‘The Leftovers’ finale review: The Guilty Remnant and prophecies burn

Tonight, “The Leftovers” chose to end its first season on HBO with an episode that was equally as depressing for the most part as every one before it. Also, it was one where prophecies seemed to come to fruition.

For one, we knew that the breaking point for the Guilty Remnant would come. They were asking for it, welcoming death with open arms. Having their entire compound be set ablaze was the only way things could get worst for them in the wake of Patti’s death, and it came for Kevin Garvey at the most inopportune time: Right after his daughter Jill decided to make the place her temporary home.

Here is the other painful part of this: Is this what Kevin wished for to the dying “priest / genie” Wayne? He never vocalized it, but having his family back together is something that he has clearly pined for since the beginning of this show. He just wouldn’t have wanted it like this, having to become a “Chicago Fire” character while trying to rescue Jill, who minutes later tried to intentionally cover up everything that happened to her as of late.

The truth is that the endless stream of sadness has made us at various times more than interested in jumping ship from this show, but then moments like this closing monologue from Nora Durst happen, where you can see the full spectrum of one woman’s pain and regret. Even though she loves Kevin, she knows that she can never be whole with him … and she moved on. Her farewell note was a tear-jerker; she didn’t take her own life, but is still moving on. Also, she found a baby … what in the world? Maybe this is meant to be the glimmer of hope that we’ve been wanting, of life starting anew. We’ll try to look at it that way, but it’s hard considering that she found a baby. The ethics and the questions serve as a distraction … one of many when it comes to this show. It’s almost like a magic eye puzzle where you never quite know where to look.

This show brings in a certain curiosity and emotion to everything it does, and maybe that is why we still find ourselves so intrigued by it. Even with this finale, we still have no real idea what is going on, and that’s frustrating. Yet, we feel like we will probably be here once again next summer to see more. Grade: B.

What was your opinion on the season finale of “The Leftovers”? Share your thoughts now with a comment.