HBO's The Leftovers

Discussion in 'BS Forum' started by The Uniform Bomber, Jul 2, 2014.

  1. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    That's a solid prediction. I can definitely see that.

    Can you (or anyone else) recap what happened in that opening scene, with the federal agents? They were onto him after watching him for a while, but for what exactly? Why did they raid his ranch?
     
  2. abyzmul

    abyzmul R.J. MacReady, 21018 Funniest Member Award Winner

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    No idea, maybe they planted someone in his camp? That's usually how federal agents gain info about cults/subversive elements.

    I'm also interested in the Nora Durst storyline. No idea why she pushed the coffee cup from the table, almost seemed like she was trying to skip the check. (I can't remember, did she pay?) But yeah, you could be right about the false intentions with the departed reparations or whatever she called it.
     
  3. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    Got'cha.

    I don't think she paid. I was thinking that maybe she pushed it off and broke it because she knows she can, since she's garnered a lot of sympathy from other members of the town. Something like that.
     
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  4. The Waterboy

    The Waterboy Well-Known Member

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    I think the Nora Durst issue is she is just to the point where she knows everyone tip toes around her and she is just pushing it now trying to get someone to call her out, she is going to keep on pushing the limit until they do.
     
  5. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    That's interesting. My thought was similar, at least, along the same lines.
     
  6. abyzmul

    abyzmul R.J. MacReady, 21018 Funniest Member Award Winner

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    Yeah, after the check-skipping idea, that was the thought I had. Seemed a pretty pointless scene to spend so much time on, though.
     
  7. The Waterboy

    The Waterboy Well-Known Member

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    Yes, saw your reply after posted mine and looks like we were thinking along the same lines.
     
  8. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    Well, tonight might've been a make-or-break episode for some people out there.

    I thought it was a strong episode. Will discuss later.
     
  9. Poeman

    Poeman Well-Known Member

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    Wtf is happening...lindelof trying to be too smart here in his writing and its annoying me
     
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  10. Borgata

    Borgata Active Member

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    I was surprised to see Christopher Eccleston in the show, I mean he is "The Doctor". His character was a bit disappointing and lame at first, but I'm excited to see what happens with him now.

    I'm willing to stick with the show, but I don't see how it will get much of a following. I get the concept of showing how society slowly breaks down and the stages of grief after an event, but that seems a bit unsatisfying long term.
     
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  11. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    If you noticed, the previews weren't for next week, but for "the next weeks," i.e., the remainder of the season.

    What's remaining looks intense. I just wonder if they're showing previews of things long down the road because they know there's a risk that they're losing viewers each week.
     
  12. Poeman

    Poeman Well-Known Member

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    My problem is I am more curious about the mystery and disappearance of the departed...Not the grim lives of these people. Although this may be one of those be patient shows
     
  13. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Lindelof has said that there isn't and won't be an explained cause of the disappearances.
     
  14. Poeman

    Poeman Well-Known Member

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    well, then I expect this show to get cancelled soon
     
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  15. joeuser

    joeuser Active Member

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    I'm beginning to second guess my choice in watching this. I figured, hey- its HBO, cant be THAT bad... Well, its getting kind of hammy. I see this was based off a book? Anyone able to expand on that?


    Sent from my Nokia Lumia 928 - Windows Phone 8.1 using Tapatalk
     
  16. Poeman

    Poeman Well-Known Member

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    Some good shows on FX though...Did anyone watch Fargo? That show will probably win best show of the year at the Emmys or its a toss up with True Detective
     
  17. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    Ok, so, for those of you still interested, episode 3 was called "Two Boats and a Helicopter."
    *CONTAINS SPOILERS*

    In an unexpected change to the story's organization, this episode focused solely on the character, Matt Jamison, the town pastor. I gotta say, this guy's story was powerful. It was hilarious when he visited the room of the girl who his congregation prayed for earlier that morning, only to find out that she had already awoken from the coma the previous night. There were several moments like that, where he was receiving signs that might cause him to question his devout faith. And, of course, there was the convo with Nora, who we learn is his sister. I thought this was a strong scene, their exchange. However, I wondered why he chose to reveal the info to her about her husband's adultery. It almost seemed like his immature retort to her previous comment towards him, about questioning God etc. But I'm not sure if that's why he said it.

    Onto the painting. Is there something visible in the tangible painting itself, or is his meditative state what ignites his idea to make a run for the money? I figured the idea just struck him, but I also wondered if there was more to that painting, such as, is it an historical piece and therefore alluding to something, or is it just some random painting of a baptism? Either way, that painting triggers Matt to find the money and then head onto the casino, guided by the pigeons that emphasize the red light, which compels him to go on a heartpounding hot streak at the roulette table. I was pretty nervous during that part because, at that point, I was rooting for him to succeed--not because I wanted him to keep the church, but because I just wanted something to go right for the guy. Having said that, I was very pleased when he won the money, but still ultimately lost the church while he was unconscious for two days. Again, he received a sign that might cause him to question his faith. I had a feeling from the beginning (when the banker told him some LLC wanted to purchase the church) that it would be the GR. And now it looks like Matt and the leader of the GR will have beef with each other, so that could be exciting.

    My favorite part probably was the dream sequence. It reminded me a little of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, among other things. The car accident on the day of the disappearances, which caused his wife's catatonic state, was interwoven well into that scene, which was the first scene of the first episode. I think we're supposed to assume that an oncoming car's driver suddenly departed and crashed into Matt's car. I felt real bad for him when he was carrying his wife, running down the street, shouting for help.

    All in all, I thought this episode was strong, especially compared to the first two episodes. And it's not that I disliked the first two episodes; it's just that this one moved with a better pace, and you could kinda feel the episode gaining momentum from beginning to end. I hope more episodes are like this. However, I'm not sure how effective it would be to devote entire episodes to one character's storyline. In this episode, it worked, but I don't think I'd want that structure and organization repeatedly.
     
  18. abyzmul

    abyzmul R.J. MacReady, 21018 Funniest Member Award Winner

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    After his money issues with the Church and the bank, seeing those pigeons on that betting table, I was pretty much waiting this whole last episode for him to hit that table.

    And when he got into the car, I was waiting for that dickbag guy to take the money from him.

    The only unexpected part up to that point was Matt beating the guy's ass and taking the money back.

    And him saving that guy, or at least calling 911, might end up being a real tide turner.

    I'm guessing that Matt ends up being the head of the GRs after some point.
    The real twist was the GRs taking his church after he tried to save one of them on the street.
     
  19. The Uniform Bomber

    The Uniform Bomber Spivey's Agent

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    Yeah, when he exhaled like three times in the car, I knew trouble had to be coming. But, I also didn't expect him to take the money back and forcefully. I guess that's something religion can compel you to do.

    Byz, I hadn't thought yet of Matt assuming power in the GR. Do you think he'll align with the woman whose their leader, or do you think he might try to usurp her?
     
  20. Borgata

    Borgata Active Member

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    I was thinking Matt is going to kinda lose it and go to the "darkside". He might have killed the guy in the parking lot, then he basically gets screwed over by god for trying to help someone and now he has a bunch of money to get some revenge against the GR. I see this as part of the story showing how the disappearance can make a really good and caring person become bad.

    Kinda a long shot but maybe the GR planted either the guy in the parking lot and/or created the rock throwing incident?
     
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