Apple TV+’s Severance is back after a long three-year wait, and if you’re feeling a little lost, you’re not alone.
With its mind-bending plot and enigmatic characters, it’s easy to forget some of the more intricate storylines – like the complex relationship between Burt and Irving. Played by Hollywood legends Christopher Walken and John Turturro, these two characters share one of the show’s most fascinating and emotional arcs.
But who exactly is Burt Goodman, and what really happened between him and Irving? Let’s break it down.
Who Is Burt Goodman In Severance?
Burt Goodman is the head of the Optics & Design department at Lumon Industries, the eerie and enigmatic company at the heart of Severance.
Unlike the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) department, which focuses on cryptic data tasks, Optics & Design (O&D) is responsible for curating artwork, distributing handbook tote bags, and operating 3D printing machines.
While his role may seem unimportant at first, Burt’s presence in the show turns out to be pivotal. By the time season 1 begins, Burt has been working at Lumon for seven years.
However, his tenure is cut short when Seth Milchick, the ever-smiling yet sinister Lumon enforcer, orders Burt to retire after he brings the MDR team into the O&D space – an act that violates company policy.
Burt’s sudden and forced departure is a devastating moment, especially for Irving, who had formed a deep emotional connection with him.
What Was The Connection Between Burt & Irving?
From the moment Burt and Irving meet, there’s an undeniable spark between them. Their relationship begins subtly, with small conversations and meaningful glances, but it quickly grows into something much deeper.
The first major interaction between them happens in the waiting room of the Wellness Center, where they bond over a painting.
From that moment on, they begin to find excuses to see each other – taking detours through different departments, lingering a little longer than necessary, and seeking out small moments of connection in Lumon’s cold, sterile environment.
As the season progresses, it becomes clear that their relationship is more than just a workplace friendship. Burt and Irving share an unspoken understanding, an almost instinctive bond, leading many to speculate that they may have known each other in the outside world before undergoing severance.
This theory is fueled by the way Lumon’s severance chips function – placing employees with pre-existing connections near one another to test the strength of their severed minds.
However, their growing relationship is abruptly cut short when Burt is forced to retire. During his retirement party, Irving – already deeply attached to Burt – lashes out at Milchick, revealing just how much Burt means to him.
The heartbreak of this separation is evident, setting up one of the most emotionally charged moments in the series.
What Did Season 1 Reveal About Burt’s Outside Life?
Just when audiences were rooting for Burt and Irving’s romance to transcend the walls of Lumon, Severance season 1 delivered a heartbreaking twist. In the final moments of the season, we get a glimpse of Burt’s life outside of Lumon.
When Irving, in his “outie” state, goes searching for Burt, he finds him happily living with another man – implying that Burt already has a romantic partner in the real world.
This revelation completely upends Irving’s perception of their connection. Was their romance in Lumon real? Did Burt’s outie have any idea of the bond his severed self had formed? The moment is gut-wrenching, leaving Irving (and the audience) with more questions than answers.
It also raises a much larger question: does Lumon deliberately separate loved ones and place them into different severed identities? If so, why?
What’s Next For Burt & Irving In Severance Season 2?
With Severance season 2 promising to delve deeper into Lumon’s secrets, the Burt-Irving relationship is set to become even more complicated.
Irving was already reeling from Burt’s retirement, and now, learning about his outie’s relationship status adds another layer of emotional turmoil. Will Irving confront Burt in the real world? Will his outie seek answers from Lumon about why he feels such an inexplicable pull toward Burt?
Moreover, the theory that Burt and Irving knew each other before severance is still on the table. Lumon has a history of manipulating employees’ memories, and it’s possible that their connection goes much further back than either of them realizes. If that’s the case, their relationship could be key to unraveling Lumon’s larger agenda.
Final Thoughts: A Love Story or A Tragic Experiment?
Burt and Irving’s relationship is one of the most emotionally gripping aspects of Severance, offering a rare glimpse of warmth in an otherwise cold and oppressive world.
But is their connection real, or just another experiment in Lumon’s twisted game? Season 2 will undoubtedly dive deeper into their past, their present, and the heartbreaking reality that they might not have a future together. One thing’s for sure – this story is far from over.
Read more about this unfinished story (we wrote this one just for you):
About Severance
Severance is an American science fiction psychological thriller television series created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle. It stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette.
The series premiered on Apple TV+ on February 18, 2022.
The plot follows Mark Scout (Scott), an employee of the fictional corporation Lumon Industries who agrees to a “severance” program in which his non-work memories are separated from his work memories.
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