way to highlight the new MDR team, lending credence to the assumption that series creator Dan Erickson and his writing team might let them stick around a little longer. Well, you know what they say about those who assume. After being caught trying to sabotage poor Mark W. (even Mark S. didn't seem to be trying terribly hard, as Trammell Tillman's Mr. Milczyk points out, neglecting to even hide his own handwriting in the incriminating note he tried to plant ), Mark S. decides to take his grievances to the very top of Lumon's decision-makers. His reckless infiltration of Mr. Milczyk's office pays off, amazingly enough, as even the Board seems to recognize that giving in to the innito's demands will be the easiest way to get back to his desk and perfect all that macro data.

Sometimes, workers can wins a small victory against the bosses - although maybe our brains could finally figure out how to get their act together by Season 3 and make things a little easier on each other, eh?

So where does all this leave at MDR our promising new recruits? As they head to the new and improved Break Room to watch a Lumon-approved animated video unlike anything we've seen from this show before (including a mean voice you'll probably recognize), the ever-sardonic Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) urges Mark not to feel bad about "ending their lives." Dylan shows zero remorse for these workers who have been put in the position of taking his and his friends' jobs, but their uncertain fate is as amusing as it is quietly disturbing. Our favorite ins could have easily ended up "killed off" in exactly the same way, ceasing to exist like sweet ol' Burt last season when he was forced into retirement.

Again, to be fair, Severance plays things up. The premiere doesn't tip its hand one way or another as to whether any (or all) of this trio of new characters will show up again later in the season. But if nothing else, this subversion of expectations feels like a massive, glowing neon sign that our protagonists need to watch their backs even more in the episodes to come.

For now, the premiere leaves us in an interesting place — and, yes, it happens to be exactly where our minds were last season. But don't let the looks fool you. Mark S., Haley R., Irving B. and Dylan G. they might get all their old jobs, but they live in a lot different emotional spaces than they were before. Despite struggling with whether to accept Lumon's offer to quit voluntarily, Irving B. he decides to stay and help his friends. Dylan, after learning that his partner has a wife and children, remains more motivated than ever. And as for Haley R. and Mark S., our newest power couple, feels like a safe bet that the two of them will get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the missing Mrs. Casey/Gemma (Dichen Lachman).

New episodes of The Break-Up air on Apple TV+ every Friday.