The Leftovers - Solace For Tired Feet - Review: "See You On The Other Side"
14 Aug 2014
GN Reviews The LeftoversAfter last week's amazing episode of The Leftovers, where we learned more about Nora Durst and her daily life, the writers slow things down a little and it makes me wonder where they are going with the first season. There are only 2 episodes remaining until the first season finale and I am still not sure what the finish line is for the characters. Don't get me wrong, every episode, in my opinion, has been great and I can't get enough of this show. However, by this point in a season, shouldn't we at least know what the end game is going to resemble? The good thing is that there were some revelations that cleared some things up, giving us answers to some questions we had. In this show,of course, with more answers there always seems to be twice as many questions springing up.
The best thing we learn from this episode is that Holy Wayne is two-timing the mothers of his unborn children (sorry, I can't bring myself to typing 'baby mamas'...oops). He seemed very out of sorts when he was speaking with Tom and I was a little confused as to where all of that came from. I suppose it is still nice to see that he cares for them and wants to make sure they have money to survive, but what does he actually think will transpire from all this? I would love to know everyone's thoughts about Holy Wayne and his potential clan of children (I'm certain these were not the only two girls that are pregnant by him). And is the Asian thing a personal preference or is it necessary from a prophetic standpoint with him? I 'm sure we will get more answers regarding him and his children soon as the season draws to a close and Christine having already given birth...by herself...in a bathtub...yikes.
I read an article that Damon Lindelof and his team of writers took time to come up with different scenarios for what people would do in a real life SD and apparently one was the scene with Jill and her gang of friends locking themselves in a refrigerator to honor some myth they heard about. I thought that scene was one of the best of the episode and was exactly what teenagers would do in a post SD world. Jill's rebelliousness is growing more dangerous with each episode and I'm wondering how far she will go. Possibly joining a cult would be my guess. What do you all think Jill is headed towards?
Kevin's scenes are, by far, the best and strangest in any episode. It's difficult to tell what is real and what isn't with him. The dream sequence this episode showed what could be foreshadowing with Laurie in the truck bed wrapped in plastic and bloody. There were quite a few GR members in the back of the truck actually and I wonder if something will happen where the towns people will take it upon themselves to eradicate Mapleton of their nuisance in white clothes.
The highlight of the episode was Kevin and his search for his father, who escaped from his facility. The writers continue to blur the line with certain scenes. Some have religious undertones while other serendipitous events could be viewed as happenstance. Take for example Kevin Sr. being in the right place at the right time to save his granddaughter, Jill. Are we to believe he just happened to be running through that part of the woods at the same moment Jill needed rescuing or is it possibly divine intervention? I am extremely looking forward to who "they" are that Kevin Sr. kept referring to when speaking with Kevin Jr. in the diner and why they have a subscription to National Geographic. If he had an iPad digital subscription he wouldn't have had to go to Gabota to find a back issue either...jk. He says "they" were very specific and he needed to give Kevin Jr. the issue from May 1972. I looked up the issue and it is very interesting. Christine, in her slumber, mutters at one point in the episode about "There's spiders under water" and one of the articles from 1972 is titled, "The Spider That Lives Underwater". The next episode of The Leftovers is titled, "Cairo", and another one of the articles is, "Cairo, Troubled Capital Of The Arab World". It is all very cryptic and makes me look forward even more to the next episode to find any connection.
Thoughts and Discussion
- The songs in the episode are:
"The Love You Save" - Joe Tex
"Miserere Mei Deus" - by Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine & Gaël De Kerret
- I hope we find out what Holy Wayne's girls mean when they say, "He's the bridge", very soon.
- The National Geographic story line is very intriguing, especially as it suggests that Kevin Sr. can commune with people that are not there. I wonder if the fact that the camera showed his reflection in the window for a moment menas he is in fact crazy and only speaking to himself. I would love to know what you all thought.
I hope you all enjoyed the episode! Please comment below to tell me what you thought and where you think the story is going.
Great review again George!
ReplyDeleteGreat episode, I was holding my breath during the fridge scene, I just had a feeling the handle would break lol.
The multiple babies/girlfriends and "bodyguards" is getting more interesting now and The birth scene was pretty awesome.
Can't wait to find out about the Nat Geo stuff as well. I'm expecting some mega twist here and that will be the end of the season. If/when we get a S2 it will be that twist that we continue.
....by this point in a season, shouldn't we at least know what the end game is going to resemble?...
ReplyDeleteI would usually agree with you but with this particular show I find myself trusting that the writers will get us to that point and it will be much better Because we didn't see it comming.
I still could take a guess that Kevin's possible "big role" (sujested by his father and his voices) in all of this SD madness is going to be one of the main subject of the finale.
...Possibly joining a cult would be my guess. What do you all think Jill is headed towards?...
During the last episode I was just thinking about that but from the perspective that all the Garvey family members seem to be in some kind of cult so it wouldn't be a surprise if they showed us a new cult by getting Jill in one. I also agree that it's great how they explore how this teenagers deal with this, it's fascinating and sometimes very sad.
...Kevin Sr. being in the right place at the right time to save his granddaughter, Jill. Are we to believe he just happened to be running through that part of the woods at the same moment Jill needed rescuing or is it possibly divine intervention...?
