The Leftovers received no Golden Globe or SAG nominations. The show was also completely snubbed for Emmys this year. While some people enjoy it and enjoy talking about it, it’s not really a “critically acclaimed” show. I think of it more as a critically polarizing show, as in some critics think it’s amazing and some think it’s a typical Damon Lindelof hackathon/sh-tshow. I’ve caught ten minutes here and there and it’s not really my jam, probably because A) I’m really not into Justin Theroux, B) I kind of hate Damon Lindelof, C) I don’t buy the premise of the show. And while there are true-believers, the show’s ratings are terrible. So HBO is giving The Leftovers one more season and then it’s over.
You get one more season to watch Justin Theroux on your TV screen (until he finds another project). That’s right, The Leftovers is ending. HBO announced the drama from Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta will return for a third and final season after a critically-acclaimed (but poorly rated) second season. According to HBO, it was Lindelof’s decision to end the series.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome back Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta and the extraordinary talent behind The Leftovers for its third and final season,” HBO’s Michael Lombardo said in a statement. “This show has proven to be one of the most distinctive HBO series and we are extremely proud of its unrivaled originality, which has resulted in such a passionate following by our HBO viewers. We admire and fully support Damon’s artistic vision and respect his decision to bring the show to its conclusion next season.”
That E! story has a lengthy statement from Lindelof, in case you’re interested. He praises HBO for them the chance to end their storylines on their “terms.” Yeah, if the final season is anything like the last season of Lost, expect a lot of disappointment, stupidity and anger. And daddy issues. SO MANY DADDY ISSUES.
Basically, I find this interesting because of the Justin Theroux angle. This was Justin’s big career gambit after he got with Jennifer Aniston and signed on to CAA (Aniston’s much-beloved agency). CAA put this deal together, they put Justin with HBO. It really did look good on paper. Then CAA tried to make Justin into a bigger “thing,” and everyone wanted to believe that Justin could be or should be a contender for some big awards, like The Leftovers was his Mad Men and he was Jon Hamm. Not so much. That being said, I don’t think Justin’s career will take much of a hit from this. He’s already filming a significant role in The Girl on the Train, and if I’m right about that casting decision, that will be the role (more than The Leftovers) that makes people sit up and take notice of him as an actor.
Photos courtesy of HBO.
Um, no. The Leftovers is absolutely a critically acclaimed show, with most critics putting it No. 1 on must-watch lists.
And, as an avid fan, I agree. The second season was as near a perfect season of television as I’ve ever seen and easily rivals Breaking Bad as contender for best TV of all time.
The show would have been amazing with just two seasons – the S2 finale worked as both a season and series ender. Lindelof has learned from Lost and The Leftovers shows it. So I’m both excited there will be a third season, because it means more amazing writing & acting, and I think because things have been pretty well tied up at the end of each season, they have nothing to really tie up in the third season, so it can just be awesome (unlike Lost!). And then I’m sad because I think Perotta & Lindelof have said they had ideas for 5 seasons, so I wish they would’ve renewed them for 3 more seasons and then ended, just so we could see it all!
+1
If that’s true then shame on HBO for such uninteresting clips. I’ve never seen any clip or ad that did a thing for me.
Exactly. Everyone keeps saying it’s the best thing on television, it just never found an audience because of its grim subject matter. Although why no nominations for the cast is a bit strange.
I know we’re meant to hate Justin (because we hate Jennifer, because we love Angelina, because we’re five) but from the quoted text, the creator of the show agreed to one more season. It’s a bit misleading to say it’s been cancelled.
I’m not sure that quote is factual. As of a few days ago, Damon Lindelof was publicly saying he was “fighting for the future” of this show.
I think that it was more that HBO wanted to do another season, with the possibility of more, whereas Lindelof just wanted to wrap up the show definitively. Given the ratings, unfortunately, HBO wouldn’t argue with that.
Why drag in Angelina?
I personally don’t like this man because he is best friends with pedo Terry Richardson.
I think maybe he wanted to wrap it up properly with one more season. He’s probably got other things lined up already, and with the weak ratings, I’m sure HBO wouldn’t fight too hard to keep him.
@Ava I was only half kidding, I swear! And I agree about Uncle Terry, there’s no good reason to be friends with him ever.
Sorry Gina – I misunderstood 😄
A more objective title would have said it’s been renewed for one more season.
Stand your ground, @Gina. Certainly the Angelina Jolie-obsessives here never hesitate to bring Jennifer Aniston’s name up whenever someone might dare to suggest Jolie is anything less than perfect. And certainly those same obsessives hate Justin Theroux because they want so desperately for Angelina Jolie to win a tabloid war that she herself never wanted to be a part of as far as I can tell.
