Ep 5. Gladys

In The Leftovers season 1 episode 5, entitled "Gladys," the sudden disappearance of 2% of the world's population three years ago continues to affect the people left behind. The focus of this episode is on the Guilty Remnant, a cult-like organization that doesn't speak and exists to remind people of the sudden loss they've experienced.

The episode opens as the Guilty Remnant members go about their daily routines. They smoke cigarettes outside a coffee shop, stare menacingly at drivers from the side of the road, and write messages on notepads to one another. It's clear that they've made it their mission to be an ever-present reminder of the tragedy that's occurred.

The leader of the cult, Patti, meets with other leaders to discuss Gladys, a member of the Guilty Remnant who has recently been murdered. The leaders decide to stage a public event to remove any doubt that Gladys's death was caused by the cult's protests. They dress in white and stage a silent protest outside the police station where Gladys was found.

Meanwhile, Kevin, the Sheriff of the small town where the show takes place, is struggling with his own demons. He's not only grappling with the fact that his own wife has joined the Guilty Remnant, but he's also having vivid and disturbing dreams about a deer that keeps appearing in his backyard. He seeks solace in the arms of a local bartender, but their encounter is interrupted by a call from the station that Gladys has been found dead.

The rest of the episode follows Kevin as he tries to solve the murder of Gladys while also dealing with his personal issues. He becomes increasingly frustrated with the Guilty Remnant's refusal to speak, which he believes is hindering the investigation. His anger boils over when he interrogates a member of the cult, but his burst of violence is cut short when he's called away to deal with another crisis.

The tension in the episode builds as the town holds a public stoning of one of the Guilty Remnant members. The cult members are completely silent as they're pelted with rocks by the townspeople, and Kevin can hardly watch. But even as he tries to maintain order, he struggles with the realization that the town's anger and fear is driving them to violence.

In the end, Kevin is able to solve Gladys's murder and make an arrest, but the episode leaves us with the sense that this conflict between the Guilty Remnant and the town is far from over. As the cult members silently return to their routine, we're left to wonder what other tensions will arise in this already fractured community.

Overall, "Gladys" is a tense and thought-provoking episode of The Leftovers that forces us to confront the emotional toll that a sudden and inexplicable loss can have on individuals and communities alike. It's a reminder that grief is a complex and ongoing process, and that sometimes the best we can do is keep moving forward, even if we're not sure where we're headed.