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The Leftovers - The Garveys At Their Best - Review: "A Man Said To The Universe..."

Aug 27, 2014

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"Once upon a lonely
The sky was black and stormy
I was on my way to King Marie
This day of disaster
My heart was beating faster
I ran all the way to King Marie"
- "The Girl From King Marie" - Jody Reynolds

The departured were all regretted at one point. Laurie regretted...oops, let me start my Review at the beginning, much like that incredible episode did on Sunday night. All the way at the beginning. Then I can explain that first sentence and continue my thought. It's a good theory, I think, and I will need all of your help to see if it is somewhat true or close.

The Leftovers aired their penultimate episode, The episode immediately before the finale, on Sunday night and it was exactly what we have been wanting and waiting for since the pilot. In a series that predicates itself on the events of October 14th, all we wanted to know was what happen on October 13th or, more precisely, what happened immediately prior to the moment of departurism (note: departurism is a word I just invented...I can do that...I think...but we all know what it means). The seconds, minutes, and hours before the Sudden Departure. And we got it in a brilliant flashback that Damon Lindelof has become a master at portraying.
So, let's start at the beginning. A theory I had stated before is that the dogs are symbols of the Guilty Remnant. The episode this past Sunday has given us a load of answers to our burning questions and provided some twists and turns in the process. One twist is that the dogs are not the Guilty Remnant...hear me out. I think the dogs represent Laurie. Kevin is represented by the deer. I'll give some interesting supporting evidence throughout my Review so keep an eye out for it and we can discuss in the comments below. More on this later.



We see Kevin right away in his beautiful home, with his beautiful family, as we are transported back in time three years (4 years?), just days before the SD. Much like there was a scar, or flaw, on the island of The Lord of The Flies, there is also a crack, or scar or flaw, in the foundation of the Garvey home (remember: Kevin sees above the painting the crack in the wall like a lightning bolt). The writers do a wonderful job at setting up our characters lives prior to the universal 'tic-toc' leading up to the SD. We see Nora Durst and her happy family at a time when she is ignorant to the fact that her husband is cheating on her. We also learn that Patti was a patient of Laurie's long before Laurie had taken the white.

Not everyone was happy. That is not what the writers were trying to show us. People were not happy, then out of nowhere the SD occurs and people spiral into despair. Kevin was lying to his wife. Nora wanted out of the "juice-box" cycle of life. Patti was kicked out of her home by her ex-husband. We finally learn why Patti puts some crap in a bag and wrote "Neil" on it and left it on his porch. Laurie, her psychologist, told her to get rid of her bad emotions from her relationship by doing this.

One of the big revelations of life before the SD is that of Jill. Jill was, uncharacteristically so, very happy. Very very happy. I did not see a scene without her smiling ear to ear or singing. she loved her dad and thought her mom was the greatest. We know Jill as the melancholy school girl who is sad and angry at the world for destroying her family.

Getting back to my theory that Kevin is represented by the deer and Laurie by the dogs. When Kevin Sr. is telling his officers about the deer in town, he instructs them to put it down because it is dangerous and unstable. Kevin wants to save it, bring it back to the woods, and let it go. Much like he did with Patti. He took her to the woods, and let her go. Kevin is just trying to save himself from becoming unstable and from going crazy. At the surprise party, Kevin tells Laurie the deer is just 'confused' much like he has been for the entire series thus far. To top it off, Nora's daughter tells her that "maybe the deer is just looking for it's family?". Kevin's dream sequence a few episodes ago also alludes to this theory. Kevin hears rumbling from a nearby mailbox. Remember this is where Kevin hides his cigarettes from Laurie. When he gets closer, after seeing a deceased Laurie in the back of a truck, a dog pops out and barks viciously at him. Which brings me to Laurie being represented by the dogs. Laurie is the one that wanted to get a puppy and we see her coddling one with, none other than, Gladys (who seemed happy, but we know she lost someone in the SD). Laurie tells Kevin (finally happy they found the deer) "It's trapped, better go save it". Notice how Kevin was happy about the deer and upset about the prospect of the dog. Kevin, as the deer (he even sees his reflection in its eye), is trying to not get chewed up and eaten by the dogs as we saw in the first episode of the season.

