Note: Do not read on if you have not seen Season 1, Episode 2 of HBO's The Leftovers, titled "Penguin One, Us Zero."
Oh, there are so many questions. I have to admit, that I am easily creeped out, in that suspenseful, sick feeling kind of way, and this show is totally doing it for me. Some of it is also ridiculous.
Ridiculous things? Jill and her friend's dialogue. Also, they pick up the trail of that woman in the morning, ditch school, and don't come back until nightfall. Her friend is loud and crude -- but not in a funny way. I am the queen of f-bombs, and hers just don't sound useful. Why do they care so much about her gun? If I lived in post-Rapture land, I might be able to be almost convinced to carry, too. And her job of entering strangers' homes is a dangerous one. From her round of questioning, we get an idea of what the federal government thinks about the departed: they were maybe 'bad.' But then why would that poor baby disappear?
One other ridiculous thing: Holy Wayne. I don't get it, except it gives Kevin's son a reason to be far, far away. He's stuck taking care of the girl, his iPhone crushed so he'll never call his dad back, and it doesn't look like he can say no to Hugger Wayne. I'm not totally convinced about the purpose of these characters.
I do, though, like watching the Guilty Remnants operate. Liv Tyler is still in a pledge house and Laurie is charged with making her stay and getting her ready. At the end of the episode, I get that she left, but went to finish chopping down the tree? I liked her reaction to learning that Kevin, the "hot cop," and Laurie were married: "And you're here?!" She has a hot fiance to go home to, too. I need some action here.
Then there's poor Kevin who might be going insane, just like his father (who is dating the mayor?!). Good news? His daughter can see the bald, dog shooting guy because she takes his beer. But why does he drop his car off? Why does Kevin's dad say his voices sent him? Why does he need to shoot the dogs? Are the dogs the departed people, Sam Merlotte-style?
And really, why didn't the bagel make any noise when it got caught in the toaster?!
Lot of questions. One moral of the story? No wants to "feel this way anymore." Almost every character says as much verbatim or in so many words this week. Something's got to give. From the teaser, it looks like we're getting into it pretty quickly, which is good. I'm not sure if this is a world I want to get into or not, but I can't stop myself.
What did you think of the episode? Let me know in the comments or @karenfratti.
The Leftovers airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.