Burt and Irving’s Bittersweet ‘Bon Voyage’ Moments in Severance’s Epic Endgame

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[This story contains major spoilers from Severance season two, episode nine, “The After Hours.”]

“I want to remember it.”

“Probably better if we don’t.” 

Among the most poignant and touching lines spoken throughout the two seasons of Severance, it’s no surprise who delivers them. These heartfelt words are brought to life by John Turturro and Christopher Walken, showcasing their exceptional skills in portraying a long-lost, yet unbreakable love as Irving and Burt within Lumon Industries, now separated…

Now, it’s gone. If only for now.

In “The After Hours,” during the second season’s penultimate episode of “Severance,” Burt and Irving bid farewell, possibly for the last time, as Burt, once a Lumon enforcer, helps Irving, now a Lumon rebel, board the final train out of town with an unknown destination. If Irving remains, it could be disastrous; his inquisitive nature has led him too deep into the heart of Lumon, and his head is now at risk. Escape seems to be the only means of protecting him, and so Burt, who believes he’s doomed but still holds out hope for redemption through his innie, steps up to save his lover from a life vastly different than what they know.

Saying goodbye is heart-wrenching, especially since it’s filled with reminders of their first love story from season one. This farewell isn’t easy just for Burt and Irving; it’s tough for the viewers too, as we’re left wondering: Could this be the end of Irving? After being dismissed from the MDR department and now being pushed out of town altogether, could Turturro’s character arc be concluding?

As the man himself has stated, it seems unlikely. There’s still a great deal we don’t understand about Irving, yet Turturro himself holds a wealth of information about his character’s background, eager to unveil it to the world. Although we may not encounter Irving again in this season with just one episode left, there’s plenty of room for MDR’s senior figure to reappear in a spectacular manner in the future. Below, the esteemed actor shares his insights with The Hollywood Reporter about the creation of Irving, his unexpected developments in season two, and his aspirations for the world of Severance moving forward.

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How much of Outie Irving’s story do you already know?

[Creator Dan Erickson] had penned down this extensive backstory for the show before it began, so I could understand it better. Therefore, I delved into research and even connected him with someone I was conversing with as part of that exploration. This allowed me to grasp certain elements about his background, such as why he was separated, which weren’t explicitly shown [onscreen]. For me, this pre-knowledge was beneficial.

I’m more accustomed to working on miniseries where there’s a clear story arc. Working on an ongoing series is quite different because the narrative isn’t entirely in my control; it evolves as other writers contribute and audiences react. It’s unpredictable who might return, whether they’ll reappear as their original or transformed selves. Navigating this dynamic is like a mental puzzle! Essentially, I’m not portraying two separate characters, but rather two distinct emotional states. Dan has a fascinating mind that keeps me on my toes.

It’s intriguing as we discovered a great deal about Outie Irving this season mainly from his actions rather than detailed information. There’s still an abundance of mystery surrounding him, leaving us in the dark even after this season.

Indeed, Irving appears to be well-versed in areas you’re not familiar with. There seems to be a profound motive behind his continuous painting endeavors, something he himself is seeking. Each character on this show faces elimination for unique circumstances – it could be due to grief, feeling lost, or even being the owner’s daughter. It might also involve searching for someone else, just like Irving.

How much of what you knew about Irving’s story has changed over the years?

In the previous year, Dan expressed uncertainty about a particular aspect of Irving’s history, and I responded by suggesting we pause since that matter was no longer open for discussion. I laughed as I said this. Regarding my approach to character creation, it won’t change – I still believe in having a solid foundation or core for the characters I play. This doesn’t mean there can’t be a wide range of diversity within the character, but a clear identity or defining characteristic is essential.

Last year, Dan had doubts about something in Irving’s history and I said we should let it go because it was too late to change things. But when creating characters, it’s important to have a clear idea of who they are – a core identity or defining trait that gives them structure. This doesn’t mean the character can’t be varied, but having this foundation is crucial.

