Severance: Who Burt Is & What Happened Between Him & Irving
Apple TV+'s Severanceis a convoluted show with several important characters and narratives to keep track of, and Burt and Irving's is one of the most crucial. After three years, the mind-bending sci-fi show with episodes directed by Ben Stiller is finally back, and the long gap contributes to the confusion one might experience tuning back in. Severance's cast features several acting all-stars, including veteran talents like John Turturro (The Batman, Transformers) and Christopher Walken (Dune: Part Two, Pulp Fiction), who play Irving and Burt, respectively.
The sci-fi mystery series is centered around a company called Lumon Industries, which uses a procedure called "severance" to disconnect its employees from their home lives. What results is a work atmosphere that feels akin to a malicious cult, with characters struggling to manage their emotions in reaction to lost memories and the constant confusion of only knowing half of their lives. By the time Severance season 1 began, Burt Goodman had worked at Lumon for several years, making him one of the most fascinating supporting characters to unpack as the show went on.
Christopher Walken's Burt Goodman Was The Head Of Optics & Design At Lumon In Severance
Burt Goodman Worked At Lumon For 7 Years Before Retiring
Burt Goodman's role at Lumon was the Department Head of the Optics & Design section of the company. O&D is one of the departments working on the Severed Floor, along with Macrodata Refinement, where many of the main characters work, including Mark Scout (Adam Scott) and Irving. The division's responsibilities are somewhat vague and confusing, as are most aspects of the show so far, but they include curating and cycling the artwork on the Severed Floor, designing and handing out handbook tote bags, and managing the 3D printing machines.
Burt had worked at Optics & Design for seven years when the TV series began, managing his eight team members. However, a crucial detail in season 1 was that Burt retired after being told to do so by Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman) for violating Lumon protocol after he took the MDR crew to view his office space. Burt has a retirement party thrown for him on the last day, which Irving steps in on, causing him to lash out at Milchick for his involvement in the matter.
Burt's Relationship With Irving In Severance Explained
Burt & Irving Almost Instantly Developed A Profound Bond
Burt's role in Severance is hard to understand without connecting him to Irving Bailiff, as their relationship is a crucial aspect of both of their season 1 arcs. Irving struggles at the beginning of season 1, resulting in him taking a trip to the Wellness Center. In the waiting room, he meets Burt and the two bond over a painting. Following this encounter, the pair begin finding excuses to go visit or look for each other, which is a huge catalyst for the MDR department's growing curiosity about their role in the company and what it's all really for.
Throughout Severance season 1, Burt and Irving's relationship goes from friendly to romantic. This becomes a huge part of Irving's story, as he tries to spend his time as an outie searching for Burt, hoping to solidify their relationship away from Lumon. Due to their almost immediate attraction and the profound way in which they seem to connect, many have theorized that Burt and Irving have had some sort of relationship outside of work and that they already know each other.
Burt's Life In The Outside World & What It Means For Severance Season 2
Burt Seems To Have A Romantic Partner As An Outie
Severance season 1's ending throws the Burt and Irving theory for a loop, as audiences finally get a glimpse at Burt's life outside of Lumon following his retirement. When Irving goes to try to find him, Burt is shown to already have a romantic partner with whom he appears to be happily living. Given that this happened at the tail-end of the season, the reaction to this has yet to be shown, and it should define much of what Irving does in Severance season 2. He was already heartbroken over Burt retiring, and now he has even more he'll have to reckon with.
Lumon places employees with connections near one another to test the strength of their chips
Despite what audiences get to see of Burt's personal life, it's still far from being out of the realm of possibility for him and Irving to have some connection in the outside world. Lumon places employees with connections near one another to test the strength of their chips, and there are some other interesting points to suggest they know each other. Severance season 2 will continue to explore these characters, and it'll be fascinating to see where their stories lead.
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a "severance" procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
- Cast
- Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, Sarah Bock, Marc Geller, Michael Cumpsty
- Seasons
- 2
