The Leftovers - The Book Of Kevin - Review: "The Son"

A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head he's gone
I wish we'd all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready
There's no time to change your mind
The Son has come and you've been left behind
- "I wish We'd All Been Ready" - Good News Circle

How great is it to have The Leftovers back? The opening scene is reminiscent of Season Two when the cold open of the premiere was a different time and place. This time we are shown people continuously believing in a preachers failed predictions for a coming flood; a flood being an ongoing reminder of what could happen on the seven-year anniversary of the Sudden Departure. Of course, Matt believes the seven year anniversary will be a harbinger of destruction and the apocalypse.

At the end of Season Two of The Leftovers on HBO, we witness Kevin's resurrection and, basically, fulfilling part of his journey to what he is destined to become. The town of Jarden, Texas is in chaos due to the actions of the Guilty Remnant, now being led by Meg. Not only did Kevin come back from the dead (remember, he drank poison and went to wherever the non-living were; read: hotel), but he was also shot in the chest at point-blank range by John. After being shot he walked through the chaotic town of Jarden and ended up at home where his entire family stood waiting. It's safe to say that Kevin cannot die.

Season Three picks up approximately three years later (the number three plays an important role in this season). You would think with the Sudden Departure so far in the review mirror, 7 years to be exact, that the planet would have moved on somewhat. However, with the number seven featuring so prominently in the Bible, then the 7 year anniversary of the SD should coincide with another civilization changing event.

One of my favorite parts of The Leftovers is the way that the music selection plays along with the story so well. If you notice, the music in this first episode contain lyrics suggestion that Kevin is a now a religious figure after dying in past seasons and coming back to life while living in Miracle. There are also lines suggestive of the Departure making the music in the episode all the more relevant. The best example of this is in Kevin's scenes where the music suggests that Kevin is a religious figure (Kevin riding on a horse with the music suggesting Jesus rode a horse; "I had a talk with Jesus" playing as Dean leaves Kevin at the station; Kevin wearing a crown at the party). We will see where that takes us this final season.

The first episode features Kevin prominently as suggested by the title, "The Book Of Kevin". Clearly, there are religious undertones along with an atmosphere of impending doom with Kevin figuring centrally to all of it. It's no coincidence that Kevin has come back from the dead, has a beard, and got baptized. But is Kevin The Son returned to Earth? If he is, we are looking at a finale for the ages.

The Season Three premiere of The Leftovers was a great introduction to the final eight episodes of the series. The acting was top notch along with the direction and storyline. As I have said, I have watched the first seven episodes of the final season and I think you are all in for a great treat.

Music from the Episode

- "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" - Good News Circle
Cold Open

- "Sign of the Judgement" - The Mcintosh Shouters
Kevin in the beginning of the episode; Kevin jumping in the pond; Kevin about to throw the book into the firepit.

- "Feelin' Groovy" - Simon & Garfunkel
Kevin getting ready to ride into town

Thoughts and Discussion

- As always, Max Richter's score for the episode is hauntingly amazing.

- The music definitely takes the hour from great to incredible.

- Did you notice... The number 3 and 7 plays an important role this season.

- I could not have predicted that John and Laurie get together.

- Where's Lily?

- It is not a coincidence that Nora's cast is blue. Blue being the official color of The Sudden Departure. How did she hurt her arm?

- Why is Kevin attempting to suffocate himself? Is he going crazy again? I assumed that because Dean was shot dead by Tom, that that was indicative of Kevin being better, leaving is delusions behind to the second season.

- I am really interested in why an aged Nora says that the name "Kevin" does not mean anything to her. Also, why was she grabbing pigeons with notes on their legs and throwing the notes away like the preacher in the cold open was doing?

- Did you notice... One of my favorite scenes of the premiere is when Kevin, Matt, John, and Tom are sitting on the porch telling stories of when they were 25. Kevin using the words "Divine Intervention" was on purpose of course as is the song playing in the background - "Warning Signs" by Dick Flood. It also suggests that everything that has happened to Kevin up to this point is a direct result of that day he met Laurie and Tom, right?

Thank you for checking out my Review! I will be posting an advanced preview for episode two by tomorrow.