(And because I know the oh-so-clever “Jen Hen” accusations will follow, I really have no strong feelings about her. I actually like Jolie more in terms of her persona and creative output. But the obsession with her here ruins any thread that may touch on any of these four people.)
“I know we’re meant to hate Justin (because we hate Jennifer, because we love Angelina, because we’re five)”…
That was truly awesome! And so spot on!
“Everyone keeps saying it’s the best thing on television”
That’s quite an exaggeration isn’t it.
Glad you like it but making up stuff isn’t going to save it.
Yes! A million times! This season was unbelievable. The guys were great but it was really the women that brought it this season. Regina King and Carrie Coon doing the interview about Evie was one of the greatest scenes of television I’ve ever seen. And my husband just kept saying “I can’t believe this is liv Tyler. I didn’t know she could do this.”
I’m sad it will be over but I really enjoy when shows get to plan ahead for an ending rather than guess at the end of a season and have to scramble when they find out their fate.
I’m no Lindelof apologist – I thought lost was an epic television fail, and I was doubtful when I heard he was involved in this show. But I have really been blown away.
We really have to talk about the actors here. This season I really saw some outstanding acting in “The Leftovers”. I really enjoy watching it and the women-characters are so strong. I really don’t understand why this cast was snubbed.
I thought this too; nearly every critic I follow has been raving about this season. Sepinwall Matt Zoller Seitz, Todd Vanderwerff, among others.
Gigi – YES!
It is just not accurate to say The Leftovers is not critically acclaimed. It is a fact that season 2 has been widely and universally praised by all the major TV critics.
More accurate would be to say it not widely recognized by award nominations – which, to those of us who do watch, is a disappointing fact. The show did get a Writers Guild nomination for “International Assassin” but it really is too bad there are no acting nominations.
The entire cast is great, but at the very least, Carrie Coon deserves every possible acting award.
CROQUEMYASSS! More glistening orange goodness for us and am beyond relieved & pleased.
mimif – I told you not to lose CROQUEMFAITH!
ha ha. I think the timing of this season basically ruled it out for awards recognition this time around. Only a few episodes would have aired before noms were due; season finale was just last week. Even though it was a uniformly strong season, it was the second half that truly killed (above all the last 3 episodes). HBO made a major mistake not airing it in the summer, but in the fall in the time slot against Homeland and Walking Dead. Maybe they didn’t realize just how much stronger the second season would be. At least they’ll have the third season to wrap it up!
That you did, mia girl! I’m honestly surprised. I’m also laughing because I’m already stressing out about next season, what’s going to happen and if they can top the near perfect season 2.
IS KEVIN ABOUT TO DEPART? That’s what I want to know.
Sixer, I don’t think the writers would do that to Nora. That thought makes me nauseous. Gawd, she’s been through enough.
I hope not. Because where would we be without Kevin’s bottom lip wobble? N-O-P-E. Besides, he forgave John. Surely that’s his redemption?
Bottom lip wobble. Love it.
Sixer & mimif – our friend @tracking posted this earlier in the week. Thought you’d appreciate.
http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/justin-theroux-tears-the-leftovers.html#
Surely Nora won’t have an “easy” final season though. I suspect it will be about Lilly–foreshadowed by the loon who grabbed her in the finale. Maybe some crazies figure out she’s the “hugger”‘s bio baby and take her. That will give Kevin’s bottom lip the occasion for more wobbling.
Ha, mia girl–yes more beautiful tears, please!
Yay, @tracking, and I concur on the weeping. It wasn’t so much the end result of crying; it was the dissolving into tears. Lip wobble > welling eyes.
Can we also give a proper shout out to the nose snot that finally seals the deal? No Kevin emotional scene is complete without it. Nose snot was a big part of the finale.
Dying! Yes, the amazingly dignified nose snot played a crucial role in the finale.
@Sixer-
What if he has already departed? What if his ENTIRE FAMILY did and he (they) is (are) now in heaven?????????
The entire town was in a flaming shambles, no one around except the GR, who were all in one spot lazing around- it could’ve been their purgatory, and Kevin passed through and “back home”…
His karaoke song could have been his actual passing… !!!!
You see, AntiSocialButterfly? Owl Creek Bridge! It could be!
Haha! I did catch that the other day. #nosesnotsealsthedeal
@Sixer & @Anti, I thought the same thing, and it’s why I totally thought the show was over. Especially since John goes “home” but wonders “what if no one is there?” GAH I CAN’T WAIT!
