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[Revolutionary]

Finally, a good episode. I just might see this through if it continues like this.

 

[NimbusD]

I thought it was kind of an odd choice to withhold for a while that Nora and Rev. Matt were brother and sister - like it was supposed to be some sort of moderately surprising revelation.

Yeah that's my one issue with this show so far. It's holding back on relationships between characters for what appears to be simply adding to the feeling of mystery. Like with the deal with Kevin's Dad for example. There were a few more things that stuck out that I forget now... maybe I'll remember later, but it definitely seems to be a trend.

 

[BertramCooper]

Yeah that's my one issue with this show so far. It's holding back on relationships between characters for what appears to be simply adding to the feeling of mystery. Like with the deal with Kevin's Dad for example. There were a few more things that stuck out that I forget now... maybe I'll remember later, but it definitely seems to be a trend.

Yeah, there's no logical reason to withhold information like that from us. It's one thing if the show is withholding information a character is concealing from other characters, but it's just kind of dumb and annoying when a show withholds basic information that every character on the show already knows.

Maybe I'm just misreading that scene or something, but it definitely felt like that information was supposed to come as a surprise to us.

 

[mysocksarepink]

this show is really fucking sad


me watching leftovers: Damn that episode was depressing

damn that episode was heartbreaking

damn, THESE TEARS IN MY EYES?

 

[AngmarsKing701]

My wife and I watched the 2nd episode today and decided to bail. It's not that it's bad, it's just that we decided there's way too much other stuff we're watching. And that other stuff doesn't require a lot of "is this just weird on purpose or is there a purpose to it being weird?"

So, I'm out.

 

[Frog-fu]

My wife and I watched the 2nd episode today and decided to bail. It's not that it's bad, it's just that we decided there's way too much other stuff we're watching. And that other stuff doesn't require a lot of "is this just weird on purpose or is there a purpose to it being weird?"

So, I'm out.

You made it this far, I suggest you watch episode 3. Response to that has been pretty much positive wherever I've looked, also the preview for the rest of the season looks insanely good.

 

[Dany]

Pretty awesome third episode. Big fan.

 

[Steelyuhas]

Is anyone else as thoroughly impressed Eccleston carried that entire episode by himself? I honestly couldn't have expected that. It felt like a character-centric episode of LOST from the earlier seasons like Walkabout (Locke; season 1) or The Long Con (Sawyer; season 2).

Yeah he was pretty great.

Little random note: Both Matt and Kevin have dreamed of being consumed by flames.

 

[Dany]

OH CRAP.

That's ginny. lol

 

[MrGreencastle]

Well I'm in after 3 eps. I hope they were serious when they said that it should wrap up after the 10 episodes, I like when shows do that.

 

[Lumpy Onion]

Holy shit was that intense. I seriously wanted a cigarette after watching and I haven't had one in years. Great fucking episode. Always been a fan of Eccleson and was cool that it pretty much revolved around him.

 

[Night Hunter]

Pretty good episode, but i still don't get what the point of this show is.

 

[mysocksarepink]

Pretty good episode, but i still don't get what the point of this show is.

the struggle

 

[Lumpy Onion]

Pretty good episode, but i still don't get what the point of this show is.

I thought it was about people reacting to a situation that doesn't make any sense. At least that's what I am getting from it so far. It's about how their lives were shattered and how they are coping with something unimaginable. The "why" it happened isn't really the focus.

 

[a secret-boss]

Feels like the "rapture" is an excuse to show a drama.
Without it, it feels like a regular show

 

[Night Hunter]

I get that the show is about showing people who try to make sense of the unexplainable, but that's not really a point. Sometimes I just get the uneasy feeling that it's actually about the stabilising force of religion in a society and I really don't know if I am just imagining this or not.

 

[Dany]

the struggle

 

[Technosteve]

that episode of doctor who was pretty good.

what the fuck is this show trying to be?

 

[ZackieChan]

Really enjoying this. I just don't see much of what people are hating about it as issues, but to each his own, I guess. I'm intrigued and entertained. Definitely not as slow as I was led to believe it would be. "Moving forward" seems to be unraveling information about the world and the characters, not necessarily moving toward some ending. But maybe we are and just don't know it.

 

[Skinny Pete]

I wasn't big on the first two episodes and almost bailed. Glad I didn't. That was some great television. Hope we get more episodes focusing on a single character like this. It was really well done.

 

[roosters93]

I'm not in love with it yet and I feel like despite Lindelof saying the mystery won't be Lost-like, I'll get fucked over by it at the end. But I'm intrigued and where others see boring I see a distinct tone and speed that is different from most but still good.

Wow, this priest is a dick.

"Brother, I love you..."

