Year: 2014

Seasons: 3

Watched: March 2026

Favorite Episode: S02E08 International Assassin

Favorite Character: Kevin Garvey

Rating: 4.5/5

Thoughts and Praise: I'm really glad I went into this show only knowing the basic premise, and that it was highly regarded. For a story that maybe looks a bit strange but otherwise extremely mundane to an outsider, it continued to baffle and intrigue me at every turn.

The Leftovers picks up three years after 2% of the world's population inexplicably disappeared — "the departure." Naturally, the show delves into the intense grief this event has left some of the characters in, though I would not say that's thematic focus whatsoever. Rather, the central questions the story is asking revolve instead around belief, nihilism, and how humanity grapples with the absurd. When your framework for reality crumbles — regardless of if it is framed by religion, the laws of nature, or something else — what comes next? Can you rebuild your original framework around these new rules? Do you find a different frame? What is your reason for existing, and continuing to exist?

If you know me, it should already be pretty clear why I liked this show so much.

Considering those thematic elements, the show makes few attempts to explain the why or how of the the departure event. The Leftovers instead tightly focuses on the character's and how they have been either directly or indirectly impacted by it. This structure is elevated by some fantastic writing and performances, but that's not to say the world itself lacks detail. In fact, the world-building was one of my favorite aspects of the show. It's difficult to describe, but there are so many details about the world's response to the departure event that are effortless sewn into the story and setting.

Police chief Kevin Garvey (played by Justin Theroux) was undoubtedly my favorite character. Importantly, he did not lose a loved one during the departure, but in choosing him as the arguable main character, the writers get to examine the more nebulous impacts of the event on the world and its people. Much of the story's questions surrounding nihilism and suicide are centered around him. This all comes to a head at the end of season 2, most prominently in my favorite episode "International Assassin," an entry which certainly hits all the right emotional and story beats while simultaneously flipping the show on its head. To say anything more about Kevin and his character arc would honestly be an immense disservice to someone's first viewing. Just go watch it.

Criticism: My biggest gripe is the underselling of Kevin and Nora's relationship. By season 3, it becomes clear that the show considers this duo to be the emotional center. I agree with this, but I don't think the groundwork was laid for me to really feel it. More time needed to be spent making me believe they are better together than apart. Secondly, I don't think the show was able to juggle several characters effectively. The most important characters have satisfying, but the show tends to give just enough juicy details on the minor characters for you to be disappointed when there's no follow through. Finally, I think season 3 was necessary to finish Nora's story in particular, but the other characters? I enjoyed watching their stories, but I could have been just as happy with where we left them in season 3.