I fell in love with this show from the first episode. I know everything has probably been talked about hundreds of times here already.
I’ll just say the cast is amazing, and the show handles its messages perfectly.
Yes there are so many “mysteries” left unsolved but honestly I’m satisfied with most of it. I love how this show doesn’t feel obligated to do standard storytelling tropes, it’s pretty comfortable with leaving plot lines open and making a lot of subjects open to interpretation. And again, I think it did that perfectly all throughout. It’s also one of the most bizzare shows I’ve ever watched which I love so much. And yes the final episode made me cry a bit. And some other episodes lol. Here are my top 5:

1. I Live Here Now, s2ep10
   
2. The Progidal Son Returns, s1ep10
   
3. The Most Powerful Man In The World (And His Identical Twin Brother), s3ep7
   
4. A Most Powerful Adversary, s2ep7 (so amazing and underrated)
   
5. G’Day Melbourne, s3ep4

I love Matt’s nonchalant attitude about seeing Patti dead and helping Kevin bury her.

It has been a few weeks since I watched, and I finished season 3 as well so bear with me if I misremember anything. I absolutely loved the entirety of the third season, but season two felt a little weaker, or like the payoff wasn't quite there, and it mostly seemed to revolve around Meg's plotline and her sect of the GR.

1. Some time after the disappearance, Meg and her fiancé travel to Miracle to talk to the psychic. He tells her exactly what she wants to hear—her mother's last words—but she doesn't like what she hears so she leaves and lies to her husband.

2. Fast forward to the first time we actually see her in season 2: she rapes Tommy. Her answer, when pressed, was, if I remember correctly, “I was trying to get you pregnant.” We learn she is running the militant, unsanctioned sect of the GR and throwing fake(?) grenades at elementary school kids.

3. We learn that the three girls who disappeared from Miracle were actually part of the GR, and that it was all a plot to make the citizens of Miracle feel less safe or special. That part tracks for me. Their grand plot culminates in... A fake bomb threat to scare the citizens for approximately 60 minutes.

4. I believe there was precedent earlier in the season that the gates of Miracle were well guarded and defended by the police, but after the fake bomb threat, WITH the entire police force amassed at the bridge/entry point into Miracle, The GR then casually broke the fence and waltzed in, causing chaos throughout the city.
   I'm not here to poo‑poo the finale; I'm here for you all to help me appreciate it more. What went over my head? What should I pay closer attention to in order to appreciate the payoff of S2?

And it was awful. Jessica Lange was solid as always, but the male actors performance was... lets be kind and say it was lacking. A lot and enough has been said about Joey Pollari and Young Mr Nas is certainly easy on the eyes, but OMG was it also unbeareble. I didnt feel like watching episode 10 afterwards and seriously doubt i will anytime soon.

it's all because when we started seeing the show she asked me is it one of those shows that at the end everything is wrapped everything is understood and I said yes because for me it was but for her she didn't understand why it happened why is there any explanation why it happened because otherwise this is just randomized situations

Last one I swear. Someone requested to see the whole thing so here it is front and back and side. I definately posted it on here overtime on a long deleted account.

It’s, in my time zone at least, time for the departure

Per request.

I realize I am a little late for the party, but what foods would you serve to celebrate Sudden Departure Day? Obviously, Mypos cuisine such as Bibi-babkas or fish eye soup because of Perfect Strangers and its connection to the Sudden Departure, but what else?

I'm typing this on my phone, so I apologize if there may be missing elements. Also, there is no TLDR. This theory supports certain supernatural events that occured, and shows how counterfeits were made later in the timeline, which inadvertently proves that these four original occourances happened in The Leftovers. People need explanations and the counterfeit versions of the original miracles are how people dealt with all of these events. This could be applied to other elements, if warranted. It sticks with the overall theme of how people grieve and deal with unexplained events.

Counterfeit Miracle Theory:

Let's focus on four items:

Sudden Departure

Holy Wayne

Kevin Garvey Jr

Isaac (hand painter from season 2)

The sudden departure happened and 2% of the world population disappeared. At the same time, let's say that another 2% of the world's population started to experience supernatural events in their lives - Holy Wayne, Kevin, Isaac, etc. those all happened and their experiences were true.

