The episode was nominally about Matt, but here's the real star of the show:
Yes, that's the legend Himself, in an archival photo from the 70s. Let no man speak His name, lest that man become Him.
Usually not my favorite variety when it comes to the Leftovers, but it looks like things are primed to really ramp up next weekend.
I guess Jill really has no role in this season. She appeared in E1 for about 5 minutes and that was that. Seems like she's kind of been written out. Was probably a case of the actress having other life things to pursue or whatever. Not that she had a major role anyway - she was more prominent in S1 than S2.
The scene where he was talking to "God" was interesting enough, otherwise it didn't do much for me. Though the not-so-subtle shots at our current leader - "the man in the red baseball cap who thinks he's God" - were kinda funny.
Matt is one of the most interesting characters on the show-- a man who has suffered endlessly yet still maintains a fervent faith in God and a belief in his responsibility. This episode not only tested his faith further, but allowed him to confront "God" and likely caused him to realize that his belief was wrong.
I can't recommend the Sepinwall review enough.
I also thought it was interesting that David Burton, as "God" was also the man from the hotel who made Kevin sing and who put the noose around his neck.
But one issue I have with it that no one else seems to have is that it asks you to have strong emotional attachment to events that happened in between seasons, and often times I can't muster up the feeling. Great example is last week... everyone on this thread was talking about how the Nora - Kevin fight was so intense. Kevin's line "why don't you want another baby. Are you afraid you'll give up that one, too. Most people here thought that was a devastating blow that everyone felt themselves. For me it just didn't really land. I didn't watch Nora and/or Kevin struggle over it, so how can I feel the pain that line was supposed to have now?
These are relatively minor quibbles, but for me they do sometimes lessen what should be a really heavy-hitting script.
Matt is one of the most interesting characters on the show-- a man who has suffered endlessly yet still maintains a fervent faith in God and a belief in his responsibility. This episode not only tested his faith further, but allowed him to confront "God" and likely caused him to realize that his belief was wrong.
I can't recommend the Sepinwall review enough.
I also thought it was interesting that David Burton, as "God" was also the man from the hotel who made Kevin sing and who put the noose around his neck.
See....I think I'd enjoy this show so much more if I remembered things like that.
Don't get me wrong, the show is already fantastic and is one of my favorite shows right now. I just feel like I miss a lot of things and that annoys me lol.
I think Mark Linn-Baker has been the star of this season so far.
forces Matt to look into a mirror. They're both trying to add to the story of God/The Bible, is it fair for Matt to dismiss this other guy's story/belief and be so adamant about his own? Then he needs to ask himself why? Has he been more righteous or pious this entire time?
I liked the episode a lot although I admit it was off the beaten path
of The Leftovers. The ep reminded me of the opening scene of this season with the Millerite woman, the biblical story of Daniel in the lions' den, and this quote from the pilot episode...
"Dogs are just animals, man. They're not like us trying to reason it all out. Trying to make sense of shit that makes no sense. They see something like that and they just snap. All bets are off right there. No more chasing sticks or licking your own balls. They just go primal, man. Same thing is gonna happen to us... it's just taking longer."
Matt pretty much encapsulates all of these things. He lets his family walk out the door because of his adherence to this belief system. He somehow doesn't get the point about how ridiculous his belief that Kevin is the Messiah is when he meets another guy who people are saying the exact same shit about. He was pretty much about to let this belief system go out the window because of his conversation with David Burton. He sees a wild animal eating the guy as proof that guy is bullshit or his own beliefs have been vindicated... IDK at this point. At the end, he's just a guy trying to make sense of this shit so he doesn't go completely crazy or feel like he wasted his time with his religious beliefs.
Someone else mentioned the Sepinwall review, which does a great job of pointing out how selfish and mostly full of shit Matt has been.
This was a difficult episode in that it was very raw in many places, reminded me of Westworld at times. However, we got to see the evolution of Matt become complete, I think. Apparently he has been striving all his life and now he has quit striving. Who cares? Seems to be the new Matt, and it took this false god to convince him of that. So, last week was Nora's life, this week was Matt's......who is next? Three more to go.
This was a difficult episode in that it was very raw in many places, reminded me of Westworld at times. However, we got to see the evolution of Matt become complete, I think. Apparently he has been striving all his life and now he has quit striving. Who cares? Seems to be the new Matt, and it took this false god to convince him of that. So, last week was Nora's life, this week was Matt's......who is next? Three more to go.
I could answer that, but not without treading towards spoiler territory. Just a few more days to go though.
Usually not my favorite variety when it comes to the Leftovers, but it looks like things are primed to really ramp up next weekend.
I guess Jill really has no role in this season. She appeared in E1 for about 5 minutes and that was that. Seems like she's kind of been written out. Was probably a case of the actress having other life things to pursue or whatever. Not that she had a major role anyway - she was more prominent in S1 than S2.
http://uproxx.com/sepinwall/the-leftovers-its-a-matt-matt-matt-matt-world-recap-review/ - ( New Window )
Haha it got me thinking what I would've gone with.
"What's the difference between a chickpea and a garbanzo bean?"
"I've never had a garbanzo bean on my face"
I can't recommend the Sepinwall review enough.
I also thought it was interesting that David Burton, as "God" was also the man from the hotel who made Kevin sing and who put the noose around his neck.
But one issue I have with it that no one else seems to have is that it asks you to have strong emotional attachment to events that happened in between seasons, and often times I can't muster up the feeling. Great example is last week... everyone on this thread was talking about how the Nora - Kevin fight was so intense. Kevin's line "why don't you want another baby. Are you afraid you'll give up that one, too. Most people here thought that was a devastating blow that everyone felt themselves. For me it just didn't really land. I didn't watch Nora and/or Kevin struggle over it, so how can I feel the pain that line was supposed to have now?
These are relatively minor quibbles, but for me they do sometimes lessen what should be a really heavy-hitting script.
I can't recommend the Sepinwall review enough.
I also thought it was interesting that David Burton, as "God" was also the man from the hotel who made Kevin sing and who put the noose around his neck.
See....I think I'd enjoy this show so much more if I remembered things like that.
Don't get me wrong, the show is already fantastic and is one of my favorite shows right now. I just feel like I miss a lot of things and that annoys me lol.
He was great in that one scene, partly because Carrie Coon elevates everyone she interacts with on that show.
"Dogs are just animals, man. They're not like us trying to reason it all out. Trying to make sense of shit that makes no sense. They see something like that and they just snap. All bets are off right there. No more chasing sticks or licking your own balls. They just go primal, man. Same thing is gonna happen to us... it's just taking longer."
Matt pretty much encapsulates all of these things. He lets his family walk out the door because of his adherence to this belief system. He somehow doesn't get the point about how ridiculous his belief that Kevin is the Messiah is when he meets another guy who people are saying the exact same shit about. He was pretty much about to let this belief system go out the window because of his conversation with David Burton. He sees a wild animal eating the guy as proof that guy is bullshit or his own beliefs have been vindicated... IDK at this point. At the end, he's just a guy trying to make sense of this shit so he doesn't go completely crazy or feel like he wasted his time with his religious beliefs.
Someone else mentioned the Sepinwall review, which does a great job of pointing out how selfish and mostly full of shit Matt has been.
Also who "Pillar Man" was writing letters with.
I could answer that, but not without treading towards spoiler territory. Just a few more days to go though.