Does anyone find it amusing how these two old characters are like polar opposites yet kind of similar? Nathan is an old man who lives in Megaton and is a fanatic patriot who openly supports the Enclave and thinks the US government is the greatest in the world despite being gone for over 200 years. He annoys everyone with his blind obsession with the Enclave including his wife and believes the US government will rebuild itself again just like it used to be. Irving on the other hand is an old commie wannabe living in Tenpenny Tower who claims to be the descendant of an old Chinese Army General from the Great War. He's appearantly obsessed with communism and wants to turn the Capital Wasteland into a communist country with organized communities like Tenpenny Tower. He too annoys his wife with his "comrade this" and "comrade that".
I just find that kind of interesting, and it seems like no matter which house you choose in the game you always get a crazy old neighbor blabbering about a government that no longer exists in the Wasteland.
Nathan supports the Enclaves vision of US which in my book sounds very totalitarian - just like communism. So no, I don't think they are opposites, just two old stupid fascists.
In my first playthrough (a long time ago) I found Nathan in Raven Rock - dead. I presume the Enclave tortured him to death. He got what he deserved, and I had a big laugh.
Nathan doesn't actually support the Enclave's version of the US, he just fell victim to the propaganda they were spreading on the radio. If Nathan REALLY knew what the Enclave was up to I doubt he'd be so supportive of them. What he's supporting is the ideal US of the old days that the Enclave claims to want to restore but we all know they're a bunch of liars.
Well, okay, he was just a victim of propaganda? Fair enough. I, personally, don't take that as an excuse from anybody, not even old geezers like him. People should think for themself and never become to thrilled with a certain political mindset, so, he's still a fool (like Irving).
In my first playtrough he found out what the Enclave was up to, that's for sure...
When you go in his cell he tells you there not who they say they are and tries to escape but i dont see him get out and Raven rock blows up when i go back to megaton i dont see him so i think he is blown up with the enclave.
I think sometimes he does return to Megaton safely but his dialog is still the same from when he was supporting the Enclave. I think maybe there was a side quest planned where you were meant to escort him to safety but the developers decided not to include it. So they included him in Raven Rock but there's nothing you can really do with him when it feels like you should be trying to save him.