The Leftovers Season 3 Trailer Was Made for Us Lefties!

Written By: Missy Ortiz

After so much happening lately, this is exactly what we Lefties needed! The teaser, trailer and set date for The Leftovers Season 3 happened today! First, Justin Theroux posted a teaser on his Instagram, and then HBO confirmed the date and sealed it with an ominous trailer for us to get by with. Get ready to make this final season a magical journey with us as we anticipate the mystery, the wonder, and the beloved beards!!! Want to see the trailer for season 3? Check it out here and let me tell you why it was made for their biggest fans!

The Girl on the Train and The Leftovers: Synergy?

Written By: Missy Ortiz

Hey, Lefties! I finished watching our favorite actor Justin Theroux's new movie, The Girl on the Train and it was extraordinary! The mystery, the drama, the thrill...it all unraveled perfectly. Now, the reason I am bragging about this awesome film on The Living Reminders Blog is because this movie struck many nerves and hit home for me. There were SEVERAL references and similarities that occurred throughout the film that reminded me of The Leftovers. Believe me, when I say this, I had to go straight home and do my research to see if there were any handshakes shared between Damon Lindelof and Tate Taylor, who directed The Girl on the Train. If you haven't seen the movie yet, please do before you read any further because I don't want to spoil anything for you. This is your SPOILER ALERT. For those of you who have seen it, then feel free to agree with me here because you're going to be amazed at how many puns or easter eggs seemed to be intended for us fans of The Leftovers. Check this out Lefties:

The Post-Apocalyptic World of Tom Perrotta in The Leftovers

Written By: Missy Ortiz

I'm sure everyone is missing The Leftovers during this off-season, but for me, there is no off-season. Even while in school, I find ways to incorporate our favorite show into my classes. This semester, I was assigned a literary analysis paper that was for a major grade, and I was allowed to choose my own topic. Without question, I chose Tom Perrotta's The Leftovers book. Now, don't get me wrong, this assignment was tough, even though I love the book. Either way, I gave it my all and submitted it. This weekend, I received feedback on it and my final grade...I got an A! Bestowing excitement and joy, I would love to share it with my fellow Lefties. A little something to read to help us get by until Season 3 starts production... Enjoy!

The Leftovers Season 2 Blu-Ray Review

Written by: Blake Larsen

The Leftovers on HBO was supposed to be Damon Lindelof's glorious return to television. It was dark, mysterious, and laser focused on it's characters. And if you're a Lindelof fan, you know all of these traits fall right into his wheel house.  And while there is an extreme and unreasonably loud minority who were disappointed in Lindelof's masterpiece of LOST, it was apparent that Damon had learned from his LOST experience.  Instead of keeping the spotlight of The Leftovers on it's highly tantalizing mystery of 2% of the world's population disappearing, both he and show co-creator/author of The Leftovers, Tom Perrotta, decided to willingly admit that they were NOT going to tell you why the departure happened or where the departed went.  It was an interesting choice, and it preemptively cut all of the old LOST naysayers right at the knees. Season one, although shrouded in some controversy about it's tone and storytelling structure, was, in this humble podcaster's opinion, excellent television.

So it's easy for me to say that if season one was excellent television, then it's second season was nothing short of transcendent.  Sure, there was a fair amount of tweaking done to season two in terms of characters, setting etc.,  but these were all changes that were unexpectedly positive, needed, and most importantly, well earned. In other words - it was a huge improvement and I think that not only was it the best show of 2015, but season two of The Leftovers stands firmly among the top five of any season of television I have ever watched. Click "read more" for a comprehensive review of The Leftovers Season two Blu-Ray.

Brian Davids Interviews 'The Leftovers' Jasmin Savoy Brown ('Evie')

Written by: Brian Davids

Hi Living Reminders, 

I had the good fortune of speaking with Jasmin Savoy Brown ('Evie') of The Leftovers Season Two via The Film Schlubs Podcast.

We first discuss her background and upbringing in Springfield, Oregon before diving into The Leftovers as of the 00:26:29 mark.

Jasmin describes the audition process in great detail, the lessons she learned from her co-stars such as Regina King, her emotions during various scenes including the famous Jarden Bridge scene and how The Leftovers has impacted her own life. 

The Leftovers Podcast: The Living Reminders Chats with Series Co Creator/ Showrunner Damon Lindelof

Transcribed by: Denise Stewart and Missy Ortiz
The Living Reminders Episode 37
December 20, 2015

Hosts Mary and Blake chat with Damon Lindelof, the co-creator/ co executive producer/ showrunner of The Leftovers.  In this episode you'll learn all about: why Blake and Mary should be in the GR, how The Leftovers came to be, Damon's response to all the "Lefties," what a day in the life of Damon Lindelof looks like, how writers are selected for the show, a christmas elf pitch, what season 3 definitely won't be,  how he keeps track of everything he thinks of for the show, not doing "crazy" for "crazy's sake," why Kevin's sanity is important, plus he gives a sneak peak into what could be a very intriguing portion of the third and final season and much more!

