14 days to go. The Leftovers has had an enormous impact on it's viewership. From Kevin's rendition of "Homeward Bound" to the GR's attack on the third anniversary, this show has displayed masterful writing, ingenious direction and brilliant characterization. Now it's all coming to an end. With a third and final season promising to conclude one of the best shows on television, will it live up to it's promises?
I: "The Book Of Kevin"
Opening the episode is a sequence set in 1844. Mimicking the opening of season 2, we have a thematically relevant short story. In this sequence, a religious mother believes that in order to be taken by God she must be in the right place at the right time. This theme is explored throughout the rest of the episode and will be a major standpoint for the series. This is supported by Matt's speech, where he addresses that Miracle is the place to be, at the time of October 14th. Matt is also making the connection that the seventh anniversary of the departure has biblical relevance.
Despite following religious signals, she was not taken on the day she thought she would. This poses the question: "What do we do when the world doesn't end?". This is a theme that will be followed throughout the season, especially if nothing happens on the 14th. The shows' writer, Damon Lindelof, states that he wants the audience to ask themselves: "What is it about us that wants the world to end?"
"Nothing's going to happen on the 14th unless everything happens on the 14th."
The rest of the episode is dedicated to re-positioning the audience to where the characters stand now. To surmise; Evangeline and Meg are dead, Kevin can't die but is otherwise happy, Nora lost Lily and wants a child, John became religious and believes his daughter is still alive, Laurie still practices psychology and is now with John, Matt believes Kevin is Jesus -- convincing Michael and John as well, Mary is out of her coma and leaving Matt because of his strong religious values -- taking Noah with her, Tommy is a policeman, Jill is a uni student -- who leaves Miracle indefinitely and Kevin Sr. is in Australia.
With the characters re-positioned, there are only two story lines that have time to be built. Matt, Michael and John believe Kevin is Jesus and are writing a book about him. If Kevin was not Jesus, or cannot be thematically tied to a Jesus figure, the entire second half of this episode could be removed. This idea was prominent because the rest of the season pivots off the audiences' expectation of Kevin actually being Jesus.
Secondly, Dean returns and believes that K-9's are taking human form to infiltrate the government. This is mostly played for laughs and helps establish that Kevin is finally okay. The ending of the story, when the K-9 eats the sandwich, was a smart way to make audiences question whether this is legitimate. Regardless of if this turns out to be something that is explored later, or just a throwaway story used to spice up episode one, it was certainly an interesting addition.
"Does the name Kevin mean anything to you?"
The end. The ending of "The Book Of Kevin" is certainly the most interesting aspect of the episode. There is not much that can be discussed about this scene as we do not have enough information yet. What we can assume is; It is set in Australia, The doves have religious connotations (relating to the opening sequence) and that Nora wants to forget about Kevin. The final episode that is titled "The Book of Nora" will have the answers we seek.
Will you be in the right place at the right time? Will the seventh anniversary be another departure event? Is Kevin Jesus? What happens to everyone else?
These are just a few of the questions that are bought about in the first episode. The acting, cinematography, soundtrack, pacing, writing, directing and editing is the strongest it has ever been on the show. In my opinion I already believe this is the best show ever made, so to have an opener to the final season be as strong as this, well what can I say? This could be the best season of any TV show.
I will be reviewing each episode of this season here, on IMDb, as I believe each episode is well worth an in-depth review. Thank you for reading.
I: "The Book Of Kevin"
Opening the episode is a sequence set in 1844. Mimicking the opening of season 2, we have a thematically relevant short story. In this sequence, a religious mother believes that in order to be taken by God she must be in the right place at the right time. This theme is explored throughout the rest of the episode and will be a major standpoint for the series. This is supported by Matt's speech, where he addresses that Miracle is the place to be, at the time of October 14th. Matt is also making the connection that the seventh anniversary of the departure has biblical relevance.
Despite following religious signals, she was not taken on the day she thought she would. This poses the question: "What do we do when the world doesn't end?". This is a theme that will be followed throughout the season, especially if nothing happens on the 14th. The shows' writer, Damon Lindelof, states that he wants the audience to ask themselves: "What is it about us that wants the world to end?"
"Nothing's going to happen on the 14th unless everything happens on the 14th."
The rest of the episode is dedicated to re-positioning the audience to where the characters stand now. To surmise; Evangeline and Meg are dead, Kevin can't die but is otherwise happy, Nora lost Lily and wants a child, John became religious and believes his daughter is still alive, Laurie still practices psychology and is now with John, Matt believes Kevin is Jesus -- convincing Michael and John as well, Mary is out of her coma and leaving Matt because of his strong religious values -- taking Noah with her, Tommy is a policeman, Jill is a uni student -- who leaves Miracle indefinitely and Kevin Sr. is in Australia.
With the characters re-positioned, there are only two story lines that have time to be built. Matt, Michael and John believe Kevin is Jesus and are writing a book about him. If Kevin was not Jesus, or cannot be thematically tied to a Jesus figure, the entire second half of this episode could be removed. This idea was prominent because the rest of the season pivots off the audiences' expectation of Kevin actually being Jesus.
Secondly, Dean returns and believes that K-9's are taking human form to infiltrate the government. This is mostly played for laughs and helps establish that Kevin is finally okay. The ending of the story, when the K-9 eats the sandwich, was a smart way to make audiences question whether this is legitimate. Regardless of if this turns out to be something that is explored later, or just a throwaway story used to spice up episode one, it was certainly an interesting addition.
"Does the name Kevin mean anything to you?"
The end. The ending of "The Book Of Kevin" is certainly the most interesting aspect of the episode. There is not much that can be discussed about this scene as we do not have enough information yet. What we can assume is; It is set in Australia, The doves have religious connotations (relating to the opening sequence) and that Nora wants to forget about Kevin. The final episode that is titled "The Book of Nora" will have the answers we seek.
Will you be in the right place at the right time? Will the seventh anniversary be another departure event? Is Kevin Jesus? What happens to everyone else?
These are just a few of the questions that are bought about in the first episode. The acting, cinematography, soundtrack, pacing, writing, directing and editing is the strongest it has ever been on the show. In my opinion I already believe this is the best show ever made, so to have an opener to the final season be as strong as this, well what can I say? This could be the best season of any TV show.
I will be reviewing each episode of this season here, on IMDb, as I believe each episode is well worth an in-depth review. Thank you for reading.
