Thoughts On: The Leftovers Season 2... What's Next?

           The Leftovers packed its 10 episode debut with more depressing character development and violins than many shows would ever attempt. However, by the second half of the season, it became clear this case study on feeling like crap had something to offer. Other than all the random super natural-esque moments (that shiny dear, the exploding man hole cover), this show executed the flash back with Lost like greatness and tied slow burning story lines into one disturbing (Nora's family) and fiery (Jill should have perished) conclusion. Where does the show go from here? I heard the show will go beyond its source material, keep its leads, but focus on new locations...that said...

An exclusive, potential, probable, yet unlikely
screen shot of The Leftovers season 2...

Don't End Up Like Dexter:

Dexter went so far beyond the source material they made Miami look like Mogadishu. The show over stayed its welcome and betrayed the faithful with a horrendous last season. The Leftovers equivalent to the Dexter series finale would be to have Nora make it through eight seasons of character development just to...
1. become the wife of a bearded lumberjack from Miami

This was just off camera...in every scene

2. Get shot by a crazed follower of Holy Wayne, go into a coma, die, and then get thrown into the ocean by Kevin.
I don't know that anyone wants to see that happen...

Keep Max Richter's Music:
I didn't like it at first, but it really grew on me. I can't imagine the departure scene or Kevin's Rescue Me moment being as emotionally engaging without said music. It's worth mentioning that the additional songs chosen by the show to either intro an episode or close credits have been excellent (I'm talking to you Hozier).

You get the idea...

Keep the Supernatural Stuff:
Im hoping Patty shows up in Kevin's dreams a lot more. It was extremely satisfying to see her in the finale....and Kevin's dad's imaginary friends better not turn out to be just that. I heard that the creators of the show will never explain the departure, which is fine by me...but thats no reason not to inject the show with every bizarre thing in the Lost playbook...

       
           This show has a great foundation, full of depressed police chiefs, drunk police chiefs, crazy former police chiefs, creepy dolls, creepy cults, creepy issues of National Geographic, creepy dogs, creepier deer, and lots of missing persons. Double down on all these things. If it should go bad, put the cast on a plane to Australia...something interesting might happen on the way back.