WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Severance season 2, episode 9 – The After Hours
The suspense ratcheted up in the latest instalment of this week. In a chilling moment, Jame Eagan (portrayed by Michael Siberry) ominously informed his daughter Helena (Britt Lower): “We’re seeing to Mr. Bailiff.”
Fans are scrambling to uncover the identity of this mysterious figure, yet many may overlook that he has been in plain sight all along, reports the .
Who is Mr Bailiff in Severance?
Mr Bailiff denotes the former MDR worker Irving Bailiff (John Turturro), also referred to as Irving B on the Severed floor. Given the gravity in Jame’s statement, it’s likely Lumon aimed to silence Irving permanently to halt his probe into the enigmatic corporation.
Burt’s unforeseen presence at Irving’s residence, rifling through his Lumon files, seemed to indicate the ex-O&D employee was tasked with eliminating him. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Burt proves unable to execute the task and instead assists Irving in his escape from Lumon’s clutches.
Irving found Burt in his home (Image: APPLE TV)
[THEORY]
He drives Irving to the train station and secures a ticket out of Kier indefinitely. As Burt refrains from knowing Irving’s destination, it hints at the danger Lumon would pose if they were to find out and suggests Burt would face repercussions for sparing Irving’s life.
Ben Stiller delved deeper into this pivotal scene on The Severance Podcast, revealing: “Burt has wrestled with the things he’s done in his life.”
He elaborated that Burt’s path to redemption was intertwined with his decision to be Severed: “And he and Fields talked about that and that was almost the purpose of him being Severed, was to try and find redemption somehow.”
Speaking about Burt’s decision to save Irving, it was noted: “He’s doing something very beautiful because he doesn’t have to do it, but maybe that’s what seeped through from the severed side.”
Have Irving and John Turturro left Severance?
Speculation is rife among Severance fans regarding the fate of characters Irving and John Turturro. A curious fan took to , pondering: “Does anyone else besides me suspect that this was the end of Irving and Dylan’s storylines for this season, and that they will only appear again at the beginning of season 3?”.
Burt’s Lumon role wasn’t as sinister as first thought (Image: APPLE TV)
They further speculated: “I have the impression that the writers may have done this so that the finale would focus only on Mark and Helly’s storylines. Of course, I could be completely wrong and they will appear in the finale.”
Another viewer mused about potential narrative shifts: “I’m starting to wonder if there’s going to be a time skip going into season 3. Dylan and Irving’s plots feel like they’re in places that could easily accommodate such a thing (though I’d hope we’ll get some closer on who Irving has been calling all season in the finale) [sic].”
A third fan expressed disbelief at the possibility of bidding farewell to key figures: “If this is actually the last we see of Dylan and Irving… There’s no way right?”.
Meanwhile, another comment hinted at uncertainty surrounding Turturro’s involvement in future episodes: “Turturro has indicated in interviews that he’s unsure if he’ll be back for season 3 so this is probably the last time we will see Irv this season. Maybe there will be a brief glimpse of him enjoying a new life in the season finale.”
Speculation is rife among fans following the gripping developments in Severance. One viewer adamantly shared their thoughts online, stating: “Nah, no way. There’s way too many untied loose ends with Irving in particular. Dylan I’m not as sure about, but it would be weird to lose him.”
John Turturro, who stars in Severance, expressed his discomfort during filming in an interview with Variety last year: “I didn’t like being in that office – the light there drove me insane.”
He also stressed: “I did my second go round, but I feel like I’ve had a full meal.”
Irving Bailiff might have left Severance and Kier forever (Image: APPLE TV)
Who was Irving talking to on the phone?
These revelations hint at Irving potentially exiting the show, leaving fans to ponder over the numerous unresolved storylines – especially after Irving was seen making secret calls on a payphone.
Audience members have thrown around different theories regarding Irving’s mysterious conversation partner.
One theory on suggests that there could be a secret faction opposing Severance: “There is a resistance or anti severance movement remember they were hanging out pamphlets on Mark’s date and some were in the audience at Petey’s daughter’s gig? I feel like there’s an underground movement that could even have people on the inside. Reghabi might be working with them as well.”
Yet another fan offered a different angle involving the enigmatic Cobel: “I could see Cobel because she may blame Lumon for the death of her mother (Charlotte).”
Irving wanted a romance with Burt in Severance (Image: APPLE TV)
Adding depth to the character’s motivations, they pointed out: “Also when Helena invited Cobel back to Lumon with a “promotion”, Cobel said they don’t value her, they fear her.”
Fans are left tangled in the web of conjectures as they eagerly await the unraveling of ‘Severance’s’ next chapter.
One viewer shared their theory, stating: “I’ve left enough of a hint for anyone who wants to listen for themselves… but for those who just want to know: After Irving dials the number but before he speaks, you can hear somebody whistling the first seven notes of The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Presumably coming from an answering machine from the other end of the call through the payphone. So the exports hall guy who was whistling the tune in the beginning the episode.”
This intriguing clue could potentially indicate that if Irving was indeed communicating with Dr Mauer (Robby Benson), it might suggest that the character is plotting against Lumon. This thrilling possibility could be explored further in the finale Cold Harbor.
Severance season 2 concludes on Apple TV+ next Friday