@mimi &@Sixer-
It’s going to be a loooong, haaaaard wait for the final season. If they are all dead, what will be the focus of the last season? Each person working through his/her issues for which resolution becomes redemption? Then they all realize that they are dead and depart with finality?? GAH!!!!!!!!
I prefer my TV shows, particularly thoughtful ones like this, not to drag on. At least energies are now focused on staying true to the show rather than what inevitably happens with dragged out shows, shark jumping.
Also the season 2 metacritic rating of 80 and user rating of 8.8 makes this show a critics darling. Some of the best shows ever made have been snubbed at awards (The Wire!) and many by-the-numbers shows routinely sweep awards (BBT). Awards are a political process afterall.
THANK YOU. Season 2 was damn near perfect. You said everything I was coming to say.
YES! that show really was STUNNING this season
It was a good season. TBH really had little faith going into it because S1 for me was built on artsy emotionalism but S2 settled down & delivered.
+1000. It’s a riveting, brilliant show that is definitely worth your while.
I disagree. The Leftovers if far from a good show. And I’m an avid fan for all tv shows. I find tv far more compelling and interesting these days, than the blockbuster/comic book madness of movies (left aside the few exceptions of course, but they are fewer and fewer) What’s wrong with this show is not only the premise and the writing: it’s the leads. As much as I like (like, not love) Justin and Liv and the whole cast, they are not great actors, the ones that make it work even when the material is not great. Just make the, unfair yes, comparisons with other shows of the New Era of TV: Jon Hamm is a great actor. James Gandolfini was a great actor. Brian Cranston. That carry their shows sometimes just by their presence whether the season is good or bad.. An utter example? Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright: I’m sure they could just spend the whole show smoking by the window, or just staring at each other and still it’d be a masterclass of acting. That particularly applies to Robin Wright, who manages the always difficult task of outacting Spacey. They are great actors. Poor Justin is not. As simple and cruel as that. He has to stick to writing.
But it’s not “Critically Acclaime” in the way we think of the adjective. To be so technically it needs to be praised by Critics. I can’t find any 2 places agreeing on an exact number. Just plurals.
And collectively Seasons 1 and 2 are not praised by a strong majority. The Top rated critics by a majority have panned the 2 seasons. Easily showing an upswing with season 2 and many critics who praise do so because of season 2 alone.
I’ve watched it. It was a struggle in Season 1 to care, but Season 2 is MUCH better, but it’s not a show that is regarded by critics as great and not accepted by majority viewers.
It’s not like Arrested Development, My So-Called Life, Freaks and Geeks, etc…. That were Critically Acclaimed nearly accross the board, but just failed on tv.
Leftovers as the article puts it has true believers as a small pocket to praise it, but that’s not enough.
I think it is fair for you to say that there is a small pocket who watch it (particularly via live -TV). But I just don’t think it is acurrate to say that it is a small pocket of critics who praise it.
Season 2 has been widely praised by all the top TV critics/sites ( Variety, EW, THR, LATimes, NYT, HitFix, Vulture, Indiewire, WashPo, NPR, AV Club etc etc.)
Take a look at the recently released HitFix annual critics poll for the top 10 TV programs – The Leftovers is on the list for 2015.
Over 50 TV critics participate
http://www.hitfix.com/news/tvcriticspoll
http://www.hitfix.com/news/tvcriticspoll/critics/
@mia girl
Exactly. I think people who don’t watch it, don’t realise quite how much praise it gets from the critics. I’ve barely started the 2nd season, and I only did because every critic was freaking out about it.
To say it’s not critically acclaimed is just wrong. It is known!
(sorry wrong show)
Mia
I was speaking as a whole proportion. That small to 50 and small to a million are different.
For what critics are out there. What critics have greater masses of following, what critics are top rated on various outlets like RT. And sort of like on movie trailers of films that really suck you see the quoted articles, but if you squint and pause you can see it’s a website, or a barely known critic.
I hope that clears it up. I stand by my statement with this perspective.
Gina
I usually read loads of critics stuff and while the Leftovers was everywhere. With everyone talking about it before it even aired. Many top reviews once season 1 came and went praised parts, but not all of it. Agree to disagree I guess 🙂
FLORC – If we had only be talking about season 1, you may have more of a point.
But I will also stand by my statement that factually Season 2 is a critically acclaimed show – and by the vast majority of top critics, (not the squint and barely known critics you are claiming).