And finally, what I noticed about the people who were departured; the common thread amongst them. I noticed that they were all regretted by one of The Leftovers. Kevin regretted having the affair. Nora regretted her family, if only for an instant. Sam (the baby that departured in the pilot) was regretted by his mother who threw her hands up to Laurie in the car. I wonder if we will be able to point to this in the future as we learn of more people who lost someone on the SD.

This was definitely my favorite episode of the season. The writing was perfect and the flashback was orchestrated very well. It was great getting a lot of answers to our questions and seeing the SD before it happened and how it affected our main cast. The Leftovers, week to week, is a bleak look into the lives of the citizens of Mapleton and this past Sunday we were given a break form the morose souls and shattered bits of humanity. It was nice, even if it was for only a little bit of time, to see our characters in a different light and somewhat happy frame of mind. But, of course, this is Mapleton, and no one stays happy for long.


Thoughts and Discussion

- The music in the episode:
"Shotgun" - Junior Walker & The All-Stars
"Punching In a Dream" - The Naked and Famous
"Young Blood" - The Naked and Famous
"Without You" - Usher
"November" - Max Richter - This is actually the piano music you hear in nearly every episode when things are becoming clear or at the end of an episode when revelations occur.

- Did you notice...The Sudden Departure occurred at 2:23:48 PM. '23', '4', and '8' are LOST numbers. Other LOST references include the numbers 4, 8, and 42 on Laurie's prenatal monitor in the doctor's office.

- Did you notice...Jill's Science Fair experiment dealt with Entropy.

- Did you notice...Laurie's calendar quote reads - "The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground". It is a small insight into life I believe. Nobody feels the world around them; they create their own world as they go. Maybe? What do you think this means?

- I like the little foreboding nods to the eventual SD. Like when Kevin Sr. stated "You have no greater purpose", or Nora saying, "For the next four weeks, I have no family". Kevin also saying to Tom, "Sometimes, you have to pretend".

- Did you notice...Last week Patti told Kevin that Laurie counseled her. Now we know she meant it literally.

- Patti predicted the day of the SD. I suppose it could be chalked up to "A broken clock is right twice a day" type of thing, but still.

- Does everyone remember The Pattersons? The deer goes into their house where Kevin goes upstairs to corner it. These are the people that Nora interviewed for their SD check a few episodes back when they lost their boy with Down-Syndrome that we saw in this flashback episode counting coins and directing Kevin to the location of the deer.

- The deer could also represent feelings of being trapped. It affected certain peoples lives on the show. Just like the deer wanted to be free so did Kevin. The woman who hits the deer took a different route. The deer affected the woman Nora's husband was having an affair with. And the old couple taking care of the boy with Down-Syndrome who tells Kevin that leaving the house "is not going to happen". Kevin felt extra trapped which was foreshadowed by the dear having the balloon of "It's a Girl" covered in blood on it. I love the symbolism in this series (The metronome on the floor of the school that Kevin stares at was perfectly placed).

- "A man says to the Universe...Sir, I exist" This was a great speech by Kevin and appropriate. The Universe responds, "The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation".

- My favorite part of the episode was when the car full of women pulls up to Kevin sitting on the curb. They ask, "Are you ready?". Did they think he was part of the Guilty Remnant? They could not have formed yet formally, but what if they knew beforehand? Kevin WAS wearing white. Maybe they thought he was a member? Maybe they were from wherever Dean came from or whoever speaks to Kevin Sr.? The situation could not have become any more mysterious as the manhole cover rattles and explodes in a fury of fire and heat. Did Kevin even think about this moment when he learned of the SD event all over the world?

I hope everyone enjoyed the episode! I apologize if I rambled on, but there was actually a lot more I wanted to say (I could talk about this series for a long time) Please comment below so we can discuss the show more! I love reading all of your thoughts and last week you all were awesome! I look forward to it again. Especially since we have to wait TWO weeks for the finale and find out what Kevin decided to do with Patti's body! Yikes! Until then everyone, Have a great week!...and another one...


