The Leftovers

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 29, 2014
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 706 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 546 out of 706
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 706
  3. Negative: 102 out of 706
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User Reviews

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  1. Rex_richards
    Dec 22, 2014
    4
    I have no idea why I watched all this, but I did.
    I am fairly sure that the creators have no idea where the series is going.
    It is very very slow and there is absolutely no suggestion at all that any of it will be resolved, ever. Virtually nothing that happens has any real sense to it. It is just a collection of weird characters being 'sad' and 'unsure what next'. I guess you could    I have no idea why I watched all this, but I did.
    I am fairly sure that the creators have no idea where the series is going.
    It is very very slow and there is absolutely no suggestion at all that any of it will be resolved, ever.
    Virtually nothing that happens has any real sense to it.
    It is just a collection of weird characters being 'sad' and 'unsure what next'.
    I guess you could sum it up by saying that it is kind of like a small child came up with a weird story about people disappearing and a bunch of actors who fancy themselves as serious decided to go all method on it.    … Expand
  2. marc5477
    May 1, 2017
    5
    The bottom line is I couldn't finish season 1. I got to episode 8 before putting it aside. I may go back to it later but for now I cant find any reason to watch. The reason is absolutely nothing happens between episodes 3 and 8. Its just filler episodes without any development or advancement of the story. On top of that, the cliche characters are tiring to watch. I acknowledge that theThe bottom line is I couldn't finish season 1. I got to episode 8 before putting it aside. I may go back to it later but for now I cant find any reason to watch. The reason is absolutely nothing happens between episodes 3 and 8. Its just filler episodes without any development or advancement of the story. On top of that, the cliche characters are tiring to watch. I acknowledge that the show still has potential and the end of season 1 might surprise me but it can also go very badly as the mystery isnt too interesting to begin with.

    2% of the population disappeared, without reason, instantly. The interest in the show is the mystery of the disappearance and everyone's actions revolves around this event. The show deliberately ignores any sort of explanations to extend the number of episodes and adds other mysterious elements to distract you from the main plot of figuring out the disappearance mystery. The problem is, I dont care about the cult (non-cult) in white. They are not interesting in the least. I also dont care about the teenagers who are no different than they are in the common world except we only see the dumbest of the dumb in this show. Again I am not writing off the show completely but the writing has me worried that the authors have no story to tell. We have all seen this before in shows like The Dome (a disaster), and Lost (ended up a disaster). I will come back to it another day and I may update this review at that time.    … Expand
  3. cdp888
    Jul 22, 2014
    4
    I tried to like this, but it's become saccharin in it's silliness and over the top violin background music blandness, that I've actually begun to view it as a comedy. Do I care about these characters, not really. The Chief's kids are moronic, the whole wife left me for a cult premise is ridiculous (they look like the most impossible couple casting could come up with...). It seems likeI tried to like this, but it's become saccharin in it's silliness and over the top violin background music blandness, that I've actually begun to view it as a comedy. Do I care about these characters, not really. The Chief's kids are moronic, the whole wife left me for a cult premise is ridiculous (they look like the most impossible couple casting could come up with...). It seems like it was made for network TV, not cable. The writing is awful, as is much of the acting (which isn't really their fault with a vehicle such as this). Even the opening title sequence, it tempts us with a Sistine chapel-esque portraits of people levitating up to a Heaven of sorts. But after the 4th episode, it's a boring as clay.… Expand
  4. ShiArch
    May 4, 2017
    5
    Not nearly as good as it was hyped up to be. Slow story which creates questions but never ever bothers to answer them (not even in the next season!). But I wont waste your time like show- In short it is - Boring, Slow, Full of plotholes, Incosistent, Overhyped and Pointless.
  5. ELCriticon
    Aug 18, 2014
    4
    The correct name should be " The Unanswered Tangent Show " . Basically the script goes horizontally opening situations that either go unanswered or that are forgotten. It pretends to be profound by creating a heavy overall climate with deep silences or still shots, but the lack of a good script is evident. Instead of an intelligent honest story this show is plagued by chicanery. OnlyThe correct name should be " The Unanswered Tangent Show " . Basically the script goes horizontally opening situations that either go unanswered or that are forgotten. It pretends to be profound by creating a heavy overall climate with deep silences or still shots, but the lack of a good script is evident. Instead of an intelligent honest story this show is plagued by chicanery. Only good acting saves the day a little bit. But not enough .… Expand
  6. Fluid_Dynamics
    Apr 18, 2015
    4
    If you like being strung along, by writers who have a track record of stringing you along for no other purpose than manipulating you into staying engaged, then THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU.

    If you watch it as a metaphor for how a society reacts after 9/11 or any other traumatic event, then you're likely to get more out of it. Reality has unresolved moments. Fine. Reality also    If you like being strung along, by writers who have a track record of stringing you along for no other purpose than manipulating you into staying engaged, then THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU.

    If you watch it as a metaphor for how a society reacts after 9/11 or any other traumatic event, then you're likely to get more out of it. Reality has unresolved moments. Fine. Reality also occasionally provides us a sense of resolution and answers.

