The Leftovers - S2E2 - A Matter of Geography

Previously on The Leftovers, ‘Axis Mundi’

The Leftovers set the bar high with their opening episode for season 2.

This episode launched us back in time to the Garvey’s life before their arrival in Jarden. It was hard not to cringe at the thought of seeing everyone back to their old selves. The fresh faces and attitudes of Miracle were a welcome relief from the often depressing stories we had last year in Mapleton.

Thankfully, the flashback only took us back far enough to explain how the Garvey’s decided to split town in the first place.

Nora, Kevin, and Jill are discussing the adorableness of Lily. (How could they not? That child is precious!) In the spirit of starting fresh, Kevin decides to come clean about Patti’s death and the guilt he has been holding onto. Not to be outdone, Nora discloses her habit of hiring prostitutes to shoot her. The three giggle over the odd disclosures and return to admiring Lily.

This seems to set the tone of the new Garvey family. They are bold, honest, and loyal to each other. Jill meets with her brother Tommy (who is apparently hanging with their mom now) and shuts him down when he starts trying to be a downer. Kevin digs up Patti’s body and tries to get honest with authorities. They couldn’t care less. Everyone hated the Guilty Remnants and they figure if he wants to feel bad about her death, that’s his absurd cross to bear.

Nora and Kevin are stressing over the thought of losing Lily when they try to officially adopt her. No need to worry - the officials are happy to sign her over (after ensuring they wouldn’t prefer a white baby - WTF, Social Services?)

This is not to say everything in Mapleton is sunshine and roses.

Nora is offered over $2 million for her house from scientists at MIT. Considering life is full of shady scenarios since the Sudden Departure, Nora wants to know what is behind the outragious deal. The scientists explain they are testing a theory that the departures were centered around certain geographic points, such as her dining area. This of course implies that Nora only missed being with her family…wherever they went.. because she was in the kitchen at the time, but not at the table. She wants to know if they expect more departures and they tell her that this is almost a certainty. Nora decides to accept their offer because how the hell could she stay there after that discussion?

Kevin is unwinding. He is unable to hear Lily crying over the loud music he is playing in the laundromat. He has his earbuds in at night. Why this sudden obsession with loud music? Apparently, it helps drown out the voice of Patti’s ghost, who happens to be his new constant companion. To highlight his descent into his own mental torture, he arrives home to find out his father has been released from the facility he has been living in to handle his own mental health issues. When questioned, he states he decided to start listening to the voices in his head. This apparently made him appear sane to the staff and they discharged him to follow his dream of restarting the world in Australia. (An interesting destination, considering that is where Tower Man in Miracle is addressing his letters to the unknown.)

It’s no wonder the Garveys decide to join Matt in Miracle. They need to take a break from the chaos that keeps pressing on their attempt to start fresh.

Unfortunately, the house they rented burned down the week before their arrival. (Thanks, John!) Nora is not about to let this slow her dream of a miracle in Miracle. She heads off to the auction room and slaps a $3 million offer on the first house up for sale.

So now we know how they arrived in Miracle. We also know what happened to Kevin’s head. (Thanks, Patti!) We also learned that Kevin was at the watering hole that held no water when the girls went missing. He woke in the mud, spitting out water, with a cinder block tied to his ankle.

What is happening in Miracle? Was he sleepwalking? Was this Patti? Why do the animals have to be quarantined before entering Jardin? Did the dogs ever go wild here? Where are the girls? Where is the water? What is up with Tommy and Laurie? Why Australia?!?