The Leftovers final episode came and went with a lot less fuss than I expected.
From the first episode there was this massive built up frenzy from fans, critics and hostiles. Mostly from frustrated fans looking for answers.
Surprised by my own reaction while I watched The Leftovers, it spurred not only reflection on my part but also writing a blog entry on fantasy genre and God where I raise the question of the sudden appearance of God everywhere in (new) fantasy fiction.
More surprised, I had so much nothing to say that one entry was not enough. That is why you are reading part two.
Rich conservative Christian individuals/organizations/churches/ congregations/cults/whatever they call themselves, are no virgins to media production.
They have their own radio and TV channels. Hell, they have even conquered the Internet! Streamlining their message, teaching people to be good Christians. All over the world.
Now however, it seems they are getting their hands dirty by putting their hard-earned dollars into mainstream media production, funding a more hidden message. Making the Christian God a natural part of everything.
You sense I am not a fan.
You sense right.
There is nothing natural about God.
And, nothing natural about my reaction to The Leftovers.
It shook my soul. My skepticism went haywire, casting me out into total chaos, ending up as an emotional ball of unresolved anger.
Why?
The Guilty Remnants (GR).
Every time the story lingers on these white clad, chain-smoking and silent folks, my stomach hurt. They anger me.
They make me uncomfortable. They scare me because the only thing I know about them, leaving the last two episodes out of it, is that they leave everyone and everything behind (although still part of the society) swears to silence, wears only white and chain-smokes.
Their mission is to make people remember.
Up until the final episode, it is unclear what people are supposed to remember. Making it universal. Whatever you have regrets about becomes what you should remember.
Up to a point, they only stalk people.
Soon they move on to breaking into people’s homes stealing photos and clothes. Leaving family and friends of those raptured with less to remember them by.
It is an effective way to piss people off. I am not the only one reacting badly to the GR and I am not even part of that world!
In the final episode, they top their weirdness by placing human-sized dolls looking like those raptured in their own clothes in the exact same situation they were raptured from.
At the same time, I am not that outraged anymore. Because now I have a clearer picture of who they are and what they want.
The more I know, they crazier they get, the calmer I stay.
Which made me think.
Christine
christines rant 