About the Author - Geo N
My name is George and I am from Detroit, MI. My favorite shows are The Blacklist, Hell On Wheels, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, LOST, Sons Of Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow and countless other shows. When I'm not watching tons of TV, I enjoy reading, playing hockey, comic books, weightlifting, and writing. Thanks for checking out my post.
Recent Reviews By Geo N (All Reviews)


40 comments:

  1. I have no words for how great this episode was!

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  2. It was awesome! I watched three times. Can't wait for the finale!

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  3. Great review, btw. Thanks for noticing certain things that at first sight were apparently not important. The finale is gonna be great. Can't believe we have to wait 2 weeks.

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  4. Great review once again! I too love4d this episode even if I was fearing the SD all the way through, since I didn't realize it was all a flashback episode I was kinda dreading the moment we came back to the shattered present.
    From the flashbacks I gotta say seeing Jill so very happy was utterly heartbreaking, even with all the sed constrasts shown in this episode that was the one that hit me the most. Also that morning with the kids waking Nora and her husband up was wonderful and very sad. Laurie's story was too but I can't seem to forgive her for leaving Jill.
    I agree with your theory about Kevin and Laurie's representation. Might Jill set Laurie free?
    I stuck me as heartbreaking to imagine a world where every regret just vanishes.

    ... "The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground"...

    This quote actually makes me think of the way we are created by the world arround us, the way we construct ourselves by opposition or similarity to the rest.

    ...I like the little foreboding nods to the eventual SD. Like when Kevin Sr. stated "You have no greater purpose", or Nora saying, "For the next four weeks, I have no family"...



    I hadn't realized this but it's very interesting, also I found funny the fact that Kevin Sr. was trying to convince Kevin Jr. that he has no greater purpose when in the present he's trying to convince him of the exact opposite. I also thing the car with the ladies was looking for Kevin Sr. and got confused with his son, just a theory.


    Can't wait for the finale even though I have to...

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  5. Thank you!

    Can't wait for the finale!

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  6. Thank you!

    Very good points. That's a possibility with those women in the car.

    I love your interpretation of the quote from Laurie's desk calendar. That is really good.

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  7. I'M IN SHOCK! i just saw the episode and i'm glad i found your review already. let me vent a little after i read and talk about it.
    At first i thought it was one on Kevin's dreams but after the opening i realized that it was not in fact it was their life before the SD, i read the sinopsis for this episode but i never thought it was going to be like this.
    Everyone was so different, they all had their problems but they dealt with them in their way. Kevin and Laurie's marriage was already in trouble.
    Patti was a troubled woman before (now we get why the bag with S"#", also i found ironic that Patti was seeking help in Laurie and then a few days later, Laurie was the one seeking help).
    Jill made a 180° degree change from the sweet bubblegum girl she was but it was kind of strange we didnt see the twins or Aimee for that matter, i thought they were the best of friends since ever.
    Papa Kevin was also something really extrange when they were talking outside the party, he said Kevin had no greater purpose and then years later we see him trying to get Kevin to understand what is happening to him. But for me most shockinglly of all was NORA!, she was like any other mother that in one momment they get frustrated with their kids and their lives, i doesnt mean she didnt love them, she just wanted to take a break from all and she went to look for a job, the husband was not helping at all and she snapped a lot to the kids.
    Also we saw pretty much everyone involve even if are just cameos since episode one, the woman with the baby on the landry place, the couple of old people that Nora interviewed.
    The momment SD ocurred was one hell of SOAB momment, one of the best of this season. No wonder Laurie joined the GR, she needed something to remember his lost child, which she didnt tell anyone about it maybe just Patti and that's why she understand, Nora loosing her entire family almost in front of her, the confusion in their eyes, everything. GOD it was amazing.
    Enough rambling. lets get to the review already.
    I like your theory about the deer and dogs, when they were talking about the animal in the party i felt it was more about him than the deer itself.
    Definetly this episode is a hell of a good one, again stand alones are always the best ones when we talked about this show. You can watch from here and begin the season since episode one and it wouldnt be much of a problem, it will help you a lot.
    Great review as always you are so aware of the details. I didnt even glance twice at the ultrasound screen to see the date it read.

