The Leftovers: Season 1, Episode 8

The Leftovers

Episode Title: “Cairo”

Channel: HBO

Director: Michelle MacLaren

Writers: Curtis Gwinn and Carlito Rodriguez

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Runtime: 60 min

Rated: TV-MA

Original Air Date: August 17, 2014

Ok, that was a good episode. First, Michelle MacLaren delivered a directorial gem, there were some interesting shots, and the conversations were cut in a way that never distracted from what was being said. This is a good things since a lot of important things were said in “Cairo.” The Evil Dead cabin makes an appearance and is the setting for a sizable chunk of the action. Kevin Garvey is apparently spiraling out of control and leaves the audience wondering how sane or insane he might be.

Jill Garvey has her own set of problems, and she takes it out on everyone around her, before pulling a surprise move that is going to cause tons of friction going down the line. The audience is given some inside knowledge into the Remnant, and the lengths at which they'll go to to disseminate their message. The Remnant is preparing what looks to be their biggest spectacle yet, and while not revealed in this episode it's pretty obvious what that plan is. Going forward it's going to be very interesting to see how the townsfolk respond to their display.

Two weeks in a row now Justin Theroux has managed turn my opinion on the chief. We're finally being allowed to see him as something other than the rage filled, unlikable character that he was in the first half of this season. Between the two Garveys in this episode there are some personal relationships that are sure to change drastically in the near future.

Conclusion: I'm still not completely sold on the decision to present Chief Garvey as this crazy, this early, but at least now it seems to be serving a purpose. Overall though, the forward movement we've seen from the characters over the past two episodes has me more willing to go with the flow that is being set up by the writers. As this season winds down there are going to be big things happening.

Rating: 7.5/10