You cited RT – Season 2 is FRESH with 89% with 8 out 10 of the individual episodes, rating at 100% fresh. Of the “top critics” on RT, 17 of the 20 rate the program as fresh – 85%. Looking at the list of the 50+ critics from the HitFix poll I linked to, there is a virtual who’s who of important and widely followed TV critics.
The Leftovers may not be your jam, and clearly it is mine :)…but I just can’t see how you can say that at this point, it is not widely praised by critics.
By the finale of S1 mainstream critics across the board were going bananas for the Leftovers and widely anticipating S2. A quick Google search could tell anyone that. With the exception of S1E9 (which was problematic but I still enjoyed it), The Leftovers received consistently high marks. No disrespect, but the proof is in the pudding and to believe otherwise is just silly.
Agree totally. Season two is totally on par with final breaking bad season. Golden Globes missed the mark in not nominating the two female leads, esp for that scene they had with the departure questionnaire.
Carrie Coon and Regina King- couldn’t remember their names. Totally snubbed.
I totally agree with you GiGi, Season 2 was outstanding. I couldn’t believe some of the things that were happening. I think Justin is very good in it. I can’t believe their canceling it.
Season 1 of The Leftovers was amazing, but season 2 was a letdown. It’s like the writing took a nosedive. It could have been so much better, but somebody was asleep at the wheel.
Say it isn’t so. Oh well I guess now Justin will have to find another reason to hide out in New York.
Huh?? Season 2 is amazing, season 1, not so much.
Ditto.
Different strokes I guess. I felt riveted by season 1, but for me I got bored with season 2. I still like the show and hope they bring it to a good end in season 3.
This. S1 was disappointment S2 was surprisingly much better. Matt the ever optimistic man is what sealed the deal as a good season. His story line was my favorite.
I am a diehard Leftovers fan, is it an easy watch ? No. Is it for everyone ? Absolutely not. Am I thrilled they are getting another season ?? Hells yes !!!
The thing to keep in mind is that this show is, and always has been …an ensemble show. It’s not some Justin Theroux vanity project. There were several episodes in each 10 episode season that he isn’t in AT ALL. He’s a prominent character, but there are so many other fantastic people in it. Christopher Eccleston, Carrie Koon, Regina King, etc.
I’m not a Lindelof apologist (I’ve never seen an episode of Lost) but I feel like The Leftovers is a truly special show. Season 2 was better than S1, but I love it all ! I’m thrilled that HBO has the balls (and the payroll) to let them have another season. !
Ha! We were probably typing “not a Lindelof apologist” at the same time.
Hah, probably so. I’m kind of curious about eventually watching Lost, because I’ve enjoyed The Leftovers so much.
I don’t think you should! I really enjoyed the first season, which I binged on DVD before the second season started, and I stuck with it to the bitter end, but it was NOT worth it, and definitely nothing like watching Leftovers.
I couldn’t get thru the first couple episodes of Lost. I can’t get enough of The Leftovers.
No!!!! I’m really disappointed about this. I love the Leftlovers!!! I’ll never forget the scene were the lady’s infant disappears from the car seat. Also I found Justin Theroux hot in this role.
“Also I found Justin Theroux hot in this role.”
Probably because this is the only time he’s not wearing those skinny jeans. But I always found him attractive.
I agree his on-camera styling is infinitely better than his own street style.
I never have really found him hot, but he does look *great* in that cop uniform. Maybe I should give the show a try.
I saw pics of him on the set of his new movie–it is AMAZING how much better he looks when he’s wearing “grown up” clothes i.e. pants that fit, shoes that aren’t oversized, and a sweater and jacket combo……
He’s the only gone done up to look hot in that show episode to episode.
I like the leftovers, but agree that 3 seasons is where to end it.
One thing about Justin Theroux and HBO- HBO seems to be good to their talent, in that if they like an actor or actress they will sometimes get cast in new shows. Even if the ratings were bad, it was a good move for JT.
I almost didn’t watch S2 because I thought S1 failed to live up to its promise. But I LOVED S2. Usually, Justin makes my skin crawl (no reason, just does) and I even liked him. He stole his lip wobble from Clare Danes in Homeland, right? Right?!
It was just so clever. There was a point in the series, when John’s father is doing all the ju-ju in the shack outside town and I was beginning to think, “Erk, uncomfortable stereotype, Leftovers, don’t ruin it for me.” A couple of scenes later and up pops Patti saying, “Magical black man? That’s borderline racist, you know, Kevin.” And I realised the evil swines of show creators had punked me good. I loved that sneaky cleverness of it.
