The significance of Cold Harbour is misunderstood

The purpose of the room was more than just to confront Gemma with her biggest trauma and check if the severance barrier was holding.

Gemma’s innie was going to be killed in the room. Lumon expect that even in the dying moments, the severance barrier will hold. That’s why the landmark moment in human history.

Drummond even said to Brienne of Tarth in the goat sacrifice room that Kier is waging an eternal war against pain. Ether aka selling drugs was a “war against pain”. This severance chill will be marketed the same and the potential is clear. Lumon will be easily the bigger than all the pharma companies in the world.

Ultimately, it is about money, capitalism and the cult.