Ep 3. Two Boats and a Helicopter - Young Nora

In The Leftovers season 1 episode 3, titled "Two Boats and a Helicopter - Young Nora," viewers are given a closer look into the life of Nora Durst. After losing her husband and two children in the sudden Departure, Nora struggles to find purpose and meaning in her life. She works for the Department of Sudden Departure (DSD) as a claims adjuster and spends most of her free time drinking and sleeping with strangers.

The episode opens with a flashback to Nora's childhood, where she's watching a game show with her parents. The host asks a contestant what he would do if he won a million dollars, and he responds that he would give half to charity and the other half to his family. Nora's father scoffs at the answer, saying that the contestant is lying, and Nora begins to cry. This scene sets the tone for the episode, as Nora struggles to find the truth and meaning behind her own existence.

The main plot of the episode revolves around Nora's decision to run for local office after her claims for funding to attend a conference are denied by her boss. Nora's campaign is born out of desperation and a desire to feel important and necessary again. Her platform is centered around a promise to bring attention to the victims of the Departure and to help them find closure.

Throughout the episode, we see Nora's struggle as she tries to gain support for her campaign. She goes door-to-door in her neighborhood, but most people are too apathetic to care. Her frustration comes to a head when she attends a town hall meeting, where she's confronted by a woman whose brother was killed in the Departure. The woman accuses Nora of exploiting the victims for her own gain, and Nora breaks down in tears.

The episode also gives us a glimpse into Nora's personal life. We see her interactions with her brother Matt, who is a local reverend and is struggling with his own loss. We also see her interactions with a man she meets at a party, who is also coping with the Departure in his own way.

Overall, "Two Boats and a Helicopter - Young Nora" is a deeply emotional and introspective episode that delves into the themes of loss, grief, and the search for meaning in a world that has been turned upside down. It's a powerful reminder that life goes on even after tragedy, and that sometimes the only way to find healing is to help others.