Spoilers ahead forSeveranceseason 2, episode 1, “Hello, Ms. Cobel.” This article also mentions suicide.
TheSeveranceseason 2 premiere, “Hello, Ms. Cobel,” changes the game for Adam Scott’s Mark S and his fellow Innies at Lumon Industries, butJohn Turturro’s Irving appears to be having the roughest time of thingsafter a brief glimpse into his Outie’s world at theend ofSeveranceseason 1. Although the original members ofSeverance’s Macrodata Refinement Departmentteam are reunited via Mark’s rebellious efforts, not everyone is quite so relieved to see the inside of the Severed Floor again.
The coreSeverancecastremains largely unchanged as the Apple TV+ sci-fi show enters its first season, so Irving isn’t the only main character to return after season 1’s dramatic finale. In fact, the Innies' efforts to communicate with the outside world have resulted in Irving and his colleagues becoming something approaching minor celebrities when it comes to the Severance procedure and the changes to Innie rights. However,the success of the “Macrodat Uprising” isn’t quite enough to keep Irving motivated.
Irving’s “Not Our World Up There” Line In Severance Season 2’s Premiere Explained
John Turturrio’s character has realized he should have been careful what he wished for
InSeverancelexicon, “up there” refers to the outside world. In other words, it means anywhere other than Lumon’s Severance floor. It’s also an artful way of suggesting that the Innies are stuck in a figurative hell. So, when Irving looks lost in thought while discussing his experience of the world outside Lumon, saying"It’s not our world up there" is him saying Lumon is where he and the other Innies belong. He’s quietly sharing his opinion that although things may look and sound familiar outside, it’s a completely different environment, and they’re not accustomed to or prepared for it.
“It’s not our world up there” is the last thing he’s able to say before getting up and leaving, as he’s overwhelmed with emotion.
WhileIrving seems right on the brink of sharing what it is he sawthat caused him to be so disillusioned with their success, he’s initially unable to share his experience of the outside world. So, “It’s not our world up there” is the last thing he’s able to say before getting up and leaving, as he’s overwhelmed with emotion. It must come as a crushing blow to be so dispirited by a mission that was ultimately very successful but also broke his heart.
Why Irving Initially Wanted To Leave Lumon In Severance Season 2 Before Changing His Mind
Seeing Burt’s Outie enjoying married life wounded Irving
Irving fell head over heels in love with Christopher Walken’s Burt G inSeveranceseason 1, but the latter’s Innie was retired by Lumon when his Outie stepped away from the company. So, Irving was always unlikely to ever see Burt again within the walls of their formerly shared workplace, which is why he was so eager to see Burt’s Outie during his brief foray into the outside world. Sadly,Burt’s Outie is confirmed to be married outside Lumon, which is what hurt Irving so deeply.
“You’re Poor Out There?": How Much Lumon Pays The Severed Employees In Severance
Dylan asks Irving if his outie is poor in Severance season 2’s opening episodes, making it hard not question how much Lumon pays the severed workers.
What’s even more upsetting for Irving is that even if he were somehow able to break free of Lumon while maintaining his Innie persona,Burt’s Outie would have no idea who Irving was. It’s this strange and confusing dissonance between identity and emotion that causes Irving to attempt what is essentially a suicide attempt for an Innie - leaving Lumon and never coming back. Thankfully, Dylan (Zach Cherry) is there to stop Irving and convince him that there’s more to stay at Lumon for, such as the future of their friendship inSeverance.
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Cast
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.
