Severance Season 2 star John Turturro opens up about the heartbreaking farewell scene

Severance has never shied away from emotional gut punches, but nothing compares to the devastating farewell between Burt (Christopher Walken) and Irving (John Turturro) in Severance Season 2. These two lines:

“I want to remember it” and “Probably better if we don’t,”encapsulate their entire tragic love story in just a few words.

As Irving prepares to leave, Burt is the one who ensures his safety, making the ultimate sacrifice by staying behind. This moment isn’t just heartbreaking for the characters, it’s a blow to the audience, too.

Burt’s farewell feels final. He doesn’t expect to see Irving again, and in many ways, he’s made peace with that. But does this mean their story is over?

John Turturro himself acknowledged the uncertainty of the moment:

“When you’re doing scenes at the end of the season, it’s always tricky to find that sweet spot… Because you think it could be the end, but maybe it’s not the end.”

This leaves the door open, could we see a reunion in the future in Severance?

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Severance Season 2 - A farewell that feels like the end

Let’s break down this emotional scene in Severance Season 2 and why it holds so much weight.

Burt and Irving’s relationship began within the cold, sterile walls of Lumon Industries. As two severed employees, their “innies” had no memories of their outside lives, yet their connection felt genuine.

Despite Lumon’s strict control, Burt and Irving found solace in each other. Their love story unfolded subtly, with stolen glances, quiet moments, and deep conversations hinting at something more than just friendship.

Irving had dug too deep into Lumon’s secrets, and the consequences were dire. If he stayed, he’d face a fate worse than just losing his job, he could lose his life. Burt, who has a complicated past with Lumon, understood this better than anyone.

Instead of letting Irving meet a tragic fate, Burt makes the painful decision to send him away. He drives him to the train station, ensuring he gets out safely.

As they say goodbye, Irving says:

“I want to remember it.”

Burt responds:

“Probably better if we don’t.”

These words cut deep. Irving wants to hold onto their love, but Burt knows remembering will only bring pain. It’s a moment of heartbreak and tenderness, one last act of love before they part ways.

John Turturro, who plays Irving in Severance, shared his thoughts on his character's backstory in an interview with Hollywood Reporter on March 14, 2025:

“[Creator Dan Erickson] had written all of this backstory for me before I ever did the show, because I wanted to know. So I did a lot of research… So I knew certain aspects where the guy was coming from, like why he was severed, even though none of that is explained [onscreen]. And for me, that was helpful.”

Turturro also spoke about the challenges of maintaining character consistency in:

“I think it was last year, Dan was saying, ‘I’m not sure about this [piece of Irving’s history anymore],’ and I said, ‘Well, let’s wait a second, because that ship has left.’ (Laughs) For me, that’s not going to change, in terms of how I’m playing it. You need a rack to hang your hat on.”

He also reflected on his collaboration with Walken:

“I can’t speak for Chris, but I don’t think he wanted to lose what we had built [in season one]. Burt has his own reasons for why he wound up getting severed, and how he wound up working for Lumon. But here… I don’t know, some things are meant to be. With Chris and I, the sum of our parts are greater than whatever it is. That’s just how it is with us.”

Burt and Irving’s farewell is one of the most devastating moments in Severance. It’s not just a goodbye between two characters, it’s a symbol of love, sacrifice, and the pain of memory. The weight of their final words lingers long after the scene ends, leaving fans wondering if this is truly the last time they’ll see each other.

Whether or not their story is over, one thing is certain, this scene will remain one of the most emotional moments in Severance and television history.

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