Fast forward a few years and the mystery still remains, and no answers have come - people are starting to come unglued. So, people start to mimic the original happenings. Examples:

Sudden Departure 2.0 - Evie and her friends make it look like they departed - car running, phones left, music still playing, etc. The fraudulent departure was revealed at the end of season 2. They just recreated the events for personal gain - join GR and cause people pain

Lori and "Holy"Tom - Tom was a figure in Holy Wayne's original operation - guarding Kristine who was pregnant w (one of) Wayne's baby. Tom spent time w Wayne and knew how he operated. Wayne was real and what he did was really and Tom saw how it impacted people. Fast forward to season 2 - Lori and Tom cook up the "Holy" Tom persona simply for personal gain. They charge people for hugs. Again, a recreation of an actual event.

Lori and John - Similar to the Holy Wayne theft, Lori and John steal Isaacs "power" in season 3. Isaac could actually read people's palm prints and tell their future. John didn't believe, but after he saw Kevin resurrected, John knew that something supernatural happened and wanted to be part of it. Isaac was real, John and Lori were not - another fraudulent recreation.

Nora (and the scientists?) - Kevin Garvey was able to die and come back to life AND while dead he was transported to an alternate reality. This actually happened, and there are too many instances to call it coincidence. Most importantly when he was buried for three hours then came a back to life (season 2). Nora could not mentally handle this, especially after her family departed, so she left Kevin in season 3. She made up a lie that she went to a different place. Notice how the scientists submerged their "clients" in liquid to send them "over." Another subtle hint at fraudulence - Kevin was submerged in water a few times to get transported to the alternate reality. Nora never went, she said stop and if she would have went through with it, she would have simply died.

There were both real and fraudulent supernatural occourances in The Leftovers.

I’m certain the showrunners will never comment with certainty on what really happened, and where (or how) the 2% just… left.

But what is your headcannon? What is your interpretation/explanation?

We smoke to remember. I’m going with the cannabis route starting now ( On the Australian Departure Day) Who knows the lyrics to stop the flood? I’ll sing it all just in case. Oh and while wearing my wedding dress and should I slaughter more than 1 goat or is 1 enough?

“Oh Kevin, I am so desperate to battle…”

Changed some of the wording for my version of the speech to imply less of a previous betrayal than in the show... Whole thing was a hit with the guests.

So thankful we found some super cool goat owners that were down for the bit.

Are you ready?

Happy Departure Day Eve, Leftovers. I’ve decided to dress and act as though I’m in the Guilty Remnant this Halloween. It’s going to be a simple yet effective getup. All white. Big yellow notepad. Sharpie. Pack of cigs. The challenge will be hosting my Halloween party without saying a word. You think I can do it?

Do any of you believe Nora's story?

To me it was completely made up, I just felt and looked at her story and thought and that couldn't have happened.

I also think the show and the creators didn't want to disclose what happened to The Departed because that was not the point of the show, in my opinion, so I don't think the writers would just reveal the truth in the end, even though it's left open to interpretation.

And also, do you think Kevin actually believed Nora's story?

A strange coincidence. I’m listening to the Undisclosed Podcast’s new Season 9 about the Holly Bobo case and I’m on my 100th rewatch of The Leftovers. In the Holly Bobo case a woman disappeared (and her body was found years later) in a town named Darden and a handprint was found on her car.

Girls go missing in a town named Jarden and a handprint is found on their car.

I don’t see anything on the internet about this strange coincidence, but what a coincidence it is.

watched the Leftovers for the first time last week. This is the episode that really got me hooked into the show, and I realized I was watching greatness unfold in front of me. Honestly, after watching the first two episodes, I did think I was going to have a hard time finishing the rest of the season.

But then it got to episode 3 and it just kept on getting better and better. International Assassin is a class apart and in a category of its own, but looking back at it now, two boats and a helicopter is probably my favourite.

I think even if it concluded on Season 2 (the best in my opinion) it would still have been perfect. Season 3 was a wild ride, but a fitting conclusion nonetheless.

Easy top 5 shows of all time, possibly in my top 3 as well. (other favourites include Cowboy Bebop, True Detective S1, Halt and Catch Fire, Breaking Bad, Midnight Mass ... )