In the style of Severance, it could be liberating to have limited knowledge about one’s character’s life beyond the confines of the separated office environment. At the same time, it might leave you yearning for those details, as they would help in portraying a more youthful and naive version of the same character.

Indeed, I believe there’s not a significant difference between them. Their speech patterns remain mostly unchanged, as do their behaviors and methods. There are aspects they forget, which is the challenge in this context that needs to be addressed.

It’s pretty complex!

Absolutely, I can relate! Just like Dan, I’ve held jobs where I felt trapped and thought, “I need to escape. I can’t stay here.” In those situations, I would often daydream about what I would do differently if given the chance. When I was in such positions, I knew deep down that they weren’t my long-term destinations – I wasn’t meant to be serving drinks at a bar, stuck in an office, or working on a construction site. Unless one is exceptionally skilled and completely devoted to their work, or perhaps has a genuine passion for it, such jobs might not align with their ultimate goals.

As a gamer, I’m thoroughly captivated by this show, especially seeing its impact on the younger generation. It strikes me that being young often means shaping your identity and life, and as we grow older, our options for reinventing ourselves diminish. This series seems to tap into that sense of exploration, offering multiple paths and choices.

If fortune smiles upon you, there’s a divide between work and personal life. You can witness this separation in sports arenas, where fans express their passion, sometimes fiercely. In a way, it mirrors the immersive experience of video games, where we get to be part of something larger than ourselves.

Absolutely, this program sparks a lot of discussion and speculation among viewers, as many are eagerly dissecting the events unfolding at Lumon. It’s more than just interpreting facts; it’s about trying to understand the underlying story as well.

It’s intriguing to me, that gut feeling. I’m thinking about creating a show where my audience is present. I could engage with them by asking, “What do you think I should do next?

Don’t put that out there! People are going to get too excited.

Look, they can’t actually write it! (Laugh.) But as far as acting choices? Totally. 

The bond between Irving and Burt has been a captivating aspect of the series, and this episode in particular was filled with intense moments. The audience was left guessing whether Burt intended to hurt or aid Irving until the very end. And then, a heartfelt farewell scene unfolded, packed with subtle reminders of their past interactions as innies, both physically and verbally.

As for Chris, I can’t say for certain what his intentions were regarding the partnership we established during season one, but it seems unlikely he wanted to let it go. Burt has his own explanations as to why he ended up leaving and joining Lumon, but… there are some connections that are simply destined to be. With Chris and me, our combined abilities surpass anything else. That’s just the unique bond we share. To put it another way, one plus one doesn’t always equal two with us. It’s a certain kind of chemistry – something you can’t manufacture or force; it either exists or it doesn’t. Just like some friends have a knack for making you laugh no matter where you are, Chris and I… well, we’re like kids in the second grade again. We just enjoy each other’s company sometimes, even if our decisions aren’t always the most prudent. And at times, those impulsive choices lead us to unexpected places. That’s a lesson I learned from Chris.

Let me rephrase that for a more natural and easier-to-understand flow: “When it comes to intuition, how much of your actions on set are based on instinct rather than what’s explicitly written in the script?

Working with Chris is like a dance, often leading to more creative freedom when director Ben Stiller joins in. In the final scene, I recall subtly adjusting his hair or gently touching his cheek – whether this was scripted or an impromptu moment, I’m not sure. Sometimes, small actions can carry as much weight as a full-fledged written scene. When an actor does something intentionally, it reveals their character in a powerful way. If you can tap into that instinctual place… it can be incredibly revealing.

In another interpretation, Burt might be saying “Safe travels, friend.” It’s conceivable that within this context, this entire scenario could serve as a heartfelt goodbye for our characters. Would you find it fitting if Irving’s journey ended here?

Indeed, it’s not a complete story. However, with additional elements, it certainly could be. I believe there’s a wealth of potential for expansion in this narrative.

Is there a piece of your backstory you’re really hoping to bring on screen?

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. And it would have to be in a very active way. 

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Season two of Severance concludes next week, with the final episode streaming on Apple TV+ on Friday. For more in-depth insights, check out THR’s season coverage and interviews.

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2025-03-15 01:55