In a way, I wish that “The Prodigal Son Returns” was the series finale for The Leftovers. The ending is more or less in line with Tom Perrotta’s novel, and on the whole the episode was a perfect blend of hope and despair that The Leftovers manages so well at its best.
The true MVPs of tonight are director Mimi Leder (Deep Impact) and composer Max Richter, the latter of whom is the unsung hero of the entire season. “Prodigal Son” begins with a beautifully shot and edited montage that allows us to check in on everyone, which is kind of a necessity after last week’s flashback (I applaud The Leftovers for being so confident in its first season that it made time for two bottle episodes and a flashback). Kevin is still in Cairo, covered in Patti’s blood; Jill is at the Guilty Remnant compound; and Tom is on the road with an increasingly distant Christine.
Kevin’s storyline might be the most out-and-out weird of this season. I’ve mentioned before how much I like the idea of him slowly losing his marbles, and that really comes to a head in “Prodigal Son,” as he breaks down reading a Bible verse over Patti’s grave (Reverend Matt has showed up to help him, and appropriately enough asks him to read from the Book of Job), then has a horribly real dream that Matt had him committed. Which he probably should be. In a diner, Kevin also runs into Holy Wayne, who’s dying in the men’s room stall. This is moments before the ATF bursts in to arrest Wayne, because when Kevin Garvey has a bad day, he has a really bad day. The rest of the drive back to Mapleton passes without incident, but when Kevin and Matt show up they find that the whole town has gone to shit.
The Guilty Remnant – who aren’t villains, they’re monsters – have painstakingly made up and clothed dummies to resemble the departed residents of Mapleton, and then these assholes put the dummies all over town (even, in some cases, in people’s homes, like poor Nora). The GR’s compound is burning, and Kevin manages to save Jill, literally crossing through flames to get to her. This whole sequence is amazing, and Leder and Richter strike again, making the proceedings simultaneously heart-pounding and gut-wrenching.
It’s on Kevin and Jill’s walk home that something truly beautiful happens. They’re approached by the dog that Kevin had tied up in the backyard. At first Kevin recoils, thinking the dog is still vicious, but it just smiles at him. It’s happy, and before long the rope that had been used to keep the dog away from Kevin is now used to keep it closer to him, as he uses it as a leash. There’s still hope. We’re still here.
Episode Score: 4 1/2 Stars
Season Score: 4 1/2 Stars
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