WELCOME BACK, REFINERS! TIME FOR MORE "ORIGINS"...It's been a long, hot summer on the picket line for both WGA and SAG-AFTRA members. Nothing is moving so far in the way of negotiations or agreements. Instead of sitting around bored down here on the Severed Floor, I've started to take a look at those things that influenced Dan Erickson as he was creating "Severance." I'm calling it the "Severed: Origins" Series. Hey, it may not be Season Two, but it's better than listening to Dylan tell us about his caricatures again. This time out on "Origins", we begin our epic breakdown of the 1999 sci-fi masterpiece "The Matrix". We will be ripping this baby apart in intimate detail. We came really close to breaking down "Dark City'...but then I watched "Dark City." Details in the podcast."The Matrix" was a philosophical and cultural phenomenon...or maybe it was nothing more than a high-minded shoot-em-up (according to Roger Ebert). Wherever you fall on the "Matrix" importance continuum, we can all agree Keanu was cool and the effects were AWESOME! Here...have a Blue Pill 'n Chill. It's time to go find that spoon.This is Part One of "The Matrix" Origins Breakdown. Be watching for additional installments of "The Matrix" Origins in coming weeks. Want to watch "The Matrix" for yourself? It is available for immediate streaming to Max subscribers. You can rent it from all of the usual rental places for anywhere from $1.99 to $3.99. Questions? Comments? Recipes?? Send 'em all to: SeveredPod@gmail.com. Make sure to subscribe, Refiners!! "Severed" is on hiatus until the end of Season Two. Periodically, during the down time, we will be taking a look at those things that Dan Erickson has listed as inspiration. Be watching for those episodes under the title "Severed: Origins." Please continue to listen and re-listen to the still available Season One episodes. Once Season Two has concluded, be watching for "Severed: Season Two"...the Ultimateness will continue! In the meantime, make sure to join the fun on our Facebook page @SeveredPod. While we're all waiting around on news of Season Two, I'll try to keep you updated on news about the show. Also, let's talk!! Comments? Theories? Corrections? I LOVE 'EM!! Send to: SeveredPod@gmail.comThanks for listening to "Severed: The Ultimate 'Severance' Podcast." PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE PODCAST WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE 'SEVERANCE' FANS. THE SHOW GROWS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH!!If you like what you're hearing, please give "Severed" a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Needing your own copies of the Lexington Letter and Orientation Booklet? I've got you covered with downloadable PDFs of both documents:LETTER: LEXINGTONLETTER-TheLetter.pdf HANDBOOK: LEXINGTONLETTER-MD...