Plus, I thought Kevin had gone to Owl Creek Bridge not once, but twice, but was wrong. Is Kevin about to depart? I NEED TO KNOW! And can we have Patti back? I love Patti.
Peyton Farquhar! I loved Patti but I think she’s gone for good.
OMG, the Patti sly-Greek-chorus thing was genius. My guess is that Patti will return for 1-2 key flashback scenes. Because Ann Dowd.
God, how good was he during the karaoke scene? I would have given him an award based on those few minutes alone.
I heard Homeward Bound yesterday in a restaurant and teared up!
I know. A scene that was koo-koo and could easily have failed, but he pulled it off spectacularly.
I read that originally Kevin was meant to sing “Like a Prayer” but the production couldn’t clear the rights in time for filming. I re-watched the finale yesterday and noticed that on the spinning wheel, even the title of the song is there.
I can’t imagine the scene now using another song. The scene worked even better watching it for a second time and knowing how the episode ended.
Sometimes things work out for the best. His tuneless, heartbroken S&G for sure >Like a Prayer (I get could have upped the surreal factor, but it was surreal enough!)
He was so good in that scene that I still can’t get his rendition of “Homeward Bound” out of my head. It was so emotional. Such amazing work by so many amazing actors. Regina King, Carrie Coon, and the actor who plays the husband of Regina King (sorry I don’t know his name), he is so creepy scary that I would run the other way if I saw him in real life. An amazing season, glad it’s back for one more season. I sincerely hope that they all get nominated for this great work next year at the awards shows.
GiGi – I honestly thought they were doing a Peyton on him. Both times! And I’m still not sure. Patti was everything.
JKL – yep. Although there are so many scenes I won’t forget, I couldn’t number them.
Anne Dowd deserves some recognition! Patti was the best part of season 2.
Sixer – It had been a while since I fell so hard for a season of a TV program as much as I did this season of The Leftovers. Every episode got better, every actor dialed it up.
And you are right, there are almost too many memorable scenes to mention. This week, my husband and I keep mimicking Kevin’s response to John when he finds that he actually hadn’t killed him…
“Honey did you get the mail?”
“N-O-P-E”
“Do you want a piece of pie?”
“N-O-P-E”
Haha Mia Girl, we have been doing the NOPE thing, too.
We also are obsessed with the guy in the camp outside of town that showed Mary and Matt the tunnel back into Jarden. “She’s a-PREGnant?!” We say it ten times a day.
“To get you pregnant. THAT’S why I f*cked you, Tom.”
Mr Sixer spat his sandwich!
Once again, Kevin crawls out of the tub, looks around…
“MOTHER F*CKER!”
The “to get you pregnant Tom” thing really gave me the willies (no pun intended), what can that possibly mean? I swear I kept looking at his mid section there-after to see if he was actually gravid. Lindelof has a very convoluted mind, I love it, so many possible interpretations!
@Sixer, so many times I got tricked by their pseudo tropes! It’s been a very long time since I found a show so clever. Still slugging through Penny Dreadful btw. So much anguish, so many tears….Patsy & Edwina need to make an appearance and liven things up!
I truly love Penny Dreadful but S2 of Leftovers was betterererererer! It’s a thing of beauty. Properly serious and artsy and a bit up itself but also mocking itself and the artsiness and the tropes. That’s a hard, hard balance to pull off. My one disappointment? Kevin hiding his manhood with a prissy towel. Ecclestone and his stocks 4eva!
Yes, I totally agree. Those moments of droll delivery (N-O-P-E) were perfection.
Ahh, Sixer. I, too, was quite impressed with Mr Ecclestone at the stocks!
Hmmmmmmmm.
Sixer
I think to curb Lindelof’s drifting into complicated and dead ending story lines his long term story frame was requested and found to be lacking. So, HBO cut their losses when he failed to give it direction in a TV Show format. That the numbers were analyzed and they saw there was only a hole to be dug by continuing.
I do hope it wraps up well in season 3 and not this pit of unanswered everythings.
Hmph. Not often you and I disagree, FLORC! I’m with @tracking et al – I think HBO have seen the quality and the potential for long term cult appreciation and invested in a final season.
Sixer
Hmm… HBO/Showtime/Starz/Premium Channels… All have greater budgets and can get away with more than cable (although cable is catching up!), but I don’t see a change in their formula. If a show isn’t working they will cut it. At least they’ve declared it early and are giving it time to assemble a send off. Is that what you mean? I agree they are investing in final seasons vs. just not renewing at the end of a season, but that is still cutting losses IMO.
We might agree if so.
