What really happened to Gemma? "Chikhai Bardo" is interested in answering part of that question. The Gemma-centric episode tells the story of two main timelines. In one, Gemma and Mark's meeting and love story play out, showing the highs and lows of their marriage. In the other, Gemma is held captive by Lumon as a central figure regarding a dangerous aspect of the severance procedure. Rather than telling the full story in chronological order, "Chikhai Bardo" demands the audience pay attention to the details as the episode jumps in and out between timelines. With most of its main cast absent, "Chikhai Bardo" presents an episode unlike any other the series has presented so far.
"Chikhai Bardo" is a darker, far more dangerous take on the severance procedure than the series has ever shown previously, as the episode implies that Gemma has several severed counterparts, rather than the two that every other main character is known to have. The true endgame of what the minds behind Lumon are actually after remains a mystery, but the episode is entirely reliant on Dichen Lachman's performance to work. Dichen Lachman puts forward a great performance, portraying each severed variant as a separate identity, while each version has her own fears or frustration about the space she is in. Her performance also shines through in scenes with Mark, as the audience becomes privy to Gemma's perspective of their relationship. Still, this episode's biggest downfall is how it still does not answer some of the biggest questions about Gemma, even though an episode focused entirely on her character could have been a great opportunity to do so.
Severance does not answer any of its previously established questions about Gemma, such as when she originally became involved with Lumon or what really happened in the aftermath of the car accident that Mark believed killed her. This is an episode that is more interested in showing that whatever it is that is happening to Gemma are acts of torture and abuse, but refuses to actually expand on any of it. These are teases to something without actually answering anything. Such a decision feels more like an out-of-place clip show than a strong narrative meant to have a more vital understanding of what has happened, or is happening, to a character at the center of such a significant mystery.
"Chikai Bardo" could have taken the time to answer more questions about Gemma that the audience already has. But, its refusal to do that leaves the viewers with most of the same questions they already had about Gemma, even if the episode does answer some questions about the dangerous acts that Lumon is willing to do to people. While Severance may be waiting so that the audience can discover the truth along with Mark when the time finally comes, this is still an episode that is on the cusp of being on the breakthrough of something without real answers that offer follow-through.