Hi there

Like Outie Irving assumes his Innie is just as radically anti-Lumon as he is. He assumes his hatred of Lumon is something ingrained in his personality! That's why he stays up at night drinking coffee and making paintings, because he hopes that when his innie dreams about the testing floor, he'll say "okay bet" and start exploring. That's what Outie Irving would do, after all. But he miscalculated! His hatred of Lumon isn't inherent--- his desire for meaning and art and spirituality is inherent. That's what his hatred for Lumon is built on. But in a world where there's no meaning outside of Lumon propaganda, of COURSE his innie would become ridiculously devoted to the company.

And Helena!! She is the corporation, that's her whole identity. She presumably assumed that Helly would be just as pro-Lumon as she is. But she miscalculated too! Her devotion to the company isn't inherent, her headstrong and entitled nature is what's inherent! And in a world where she's denied any agency whatsoever, that manifests as rebellion.

It also, in my opinion, helps us understand why Irving was the only one who noticed what was off with Helly (cough Helena cough) during the first few eps of season 2. Irving has a better understanding of what Lumon is and what they have done and has developed the distaste of Lumon that his outie wanted him to have to begin with. he KNOWS Helly hates Lumon; he knows Helly.

“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

adrift 🐚✨