And as really off topic why is there no Nobel Coverage here?! Did we really need Kylie’s fake butt? What about the gorgeous gowns? Tiaras! Hot and Brilliant men in tailored suits! Where’s the nearest Fainting Sofa?!
this is surprising. i don’t watch it, but everyone is raving about it especially critics? it’s odd it got no nominations though.
that said, justin theroux is perfect for the role is playing in the girl on the train.
I am pleased they are having another season as I really enjoy it all the characters the music everything. I wasn’t so sure during season 1 but def loved season 2.
No! I love the show. I need more! Much more.
Thank god – now we don’t have to see him constantly trying to promote this show.
Pretty sick and tired of Mr Aniston and his sugarmama trying to sell their fake relationship for their constant flops.
AVA I think we’re on the same page. The only thing that interests me is that his eyebrow looks normal. That ultra arch thing is just totally pretentious!
Even his eyebrows are pretentious – Infact everything about this man is pretentious.
I’m not surprised it wan’t nominated. They don’t nominate something on it’s way out. It’s business, right?
Cancelling is the best ting that could happen to Theroux. He’s proven his acting chops in a big way and now he’s free to find a project with some legs. You have to totally respect him as an actor, now.
I don’t watch it, but I have friends who are diehard fans of this show and really praise it. I have always read great critic’s reviews on the show.
I love this show and I’m glad they are ending it before they ruin it. Stories can’t go on forever. I had never seen Justin Theroux in anything before and have been blown away by his acting. The scene with young Patty at the well was as good as I have ever seen on TV. Plus, my husband very rarely watches tv since he “wasted 9 years of my life on the X-Files and it ends like this?” and he has watched every episode of Leftovers with me. I want it to end well. He knows nothing of Theroux’s reputation and was surprised when I described him as as a high maintenance metro-sexual.
Yeah, I think this show does help his acting career as far as future offers.
As much as I love this show, I think it is the right decision to give us one more season, and wrap things up. A beginning, middle and now an end.
I also agree that this most definitely helps Theroux’s acting career. He is undeniably great in the role. It’s funny because my husband can’t see it either when I tell him about Captain Jorts VonBrow.
He is now a fan of the guy and only sees a really good actor. He can’t believe the Theroux in The Leftovers is the Theroux from Parks and Rec or the Theroux from Wanderlust, etc. He thinks Theroux is just a good an actor that he is believable as a different person in each role.
But even though much of the focus is on Theroux, as someone said upthread, for me it is the actresses who have been f*cking amazing. Ann Dowd, Regina King, and Carrie Coon are acting goddesses. They elevate everything in that show.
The final scene with Patti and Kevin in the well?! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Nora interviewing Erika? TOO MUCH GOOD STUFF. Or what about Coon’s quick smug reaction when she looks through the binoculars and see the three “departed” girls on the bridge?!! These women’s careers should be helped as well.
What I also hope industry types take note of is that women are kick ass storytellers. Half of this season’s episodes were directed by women, mostly Mimi Leder.
Yes to all of this, mia girl! As good as Theroux, Caroll, and Eccleston were, the actresses kicked major ass. The Nora-Erika interview gave me chills, and Nora’s frantic efforts to protect the baby too. Erika’s heartbreaking interaction with Evie on the bridge–silent no less!–amazing. Yes, Dowd in the well. Good lord, such memorable, extraordinary acting. I also thought Liv Tyler was a revelation. And, as you point out, directing. All these ladies should for sure get a boost from their work on this show.
Ditto to everything you both wrote, and another shout out for Mimi Leder. All my fave eps were directed by her.
Absolutely. None of the women were foils.
And I agree that a third season being the last is a positive. Stories need endings, not shark jumpings because of money/ratings.
I love the show, but I’m glad it’s not going the same route as Lost, as in spiraling down into more and more absurdity for the sake of filler… The actors are amazing and the level of realism is really what holds this show together, so I hope they won’t push it too far in the next season.
I wasn’t planning on ever watching, but everyone has been raving about it, plus I love Regina King, so I will check it out at some point.
I haven’t heard a single negative thing about this season, I’ve seen such praise for the show and for Justin and Regina. Even if this isn’t hugely popular, turning in an excellent performance like that can only be good for one’s career, even if the show doesn’t last long.
Lol From what I’ve heard, they should have cancelled it after season 2.
He is a better actor than Brad Pitt.
Delusional.
Lord Jennifer Aniston fans need to move on – it’s been more than a decade. This constant comparison between Jennifer’s current partner with Brad is just pretty pathetic.