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  8. Another awesome episode. Can't wait for the season finale. Ugh it's in 2 weeks

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  9. I have no words for how THIS review is. Great episode. Damon Lindelfof is a genius.

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  10. Great review, Geo, Thanks!
    I really enjoyed seeing Tom with his family for the first time. Did I miss understand or was the guy he went to see his dad? So Kevin isn´t his real dad? If so, it makes his story, taking care of Holy Waynes child even more interesting.

    I was always looking for those dogs to mean something more, and maybe you are right. But if the dogs resemble Laurie, it doesn´t make sence for the scene where Jill let´s the dog go and after that goes to GR to find her mother.

    I loved the last scene with the car pulling up besides Kevin. I wonder if that means that Patty was right, some people had a feeling that it was coming.

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  11. Thank you!


    I think Jill wants to go set her mom free like she did the dog. Maybe, it kinda makes sense.


    Yeah that scene with the car was great. I hope we get more of an understanding about it.

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  12. Thank you very much Boone!


    It was an awesome episode. too babd we have to wait two weeks for the finale.

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  13. george george, you will not believe me, but my theory is quite different, I believe that everyone is in a coma, or died, all we watch, and they are deciding whether to go to heaven or hell as I've said before. When that car passes by kevin and woman ask if he is ready, is to die for, the manhole cover falls on his head, Jill and tone are the extremes of experience of electricity, had led shock and died (or coma), Laurie somehow takes a shock on ultrasound, nora takes a shock in wet cell. It may be, that some electric discharge happened in the universe. As the dogs represent Laurie, i don´t think so, according to the Bible, Apocalypse 22:15 "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie". The dogs represent hell, Jeremiah 15: 3 " says the Lord, I will punish them with four kinds of punishments: the sword to slay, the dogs to drag and with the fowls of heaven and the beasts of the field to devour and destroy." I don´t know George, we'll soon have more emplacements, maybe you are more correct than I.

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  14. Hmm....I hope you are not right about them all dying. As a huge fan of LOST, I´m sooo over that, and if I have to go through all those theories once more, I think I would rather drop the show.
    As for the dogs.....maybe, the show seems to have a biblical theme and it could fit in. I´ll have to think about it, not sure yet.

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  15. And Tom, did you also think it was his dad, he went to see?

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  16. Carol, that is a very interesting theory. You definitely know your scripture. And although we claim contradictory theories for the path the series is traveling down who knows what will happen or whichever one us is correct?


    To be honest, I am not sure they are all dead...at least I hope not anyway. I remember going through a similar type of theory while watching LOST and thought that it would be horrible if we were watching a show where all the characters we came to love and care about were deceased the entire time. Time will tell, though. I do enjoy reading your thoughts!

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  17. Lol, I think we were typing similar statements at the same time bud. Lol

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  18. Thank you Ron! I appreciate the kind words!


    And great comment! I enjoy reading your thoughts every week. It's a shame we have to wait two weeks for the finale.


    The biggest scene for me was the one where the women came driving up to Kevin sitting on the curb. They then say "Are you ready?" thinking he was someone else. I hope we get some clarity on that. Very glad we have a second season to look forward to.

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  19. =) we need see the finale.... right? and a year of thinking until de season 2

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  20. I thought i put that in there lol . Yeah what is up with that? The women on that car were so sure tho i think that is reated with what Papa Kevin wants him to do.
    I didnt know we have to wait two weeks D:

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  21. Me too, I am psyched!!!!

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  22. Lol, very observant. Yes I was a little anxious because of how truly extraordinary the episode was. I wanted to get everything down and before I knew it I was finishing the Review and decided to post it. Lol, I love that you noticed that, thank you.

