The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised the premise, production values, performances, and intrigue.

Adam Scott received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.

He walks through an elaborate series of corridors till he arrives at a cubicle in the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) division, chatting with his co-workers Dylan George (Zach Cherry) and Irving Bailiff (John Turturro).

Mark is called by his superior, Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman), who takes him to manager Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette).

He is visited by his sister, Devon (Jen Tullock), who takes him to a "dinnerless dinner party" with her eccentric husband Ricken (Michael Chernus) and his friends.

"[3] Erin Qualey of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "One of the first great shows of 2022, Severance is a new series from Apple TV+, a streamer that is becoming known for taking risks on unique and wild narratives.

With an all-star cast that boasts dynamite performances from Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, John Turturro, Britt Lower, and Adam Scott — playing not one but two versions of his character — the series is worth watching for its pedigree alone.

"[4] Oliver VanDervoort of Game Rant wrote, "One of the things that makes Severance, so good right at the offset is that the viewer never really feels very comfortable inside the world of this Apple TV+ series.

Director Ben Stiller has made it clear that there is nothing normal about the Severance procedure or a company that is asking its employees to undergo something like this.

"[6] Breeze Riley of Telltale TV gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "The question of why someone would choose to sever their life and the ethics of that decision would be enough to drive the conflict of a series.

"[7] Adam Scott submitted the episode to support his nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.