Tragedy struck when a global disaster caused 140 million of the population to vanish in an inexpiable manner. Now, a group of people living in Mapleton, New York deal with the tragic event and wonder what happened three years ago.
The fifth episode of the confounding and captivating first season of "The Leftovers" started with a bang and ended with a burn, but at least we know what the episode title means.
Not one but two members of the Guilty Remnant break their vow of silence, and what transpires on screen takes away our ability to utter anything but gasps.
The Leftovers is clearly a show with a surplus of signs and symbols. Faithful viewers are left to wonder which, if any, they are meant to divine. And to hope that there's a greater purpose.
"Gladys" isn't perfect (most frustrating is the still-fruitless mystery of Dean's enigmatic presence), but nevertheless the episode sustains an impressive thematic and narrative command.
This episode, like every episode so far, had some gripping moments (thus the three stars). But there's no longer any avoiding it: Not enough is happening in this series. Which is incredibly frustrating, because in many ways it's so damn good.
"Gladys" does a very effective job of splitting the difference between the tunnel vision of episode 3 and the broader ensemble pieces we've gotten in the other installments.
"Gladys" gave us us our most harrowing moment of violence on the show to date while brining Matt into the main Kevin/GR storyline in a very cool, intriguing way.
"Gladys," an episode named after the woman who is stoned to death in horrifying detail during its opening minutes, makes this point with real emotional and intellectual power.
Her murder presented the Garveys-Chief and Laurie-with independent spiritual tests. Each was tempted to abandon the path they've chosen, to relent and take an easier way out.
