The Leftovers

Haunted by a succession of disturbing nightmares, Kevin decides to see a therapist, hoping the sessions will help him make sense of the unsettling images that have been plaguing his sleep. At the same time, Meg is finding it hard to settle into life at the Guilty Remnant headquarters, struggling with the community’s rigid routines and the pressure to conform to its austere way of living. Meanwhile, federal agents launch a raid on Holy Wayne’s ranch, breaching the compound and unsettling the enclave that Wayne has built. The episode follows these three storylines as each character confronts a new, unsettling challenge.

Reverend Jamison confides in Nora, disclosing a devastating secret about her husband that threatens to upend her life. The revelation leaves her stunned and forces her to grapple with unsettling truths. With the church facing an imminent sale, the Reverend outlines a precarious scheme intended to raise the required cash, banking on a high‑risk venture that he hopes will generate enough money to halt the transaction. Christopher Eccleston appears in the episode, which forms part of the programme Two Boats and a Helicopter. The tension between personal secrets and the urgent need to protect the church’s future drives the narrative.

In this episode, the town's cherished nativity display suffers a blow when the small statue of baby Jesus disappears, taken by unknown hands. The theft sends ripples through the close‑knit neighbourhood, prompting whispered speculation and a growing sense of vulnerability. Meanwhile, the secretive group known as the Guilty Remnant makes its presence felt, marking the holiday season with a chilling reminder of its influence as the cult directly targets the community's core. Their actions underscore a stark intrusion into what should be a time of celebration, leaving the residents to confront the loss of the figurine and the unsettling imprint the cult leaves on Christmas.

Kevin finds himself battling to preserve calm in the town of Mapleton after a member of the secretive Guilty Remnant falls victim to a brutal hate crime. The incident throws the community into turmoil, and Kevin must navigate the heightened tension while trying to prevent further unrest from spiralling out of control. Meanwhile, Laurie’s determination is put to the test as she confronts the emotional fallout from the attack. The cruelty inflicted on the Guilty Remnant member forces her to reassess her own convictions and to decide how far she’ll go to uphold her principles amid the growing hostility. She must balance her personal grief with the broader need for community stability.

Nora journeys to New York to attend a high‑profile conference centred on the enigmatic occurrences linked to the Departure, gathering experts and witnesses alike. Amid the bustling sessions, an opportunistic attendee abruptly snatches her official ID badge, then proceeds to assume her identity by using the stolen credentials to navigate the venue and interact with other participants as if she were Nora herself. Simultaneously, Holy Wayne steps forward, offering his personal support and suggesting a method to help Nora confront the lingering sorrow that hasn’t haunted her since the Departure, aiming to guide her toward emotional release and a sense of closure.

In this episode Kevin discovers that his father has fled the psychiatric hospital, a sudden escape that throws the family into frantic confusion as they scramble to understand what’s happened. At the same time Jill’s reckless streak—her habit of diving head‑first into risky behaviour—places her in a perilous situation, forcing her to confront the dangerous consequences of her impulsiveness. Elsewhere, far from the familiar streets of Mapleton, Tom comes across a disturbing revelation that unsettles him deeply. The find hints at a hidden threat lurking beyond the town’s borders, leaving him uneasy and unsure how the discovery might impact the world he thought he knew.

Kevin becomes convinced he’s slipping away from reality, while Jill spirals into a devastating decline that threatens to consume her. At the same time, Meg reacts poorly when Matt steps in, trying to offer assistance, creating further tension among the group. The intertwined struggles highlight how each character copes with personal crises, with their actions often clashing and deepening the sense of unease. Kevin’s anxiety grows as he questions his own perceptions, and Jill’s decline appears increasingly irreversible. Meg’s hostility stems from frustration, while Matt’s intentions remain genuinely supportive despite the backlash. The episode features Justin Theroux in a leading role, anchoring the narrative with his performance.

The episode turns back the clock to the days immediately preceding the Departure, a key moment in the series. In these scenes Kevin is consumed by a determined effort to locate a marauding deer that has been roaming the area, his focus on the animal highlighting his persistence and the tension of the moment. At the same time Laurie receives news that will irrevocably alter the course of her life, a revelation that underscores the emotional weight of the storyline and contrasts sharply with Kevin’s physical pursuit. The juxtaposition of these two threads heightens the sense of impending change as the characters edge closer to the Departure.

In the quiet town of Mapleton, everything is turned upside down when the enigmatic group known as the Guilty Remnant carries out a deliberately provocative act. Their manoeuvre hits the community hard, leaving the streets in disarray and the townsfolk reeling from the sudden upheaval. Fear spreads through the streets like a cold wind. The shock of the incident fuels a collective resolve among the locals, who soon find themselves united by a single purpose: to exact revenge. Driven by anger and a desire for justice, they embark on a determined quest to retaliate against the group that shattered their peace. Their pursuit of vengeance becomes the only thread holding the community together as they confront the aftermath.