re: The Leftovers ending..

Me too.

Favorite show of all time and just went through a 2nd rewatch. Wife and I disagree, but I'm right of course and Nora is lying. I've decided to rewatch this show every 5 years.

I saw this article recently when I was coming to terms with it being over (for the 2nd time :)

The Leftovers' Director Mimi Leder Finally Reveals What She Thinks Happened in the Finale

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"My theory is that she’s lying to me,” Theroux told EW. “And she didn’t go to this other place, and she’s using that to try and get me to leave or to not be with her. It’s sort of implied, because our show, a lot of times when people would have monologues or say things, we’d flash back to those events. And in that monologue, there’s no flashback to the event. So I think it’s a defense mechanism."

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Later in the article

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Leder explained: "I think that people have belief systems, and I think she believes she went through because I think we all need stories to tell ourselves to get through this life. We tell ourselves stories to survive. So, do I think she went through? No."

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Finished up another rewatch -- just as fantastic as watching it for the first time. Just an all time great.

I didn't post much on here during the initial run. What is everyone consensus on the ending with Nora. Was she lying about going through?

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One of my favorite, if not my favorite, shows of all time. Just incredible on every level.

I must be a simpleton because i've watched it 3 times and never even considered she was lying

I think Nora's letter to Kevin at end of season 1 says it all. She never gave it to him because she found the baby on the front steps. She admits she is a coward and can't get close to anyone again - "I want to believe it's still possible to get close to someone... but it's easier not to. It's easier because I'm a coward and I couldn't take the pain, not again."

Link to transcript

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"Dear Kevin, I need to say good-bye to someone I care about, someone who's still here, so I'm saying it to you. You were good to me, Kevin, and sometimes when we were together, I remembered who I used to be before everything changed. But I was pretending, pretending as if I hadn't lost everything. I want to believe it can all go back to the way it was.

I want to believe that I'm not surrounded by the abandoned ruin of a dead civilization. I want to believe it's still possible to get close to someone... but it's easier not to. It's easier because I'm a coward and I couldn't take the pain, not again. I know that's not fair, Kevin. You've lost so much, too, and you're strong. You're still here. But I can't be, not anymore. I tried to get better, Kevin. I didn't want to feel this way, so I took a shortcut. But it led me right back home, and do you know what I found when I got there? I found them, Kevin, right where I left them. Right where they left me. It took me 3 years to accept the truth, but now I know there's no going back, no fixing it. I'm beyond repair. Maybe we're all beyond repair. I can't go on the way I'm living... but I don't have the power to die. But I have to move towards something. Anything. I'm not sure where I'm going, just away.

Away from all this. I think about a place where nobody will know what happened to me. But then I worry I'll forget them. I don't ever want to forget them. I can't. They were my family. I think I loved you, Kevin. Maybe you loved me, too. I wish I could say this to you instead of writing it. I wish I could see you one last time to thank you and wish you well and tell you how much you mean to me. But I can't. Like I said, I'm a coward. So, wish me luck. Heh! I think I'm going to need it. Love, Nora."

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Hell, the Season 1 finale is probably better and that's saying something.

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Was it the episode before the finale in season 2 where he was with the old man in the trailer at the end? Where Kevin was tied up and was expecting the old guy to pull him out of the tub after a minute or so. But as soon as Kevin goes in the old guy picks up a gun and blows his brains out. Then boom, the episode is over. My jaw was on the floor the 1st time watching it because that was a legit well wtf happens next moment.

I also loved Matt's solo episode where he goes off gambling trying to win money so he can buy back the church. Poor guy just one thing after the other happens to him. Matt's character in season 3 was pretty nuts too.

Side note, the intro song for season 2 is the most fitting song to a show ever. I'm not some twang country music guy, but man that song was perfect. One of the few shows I just let the intro play all the way through each episode. Think I'll just let the mystery be.

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Favorite show of all time

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Easily for me.

Time for me to do a rewatch. Such a great show that is easily in my top 5. Fwiw I think she was lying and didn't go to through but could change my mind on another watch.

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At the end of the episode, Jill and Tom call Laurie to have her settle a debate they are having before Laurie goes scuba diving. Laurie ends the phone call by telling them she loves them both. She then plunges off the side of a boat with her scuba gear. Another wtf moment and a few tough weeks :(

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I did a rewatch a few months ago and I read an article that I think said they originally planned for her to kill herself there, but after they shot it her performance was so good that they didn’t think it felt right and changed it.

I didn’t properly appreciate this show during its initial run because of my age. I rewatched a few months ago and it is fantastic. And yes she definitely lied at the end. The show is about you not getting the answers you want for it to just provide at the end is no good.