Spoiler alert: This story incorporates spoilers for Season 2, Episode 2 of “Severance,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
In Season 2, “Severance,” Episode 2, Tramell Tillman reveals a new, slightly cooler side to his ruthless ground supervisor, Mr. Milchick.
Wearing a fitted leather jacket, he zooms across Syracuse on his motorcycle, the convincing Mark (Adam Scott) who remains in Lumon and Firing (and subsequently re-recruited), Dylan (Zach Cherry) and Irving (John Turturro). In the case of the season premiere, which begins every game early, Mark is tasked with saving the MDR unit's mission after he refuses to work with his crew. Apparently, his mysterious cold port promise is Lumon's priority.
This episode gives viewers a chance to follow Milchick round and see how he operates outside of the workplace, as well as how he interacts with Inties and Innies. Still, Milchick is a thorn in the side of his actual ambitions but to be identified as an integral center director.
Tillman told choose Milchick had been “indoctrinated” into Lumon and his “ID was related to the work he did, the Lumon philosophy and Kier's beliefs.” Still, he said it's “unclear” what Milchik actually believes in those beliefs, hinting at a possible awakening later this season.
“What happens over the rest of the season seems to be a little bit evolving,” Tillman said of his difficult-to-read character. “He starts to awaken as a human being and gets additional questions about himself and his company. teach.”
Below, Tillman talks about researching the craft of experiencing motorcycles, Milchick's possible sneaky standout as Ms. Corbell (Patricia Arquette), and why he doesn't see his role as a minor one. people.
When Milchick fired on Irving and Dylan, he lied about why they were released from Lumon. What's Lumon's technology here? Did their field find interest in the rebels launching?
In episode 2, there is a query that Milchick brings up to Helena. He asked her, “Do you want me to fire?” He or she said, “Kier message your hand.” With Milchick on his legs, this might actually be a compelling second place . So he tried to determine this himself – without a manual. Regarding Dylan, he did tell him that he was worried about an argument, which was true. However, he did not provide details of what his Innie did. With Irving, it's a bit of a mystery. The second illustrates Milchick's spirit and his ability to reveal issues the second time around.
Milchick established a definite phase of faith with the Outies, but they did not know him, but let him into their houses. How is Milchick's relationship with outings different from his relationship with innies?
His relationship with Innies is extra academic. He has a coaching relationship with them, in the form of a baby wrangler, for example. Along with Outies, he salutes customer support advisors. He wears a unique hat to ensure he has what he believes in. We see this when Milchick visits Mark's Ollie to try to get him to come back to Lumon again. Regarding the struggles he faced at Gemma, he offered him a salary increase. His tone is a very clever way of talking to Mark's state of mind.
Discuss Milczyk's new loot. The concept of him meeting a motorcycle and wearing a leather jacket?
It has to do with the creativity of Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson. Ben has been through motorcycles – I believe he's been riding them for over 20 years – and his photo of Milchick is this really cool guy. This is a completely different solution to how we might think Milchik would travel. So to look for a little bit of a rebel, a little bit of a wild aspect in this guy that creates that extra thriller for the audience to figure out who he is.
Do you have to discover your way around the current motorcycle?
I really need a way to discover motorcycles. The first time I learned it, I crashed my bike twice in a meeting. So, it's been a pleasure. Immediately after my second crash, our stunt coordinator said, “We’re done for the day.” I was ever ready to ride a bike! However, they needed assurance that I had been protected.
Correctly, you delete it.
I admire it. I received my permission and everything.
Is this one thing that you just take away or leave on set?
Continue the experience? I have no idea. I wear my hat towards anyone who finds themselves a motorcyclist, but I don't know if it's for me.
How well did you know Milchick's backstory and a lot of the ways you envisioned it for yourself?
Oh, this is entirely my own creativity. As an actor, I want to create a backstory for the character I play. Ben and Dan have been collaborative in talking about character backstories, so I might share my notes and they might look at them and think about them. However, they don't notify me if I was on the best route before. The whole process, especially Season 1, was an improv train, which is a completely different thing if you're going to have a concept composed and go through the script.
charming! So you come to Ben and Dan with the concept of Milchik so they don't tell you if they are on the same page?
No, if I was far away, they would say one thing. They will keep me informed. But what it says is the synergy of the scene. With the restricted data I need to create personalities, I've been able to find some truths about them that I find compelling. Whether that's correct, or they want to proceed in this vein, is up in the air. But, I think that speaks to the creative connection we all have – whatever I create in my mind and manifest, is the route they want to take.
What do you think of Milchik's ambitions? What is his goal?
I believe he is very bold. Where he wants to be – As an organizer, you want to serve the group as much as possible. So if an opportunity arises to serve at a unique stage, take it. That's what Milchik did. In Season 1, after Korbel asked Natalie to kill herself, “Did Milchick instruct the board?” We'll never get a transparent answer. However, we see Milchick escorting Cobel Out. Who is at Korbel's location? Milchik.
oh. charming.
We even had an “Informed Crown Heart” on his laptop in Season 2 and said, “Hey, Ms. Korbell, we even have an Informed Heart.” He was like, “It's essential to change my presentation immediately.” “He sat up and down again and again. This can be a guy who aspires to climb the corporate ladder and does his best to get there. But, he's not a guy with coronary heart disease, and he's not a guy with a conscience.
Do you see him as a villain?
I'm not. I believe it was very difficult for him. The situation is progressive, and as the season progresses, I think viewers will start to see that develop.
What was it like working with Sarah Bock, whose character, the Yellow Lady, teeters on the Lumon dynamic?
Sarah is great. She is an incredible actor. very good. She executes words with unparalleled effectiveness. Milchick doesn't feel the same warmth about Ms. Huang as I do about Sarah Bock. There's something to be said for when your home is definitely going to be changed by a baby. So Milchick harbors some bitterness. Even though she was part of this scholarship and he now had to watch her, she found a way to insert herself into Milchick's enterprise. He doesn't want to.
Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller each said they were at a final level of thought for the series and had an outline for Season 3. Did you learn anything from this second season?
I have no idea. I'd love to hear it. I believe they have a very good idea of a resort. This is essential.
Season 3 isn't officially green yet, but are they starting to let you maintain filming?
I can't talk. My head is already into season 2. I stayed up late listening to the extra words, but I didn't know.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
