In Severance Season 1, one of the most interesting relationships is between Irving (John Turturro) and Burt (Christopher Walken). Their bond is genuine and warm, and it plays a key role in Irving’s shifting attitude toward Lumon.
At the start, Irving strongly supports the company, but his growing relationship with Burt begins to change his views. One of the most powerful moments of the season happens when Irving boldly declares that he wants to “burn this place to the ground.”
Season 2 continues to focus on their connection, expanding it beyond their “innie” selves. This time, we also see more of their “outie” versions, and Burt’s character gains more attention. The latest episode, Atilla, gives the audience more details about Burt’s past, revealing aspects of his character that we had not expected.
A Tense and Revealing Dinner
A key scene in this episode is the dinner between Burt, Irving, and Burt’s husband, Fields (John Noble). Severance is known for blending unsettling and heartwarming moments, and this dinner is a perfect example. At first, the scene appears warm and inviting, but it soon becomes clear that something is not quite right.
The biggest surprise comes when Fields casually mentions that Burt worked for Lumon 20 years ago. This detail is important because severance technology was introduced only 12 years ago. This suggests that Burt originally worked as a non-severed employee and was later promoted or transferred to the severed floor.
Fields then makes a pointed remark about Burt having a different “Lumon partner” back then. This statement connects to an earlier conversation about Burt having relationships with other innies.
If Burt was among the first severed employees, it could mean he has a much stronger link to Lumon than we originally thought. His involvement with the company might go beyond what he has admitted.
Adding to this sense of mystery is the fact that Lumon is clearly taking action against Irving. The company seems aware of his growing resistance, and their response suggests that they consider him a serious threat.
A Chilling Break-In at Irving’s Home
While the dinner unfolds, something disturbing happens at Irving’s house. A new character, Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), sneaks into his home and unlocks a suitcase containing Irving’s research. This moment is unsettling not because of loud or dramatic action, but because of its quiet and calculated nature.
Drummond does not force his way in. Instead, he uses a key from a large ring filled with other keys, implying that he has access to multiple homes. Previously, we only saw a similar key when Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) used one to enter Mark Scout’s (Adam Scott) house. This raises troubling questions about how much control Lumon has over its employees’ lives.
Another eerie detail is that Irving’s dog does not react to the intruder. This could mean Drummond did something to keep the dog silent, further proving that he is a careful and dangerous figure.
The fact that Drummond enters the house during this exact time suggests that someone must have informed him that Irving would not be home. This makes Burt a possible suspect. Did he intentionally keep Irving occupied so that Drummond could carry out his mission?
Burt’s Strange and Suspicious Behavior
After dinner, Irving leaves Burt’s house, carrying leftovers and looking happy. He appears genuinely touched by the evening. However, as soon as Irving walks away, Burt’s expression changes. His smile fades, and his face becomes unreadable, almost sinister.
This shift in his expression suggests inner conflict. He may be torn between his loyalty to Lumon, his feelings for Irving, and his marriage to Fields. His actions throughout the episode create uncertainty about his true intentions.
At one point, Burt asks Irving if Fields should join them for their next meeting. This might seem like a casual question, but given the circumstances, it feels strange.
If Burt is involved in deceiving Irving, why would he continue encouraging their meetings? This could mean one of two things: Burt is either struggling with guilt, or he is keeping up a facade to manipulate Irving.
It is also worth considering the timing of Drummond’s break-in. The intruder needed to know exactly when Irving would be away and for how long.
If Burt played a role in this setup, then his feelings for Irving are more complicated than they seem. He may truly care for Irving, yet still choose to betray him for reasons we do not yet understand.
Burt’s Religious Beliefs and a Possible Dark Past
During dinner, another surprising topic comes up: Burt and Fields’ religious beliefs. They explain that they are Lutherans, and Burt describes himself as a “scoundrel” who believes he is destined for hell.
This belief adds a new layer to Burt’s character. He seems to have accepted that his soul is doomed, which makes his behavior even more puzzling. The way he and Fields talk about the afterlife is unusual. They suggest that Burt’s “innie” will go to heaven with Fields, while his “outie” will go to hell—possibly along with Irving’s outie.
This perspective is unsettling because it implies that Burt sees his innie and outie as entirely separate beings. He seems to believe that his innie deserves happiness, while his outie does not. This raises the question of what he has done in his past to feel this way.
A subtle but powerful visual moment reinforces this theme. As Burt speaks, a fire crackles behind him, adding a symbolic connection to his belief in damnation. The imagery suggests that Burt is haunted by something in his past, though we do not yet know what that is.
What’s Next for Burt and Irving?
It is unclear when Burt and Irving will see each other again, but there is a simple reason for Irving to return—he still has the Tupperware from dinner. If Irving chooses to bring it back, his next interaction with Burt could reveal a lot about Burt’s true intentions.
If Burt welcomes Irving warmly, it may indicate that his feelings are sincere. However, if he seems distant or hesitant, it could mean he is struggling with guilt over her deceiving him.
Whatever the truth may be, Burt is becoming one of the most complex characters in Severance. Each new detail we learn about him raises more questions. He is clearly hiding something about his time at Lumon, and it is possible that he still plays a bigger role in the company than we realize.
Even if he is betraying Irving, his actions may not come from pure malice. His facial expressions and body language suggest inner conflict rather than pride in what he is doing. Burt’s character is full of contradictions, and as the season progresses, we will likely learn even more shocking details about him.
New episodes of Severance are released every Friday on Apple TV+.
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