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380:), mortally wounded. Wayne accepts his death and asks Kevin to make a wish, which he can grant. Kevin silently wishes something and Wayne claims to grant it before dying from his wounds. ATFEC agents storm the diner for Wayne, and Matt vouches for Kevin, claiming that he is an innocent person. Matt and Kevin are allowed to go.
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Kevin and Matt stumble upon
Mapleton falling into chaos, with civilians attacking GR members and burning down their cul-de-sac. Kevin saves Laurie from being attacked by a man and carries an unconscious Jill out of a burning house. The next day, Tom arrives at Mapleton, finding Laurie. Nora writes a
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The series is set four years after the "Sudden
Departure" – an event which saw 2% of the world's population (approximately 140 million people) disappear and profoundly affected the townspeople. The characters of police chief Kevin Garvey and his family (wife Laurie, son Tom, daughter Jill and father
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gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I'm not sure I cared much about these answers three weeks ago, but after two strong outings in a row, including a finale that didn’t rely on a huge cliffhanger to pique my interest in season two, I have to say I'm generally excited to see where
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gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "All of these people that we've been watching and wondering about and caring about for all these weeks, this story that has been sometimes stagnant and sometimes an emotional gut-punch, they all crystallized this week. And, damn, was it
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gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "From a purely cinematic perspective, it's a powerful, gripping conclusion. Mimi Leder directed 'The
Prodigal Son Returns', and her work yields masterful stuff: Kevin running into the burning house of the Guilty Remnant to look for Jill elicited the most
456:
gave the episode a perfect "masterpiece" 10 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "'The
Prodigal Son Returns' was chilling and cathartic, with many tears shed throughout. Some critics wondered why, given the global crisis at hand, we'd be following those in Mapleton. And if the show was being too
547:
as the "Performer of the Week" for the week of
September 13, 2014, for his performance in the episode. The site wrote, "By the time Kevin finally excused himself to dry his eyes, we were in tears, too. In part, because his story was so very sad. But also in part because we had just witnessed a
422:
The episode was watched by 1.53 million viewers, earning a 0.7 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the
Nielson ratings scale. This means that 0.7 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. This was a 18% decrease from the previous episode, which was watched by 1.85 million
314:
Kevin Sr.) are focal points, alongside grieving widow Nora Durst, her brother
Reverend Matt Jamison, and the mysterious cult-like organization the Guilty Remnant (GR), led by Patti Levin. In the episode, GR plans their next move with Patti's plan, while Kevin asks Matt for help in the cabin.
321:, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.53 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances (Justin Theroux), writing, themes, directing, character development and closure.
384:
letter to Kevin, deciding to leave town. Kevin and Jill walk back home, taking a dog they find on the street. Nora arrives at the Garvey house to deliver the letter, where she finds
Christine's baby on the doorstep. As she cuddles the baby, Kevin and Jill arrive.
368:) for help. Matt is willing to help despite the fact that it could incriminate him, aware that Patti's death was on her own. After burying her, Kevin returns to Mapleton. He experiences a dream where he finds himself at a mental institution with Kevin Sr. (
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Stopping at a diner, Kevin confesses to his infidelity, noting that his relationship with his family feels lost even when they are still here and he still has hopes that they can reunite. Kevin then goes to the restroom, where he discovers Holy Wayne
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reported a 91% approval rating for the episode, based on 11 reviews. The site's consensus states: "'The
Prodigal Son Returns' balances gripping horror against deeply felt drama, adding up to a white-knuckle season finale that still manages to retain
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has been one of the absolute highlights of this year, and I imagine that this season, and the events of 'The
Prodigal Son Returns', will sit with me much longer than so much of what I've been privileged to watch in 2014." Jeff Labrecque of
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microcosmal. And I think this episode's climax answered that. And given the news reports and the FBI's stance on cults, you get the feeling like boiling point moments are happening in towns, big and small, all over the world."
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as a whole, is a primer for all the physical and psychic weaponry we deploy to fill the gulf that opens when what we held dear is gone." Michael M. Grynbaum of
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wrote, "After nearly 10 hours of pain, the series left us with the suggestion that hope and humanity can persevere, even in the cruelest of circumstances."