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  23. I know, it's going to be rough waiting the two weeks. Well, only a week and a half now. I was thinking of writing an article about the different plot threads and wherever everyone is to get ready for the finale. Then we can all discuss to prepare for the finale. what do you think?

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  24. It seemed to me like he must have been over there more than once. I´m guessing the dad got tired of Tom stiring things up and pushed him out the door, so he hit the back of his head. Kevin seemed like the awesome stepdad that stod up for Tom.
    Holy Wayne also left Christine and her baby and it will be interesting to see how Tom deals with that.

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  25. oh yes of course, kind of a recap where everybody is now and how they change because of the SD.

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  26. That would be great to see Holy Wayne's flashback! Hopefully next season!

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  27. Good, I'll start on that. Keep an eye out for it. Actually I am going to ask for help in a comment at the top so look for that too. Thanks Ron!

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  28. Hello Leftover Fans (that sounds weird), I was going to make a post about questions we have for the finale so if you can think of any reply to this comment and I will add relevant ones. I plan on posting it sometime next week to prepare us for the finale. Thank you!

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  29. Could other religions use their own people to make an statement? just lke the GR in mapleton used Patti cold others do that too?... this comes from the "Guest" episode where the man said to Nora that the Pope was hidden in the Vatican City and not gone with the SD.
    Where the hell does Holy Wayne come from? and why he got all those women pregnant?.
    After all that has happened, can any of them be how they were before the SD?

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  30. This episode had a huge LOST feel to it. The prolonged flashback helped to fill in and put together a number of pieces of the big puzzle this small town is. I loved to see Patti and how troubled she appeared to be, and also Gladys as the lovely dog breeder. Kudos all around to the people involved in this show.

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  31. Very good questions, Ron. Thank you!

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  32. I'm speechless. This series, gets better every week.

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  33. Hi Geo! I think your theory about the dogs and deers is very interesting. Even though, i think the dogs symbolize Laurie's pregnancy/ unborn child, let me explain why:
    _ In this episode we can see that Laurie wants to get a puppy, but Kevin doesn't.
    _ Then Laurie went to the breeder (Gladys) and said: "My husband won't come".
    Gladys: "Just bring him home. I promise, the minute your husband sees him, he'll fall in love."
    And right away Laurie started to cry.
    I guess all this thing is related to Laurie's pregnancy, and Kevin did not know about it.

    Regard to deer's theory, i don't know what to think, it's so confused... and i have not any theory about that yet. I think your conjectures have sense.

    ..."Much like there was a scar, or flaw, on the island of The Lord of The Flies, there is also a crack, or scar or flaw, in the foundation of the Garvey home (remember: Kevin sees above the painting the crack in the wall like a lightning bolt)"...
    The crack in the wall caught my attention much like the cup of coffe we could see when Kevin Sr. is talking his officers about the deers. The cup of coffe reads "My hero". Did you notice that?

    By the way, great review as always. You're so aware of the details and you point out things that i overlooked so thanks :)

    English is not my native language so i hope you understand what i mean.

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  34. Great review Geo. I wasn't entirely sure about this show to begin with, but after the past few weeks and especially after last week's episode, I'm not regretting (get it) getting into this show. I'm looking forward to the finale tonight! And your explanations and theories are amazing, things I never even thought of!

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  35. Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!


    ALSO, I apologize for this, but the Finale is not tonight, it is in one week!!! They skipped this week for some reason. I will however be posting an 'Unanswered Questions type of post in the next few days so please keep an eye out for that!


    Lol, and that line made me laugh --- "regretting getting into the show" lol

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  36. Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate it! And I think your English is great! I did not even notice. Great job!


    I like your theories as well, very observant of you! I look forward to the finale...too bad it is next Sunday.


    I did notice the mug reading "My Hero", however, did not relate it to the crack in the wall. That is interesting. Thank you for pointing that out.

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  37. Oh that's right, I forgot it's Labor Day weekend or something, my other Sunday show Witches of East End isn't on either. Thanks for reminding me or I would have been so confused when it doesn't come on haha. Looking forward to that post.

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