10 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
Three years after the "Sudden Departure" inexplicably erased 2% of the world's population, Police Chief Kevin Garvey struggles to maintain order in Mapleton, NY, while dealing with his fractured family and the unsettling presence of the Guilty Remnant, a silent cult. His estranged wife, Laurie, is a member, and his son, Tom, is on the run with Christine, who is pregnant.
The central conflict revolves around the town's inability to cope with the unexplained loss and the rise of extremist groups. Key turning points include the brutal stoning death of Guilty Remnant member Gladys, which escalates tensions, and Kevin's discovery that he is not Tom's biological father. Later, Kevin experiences disturbing blackouts, leading to the shocking suicide of Guilty Remnant leader Patti Levin in his arms. The season culminates with Mapleton descending into chaos, Holy Wayne dying after granting Kevin a wish, and Nora Durst finding an abandoned baby, hinting at a fragile new beginning amidst the ongoing mystery.
Season 1 of The Leftovers covers episodes 1-10. Here's everything that happened:
Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot - Three years after the "Sudden Departure" inexplicably erased 2% of the world's population, Mapleton, NY, struggles with grief and normalcy. Police Chief Kevin Garvey grapples with his fractured family and the unsettling presence of the Guilty Remnant, a silent cult. The episode culminates in a violent confrontation at a Heroes' Day parade, revealing Laurie Garvey is Kevin's estranged wife, and ending with Kevin inexplicably shooting dogs in the street.
Season 1, Episode 2: Penguin One, Us Zero - Kevin grapples with his sanity as he dreams of a mysterious man and witnesses inexplicable events. Tom kills an FBI agent to protect Christine during a raid on Holy Wayne's compound. Wayne instructs Tom to go off the grid with Christine, who is pregnant. Meanwhile, Meg struggles with the Guilty Remnant's rituals, and Kevin's father hints at an impending helper.
Season 1, Episode 3: Two Boats and a Helicopter - This episode centers on Reverend Matt Jamison's desperate efforts to save his church from foreclosure. After gambling and winning $160,000, Matt is attacked and left unconscious, causing him to miss the deadline. He awakens to discover the Guilty Remnant has purchased his church, leaving him with nothing.
Season 1, Episode 4: B.J. and the A.C. - Kevin Garvey investigates the theft of the Baby Jesus from a nativity scene during Christmas in Mapleton. Meanwhile, Tom Garvey and Christine flee authorities, encountering a truck accident that spills the bodies of the departed. Kevin discovers he is not Tom's biological father, and Laurie serves him divorce papers. The episode concludes with Kevin discarding the Baby Jesus doll, symbolizing his own loss of faith.
Season 1, Episode 5: Gladys - The episode opens with Gladys, a member of the Guilty Remnant, being brutally stoned to death after being abducted and tied to a tree. In the aftermath, Chief Kevin Garvey's attempts to impose order, including a curfew, are rejected by the town. Patti takes Laurie on a "day off," revealing that Gladys also struggled with doubt before her death. The episode concludes with Gladys' body being cremated by the ATFEC agency, highlighting the broader implications of the Sudden Departure.
Season 1, Episode 6: Guest - Nora Durst attends a conference in New York, only to find an imposter using her identity. Embracing the anonymity of a "Guest" pass, she experiences a night of self-destruction and revelation, culminating in a profound encounter with Holy Wayne, who seemingly removes her pain. The episode concludes with a changed Nora, accepting a date with Kevin and facing the future with uncertainty rather than denial.
Season 1, Episode 7: Solace for Tired Feet - Kevin Garvey grapples with his father's escape from a psychiatric facility and his own deteriorating mental state, experiencing disturbing blackouts and hallucinations. Meanwhile, Tom discovers Wayne has impregnated multiple women, and Christine gives birth to a baby girl, not the prophesied "bridge" child. Kevin's father, Kevin Sr., reappears, saving Jill from a dangerous situation and hinting at a deeper family purpose before Kevin apprehends him.
Season 1, Episode 8: Cairo - Kevin Garvey awakens in a cabin with Patti Levin tied up, revealing his blackouts involve violent actions he doesn't remember. After a confrontation where Patti admits to orchestrating Gladys' martyrdom, Patti commits suicide by slitting her own throat in Kevin's arms. Meanwhile, Jill, increasingly disillusioned, joins the Guilty Remnant.
Season 1, Episode 9: The Garveys at Their Best - This flashback episode reveals the seemingly normal lives of the Garvey family just before the Sudden Departure. Kevin cheats on Laurie, Jill is a typical teenager, and Laurie is revealed to be pregnant. The episode culminates with the Departure itself: Kevin's mistress vanishes mid-coitus, Nora's entire family disappears, and Laurie's ultrasound reveals her baby is gone. The Garveys, despite not disappearing themselves, are irrevocably fractured.
Season 1, Episode 10: The Prodigal Son Returns - Kevin Garvey, aided by Matt Jamison, deals with the aftermath of Patti's suicide. Meanwhile, Mapleton descends into chaos as the Guilty Remnant's actions provoke violent riots. Tom abandons Christine's baby on Kevin's doorstep, and Holy Wayne dies after granting Kevin a wish. The episode concludes with Kevin saving Jill from a burning house, and Nora finding the abandoned baby, hinting at a potential new beginning.