In my opinion that has something to do with the voices he hears, at first I thought he was crazy but as more and more crazy things happen in Mapleton it gets easier to believe they could be real.
I really can't wait for the final episodes though I really don't want it to end, a bit contradictory huh?
Thank you for the kind words!
ReplyDeleteLol, yeah a little contradictory, but completely understandable. I feel the same way about the finale - I can't wait for them at the same time not wanting the season to end.
I should clarify what I meant by saying we should have some idea of where the season is heading by now. My meaning is not one that is critical of the writers. Usually, in any other show, we would have an idea of what a particular series is leading towards - possible a discovery of some kind or a fight/confrontation with a "Big Bad". However, The Leftovers is unlike any series I know, so you are most definitely correct in saying are trust should be with the writers and they will come to an appropriate conclusion...however much we don't want the season to end, :)
I agree, too, on what you wrote about Kevin Sr. and the voices, great observation.
Great points on everything else. I love reading your thoughts, thank you for that.
Thank you so much, I appreciate the kind words!
ReplyDeleteLol, that's funny about the fridge scene. I didn't think the handle would break, but I was on the edge of my seat.
I really hope we get a season 2. I think it will be so interesting to see this story continue.
Thank you for the review. It´s great to read your oppinions about the show.
ReplyDeleteI love how the story unfolds and I´m happy not knowing where it is going. I´m guessing that things are gonna heat up even more around GR though. Only two episodes left.... I really hope it get´s renewed.
My favorite part of the show is Kevin´s dad. I hope we see him a few more times before this season ends. I doubt that he is completely crazy and I can´t help wishing for those voices to be real. Him being there to save the troubled Jill was fantastic. I doubt that Jill will join a cult, there are already enough characters on the show in cults and they need characters like her to show how it feels to be left behind.
Holy Wayne....I have no idea what to think of him! I´m so confused. One minute I like him, the next I hate him, Well, he is surely interesting. I´m sure you are right, those two girls are not the only ones, and I´m sure the rest is asian aswell. There must be a reason for that.
Another really good episode. The best part was Kevin's dad. I don't know if he's crazy or not, but he was amazing in the episode. I'm also intrigued by the National Geographic magazine. It has a lot connections to the show. Can't wait for the last 3 episodes
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words!
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right about Jill. She may not join a cult, but her actions seem to be getting more risky with each episode she is in.
And Holy Wayne is very interesting....definitely looking forward to see where his stroyline goes. I really hope The Leftovers gets renewed.
And I am with you regarding Kevin Sr. - I kind of want those voices to be real and can't wait to see the relevance of that Nat Geo issue.
I agree, I loved the scenes with Kevin Sr. Can't wait to see the Nat Geo connections reveal. It is going to be great!
ReplyDeleteYes, what´s up with the Nat Geo issue? If I was Kevin I would have read that straight away!!!! But where is the story in that, right?! Can´t wait to find out more!
ReplyDeleteLol, If I was Kevin I would read it too. Maybe he will read it NEXT season since they just got renewed. Lol, sorry, I was just looking for a way to plug the renewal.
ReplyDeleteThe Leftovers has been renewed for a Second Season!!!! That is great news!!!!
ReplyDeleteyesss! Second season, just a question George, do you read the books? oh...no mention about Nora and Kevin....? I love it, and Kevin and Jill´s friend...i think the two hook up and Kevin doesn´t remember, I´ll hate if this happened
ReplyDeleteI have read the book, yes! I really enjoyed it. I would be very happy to answer any question you have. I'm not sure if your comment was the question or not, but if you could repeat it I would be happy to answer.
ReplyDeleteGlad you read it! =) I´m sorry for my bad english, and speak about kevin and aimee is spoiler I guess, Thanks for the answer, see you next week
ReplyDeleteI think your english is great! I just didn't know if that was your question or if it was something else. I understood you perfectly, :)
ReplyDeleteI can comment on Kevin and Aimee if you like, but I would end up spoiling it for you. I, personally, enjoy spoilers, but I know a lot of people do anything they can to avoid them.
Lol, that sounds good!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. This show has turned into one of the best of the past season.
ReplyDeleteHow much more story is left in the book? Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I hope that as a result of the renewal people that were on the fence about the show give it another chance.
That is a difficult question to answer. Partly because they have added a lot to the story for the sake of Television. If I had to give an answer I would say that there is about 20 to 25% left to tell. Maybe it would be more appropriate to answer based on the characters. Tom and Christines storyline probably has about 10 - 15% left to go. Kevin & Nora's has about 5- 10% remaining. Jill is a little trick, she has 15% I would say. Meg and Laurie's story line has the best story left to tell, they have about 25 - 30% left to go. Hope this helps. :)
ReplyDeleteGood to know, now we know who will be the main focus in the next episodes. Do you know if there is any more story coming up for Kevin Sr ?
ReplyDeleteHe is not in the book. The whole Nat Geo story line is new.
ReplyDeleteoh, wauw, I´m glad they added his story. Was the priest in the books?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he was added too. Reverend Matt was in the book yes. He was more of a catalyst for certain events rather how important he is in the show if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Loved the episode though I did also find myself asking where this was all going. Hope the payoff/endgame is as rewarding as the journey towards it.
ReplyDelete