The Leftovers 'Pilot' (S1E1) Review

HBO's 'The Leftovers' series premiere (S1E1) is reviewed. What would happen if 2% of the world's population just suddenly vanished? How would the survivors make sense of it, and would humanity be on an unexpected spiral of doubt? Is this a story of the rapture, or something different? Where would people turn for answers?

Ben Mankiewicz (Turner Classic Movies) and Alonso Duralde (TheWrap) discuss The Leftovers 'Pilot.'

[broadwaymike]

I actually worked on the pilot for THE LEFTOVERS. I was part of the huge crowd during that big riot scene when the GR intrudes the memorial day ceromony. Filmed it in the summer of 2013.... the hottest and grossest heat wave ever. Took 8 1/2 hours to shoot that riot scene. Filmed it in Nyack, NY (upstate). Non-stop screaming FUCK YOU, GET OUT OF HERE, YOU DON'T BELONG HERE, and raising the finger. Felt like being Leonardo DiCaprio during his famous scenes where he gets angry. Craziest thing for me was getting to scream at Amy Brenneman, one of my favorite film and TV actresses of all time.

[guyfromnewark]

I'm so glad you are reviewing this.

[Jarethenator]

Two percent is still a hell of a lot of people. If this happened for real, chances are you'd know at least one person who was a part of that number personally (meaning not some distant celebrity you don't really know). Essentially, this is a world in which everyone suddenly becomes the parent of a missing child. It means that entire religions are called into question and the people left have mental breakdowns, so 2% might be gone but well above 2% are likely to either completely lose their minds in some way or another. Furthermore, that means every single person on the planet's lives would have been taken and replaced with an entirely new path. So it may be that only 2% is gone, but 100% of the people left over are changed and fucked up completely.

So, you certainly care as would every living human.

[lilpeaceacrap]

That was not Neil Degrasse Tyson by the way...

[ThousanWhite]

I'm so late onto this show. Just startin it now!

[JamaalLV]

It was Michael Eric Dyson not Neil Degrasse Tyson who played the religious zealot. Although both are really cool, smart and witty guys. For me the cameo was great either way.

[fmagnet]

Ben, Alonso, I love WhatTheFlick! Everytime I get into a good show, I find myself hoping that you will cover it. Keep it up guys. This is one of my favorite aspects of the TYT network.

[TheCloveart]

Ben can't tell "some folks" a part.

The religious zealot in the TV screen wasn't Neil Degrasse Tyson, it was Michael Eric Dyson.

C'mon guys...

[WhiteAntelope]

The second season of the British conspiracy thriller called Utopia starts in July. Have a look What the Flick.

[theUNFATEDone]

I really enjoyed it. It's bleak, but interesting. I like the characters and the music as well.

[Revvz]

Maybe I am just projecting but there seemed to be a ton of symbolism in the show I think there is a lot of layers to it. I went on whattheflick to see if you guys were reviewing, so glad you are!

[elisam.hernandeznegron]

Great comments, but I think you missed a few important things: the breathing thing and the cigarettes, the image of him making love (its seems an affair and maybe he feel guilty, besides all the frustation of the situation) and the political perspective of the Major. Watch out these for next week.

[AdamSmiththeth]

Everybody knows it. Ben reminds us of Rocky Balboa after that dentist appointment.

[SuperToughnut]

Lindeloff only does character development. Don't ask too many questions about the mythos. It's just a backdrop. He likes to take characters and drop them into a strange environment and let it all unfold organically.

Of course, most people watch the show for the mythos.

[Scrufboy]

I don't think the sex flashback was the wife.

I think chief was pleasuring himself with some affair and he flashes back in guilt.

Why, if it was his wife, and he longs for her return, why would that flashback be tawdry and animal versus a lovelier scene with some loving longing looks from him(without revealing the who) So again, there is this "why" when it comes to how he is remembering the "where" and the shame in his reveal to the bar patron. We are not told who... So if your wife told you because she knows... No more inadvertent spoilers please. I could be way off though... I am OK with finding out the old fashioned way. Watching with you folks!

The wife chose to join. We don't have that "why" just yet. We are also being introduced to a why story in Liv Tyler's character.

I have not read this book. Think I will stick around and chat on this with you guys a bit.

[immortalis]

After 20 minutes of True Detective I was hooked. The only reason I mention this is to illustrate that I do not mind a slow and deliberate story telling.
I did not even finish the first episode of The Leftovers. I felt zero connection to any character and the story did not grab me at all.  
I won't even bother with the rest of the episodes.

[ClydeNut]

I can't not keep looking at the left side of Ben's face in this vid

[FREEGORDOH]

Will you talk about "Halt and Catch Fire"? I find it a very interesting series. Would love to know your opinion!

[JohnGottschalk]

I'm glad you just told us that spoiler that would have been better if we hadn't seen it (which I hadn't). Just because you're spoiled on an aspect of a show, doesn't mean you have to spoil it for everyone.

[Blastox]

correction: that wasn't neil degrasse tyson playing the religious zealot on tv, it was michael eric dyson.