“Nobody’s okay.”
“All I see is what’s done,” Kevin Garvey Sr. tells his son midway through this episode. “I could either sit around and cry about how the world fucking ended, or I could start it up again.” Seeing as this show is concerned with the idea of loss and how we deal with it, it’s interesting to see these characters attempting to finally move on with their lives. Sure, we saw some of that last season, but it seems like the desire is coming out in full force right now, literally driving them to another location known as Miracle. It’s all about escape from recent events, about trying to restore some sense of normalcy into a world described aptly by Garvey Sr.: “Would you agree that the laws of fucking nature [seem] a bit upside down as of late?”
First off, we have Nora, so intent on moving on that she ends up spending three million dollars for a house in Jarden. There’s an interesting connection here between the Mapleton fire that ended season one and the fire that burns down their rented house in Jarden, and we’re also already seeing the seeds of connection planted between our two main families. It’s an intriguing choice to begin the season with a new group of people instead of with the people we already know, but I like how it throws in a sense of unfamiliarity to the situation. This is a new setting, and the Garveys are the outsiders.
Speaking of the Garveys, we have Kevin Garvey himself, constantly trying to distance himself from his visions of Patti, from the life that consumed him mentally and emotionally post-Departure. He’s blasting music in his ears all the time now, and like Nora, he wants to believe that things are going to be okay moving forward. The problem is, nobody’s completely okay. The past is still very much at the forefront, and scars remain. Now that Nora has bought the house, it’ll be harder for Kevin to escape if he wants to in the future. In fact, the town itself seems like a prison of sorts, something we see right off the bat with the dog quarantine.
Finally, there’s Jill, someone who seems to be more optimistic and well-off than she was in season one. She understands exactly what her mother’s mindset is; she understands that Nora “needs to be here because it makes her feel safe”. We have no idea if the town actually is safe or not, but that’s exactly what we’re going to unravel over the course of the season. What’s key to note right now is that these characters want there to be some security of sorts, some type of plan for a family and a new life. However, as will become increasingly clear, what’s “supposed to be” in this post-Departure, post-Mapleton world might be simply a fantasy. What seems okay might not be.
GRADE: B+
OTHER THOUGHTS:
–Fight Club, Mr. Robot, and now The Leftovers for Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind”. Also, I’m noticing that Max Richter’s piano music is being toned down a lot this year. There were complaints about it last year–plus, it’s a new location–so I understand; however, there’s a pretty big guarantee that hearing that old music will stir something in me.
-The early confession scene between Nora, Kevin, and Jill is really moving. It’s a great expression of family, and it’s also a wonderful acknowledgment of all that’s occurred (and what will be needed moving forward).
-Kevin first attempts to escape through the justice system by essentially giving himself (and Patti’s body) up to the authorities.
Photo credit: HBO, The Leftovers
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What are your thoughts on when Kevin wakes up to find himself nearly drowned to death in a lake that isn’t there anymore? Why do you think he is there? I would ask more questions but there is literally so many mysteries going on right now I really hope they answer at least a couple soon.
Yeah, that was really interesting. Possible suicide attempt? Cinderblock tied to the leg is a big detail.