    I despise being strung along and manipulated. If you enjoy it, have at it.

    They've finally made the perfect show for you.    … Expand
  7. haw2991
    Jun 29, 2014
    4
    As most critics are expressing, the "The Leftovers" is expertly crafted however filled with unexplainable grimmness and depression, leaves you feeling inexplicably unsatisfied.
  8. mcrancidrugburn
    Jul 13, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just like my lazy uncle this show needs work because it's not unwatchable. It seems like the show purposely has no direction. Last episode it had this Waco style assault on the black british guys compound and it was really violent but, it didn't have a effect because the audience can't connect with the characters. It was kind of funny listening to SWAT team guy just talk crazy and curse as he's bleeding out. This show has alot of enigmatic moments. Like the police think the commissioner is going mental like his father because he's killing dogs and talking to toaster ovens. There's some lady in the forest trying to chop down a tree. There's a lady the commissioner's daughter and her friends follow because she has a gun in purse. So they follow her around which makes no sense. Wayne who I wish would be cast as Dr. Who kisses some dead guy on mouth and tries to heal the commissioner's son. There's product placement of Budweiser.
    Anyway maybe the next episode will be better. It is suppose to be about Christopher Eccleston who I think was a horrible Doctor Who. He was a good Invisible Man on Heroes though.    … Expand
  9. thebnote1
    Jul 7, 2014
    4
    As usual, I made the mistake of reading the book first. At this point, I cannot decide what this is. The book is a character driven novel that at least early on lets you know that the "event" is essentially over. The rest becomes interesting character responses to the "event." The series has created characters that don't exist in the book, along the a story line that doesn't either. So itAs usual, I made the mistake of reading the book first. At this point, I cannot decide what this is. The book is a character driven novel that at least early on lets you know that the "event" is essentially over. The rest becomes interesting character responses to the "event." The series has created characters that don't exist in the book, along the a story line that doesn't either. So it is so far very loosely based on the book, and I mean loosely!… Expand
  10. Lourenco3
    Jul 1, 2014
    6
    I don't mind the slow pacing, as many of my favorite shows also don't seem prone to easy or rushed answers. But the story shown in the pilot was not enough to depict an appealing new world. Although the plot may develop into something more promising than it initially appears to be, the characters introduced so far were not interesting at all. I'll give it another chance next Sunday, though.
  11. Mudget
    Aug 19, 2014
    5
    The pros - Compelling acting. Able direction. Decent script. Just enough FX, and well-done. Mysterious.

    The cons - I can't seem to get attached or even interested in any of the characters. So much 'weird', without the nuance of a seasoned 'weird' director like Lynch. Baffling plot points (dogs, smoking cult, etc.) are left to linger throughout the season - too long, stopped    The pros - Compelling acting. Able direction. Decent script. Just enough FX, and well-done. Mysterious.

    The cons - I can't seem to get attached or even interested in any of the characters. So much 'weird', without the nuance of a seasoned 'weird' director like Lynch. Baffling plot points (dogs, smoking cult, etc.) are left to linger throughout the season - too long, stopped caring. People behaving unrealistically (still driving, taking buses, subways, presumably airplanes, despite what happened? Right.)

    It's a super slow burn. I contrast this to Falling Skies, which is a fast, silly burn. Both ends of a spectrum. Both end up mediocre.    … Expand
  12. SlyckNickChick
    Jul 7, 2014
    5
    I had high expectations for this show, I have been sadly disappointed mostly by the mute smoking characters. If they are suppose to be purifying themselves, starting a new, why would they be smoking!? That's not the only disappointing thing, having millions of people disappear sounds cool, but the writers jump three years a head. Don't most story lines have a beginning before a middle!?I had high expectations for this show, I have been sadly disappointed mostly by the mute smoking characters. If they are suppose to be purifying themselves, starting a new, why would they be smoking!? That's not the only disappointing thing, having millions of people disappear sounds cool, but the writers jump three years a head. Don't most story lines have a beginning before a middle!? I do have to say the only thing that I have enjoyed so far is Justin Theroux, hope to see more of his pecs and abs.… Expand
  13. llh1028
    Aug 11, 2014
    6
    There is waaayyy too much use of the f word in this show! With the entire English vocabulary to use, why aren't the writers smarter or more clever? It's bothering me so much! Come on, writers! Please. It's like in every sentence! It's ridiculous.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best TV Season of 2014
4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
11
#11 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Aug 7, 2014
    70
    The narrative flow is murky and chaotic, and at times it chokes up.... But The Leftovers builds in potency.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Zach Hollwedel
    Jul 3, 2014
    70
    There's enough intrigue driving the premise to set The Leftovers up as a promising series; whether the show can maintain its momentum or succumbs to the weight of the myriad, potentially frustrating mysteries behind it remains to be seen.
    Read full review
  3. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jun 30, 2014
    40
    The lack of a coherent storyline, even in a piece dedicated to exploring the lack of coherence in the world, makes The Leftovers a frustrating challenge.
    Read full review
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