Ep 2. Penguin One, Us Zero

In "Penguin One, Us Zero," the second episode of The Leftovers, the residents of Mapleton are still reeling from the sudden disappearance of 2% of the world's population. Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), the town's police chief, is struggling to maintain order as his own family falls apart.

The episode begins with Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), a woman who lost her entire family in the event that came to be known as the Departure, attending a support group meeting for others who have suffered similar losses. There, she meets a man who claims to have been present at the site of a famous crucifixion, causing tension among the group as they grapple with the idea of faith in the wake of such a devastating event.

Meanwhile, Kevin is dealing with a local cult known as the Guilty Remnant, who have begun to infiltrate the town. The members of the cult dress all in white and take a vow of silence, standing outside of people's homes and staring at them until they leave or call the police. One of Kevin's officers is sympathetic to their cause and is soon revealed to be a member of the cult herself.

As tensions continue to rise, Kevin is called to a disturbance at a local hotel, where he discovers a man who has been beaten nearly to death. The victim is revealed to be an impostor, using the identity of someone who disappeared in the Departure to scam people out of their money. Kevin becomes convinced that the Guilty Remnant are responsible for the attack and sets out to find proof, leading him on a dangerous path that could have dire consequences for everyone involved.

Meanwhile, Nora is dealing with her own issues as she tries to navigate her way through the aftermath of the Departure. Her boss at the local job center has begun to harass her, and she is struggling to figure out how to move on from her loss. When she sees a commercial for a new technology that promises to allow people to communicate with their loved ones who have departed, she becomes obsessed with the idea, unable to let go of her own grief.

As the episode draws to a close, the tensions in Mapleton continue to escalate, with the Guilty Remnant poised to make their biggest move yet. Kevin must navigate the complicated relationships between the cult, his officers, and the townspeople, all while dealing with his own personal demons. Meanwhile, Nora is faced with a decision that could change her life forever, as she grapples with the idea of letting go and moving on.