"Your husband was cheating on you. Long-term. With a waitress. I think he loved her...oh wait, love you too. And please think about lending me that $135,000."


His motivations just don't make sense. He's on some mission to prove that the Event wasn't the rapture and not everyone who was taken was good...but nobody seems to be deluded about that, so instead he's just coming off as a huge asshole.

Uhh the guilty remnant?
The Christian commentators on TV I'd guess too

Also even if the majority of his community aren't like ermahgerd rapture, with the overwhelming confusion about the event and the hurt that causes, emphasising it wasn't the rapture still makes sense.

 

[Sober]

Feels like the "rapture" is an excuse to show a drama.
Without it, it feels like a regular show

What you don't like regular shows?

 

[a secret-boss]

What you don't like regular shows?

Like a soap opera

 

[Klocker]

Good episode

 

[royalan]

I'm not in love with it yet and I feel like despite Lindelof saying the mystery won't be Lost-like, I'll get fucked over by it at the end. But I'm intrigued and where others see boring I see a distinct tone and speed that is different from most but still good.



Uhh the guilty remnant?
The Christian commentators on TV I'd guess too

Also even if the majority of his community aren't like ermahgerd rapture, with the overwhelming confusion about the event and the hurt that causes, emphasising it wasn't the rapture still makes sense.

I don't think the GR do what they do because they think that everyone taken was good. I think they do it just to serve as a "reminder" that the Event happened. Although, if you ask me their motivations don't seem to make sense for the same reason the priest's doesn't -- namely, they all seem to be fighting an invisible enemy. The priest seems to be fighting a a war against people thinking the Event was the rapture and the people who were taken were good people...buuuut nobody seems to think that they were (we've had several characters comment on how they knew someone who was taken was a giant asshole, going back to the first episode). Likewise, the GR's mission seems to be to serve as a reminder that the Event happened...buuuut nobody seems to be trying to forget that it did. Everyone is bogged down in the depression of it, even people who weren't close to anyone that was actually taken.

Hardly any of the characters' motivations align with the world as it has been presented to us, actually, which just contributes to how random this all feels. It's a huge problem with the show, in my opinion. I'm surprised so many of these glowing reviews don't comment on it.

 

[Blader]

Okay, episode 3 was pretty good, I'm on board with the show now.

My only big hesitation is that part of what I enjoyed about this ep was that it excluded virtually everything I disliked about the first two. :lol But I guess we'll see.

 

[Erigu]

I don't think the GR do what they do because they think that everyone taken was good. I think they do it just to serve as a "reminder" that the Event happened. Although, if you ask me their motivations don't seem to make sense for the same reason the priest's doesn't -- namely, they all seem to be fighting an invisible enemy. The priest seems to be fighting a a war against people thinking the Event was the rapture and the people who were taken were good people...buuuut nobody seems to think that they were (we've had several characters comment on how they knew someone who was taken was a giant asshole, going back to the first episode). Likewise, the GR's mission seems to be to serve as a reminder that the Event happened...buuuut nobody seems to be trying to forget that it did. Everyone is bogged down in the depression of it, even people who weren't close to anyone that was actually taken.

Hardly any of the characters' motivations align with the world as it has been presented to us, actually, which just contributes to how random this all feels. It's a huge problem with the show, in my opinion. I'm surprised so many of these glowing reviews don't comment on it.

Which is why I'm not sure what people are seeing in the latest episode...

Why is that guy doing the things he does? He has to keep telling (reminding, really) people that some of those who disappeared had skeletons in their closet because... his suffering would be meaningless otherwise? Whah?
Does that make more sense than all those kids burning themselves or dropping out of college because "what's the point anymore?" Or those assholes in white trolling everybody because "don't waste your breath"?

Am I supposed to understand that this is the first time Eccleston's character has to consider the idea that sometimes shit just happens? That you don't necessarily "deserve" what happens to you?
That, before, he had faith it all made sense (somehow, I don't pretend to understand how believers make sense out of all the tragedies around them), but now that the world has experienced what could certainly be called an actual supernatural event, a phenomenon clearly caused by something intelligent, interested in humans and not too concerned about the laws of physics as we know them, now, he's losing that faith? "Millions of innocents dying or suffering in natural disasters or freak accidents prior to that? Well, God probably had His reasons. But that sudden disappearance thing? Man, now, that's fucked up. Nothing makes sense anymore!"

Would things have been different for him had his car crash been caused by... well, a slippery road? Is there any point in telling that story here?
Is there any way for me to empathize with that character's behavior?
Is there any reason for me to be interested in that protracted "will he or won't he get/keep that money?" sequence which merely seems to be the writer fucking with him just for shits and giggles?
So many questions!

