Over the course of it's freshman season run, "The Leftovers" has received almost literal equal parts praise and hatred. Well, if you're reading this right now and you've made it to the end of episode ten, you're probably one of those that appreciate the masterful take on loss that Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta have created. Did they stick the landing in the finale? Let's not even mess around. Yes, they very much did.
More after the jump.
I'll be honest, I was a bit skeptical toward the middle there. After some great moments between Kevin and Matt, we're treated to a fairly extended dream sequence that I'm not sure works all that well. Of course Patti's death will go on to haunt an already fragile Kevin, but having her straddle him in his father's mental institution just seemed to veer into creepy for creepy's sake territory. But luckily this was just a very minor hiccup in what turned out to be a truly fantastic, and surprisingly epic, finale.
The first truly remarkable scene comes right after that dream sequence. Justin Theroux is given a great chance to showcase his acting talents in the diner scene opposite Christopher Eccleston, and he knocks it out of the park. He breaks down over something we've seen first hand over the course of the season that was hammered home in "Cairo". Kevin was ready to abandon his family, but the Departure gave him the realization that they were all that matters. "They were happy," Kevin says of his children, recalling an event after the Sudden Departure. The sadness that washes over everyone took 3 years to mold our characters into what they are now. In a similar way, the Guilty Remnant was a slow burn, taking years to build to the point where they end up in the finale.
Oh, Guilty Remnant. We had suspicions of your master plan, but seeing Nora's reaction to her life model decoy family made it so much worse than anticipated*. As Kevin and Matt return from the side excursion that was Cairo, it's no wonder the inhabitants of Mapleton have reacted as violently they did. Despite a season of devotion to the GR's cause, I was still mildly surprised Laurie Garvey would go along with such a plan. Especially considering she knew something horrible would occur afterward. If your daughter is in a nice suburban home, but somehow prey to a bevy of angry townsfolk, you might be doing something wrong.
As Kevin reaches the GR cul de sac, in epic scene is taking place. Those nice white houses are in flames. The police are at a loss. The mayor is defeated. The Mapleton-ians were giving the Guilty Remnant their just desserts. And for the most part, the Guilty Remnant were taking it. But not Laurie Garvey. In a moment that felt like a culmination of an entire season, Laurie Garvey looks at her ex-husband in horror and shouts, "JILL!" With a single word, chills went down my spine, goosebumps sprung up on my arms, and a weight was dropped on my chest. This is the advantage of telling a story over the course of an episodic series. We build up Laurie and her devotion to the GR and it's vow of silence. We build up Kevin Garvey and his devotion to his family. We build up Jill, and teenage girl caught between the life she once knew and the mysterious life that lays ahead. Kevin Garvey found his daughter. Nora Dunn found something to live for. Viewers found one of the most rewarding viewing experiences of the past several years.
Great finale. Great first season.
I have no clue what's in store for season 2. And for a show that took such a hard turn away from it's source material, this finale brought things almost exactly back on track. I do know that I'll be waiting impatiently for season 2 next summer.
I can't wait to reheat "The Leftovers".
*So was Marcus' life model decoy from "Guest" false advertising or did budget concerns cause the Mapleton Heroes to look so bad in comparison?
in "guest" Marcus mentions that his model was a higher end model and that there were different prices for ones less life like. I assume the GR just went for the cheap option.
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