The Leftovers - "The Garveys at Their Best" Review

Bravo to the team that markets "The Leftovers", because, unlike Laurie Garvey, they managed to keep hidden the surprise of tonight's episode. And what a nice surprise it was. "The Garveys at Their Best" was yet another excellent episode in this debut season, and it was a nice calm before the finale's storm.

Full review after the break.

The episode begins with Kevin returning from a run, entering a house we have not seen before. An out of focus brunette waits for him in the kitchen. The first thought that crossed through my head was that we were experiencing a time jump, and this was a new life Kevin had built with Nora. But this is "The Leftovers" and I instantly knew that was too easy. So I actually paused the show, rewatched this episode's promo and reread the episode synopsis. "Those sons of bitches," I thought as I hit resume. Laurie Garvey comes into frame and I knew I was right. It was time for the inevitable flashback episode.

At first I wasn't sure if this was a good idea. Through its first eight episodes, "The Leftovers" has shown such great restraint, but the small morsels we got of life pre-Departure were enough to paint a pretty nice picture. And for the most part, this episode either confirms or strongly hints at things people had already speculated:

• Laurie was Patti's therapist
• Patti left a bag of poo on Neal's doorsteps
• A relationship between Kevin Sr. and the Mayor

Then there were the lines meant as nods for things to come:

• Nora saying her family doesn't exist
• Jill saying just how great her mother is
• Kevin Sr. telling his son he has no greater purpose (?!?)

But where things get interesting is the theory that this episode completely debunked. Kevin Garvey is not going crazy because of the Departure. To blame his problems on the Departure would be too easy. His marriage is already having problems. While Laurie tries to keep things together, Kevin just can't help but mess things up. 

After Tommy visits his biological father, Kevin tells him sometimes it's best to forget and move on. In the pre-Departure days, maybe Kevin would have considered taking his own advice and abandoned his family if he didn't feel so helplessly trapped in his own marriage. Post-Departure, this advice is given a new perspective. Kevin tries to forget the past, not out of cowardice, but to move forward with his life and keep his family together to the best of his ability. This is in complete contrast of Laurie. Pre-Departure she believes we should not forget the past, but instead learn from it, face it, and move forward. Post-Departure she has found herself in the Guilty Remnant, where forcing people to remember their past is their modus operandi.

We also get a glimpse into the lives of the Jamisons and the Dursts. For the Jamisons, we learn Matt has been struggling with reoccurring health issues. Even though he gets the all clear from his doctor, it is apparent Mrs. Jamison is prepared to care for her husband should he ever fall upon hard times. For the Dursts we see two average days, one to look back fondly on, and one that ends in what was surely a common argument over spilled juice. Unfortunately for Nora, October 14th was not a common day.

For the people of Mapleton, the Sudden Departure did not cause their problems. The Garvey marriage was always tumultuous, the Dursts were never as perfect as that beach trip, and a Jamison would always have to care for their ailing spouse. The Sudden Departure simply brought these issues to the forefront, forcing each and every person to reevaluate their lives. For the characters, October 13th and the morning of October 14th were not fond days to live through, but just like a Durst sick day, they are especially fond to look back on. For the audience, "The Garveys at Their Best" is as lighthearted an episode of "The Leftovers" can be, all the while showing the struggles of pre-Departure days. And then the episode comes to a close in one of its darkest moments yet. Yeah, it's not afraid to go there. And with the season finale next week, there's no telling where else it will go.

I can't wait to find out.

P.S. Isn't crazy how much younger Jill looks with braces and a giggle?