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Pretty good episode this week. Felt like an episode of Lost, but in a good way.

I hope the show does these single character-focused episodes on a regular basis.

I think it's a far more compelling format than the more traditional setup used in the first two eps.

I agree. I think the series would benefit from having a single POV per episode structure. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that isn't going to be the case.

Huh, Eccleston is returning to Heroes?

Interest just went up.

No, he isn't. He was asked on the red carpet about whether he'd be open to returning and he said "yes", but he hasn't actually been approached.

I hope they were serious when they said that it should wrap up after the 10 episodes, I like when shows do that.

If the show connects and people want more of it, there are more stories to tell in this world, but if it doesn’t, and these 10 episodes are the only 10 episodes of The Leftovers that will ever exist, I hope it will be more like The Prisoner than other series that were canceled after one season.

 

[Sober]

Which is why I'm not sure what people are seeing in the latest episode...

Why is that guy doing the things he does? He has to keep telling (reminding, really) people that some of those who disappeared had skeletons in their closet because... his suffering would be meaningless otherwise? Whah?
Does that make more sense than all those kids burning themselves or dropping out of college because "what's the point anymore?" Or those assholes in white trolling everybody because "don't waste your breath"?

Am I supposed to understand that this is the first time Eccleston's character has to consider the idea that sometimes shit just happens? That you don't necessarily "deserve" what happens to you?
That, before, he had faith it all made sense (somehow, I don't pretend to understand how believers make sense out of all the tragedies around them), but now that the world has experienced what could certainly be called an actual supernatural event, a phenomenon clearly caused by something intelligent, interested in humans and not too concerned about the laws of physics as we know them, now, he's losing that faith? "Millions of innocents dying or suffering in natural disasters or freak accidents prior to that? Well, God probably had His reasons. But that sudden disappearance thing? Man, now, that's fucked up. Nothing makes sense anymore!"

Would things have been different for him had his car crash been caused by... well, a slippery road? Is there any point in telling that story here?
Is there any way for me to empathize with that character's behavior?
Is there any reason for me to be interested in that protracted "will he or won't he get/keep that money?" sequence which merely seems to be the writer fucking with him just for shits and giggles?
So many questions!

the pigeons made him do it

 

[Erigu]

the pigeons made him do it

And they also told him to bet on red. Rather than green or yellow. Thanks, birds. Thirds.
(Although one could argue those traffic lights were mostly black, really, but hey!)

 

[Sober]

if you look closely at the casino security dude's ring you will see the dharma initiative symbol

also when the casino teller is processing all the bills the bill sorter passes by the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and even 42

 

[BadAss2961]

Great episode. Nice twist on the buyers at the end. lol

I was legit shook after the reverend discovered he'd been out 3 days. Thought he'd come home and find his wife dead, but they didn't go there.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Is anyone else as thoroughly impressed Eccleston carried that entire episode by himself? I honestly couldn't have expected that. It felt like a character-centric episode of LOST from the earlier seasons like Walkabout (Locke; season 1) or The Long Con (Sawyer; season 2).

This is exactly what I was thinking, even the two twists at the end reminded me of LOST...

 

[tauroxd]

if you look closely at the casino security dude's ring you will see the dharma initiative symbol

also when the casino teller is processing all the bills the bill sorter passes by the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and even 42

Hahahaha so awesome

 

[ThLunarian]

This guy is a great character. That made this episode good.

I agree that the show would benefit from more character-centric episodes. Especially if they focus on great characters like preacher-man.

 

[ivysaur12]

Well I'm in after 3 eps. I hope they were serious when they said that it should wrap up after the 10 episodes, I like when shows do that.

I don't think anyone involved with this show has said this ever.

 

[MrGreencastle]

I don't think anyone involved with this show has said this ever.

By "wrap up" I mean self-contained, as in there wouldn't be massive loose ends to use as bait leading in to a second season if the show gets cancelled (Polar Bears, Smoke Monsters, etc). More along the lines of True Detective than Lost. I took it from lindelof's interview that that is their plan currently, assuming the audience responds to it positively.

I don't care how or why people disappeared. That's the hook, and the anchor for the rest of the narrative that provides a background means of tying everyone together. If you try and explain something that out-there, the show would likely lose focus fast. Keep it about this group for these 10 episodes and explore their interrelationships and what not, and make it dense enough that it's fun to interpret and speculate, but wrap up the introduced "mysteries" neatly and properly by the end of the season.

