Ep 2. Don't Be Ridiculous

In The Leftovers season 3 episode 2, titled Don't Be Ridiculous, the story picks up three years after the Departure. This episode focuses on the character Nora Durst, played by Carrie Coon. Nora is still grappling with the loss of her family in the Departure and has become disillusioned with life overall.

The episode opens with Nora going through her daily routine, which includes using a complex machine to blast herself with radiation. We learn that she believes this will be her ticket to joining her family in the afterlife. She tries not to talk about it with anyone but is struggling to cope with the idea that she will never see her loved ones again. Her job sees her dealing with people who are looking for information about Departure claims, and she is unrelenting in her efforts to weed out frauds.

We are then introduced to a man named Dr. Bekker, who claims he has the ability to send Nora to the afterlife to be with her family. Nora is suspicious of his claims and refuses to take him up on his offer, but as the episode progresses, we see her becoming more and more desperate to be reunited with her family.

As Nora navigates this new world, we also see other characters in different parts of the world who have been affected by the Departure. Kevin Garvey, played by Justin Theroux, is now a police chief in Jarden, Texas, and is dealing with his own set of problems. Meanwhile, Laurie Garvey, played by Amy Brenneman, has become a member of the Guilty Remnant, a cult that focuses on living in silence.

The episode takes a turn when Nora receives a phone call from a woman claiming to be her children's school principal. She informs Nora that her daughter, Lily, has been found in Australia and that her son, Jeremy, may still be alive as well. Nora is understandably skeptical but decides to travel to Australia to investigate.

In Australia, Nora meets a man named Mark Linn-Baker, who played Larry Appleton in the TV show Perfect Strangers. Mark claims to have also lost people in the Departure and has created a device that will allow him to communicate with the other side. Nora is initially hesitant to believe him, but as the two connect over their shared loss, she becomes more open to the idea.

As the episode progresses, we see Nora's journey towards acceptance of her situation. She starts to realize that she doesn't need to be reunited with her family to find peace and closure. Instead, she starts to focus on the present and begins to let go of her past.

Overall, The Leftovers season 3 episode 2, Don't Be Ridiculous, is a gripping continuation of the show's storyline. It tackles themes of loss, acceptance, and desperation in a nuanced way that keeps the viewer engaged. The performances are excellent, particularly Carrie Coon's portrayal of Nora, and the episode leaves the viewer wanting more.