I knew it would be hard for The Leftovers to top its brilliant first episode, but I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for the second episode of a show. “Penguin One, Us Zero” avoids the second episode doldroms typical of most shows. Instead it does an admirable job of deepening the show’s mysteries, and pulling us further in.
Kevin Garvey is falling apart. The mayor, Lucy, is forcing him to talk to a therapist in the wake of last week’s dog-shooting incident; further complicating matters is the fact that he was alone when the police arrived, and no one has seen hide nor hair of Kevin’s mysterious shooting partner. Justin Theroux has a scowl seemingly permanently etched onto his face, whether he’s dealing with a doubting deputy or a negligent neighbor. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen Theroux play a yuppy in American Psycho so many times, but I am consistenly surprised by how well he plays blue collar.
Thomas is on the run with Christine after a raid on Wayne’s compound. Wayne meets up with them and sends them on their way, saying that Christine is too important to travel with Wayne. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on here, but I’m interested in seeing how it will dovetail with the main goings-on in Mapleton.
Meg is still with the Guilty Remnant, where Laura is forcing her to chop down a tree, and taking away her wordly possessions at night. These scenes are where Liv Tyler really sold me. I was worried about her casting, because with her breathy delivery it seems like she’s been in character as Arwen since first playing her in 2001’s Fellowship of the Ring. But Tyler emotes nicely, and her wide, round eyes effectively convey the gamut of emotions through which Meg runs. It’s indicative of how good the writing is (Lindelof haters to the left) that the Guilty Remnant doesn’t so much resemble a cult, but rather a place where sad, lost people can find a respite from grief.
To me, that’s what “Penguin One, Us Zero” was about: moving on. Not so much the internal, emotional aspect of it, but rather the logistical, nitty gritty part. Whether it’s Meg giving up her stuff, or Nora Durst interviewing a couple to give them a disappearance settlement.
Near the episode’s end, Kevin goes to visit his father (guest star Scott Glenn), and while the old man seems lucid and put-together, it’s not long before he’s speaking to invisible company and telling Kevin that “they sent someone to help him.” This puts the bald man’s appearance somewhat in perspective, and nicely nudges The Leftovers into the metaphysical, supernatural territory it seems keen to explore. With the emotional fireworks on display, it’s a smart choice to enter that realm carefully, lest the viewer be overwhelmed.
It’s hard to say if The Leftovers will ever be appointment television, the way something like Game of Thrones is. The show is too bleak, too depressing. I like it a lot, but I can’t imagine crowding around a TV with friends to watch it. So maybe it’s better if you watch it alone – but you should absolutely be watching it.
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