Click here for the full audio version of the interview

Brian Davids Interviews 'The Leftovers' Writer Patrick Somerville

Written By: Brian Davids

Hi Living Reminders,

I had the good fortune of sitting down with The Leftovers' Patrick Somerville, co-writer of "Off-Ramp" and "A Most Powerful Adversary" via the Film Schlubs podcast.

We talked about Season Two in great detail including the breaking of "International Assassin", the Evie reveal, purgatory karaoke, his favorite episode and the infamous cricket.

Patrick also discusses his reaction to the third and final season renewal as well as the impact the show has made on his own life.

The Leftovers Podcast: The Living Reminders Chats with Series Creator Tom Perrotta

Transcribed by: Denise Stewart
The Living Reminders Episode 14
October 14, 2014

Photo Credit jacobsphotographic

Hosts Mary and Blake interview Tom Perrotta, author of the book The Leftovers. Tom is a screenwriter, Academy Award nominee, and author of novels such as Election and  Little Children.  The New York Times has dubbed him as “an American Chekhov whose characters even at their most ridiculous seem blessed and ennobled by a luminous human aura.” We know him best as the author, co-creator and co-executive producer of our favorite show on HBO, The Leftovers.

In this episode, you'll learn all about: the inspiration behind The Leftovers, how it started on HBO, the differences between writing for TV and novels, changes from the book for the show, Saving Mr. Banks, Tom's favorite character and episode, alluding to the actual departure, the importance of the ladies in the car in “The Garveys At Their Best”, fortune cookies, how awesome Carrie Coon really is, cake, and more of Justin Theroux's package.

For the full audio of the interview, Click here

For a full transcription of the interview, Click Read More

Critics' Choice Awards Tips Their Hats to The Leftovers

Written By: Missy Ortiz

Ladies and Gents! We have received notice that The Leftovers has been nominated in many aspects for The Critic's Choice Awards this year! After so much speculation, yes The Leftovers is worthy of recognition, finally! This season has brought us so many surprises including new cast members who have enlightened us with their phenomenal acting. Now, we get to see them receive nominations and crossing our fingers, trophies for their performances.

The Living Reminders received confirmation for the nominations of this year's Critics' Choice Awards. Let's take a look at the list and give praise to our favorite show:

HBO RENEWS THE LEFTOVERS: Seasons Greetings

Written By: Missy Ortiz

Christmas came early everyone! We just got informed that HBO will be renewing our favorite series for another year to come! Today, The Living Reminders received affirmation that HBO was going to renew THE LEFTOVERS for a third and final season. To all The Lefties out there, we would like to say thank you for your support and dedication to The Leftovers.

Here is the official announcement email sent to us on behalf of HBO:

Exploring "I Live Here Now" - Video Review of Season 2 - Episode 10

Written By: Chris Hartwell

What makes The Leftovers so engrossing is not merely its ability to justify why one character is alive or explain why another would abandoned her family.  It's strength is found in its exploration of very different, yet equally broken, souls as they connect in the midst of an often unexplainable world... being forced to acknowledge that as real as those mysteries are, so too is their ability to connect with those around them... and that they are not so different from their fellow travelers in this cosmic drama called life. 

Click "read more" to join me as I take a closer look!

Chat w/ Max Richter - Episode 28 - The Leftovers Podcast: The Living Reminders

Transcribed by: Denise Stewart

November 10, 2015

The Living Reminders Episode 28

Photo: Deutsche Grammophon

Hosts Mary and Blake Larsen of  THE LIVING REMINDERS  chat with Max Richter, the immeasurably talented composer who writes the score on The Leftovers. He's a German born British composer, who's been an influential voice in the post-minimalist composition and in the meeting of contemporary classical and alternative popular music styles since the 2000's. He has seven solo works including Memory House and Sleep, whose music has been featured on television.  And on films such as Prometheus, J. Edgar, Need for Speed, and To The Wonder. We all know him as the composer for our favorite television show on HBO... The Leftovers.

In this episode you'll learn all about: how Max came on the project, the different instruments he uses, the different ways he uses them, how he comes up with certain themes and why, happy accidents, the blending of traditional orchestra with electronica, Easter eggs for season 2, his favorite scores and much more!