Whether you like him or don’t like him, Brad has had numerous awards for his acting and been nominated for Oscars a few times.
Justin is not even in the same league as Brad and by comparing those two, you only show how little Justin has accomplished in his 2 decades of career in Hollywood.
Theroux is a way better quality actor than many of these overrated celebs. I’m sorry he’s going through this cancellation (and marriage to that … doh!) … that is, if it’s not a–ahem MARKETING SCHEME … after all we live in the USA! USA! USA!
I just love this series so, so much… this is all I can say-
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-(*
I will be canceling HBO very VERY soon … (but will re up for the third season) 🙂
Read the book and didn’t like it. Feel the same about this show! I tried to like it but, ultimately, just gave up.
No !!! I’m actually supposed to hurry and get ready and wash this cheap Loreal color out of my hair before my hair gets too dark!
But this??? Just as I was getting to love this show … even with that new crappy opening song…. but I think it’s been very riveting to say the least! And I’ve criticized TV almost every day :/
So shit like OISTNB (after second season) and Girls and Happyish on HBO and so much other crap like Homeland … SHONDALAND shows ARE still UN-cancelled … and this happens to these fine actors/writers? WE ARE INDEED LIVING IN LA LA LAND. IDIOCRACY 101
I will admit, it kinda annoyed me that it was only 2 percent of the population that would disappear … but season 2 was a blast to see.
Maybe this is all a marketing scheme? Seriously I’m asking.
La La Land, the post title is misleading. The show was renewed for a third (and final) season.
… hmm, wonder how we can find out the (as in true, for real) ratings.
Cmon… it was never meant to be a mini series? Maybe that’s a good thing … but only 3? something’s up. I say, #MarketingPloy. Shit. My hair is probably black by now.
tracking – You gotta love Kaiser. Even though (as evidenced on this thread) I am such a fan of the show, I can totally appreciated her snark.
But yeah, almost all sites reporting the news yesterday said “The Leftovers is re-newed for a third and final season.”
I’m curious, what do you mean by marketing ploy? I think it’s a show that critics came to love in the second season, but never had high ratings, and must be very expensive with the talent top to bottom. HBO recognized its excellence by giving it one last season. Makes good sense to me.
Intrigued by the comments here. I really want to watch this show now.
And as some people have noted “The wire”widely seen as one of the best, if not the best, shows ever, didn’t win any emmys either, in fact it barely got nominated. So the fact that this show didn’t get major awards doesnt mean that its not critically lauded or any good.
Yes, The Wire and I would add Gilmore Girls–both criminally overlooked shows.
I feel like Gilmore Girls isn’t in the same realm as The Wire haha. One is fun to watch and the other is easily one of the best scripted shows to have ever been on television.
Sassback, I don’t disagree–GG was lighter fare for sure–but had excellent writing and character work. The fact that Amy Sherman-Palladino, Lauren Graham, Kelly Bishop, and Liza Weil never received awards recognition is a bummer. Maybe in part because the more comedic slice-of-life, female-driven genre is taken less seriously. I say this in the context of shows like Big Bang Theory getting much more awards recognition. But, yeah, The Wire is a major, inexplicable omission. Wonderful, brilliant, original show.
@Leah, I watched the first episode when it started last year but just wasn’t into it. After all of the acclaim and excitement of season two, I marathoned season one and up to date season two a couple of weeks ago. I think it’s worth your time. Plus I find marathoning shows to be a rewarding and intense way to watch premium series.
Wobbly lip ehh, heck those eyebrows of JT deserve their own nomination. That guy has the most expressive face. Count me in as a fan. I never saw Lost and I don’t give a crap about it. This show stands on its own.
When I saw that Jim Parsons received another nomination, well that about sums it up for me. It is always the same people, over and over and over again. The voters need to broaden their horizons.
I couldn’t agree with you more! I also think Justin truly has proven himself as a great actor through this show. Anyone who doesn’t see that is blind!
Awards shows are BS anyways. But they truly deserve recognition for this show and the actors.
There were several episodes where I turned to my husband, and said “If Justin Theroux doesn’t get some sort of award for this show, I’ll be surprised”. Easily some of the best acting I have seen on TV.
I feel like if you haven’t taken the time to examine the show, you shouldn’t write about it. I hated Lost but I loved the Leftovers so they’re not comparable to me. Lindelof even said that he wants to wrap up a storyline each season and he doesn’t want to leave it open-ended. The only mystery of the show is the main premise-what was the Departure, and the show doesn’t care at all really about resolving that. It’s about how people react to it, not what was behind it. The main cast runs into scientists who want to solve it and then they’re like who cares really. So that’s a blatant message to the audience-it doesn’t matter why it happened, it only matters that it did.
