Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 30, 2016

If season one of The Leftovers felt a little bit like Lost, it's because both come from the mind of Damon Lindelof. Though The Leftovers isn't based on an entirely original television concept -- it comes sourced from Author Tom Perrotta's book of the same name -- the core similarities are evident in both general story details and the more enticing psychological and philosophical narratives and character arcs that follow. But rather than, for the most part, a compact location and small number of affected people as in Lost, The Leftovers more broadly explores life in a world after a sudden, unexplained event -- "The Sudden Departure" -- left millions vanished from the Earth, a relatively small percentage of the population but enough to significantly change the way people look at, and function in, life, even as life moves ahead with memorials and a continuation of the daily routines of a modern society. But underneath is something far more interesting. The show offers a slow-drip look at the mystery but, more, the deeply rooted consequences of not only loss but guilt for the remaining and the struggle to live in a modern world that seems to have all the answers, except, of course, to the greatest question man has ever known: "what happened to them?" It's brilliant television from the top down, and season two doesn't disappoint. It's in many ways new -- new characters, new "Miracle" town -- but in all of the important ways the same as The Leftovers quickly establishes itself as, arguably, the single finest thing going in a crowded modern television landscape.

In Miracle.

Official synopsis: More than three years ago, 2% of the world's population inexplicably vanished -- 140 million people, gone in an instant. No country, no state, no city was spared, except for one small town in Eastern Texas. Population: 9,261. Departures: zero. This is the setting for a tale of two families: the Garveys, who have moved to this special place, and whose lives were forever changed by the Departure, and the Murphys, a local family that seems to have been spared from an event that shook the rest of the world. But even in the town of Miracle, you can't escape your past.

Season two opens in spectacular fashion with something completely unexpected but essential in not so much understanding what's to come in the ten episode season -- The Leftovers is never particularly blunt about the how's and the why's -- but to lay a foundation for both the broader season arc and for the larger story within the series' universe. The open is probably the finest few minutes of television to come around in some time, considering its artful production; intense storyline that's compacted into several intoxicating minutes; and the superficially random, yet clearly essential, sense of import and foreboding alike that comes with it. It's the perfect example of the show's reach, emotional depth, and willingness to go beyond its confines to explore whatever it is that's deemed necessary to prepare the audience and establish the world's driving forces. Indeed, The Leftovers isn't about unforgivingly frustrating audiences, and it's not about spoon feeding them answers, either. The slow reveals, complex story lines, dynamically evolving characters and environments, and the sheer uncertainty of what's come, what's happening, and what is to come all work in a harmonious manner to impart more deeply complex emotional responses in the audience and depict a more subtly but forcefully evolving world on the screen.

In The Leftovers -- both seasons -- there's never a wasted line or moment. Even as it doesn't always seem to string together in traditional narrative fashion or feel like something greater in the moment, the show's ability layer, establish,, reinforce, reexamine, and renew its characters and concepts is probably its greatest strength. Season two's new location, central arc, and many surprises evolve from this meticulously laid and thoroughly matured world, here a contrast with the town known as "Miracle" that was spared any loss in "The Sudden Departure" but may nevertheless prove to be more damaged by it any other place in the world. The show's blend of new characters and concepts with old familiars and the series' deeply rooted core ideas and themes work amazingly well. It's rare to find television so profoundly thoughtful, structurally complex, and superficially entertaining as this. It's smart but accessible, weird but relatable, cloaked but captivating, and very human. Add in arguably the best acting, direction, cinematography, and production values on television and it's hard to argue that The Leftovers isn't the best thing on TV and that season two isn't better than its already outstanding predecessor.

Season two is comprised of the following episodes. Summaries are courtesy of an insert included in the Blu-ray packaging. Some spoilers follow.

Disc One:

• Axis Mundi: Jarden, Texas, was renamed "Miracle" after it was discovered that no one has departed. The town has since become a magnet for those who are convinced it can keep them safe -- including Kevin, Nora and Jill.
• A Matter of Geography: When Nora makes an impulsive choice, the new Garvey clan gets a fresh start in the safety of Miracle, but Kevin finds himself entangled in the Murphy family's problems.
• Off Ramp: While Lori seeks to spread the word about the Guilty Remnant's dangers, Tom's infiltration of the cult uncovers a whole new nest of problems.
• Orange Sticker: Kevin is missing in the midst of an earthquake, while the Murphys are left reeling after Evie's disappearance. When Kevin returns home, he has no memory of the night before.
• No Room at the Inn: Matt Jameson takes his wife, Mary, outside of Miracle to seek answers about her condition, but their lives take a dangerous detour when they are barred from returning to town.

Disc Two:

• Lens: After some unexpected visitors get under Nora's skin, she become preoccupied with a burning question about herself. Meanwhile, Erika reveals some haunting secrets.
• A Most Powerful Adversary: After Nora gives Kevin and Jill some unexpected news, Kevin deals with the fallout by exploring his options -- and tackling his Patti problem head-on.
• International Assassin: In the wake of Kevin's desperate decision to vanquish Patti, questions and answers emerge as the world adjusts to the repercussions of what comes next.
• Ten Thirteen: A personal loss and subsequent pilgrimage to Miracle offer clues on why Meg embarked on her path as a Remnant crusader. After a fallout with Lori, Tom seeks to reunite with Meg.
• I Live Here Now: In the season finale, Kevin comes clean to a skeptical John about his connection to Evie's disappearance as Miracle faces an unexpected threat on the Departure's anniversary.

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season's digitally photographed source material presents gorgeously on Blu-ray, nearly passing for film, texturally in particular. Details are astonishingly robust across the board. Close-ups are a showcase for 1080p definition at its best, revealing every fine pore, wrinkle, bit of facial hair and other skin textures with complexity that the actors probably wish wasn't so readily evident. Likewise, clothes are expertly defined down to the finest seams. Environmental elements are superb, too, whether natural rocky details around the springs or small town brick and concrete details around Jarden. Colors are full and lively, holding a natural flavor in every lighting condition. Primaries dazzle, whether signs around town, clothes, or earthy greens. Black levels hold firm and deep with strong shadow detail. Flesh tones carry a natural appearance. Minor noise and banding appear in small quantities, but never to any distracting or transfer-breaking level.

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season features an ever-impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The opening title music presents with flavorful richness, width across the front, enveloping surround, balanced bass, wells articulated lyrics, and nicely defined instrumentals. Music, no matter how varied through the rest of the season, holds the same qualities. Large gatherings are effortlessly enveloping. The listener always feels pulled into crowds, merged onto busy streets, or part of other densely populated locations. The speakers spring to life with a cacophony of sound that enjoys excellent definition even far back from the listener and a steady increase in clarity and volume as various elements move about and closer to the screen, resulting in a very tangible sensation of time and place. Heavier action and more pronounced sound effects yield strong clarity, effortless stage placement, and deep low end support. Dialogue plays with a healthy, lifelike clarity, center placement, and proper prioritization.

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season contains no supplemental content. A printed episode guide is included in the case, as is a voucher for a UV digital copy.

The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Leftovers is a show that should definitely not be started midstream, and to say much about it -- season two in particular -- beyond sharing a few basic ideas would be to betray everything it has in store. With so much nuanced storytelling, a gradual and interconnected unraveling of plot points, complex characters, and an endlessly fascinating world in season two that's in so many ways different yet so much the same, it's a show worth watching only from the beginning. The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season, then, is for season one veterans only, but rest assured that video and audio presentation are top notch. The total absence of extras is a major disappointment, but the show certainly stands tall enough on its own to warrant a purchase. Very highly recommended in conjunction with season one.