Dylan’s mystery in Severance begins with an easily overlooked detail: the “Hang In There” poster.
But why Dylan looked behind the poster becomes a key question at that moment.
As he lifts it, he finds something unexpected — a folded note with precise directions leading to a hidden path inside Lumon.
Who wrote the note?
Why was it hidden there?
And how did Dylan know to look for it?
What Was in the Note?
This small action triggers one of the season’s biggest mysteries — hinting that there might be secret paths far beyond what Lumon shows on the surface.
Read more: Explore Helena Eagan’s journey — the most ambiguous piece in Lumon’s game.
The Poster Clue: “Hang In There” and Irving’s Hidden Message
The scene where the note is discovered carries strong symbolism. While adjusting the poster, Dylan finds the folded paper with precise annotations. The phrase on the poster seems like a generic motivational message, but its placement suggests something more — a clue left intentionally to be found.
This detail becomes even more suspicious when we remember that Irving had said that exact same phrase to Dylan in the previous episode. It clearly wasn’t a coincidence. Irving left the message for his friend to discover.
The Hidden Path: What Was in the Note?
The note Dylan finds contains a detailed sequence of directions, handwritten like a secret map. The instructions are precise and cryptic — clearly meant to guide someone through a hidden route inside Lumon.
It’s believed that this path leads to the Export Corridor, one of the most mysterious and restricted areas in the company, often tied to classified information and secretive activities.
Ticket transcript:
From O&D, first turn right, all the way down the hall and turn right, turn right, turn left, turn a long hall & turn left, turn left, turn right, left, left, right, right, left, right, left, left, left, right, left, left down long hall and turn right, right, left, right, turn right one more time and all the way down a long hallway…
Why Dylan Looked Behind the Poster in Severance: Find Out Who Wrote the Note
Irving and Felicia talking about Burt and the export corridor in episode 2×03
Dylan checks behind the poster because Irving had mentioned that exact phrase — “Hang In There” — in the previous episode, in an almost cryptic way. The coincidence between the poster and the remark makes Dylan suspicious. As he approaches it, he finds a folded note hidden behind the image, confirming that it was, in fact, a clue.
Irving had the note, and it directly connects to his conversation with Felicia, a staff member from the Optics and Design (O&D) department, in episode 3 of Severance. While showing her his drawings, he reached an illustration of the Export Corridor, which caused Felicia to react with surprise and question how he knew about that location.
The episode cuts away before it shows what happens next. However, the most likely hypothesis is that Irving himself wrote the directions. He may have received information from her and recorded the path for future investigation.
This discovery confirms that Irving had already been mapping Lumon. He was investigating the company’s secrets long before Lumon forced him out. This reinforces his role as one of the most observant innies regarding the organization’s operations.
What Does This Mean for the Resistance at Lumon?
Regardless of who wrote the note, the mere fact that Dylan found it represents a significant breakthrough in the fight against Lumon. The company exerts near-total control over its employees. Any information escaping this control could be crucial for a future rebellion by the innies.
Now we know why Dylan looked behind the poster — and what was written in the note. With those answers in hand, one question remains: will Dylan, Mark, and Helly manage to follow the instructions before Lumon finds out?
Join the Discussion! What Do You Think About Dylan’s Note?
The discovery of the note raises more questions than answers. Now we want to hear your opinion!
- Did Irving write the directions just as a precaution, or did he already have a plan in mind?
- The innie version of Irving drew the corridor because of his outie’s paintings. So, does that mean his outie knows the inside of Lumon?
Leave your comment below and share your theories! Let’s unravel the secrets of Severance together!
Want to Dive Deeper?
If you want to further explore all the details of the episode, including its twists and implications, check out our Complete Analysis of Severance 2×05. There, you’ll find a deep dive into theories and explanations about this chapter’s events.
Read the full analysis here: Full Review of Severance 2×05 – Explanation and Theories
Available on Apple TV+
You can watch Severance exclusively on Apple TV+. Click here to access.