Season 1 and Season 2 are both equally good to me but they’re both totally different animals. Season 1 is all the material from the novel, Season 2 is all new content. Season 1 is all sort of slice of life snippets and Season 2 has an arc. It’s like two different shows but they’re both good. And SPOILERS-Theroux was amazing in his ‘Assassin’ episode. In the finale when he finds himself dead AGAIN and he is so PISSED. SO GOOD. I had assumed they chose to go out after 3 seasons but apparently fans are waiting outside Warner Brothers wearing Guilty Remnant costumes. I’m hoping fans rally and they get a fourth season from the third doing well. I haven’t loved a show like this since Mad Men, and I think that writing-wise, its tighter than Mad Men, the symbolism is more mysterious and subtle.
Great post, and ITA with everything you wrote. I love reading Reza Aslan’s input into the episodes as there were so many metaphors that went right over my head. Absolutely brilliant show.
That’s hilarious about the GR petitioning outside WB. 😀
Thats why it has no viewers. They promised to viewers interesting story about sudden Departure of people. And people tuned in. And waited…. and waited… and nothing interesting happened. Sad and depressing people being sad and depressed in every moment, stupid Guilty Remnant cult no one cared about…
Thats why it had such low ratings. You dont cheat with viewers. Because they will just leave.
Not surprising. I watched the first season. I may catch the second eventually. It’s happened to much better shows. The acting was superb, but the writing was pretentious and flat.
Having been a fan of Lost I’d say there were a lot of similarities except that there was a lot of heart and hope in Lost and the writers tried to affect a nihilistic sentiment to give the whole thing gravitas.
Jennifer bought him 15 minutes.
Her connections, and the publicity their relationship garnered, helped get him this gig, no doubt, but he proved his acting mettle with it.
I loved Season one. Justin was excellent as the abandoned husband who has to raise his daughter alone. I have yet to watch season two but it looked as though they strayed from the formula of the first season.
I’m going to try to watch it.
I think I may be in the minority and say that I loved season 1 but now I am starting to dislike season 2 and losing interest altogether. The show has great potential and the acting is really good ,but I feel like they are leaving way too many issues unanswered. I get it ,not everything has to be revealed immediately or some even left to our imagination but at this point in season2 I feel like ALL the major questions are still not answered and they just keep adding more and more to the mix. Its appropriate to end it because I feel like its starting to become nonsensical.
Um. You’re crazy. First season was alright, the second season holy hell. And Justin quite frankly broke my heart a million times. Like I died with him…more than once.
Agreed!! Watching this season of the leftovers has made me like him SO much. I hadn’t expected to feel that way. I found this season so intense and consuming.
I’ve never been so transfixed by so many performances. I agree with GiGi upthread that The Leftovers, as an ensemble, rivals Breaking Bad for quality in writing, character development and acting. AND all under an utterly insane plot line that could so easily get derailed by the tropes it dances with.
He was good on that show. I saw first season. But show is bad. Boring depressing nonsense.
Such a great show! I am hooked,brilliant acting and writing Justin has proven himself to be a great actor. After watching him on the show,i’ve become a fan. Regina and the other ladies are doing a great job,also. I was hoping for five seasons,but I am happy they got a third.
I can’t stop fixating on that sharp pointy distracting nose of Justin’s. I have no clue what the show is about. I just keep trying to figure out how Jennifer gets past that nose of his.
I think that Rev. Matt (Chris Ecclesston) centric episode was the most riveting show I’ve ever seen.
I’ve only ever seen the actor in roles where he’s the sinister, powerful bad guy. He’s killing it as Matt. I would never guess he could do that tormented, yet still hopeful and following his faith, so well. The scene where he’s shaving and Nora brings an awakened Mary …… So well done.
The Leftovers is a consistently amazing show, and Justin’s acting is always incredible. That is all. 🙂
Take a look at those Critic’s Choice nominations announced today and now say it wasn’t critically acclaimed.
you are completely right kaiser….. CAA and justin wanted the leftovers to be this big mad men-esque awards vehicle for justin….. and it just didnt happen… partly because YOU CANT MAKE A SHOW ABOUT A HUGE DISAPPEARANCE AND NOT answer that question but keep lingering on and on about it… that being said i loved the first season and have seen the 2nd (though i plan to)… but honestly had hbo made this into a mini series or even an original HBO movie…. it would have been LIT (as in AWESOME)