For the full audio of the episode, Click Here

For a full transcription of the interview Click Read More

The Virgin Diaries: Episode 5

Written by: Ashley Crawley

Photo courtesy: Decider

Hi, my name is Ashley and I’m a virgin… of The Leftovers, that is. For those just stumbling onto my posts for The Living Reminders for the first time, here's the scoop. I only recently discovered The Leftovers phenomenon and have committed to catching on from the beginning – season one. Actually, let’s say catching “up”… because in Damon Lindelof land, there’s no guarantee one over catches on. And I like that.

Remember how I decided that the last episode ("BJ and the AC") was my least favorite of the season? How I felt maybe I’d rushed to happy judgement in wanting to permanently gorge off The Leftovers buffet?

Exploring the "Ten Thirteen" - Video Review of Season 2 - Episode 9

Written By: Chris Hartwell

One of the greatest challenges Lindelof and Perotta faced this week with "Ten Thirteen" was attempting to surprise the audience, which demands the most precise balance of setup and secrecy.

Error to one side and the twist will feel unjustified and contrived.

Error to the other and it will be spotted from miles away.

Did they succeed?

Click "read more" to join me as I take a closer look!

Exploring the "International Assassin" - Video Review of Season 2 - Episode 8

Written By: Chris Hartwell

On this week's "International Assassin" Lindelof and Perotta aren't just playing with genre concepts and ideas, merely "staring into the garbage disposal" like Kevin Murphy, but plunging fully down into it... and things will never be the same!    

Click "read more" to join me as I take a closer look!

Exploring "A Most Powerful Adversary" - Video Review of Season 2 - Episode 7

Written By: Chris Hartwell

In "A Most Powerful Adversary", Lindelof and Perotta have once again switched perspectives, tasking themselves with their greatest challenge yet: justifying why a certain character would choose to kill himself!  Even as they navigate around and even dare to dip their toe into some very 'genre concepts', the writers maintain their audience by ever placing their characters in highly realistic, extremely balanced contexts!    

Click "read more" to join me as I take a closer look!

The Guilty Remnant in Kevin's World

Written By: Missy Ortiz

After this last Sunday's "A Most Powerful Adversary", we were all in mourning. Spoiler alert: We witnessed Kevin committing suicide with the help of his late mentor, Virgil, who then subsequently blew his head off. We've talked about Virgil. We've talked about Kevin dying, but have we talked about Patti and her intentions? Did Patti actually want Kevin to die? Why not? Let's not forget that Patti was the leader of The Guilty Remnant Mapleton chapter. Remember Gladys? Not to mention the GR's planning of the mass suicide fire? Patti is most definitely ready for battle. Are we forgetting about how the GR are a vital element in all of this and how their belief system works? 

Let's take a look and see why The Guilty Remnant could very much be Kevin's "Most Powerful Adversary":

Ratings: Why They're Irrelevant + Why The Leftovers Will NEVER Be Canceled

Written by: Blake Larsen

People are worried that The Leftovers is going to be canceled. Of course, the first thing they point to is the ratings! "Oh my god the ratings have gone down 60%! It can't stay on air - this is a disaster!" Naturally, panic sets in, one tweet from some random gabrone is said about cancellation and everyone starts losing their minds.  Listen people, ratings are dumb as hell.  They're irrelevant and guess what, The Leftovers will NEVER be canceled.  Here are the reasons why....

The Department of Sudden Departure Asks: Are you a Leftovers Fiend?

Written By: Missy Ortiz

The Department of Sudden Departure is a U.S. Government organization created to distribute benefits and assist those who lost loved ones from The Sudden Departure. The department was established after The Sudden Departure in order to aid citizens who lost family or friends. A member of the Department asks benefit applicants 150 questions about the departed before dispersing any benefits. This movement is to attempt to figure out any patterns on those who vanished.

We know that Nora Durst is employed here and she has been known to ask the questions required in order to receive these benefits. We have heard her ask the questions in last season and now in season two as well. For those who pay attention, we know the type of questions that are asked to the family or friends of the departed. If the Department of Sudden Departure was to create a questionnaire to see if there are patterns of watcher withdrawals and psychological changes, in other words, if you are a Leftovers fiend...you would be asked questions such as these:

Exploring the "Lens" - Video Review of Season 2 - Episode 6

Written By: Chris Hartwell

"Lens" quite exceptionally showcases the sort of payoff we get from The Leftover's rather segmented, point-of-view type storytelling!

To describe Lindelof and Perotta as master chefs: they've spent the first 5 episodes of this season, mincing the vegetable, grilling the meat, and warming the sauce... and now, this week, they've thrown all those individually prepared ingredients together into this pressure cooker of an episode! 

Click "read more" to join me as I take a closer look!