Analyzing the Potential Impact of Severance Episode 6 on Burt and Irving’s Relationship
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Warning: The following contains spoilers for Episode 6 of .
Despite being terminated from Lumon following his innie’s actions at the ORTBO, Irving (his outie self) is seemingly still dedicated to his mission: infiltrating and potentially dismantling Lumon. However, the latest developments suggest that the external world may harbor more sinister figures than Irving initially suspected.
Episode 6, entitled “Attila,” shows Irving fulfilling his promise to dine at Burt’s (Christopher Walken) home, where he lives with his husband, Fields (John Noble). While Irving initially receives a seemingly warm welcome, the atmosphere soon turns unsettling. The dynamic between Burt and Fields can only be described as disturbingly hostile. This prompts serious questions regarding their association with Lumon and their significance within the broader narrative of Severance.
What’s the deal with Fields?
While John Noble is known to Lord of the Rings fans for portraying Denethor, the power-hungry Steward of Gondor in The Return of the King, this marks his first appearance in Severance. Or does it?
Although Arthur Brooks played Fields in the brief scene from the Season 1 finale where innie Irv showed up at Burt’s house during the OTC, some fans speculate that Noble might have appeared earlier, in the show’s second-season opener. That scene intentionally obscured the identity of a sinister-seeming, whistling man who collected surgical tools from the O&D department and transported them via the Exports Hall elevator. The man’s appearance seems to align with Noble’s portrayal of Fields. Considering the events of the recent dinner party, it’s certainly plausible that Fields is colluding with Lumon.
Is outie Burt evil?
Despite their claims of not being “zealots,” Burt and Fields express beliefs regarding the connection between severance and Christianity that seem quite extreme. During a dinner conversation about Burt’s decision to undergo severance, Fields explains that they were attending a Lutheran church where the doctrine held that innies are complete individuals with souls that can be judged separately from their outies. Consequently, according to Fields, even though Burt was a “scoundrel” in his younger years, his innie could go to heaven and be with him for eternity, even if his outie “burns.”
This unsettling conversation transitions into a discussion about how Burt and Fields initially called each other “hon” before switching to “Attila,” referencing the historical figure Attila the Hun—a brutal fifth-century warlord known as “the Scourge of God.” This term of endearment feels far from affectionate. Furthermore, Attila is infamous for killing his own brother to secure absolute power. In light of recent revelations, this reference to fratricide doesn’t seem accidental.
Burt states that the nickname change occurred roughly 10 years ago, but Fields insists it was 20 years ago, recalling a moment when Burt’s “Lumon partner” overheard them using the nickname while they were having drinks, which startled him. This would imply that Burt has been associated with Lumon for far longer than previously indicated, especially given that the company’s first severed office opened only 12 years ago, according to Irving. Could Burt’s supposed partner have been none other than Lumon CEO Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry)?
Burt quickly deflects further questions about his Lumon timeline, but an agitated and somewhat inebriated Fields unleashes a tirade, revealing his true feelings regarding the relationship between innie Burt and Irving. It becomes apparent that Fields feels betrayed by Burt—and seemingly not for the first time.
What does Lumon know about Irving?
While Irving is occupied with dinner, Lumon security chief Mr. Drummond (Olafur Darri Ólafsson) is shown entering his house using a key from a collection large enough to suggest he possesses a key to every Lumon employee’s residence. He examines Irving’s locked trunk, discovering his list of severed employees and their contact information. Burt’s name and address seem to particularly catch his attention.
The episode concludes with Irv and Burt bidding farewell, hinting at a desire to meet again without Fields present. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Burt’s involvement with Lumon is more extensive than initially believed. However, given Irving’s background, it remains uncertain who is truly manipulating whom. Hopefully, Irving is playing a sophisticated game.