But if it gets renewed for a second season, I'd rather that be about a different or separate perspective elsewhere, with a different cast and maybe even a different point in time (sooner?), rather than an attempt to build up toward an "answer" and pump up the same people we are exploring already to unnecessary heroic levels. These people aren't that interesting outside of the narrative anchor, what's interesting to me is how they have been affected by this "Departure". They don't need to be "special" aside from their direct impacts on the people around them. I would much prefer to see how the Departure had affected different social groups, and that the "reasons" remain irrelevant.

 

[Mario]

Likewise, the GR's mission seems to be to serve as a reminder that the Event happened...buuuut nobody seems to be trying to forget that it did.

Not to mention they protested the remembrance parade and memorial statue unveiling. Which just leaves me confused.

 

[NeoGiff]

I thought it was about people reacting to a situation that doesn't make any sense. At least that's what I am getting from it so far. It's about how their lives were shattered and how they are coping with something unimaginable. The "why" it happened isn't really the focus.

Treme then, only much worse.

 

[Matush]

if you look closely at the casino security dude's ring you will see the dharma initiative symbol

also when the casino teller is processing all the bills the bill sorter passes by the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and even 42

I didn't see anything, went frame by frame. Not sure what you mean.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Holy shit was that intense. I seriously wanted a cigarette after watching and I haven't had one in years. Great fucking episode. Always been a fan of Eccleson and was cool that it pretty much revolved around him.

This is my only complaint about the show..it seems to want to make me smoke after years of not smoking. CHEW GUM DAMN IT!

 

[Dany]

And they also told him to bet on red. Rather than green or yellow. Thanks, birds. Thirds.
(Although one could argue those traffic lights were mostly black, really, but hey!)

lmao are you really going to do this for this show?

 

[BertramCooper]

Is there any reason to believe this wouldn't be picked up by HBO for a second season?

The ratings haven't been amazing so far, but they're decent. Definitely not Enlightened-level bad and I doubt they ever will be.

Plus, I can't imagine it's very expensive to produce - certainly nowhere near the cost of stuff like Game of Thrones, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire.

 

[Steelyuhas]

Is there any reason to believe this wouldn't be picked up by HBO for a second season?

The ratings haven't been amazing so far, but they're decent. Definitely not Enlightened-level bad and I doubt they ever will be.

Plus, I can't imagine it's very expensive to produce - certainly nowhere near the cost of stuff like Game of Thrones, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire.

I can't imagine it doesn't come back for a second season. It's drawing okay numbers and of the four dramas HBO is airing now/this fall, three of them are final seasons (true blood, boardwalk, and newsroom).

They also said at the TCAs the other day they were currently in talks for S2, so unless something weird happens it's probably just a matter of time before we hear of a renewal.

 

[Karu]

Treme then, only much worse.

Ha!
Not that I agree or disagree, but I liked your comment for some reason

I liked the pilot, thought episode two was good - episode 3 hit a homerun though. Totally on board now. Ecclestone's one man-show was fascinating to watch, he did quite well. More than one time I was reminded of LOST's Walkabout and that is never a bad thing.

Wow...it's kinda crazy how much the writer got wrong in this review. Not understanding the title, not knowing why he put the bet on red, misunderstanding the sex scene, etc.

At least a reviewer should try to look it up. But at least she got the grade right... I guess?! Eh...

 

[dead souls]

I can't imagine it doesn't come back for a second season. It's drawing okay numbers and of the four dramas HBO is airing now/this fall, three of them are final seasons (true blood, boardwalk, and newsroom).

They also said at the TCAs the other day they were currently in talks for S2, so unless something weird happens it's probably just a matter of time before we hear of a renewal.

It's almost certainly coming back which is a shame, because it's so terrible. I can't believe people actually liked the Eccleston episode. Sure, he did his best, but there's no salvaging writing this bad.

The only possible enjoyment to be derived from this catastrophe is laughing at the disparity between how profound it clearly thinks it is and how little it actually has to say.

 

[ThLunarian]

I liked the pilot, thought episode two was good - episode 3 hit a homerun though. Totally on board now. Ecclestone's one man-show was fascinating to watch, he did quite well. More than one time I was reminded of LOST's Walkabout and that is never a bad thing.

I can't wait to see where that death stare between the preacher and Patty goes. He now has 135,000 dollars available to hatch any number of schemes to fight back against those fools, and the motivation to get things done.

 

[Quidam]

Haven't seen episode 3 yet (been away, just caught up with episode 2) but I want to once again state that I'm really enjoying this show, but fully understand why it has been so divisive. In any case, I'm engrossed, and thrilled to hear episode 3 is meant to be the best one yet by some distance!

 

[Frog-fu]

I'd advise anyone still on the fence to watch the preview after episode 3. I'm super hyped for this show right now.

 

[Fancy Clown]

This show is scratching that "'LOST' when it was still good" vibe. We'll see if that maintains.