The first season of “The Leftovers” was met with polarizing reviews. Some critics hailed the show while others completely dismissed it due to its somber tone. Even the greatest supporters of the show recognized that not all of the plot points connected together and many of the characters served little purpose.
Going into the second season, co-creators Tom Perrotta and Damon Lindelof, who also co-created “Lost,” looked to work out the kinks to create a more universally-loved show. With these changes, Lindelof and Perrotta reinvent the show, cutting half the cast and moving the location across the country. The show, however, lives in the character’s emotions and sadness, taking place three years after two percent of the world’s population mysteriously disappears. The premise of the new season follows the Garvey family as they move to Miracle, Texas — the only town in the world where nobody was taken in the Sudden Departure.
The first episode jumps right into this season’s story, focusing on a new family — the Murphy clan — in Jarden, Texas. Familiar faces from the first season don’t appear until over halfway through the episode. Weaving in new mysteries and establishing complex characters, “The Leftovers” has accomplished what it originally set out to do in creating a lighter tone.
Carrie Coon remains the highlight of the show. Although Coon’s Nora Durst was more of a background character in the first season, Nora is more front and center this season, now dating former police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) as they move to Texas. Regina King joins the show as Erika Murphy — the matriarch of the Murphy family — who appears to be a prominent figure in the town of Miracle.
This second season has so far nailed it. The first few episodes tie up any unanswered questions from season one and quickly move on to new material. “The Leftovers” hasn’t moved away from its core emotional resonance, but has become an overall smarter show. Lindelof is even borrowing from some the narrative structure of “Lost,” with each episode following the perspective of only a few of the characters.
Every character and every thread of story have purpose, and each episode seems to build towards some unknown climax. If the rest of the season can maintain the quality and the energy that the first few episodes have had, “The Leftovers” may propel itself into being one of the best dramas on television. Season two of “The Leftovers” has all the right elements — let's just hope it can stick the landing.
Read More
“The Spaces We Seek” gives a student-curated look into displacement and belonging
By Emily Pitts | YesterdayThe year-long Museums Internships course is a special opportunity through the art history department where students interested in museum professions can learn through working at the museum.
“The Tortured Poets Department” is momentary and legendary
Yesterday“The Tortured Poets Department” is, by many measures, Swift’s most personal work yet.
Shakespeare on the Lawn brings new energy to an old classic
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoThis weekend, Shakespeare on the Lawn will deliver a new rendition of “Much Ado About Nothing,” set in a southern country club — and the production is a surefire hit.
