Round Two: The Leftovers

The Leftovers: Season 1, Episode 2 “Penguin One, Us Zero” (B+)

In its second outing, this show demonstrates that it’s extremely dark, and isn’t going to offer any sort of satisfying, peaceful sentiment anytime soon. The level of detail is impressive, namely the notion of an insurance representative going door-to-door assessing claims of those who disappeared in the rapture. This show has constructed for itself some intense, disturbed characters, and it’s fascinating to see them interact with each other. Jill’s obsession with Nora is an intriguing way to learn about one character, with another tailing her and judging her as she goes about her daily business. Kevin, meanwhile, is having lots of trouble convincing people that his dog-killing friend Dean exists, though that haunting scene near the end confirms that he does seem to be real and that he is going to continue to involve Kevin is his crusade against what he believes are no longer their dogs. Laurie’s newfound role as mentor to Meg is very interesting, and it’s a fantastic way to get to know this particular cult. The final scene with Meg triumphantly swinging at the tree was enormously effective, and this series manages to capture the long-honored tradition of HBO episodes feeling like full movies, ending on a stirring and affecting note. Whatever is going on with Kevin’s son is definitely worrisome, but I do think this show has done well by focusing on a family unit where each parent is in a completely different place and the two children are just as determined and forceful in their chosen perspectives on society and what they plan to do to change it.