The Leftovers: Off Ramp
October 20, 2015 4:53 PM - Season 2, Episode 3 - Subscribe

Laurie and Tom's work to rescue lost souls takes a toll on them

Laurie tries to spread the word about the dangers of the Guilty Remnant; Tom's infiltration of the cult uncovers new problems.
posted by LizBoBiz (10 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
I'm glad they're resolving some of season one's mysteries in a simple, concise manner. The Guilty Remnant believe the world has ended so they've become anti-hedonists in response. Holy Wayne passed on his mantle to Tommy. And we can see at least one of this season's dramatic climaxes coming when Tommy inevitably goes to Miracle to heal its people's pain. All in all I think the show has successfully transitioned to a new set of narratives for the new season. I'm still on board.
posted by scalefree at 6:19 AM on October 21, 2015 [2 favorites]


Damn, this episode was bleak. I both love/hate this show. It's compelling viewing but can upset me more than I can say. There were two scenes when the tension was palpable - when Tommy was shackled in the van and when the woman was driving her family on the freeway. Superb writing, acting and directing.

I think Tommy has adopted Holy Wayne's mantle, rather than it being passed to him. But I'm glad to see some explanation of the GR and what they believe.

Meg, OMFG, what was she doing?! I have no idea what's going to happen in this show. But like the first series, I'm hoping there'll be explanations later on.
posted by essexjan at 9:09 AM on October 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


I think Tommy has adopted Holy Wayne's mantle, rather than it being passed to him.

"And then he told me one more thing. He said if I accepted it then I could do what he did."
posted by scalefree at 3:05 PM on October 22, 2015




My favorite part was at the book publisher with the guy explicating the melodrama of the TV show itself. By having him not understand the meaning, and her incredulous, it made the show itself more meaningful.
posted by Nelson at 9:59 PM on October 25, 2015 [6 favorites]


Am I the only one who thought that Tommy's 'taking on the mantle' was deliberate BS? I have to go back and confirm, but there's nothing that leads me to believe Wayne actually showed up off camera for that dramatic passing of the torch. Instead it seemed clear that Laurie had come to the realization that while removing people from the soul-eating presence of the Remnant was a first step, it didn't provide relief of their lingering psychic wounds.. the kind of thing that has been driving people to these cults for the last several years. So they decide to use Tommy's connection to Wayne to foster a rebirth of another cult, one with positivity and relief at its heart instead of cynical anhedonia and self-negation. Of course, Tommy himself is completely aware of both the power of Wayne AND the fact that Wayne's cult had just as much darkness - the harem of Asian girls, the armed guards, etc.. this new drive for Laurie's recovery process is totally cynical in and of itself, but they're convincing themselves it's for a good cause.

I anticipate Tommy actually being involved in effects similar to Wayne's power-hugs, driven by a desire to believe on both sides of the equation. A big uptick in attention and swelling ranks of their new group of emotional relief... and then the government anti-cult hit squads track them down again..
posted by FatherDagon at 12:40 PM on October 27, 2015 [1 favorite]


Oh for sure, Tommy's new hug cult is a total scam designed by Laurie. Remember; she's a woman who deliberately runs down GR members with her car, possibly killing them, and feels not the slightest bit of remorse. There's nothing good after that. I guess I shouldn't apply normal moral authority to the characters in this show but she seems deeply broken.
posted by Nelson at 12:54 PM on October 27, 2015 [1 favorite]


Has "who wants a hug" ever been so ominous? No Tommy, I don't want your evil cult hug.
posted by dis_integration at 5:17 PM on October 31, 2015 [2 favorites]


ooooomg. I'm halfway through the episode and Laurie just mowed down some remnants. This show is soooo good.
posted by numaner at 10:33 AM on November 30, 2015


The Piano cover of “Where is my mind?” was particularly well used, I thought. And I liked the whole sequence in the publisher’s office.
posted by rongorongo at 12:45 AM on August 13, 2022


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