The Leftovers is your subsequent binge-watch after Misplaced

So that you’ve completed your large Misplaced binge-watch, and also you’re nonetheless feeling the itch to remain in creator Damon Lindelof’s unusual, mystical science-fiction universe. Look no additional than his large TV follow-up, The Leftovers, which premiered in 2014 and ran for 3 seasons. Primarily based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, who co-created the present, the HBO series tells the story of a mysterious occasion known as the “Sudden Departure,” wherein 2% of the world’s inhabitants abruptly disappeared off the face of the planet with out a hint. The Leftovers follows police chief Kevin Garvey, performed by Justin Theroux, as he struggles to carry his household and his city of Mapleton, New York collectively within the aftermath.

Set three years after the Sudden Departure, the world is similar in loads of methods, but in addition very totally different. There was a pointy rise in spirituality and spiritual perception, together with the event of cults just like the Responsible Remnant, which Kevin’s spouse Laurie, performed by Amy Brenneman, has left her household to affix. Chris Zylka and a younger Margaret Qualley play the Garvey’s youngsters Tommy and Jill. The forged additionally consists of Liv Tyler, who joins the Responsible Remnant, however takes a extra radical method to their nihilistic philosophy. Carrie Coon performs Nora Durst, whose husband and two youngsters have been all misplaced within the Sudden Departure. Her brother, Matt, performed by former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston is a troubled reverend within the city.

The present could also be over, however like Misplaced, it retains a cult-like following amongst viewers, who’ve praised its impactful storytelling and distinctive thriller. If you have not checked into this sequence but, here is why now could be the right time to take a look at The Leftovers:

A give attention to story, not a puzzle field

Let the thriller be

When Misplaced was on the air, loads of the obsession over the present was about studying the solutions and explanations for the present’s many mysteries. Whereas most mysteries did in the end get defined, some folks have been dissatisfied by these solutions, or have been upset by the plot factors that have been left ambiguous. With The Leftovers, co-creator Damon Lindelof didn’t need to fall into the identical lure, as an alternative intentionally leaving the central questions in regards to the Sudden Departure unanswered.

The concept of getting a fantasy sci-fi present like The Leftovers maintaining its most important premise a thriller would possibly delay some viewers, however the reward for occurring the journey is the present’s deep exploration of its characters and their very own endless seek for which means within the universe. The characters expertise actual heartbreak, tragedy and extra, however many additionally discover peace and understanding on the earth round them and their relationships with different folks. In a intelligent little bit of instruction to the present’s viewers, the second season changed the primary’s heavy, religious-inspired opening theme music with a tune by nation artist Iris DeMent appropriately titled “Let The Thriller Be”.

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Issues do get bizarre

It wouldn’t be a Damon Lindelof present with out going to some enjoyable, unusual locations, and The Leftovers outdoes even Misplaced in that division. The adventurousness was there within the first season, particularly with the third episode, “Two Boats and a Helicopter,” which follows Reverend Matt Jamison as he goes by way of a sequence of trials harking back to Job from the Bible.

A second season episode, “Worldwide Murderer,” has Kevin Garvey awaken within the realm of the undead, taking him on a really bizarre and trippy journey very a lot impressed by the work of David Lynch, together with Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive. The dream-like logic of the episode, wherein Kevin discovers that he’s an murderer on a mission to kill a U.S. presidential nominee, talks to his estranged father by way of a TV display, and visits a magical historical water effectively, is a fan-favourite.

The strangeness kicks up much more within the third season, as a number of of the characters encounter different dream worlds, and face a prophecy claiming the world is about to finish. Followers of Misplaced episodes like “The Fixed” are more likely to discover rather a lot to like in The Leftovers’ method to the extra mystical facets of its story.

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A rewarding journey

There’s mild on the finish of the tunnel

Photograph: HBO

When the primary season premiered, I solely managed to observe 4 episodes earlier than giving up. The topic, of individuals adrift following the lack of so many family members and the world being turned the other way up felt too darkish and too heavy. Among the violence was additionally too upsetting for me to take. Many others felt equally on the time. Because the sequence entered its second season, although, the essential tide began to show, and I used to be satisfied to provide it one other go. Because it seems, these first 4 episodes have been merely the set as much as a way more heartfelt and optimistic imaginative and prescient of life after loss.

Over the course of the sequence, the true themes actually emerge. Positive, there’s darkness and hardship on the earth of the present, as there’s in actual life, however identical to in life, there’s loads of hope to be discovered. Characters attain moments of catharsis and epiphany, they type deep bonds with one another constructed on the struggles they face collectively. There’s like to be discovered on the earth of The Leftovers, and also you’re more likely to want a field of tissues subsequent to you as you tear up by way of most of the present’s most tender moments. Like life, The Leftovers is a typically troublesome, however in the end rewarding journey.

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