The Leftovers: Season 2 Episode 3 Explained

FINALLY we get some explanations!! Episode 3 has been my favorite so far because it took us into a whirlwind of answered questions which created more questions and totally changed our mindset about what we thought we knew about the Guilty Remnant cult. (I’m assuming it’s safe to say cult after seeing this episode…wow.) 

In this episode, the story’s focus is on the Guilty Remnant, and our characters from last season, Lori and Tommy. (Lori was Kevin’s wife that joined the cult, Tommy is the son that was helping protect the Asian pregnant girls). Any who, if you’re like me, most of your questions from last season revolve around WHAT IN THE WORLD is going on with the Guilty Remnant. Who are they…why are they so lame…why don’t they speak…why are they always smoking…why do they have files on different people to recruit…etc. etc. 

FINALLY we get some answers in this episode at least as to what happened to Lori after last season’s fire. 

Fast forward into the episode, after the drum sequences in the background, the purchase of a ton of Nicolette gum, we find ourselves figuring out what happened to Lori and Tommy. Long story short—Lori has left the Guilty Remnant and decided to form a support group for those that have been manipulated into joining but are attempting to get back to the “real world” again. Lori speaks again, she now harbors these G.R. alums, and tries to help them get back to the life they once had. In her own words, “I will help you come back.” 

Lori has also taken it upon herself to write a book about what happened to her when she was in the group, and how it has affected her. She is so focused on her newfound cause of saving these people and profiting off her story that she doesn’t even realize what she’s putting her son through. She has requested that Tommy goes to what he calls “hives” (where different groups of the G.R. live) and pretend to be one of them, find the weakest one, and recruit them to Lori’s support group. One of the groups he joins he is welcomed by someone writing to him “your pain doesn’t matter.” Ouch. That doesn’t seem very welcoming to me. 

Let’s talk about one of the most bizarre scenes of this episode…when Lori steals her laptop back, blasts hardcore music in the car (hmm..sounds like something both her and Kevin love to do). and then runs over and kills two G.R. people in the street on purpose. Afterward, she acts like nothing happened and just continues to blast the music. 

Clearly, Lori is already on a downward spiral only made worse by when she ruins her book deal by attacking her publisher after he says to her “what I need to know, Lori, is how you FEEL about it.” **cue psycho rage** Side note: I’m starting to believe the whole no talking, numbness, manipulated, repressed emotions of the G.R. is a matter of factor NOT so healthy. Take that blonde woman that Lori recruited for example—she thought she could finally live in the real world and be saved, yet she ends up driving into oncoming traffic and killing herself and her entire family. Which brings me to….Tommy confronting Lori after that weird and disturbing rape scene by Live Tyler. He says to Lori: “you forgot wha it’s like to be in there—it makes sense!! Our stuff isn’t working!” Then they both come to the realization that they’re “losing” because “they’re (G.R.) is giving them something and we can strip it away but once it’s gone there’s nothing we can put back in its place."

How do they resolve this “battle”? Tommy decides to give the people something that they want. Hope, a miracle, a solution. He does EXACTLY what Holy Wayne claimed to be able to do: Hug their pain away. Thus, ends episode three with Tommy asking who wants a hug, and ironically he’s seen in Christ pose. 

What did you think of this week's episode?? Any clues as to what might happen next? Would love to hear in the comments below!