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hasn't always been good, but it has been compelling. Kevin Garvey got his wish tonight, season two will show whether he can keep it alive."
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had directed it. This was Lindelof's ninth writing credit, Perrotta's third writing credit, and Leder's third directing credit.
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wrote, "This has been a great year of television drama, even if at times we've had the high-class problem of too much of it.
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In August 2014, the episode's title was revealed as "The Prodigal Son Returns" and it was announced that series creators
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738:"Season finale review: 'The Leftovers' – 'The Prodigal Son Returns': Nothing else matters"
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The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother)
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performance that felt less like a performance than a confession."
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766:"The Leftovers season finale recap: The Prodigal Son Returns"
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Recap: Season 1, Episode 10, "The Prodigal Son Returns""
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678:"The Leftovers: "The Prodigal Son Returns" Review"
913:"TVLine's Performer of the Week: Justin Theroux"
467:engagement I've had with the show all season."
16:10th episode of the 1st season of The Leftovers
423:viewers with a 0.9 in the 18-49 demographics.
1285:Television episodes written by Damon Lindelof
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294:. The episode was written by series creators
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798:Season 1 Finale Recap: Nothing Else Matters"
310:in the United States on September 7, 2014.
1280:Television episodes directed by Mimi Leder
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520:wrote, "'The Prodigal Son Returns',' like
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884:Grynbaum, Michael (September 7, 2014).
587:Kondolojy, Amanda (September 9, 2014).
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566:"(#10/110) "The Prodigal Son Returns""
764:Labrecque, Jeff (September 8, 2014).
736:Sepinwall, Alan (September 7, 2014).
650:"The Leftovers: Season 1, Episode 10"
618:Kondolojy, Amanda (August 26, 2014).
7:
826:"The Leftovers Season Finale review"
792:Braffet, Kelly (September 7, 2014).
704:Saraiya, Sonia (September 7, 2014).
1209:It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World
852:Brennan, Matt (September 8, 2014).
225:
1275:The Leftovers (TV series) episodes
824:Harley, Nick (September 8, 2014).
676:Fowler, Matt (September 7, 2014).
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333:) stops their car so Christine (
405:had written the episode while
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710:: "The Prodigal Son Returns""
500:satisfying." Nick Harley of
360:) committed suicide, Kevin (
306:. It was first broadcast on
171:September 7, 2014
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1033:Two Boats and a Helicopter
953:"The Prodigal Son Returns"
944:"The Prodigal Son Returns"
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1195:Crazy Whitefella Thinking
1142:A Most Powerful Adversary
1075:The Garveys at Their Best
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238:The Garveys at Their Best
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1082:The Prodigal Son Returns
271:The Prodigal Son Returns
24:The Prodigal Son Returns
329:While on the run, Tom (
209:as Deputy Dennis Luckey
1149:International Assassin
348:) does not want Jill (
319:Nielsen Media Research
288:novel of the same name
1107:A Matter of Geography
1061:Solace for Tired Feet
599:on September 10, 2014
447:essential humanity."
366:Christopher Eccleston
1026:Penguin One, Us Zero
921:. September 13, 2014
771:Entertainment Weekly
487:Entertainment Weekly
203:as Kevin Garvey, Sr.
103:Nothing Else Matters
1188:Don't Be Ridiculous
630:on December 5, 2015
1128:No Room at the Inn
891:The New York Times
568:. The Futon Critic
527:The New York Times
302:, and directed by
280:television series
222:Episode chronology
117:Santo & Johnny
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1181:The Book of Kevin
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183:Running time
107:Apocalyptica
76:Tom Perrotta
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831:Den of Geek
503:Den of Geek
393:Development
370:Scott Glenn
354:Carrie Coon
331:Chris Zylka
207:Frank Harts
201:Scott Glenn
121:"Dream" by
97:Nina Simone
54:Directed by
1264:Categories
1100:Axis Mundi
552:References
407:Mimi Leder
388:Production
304:Mimi Leder
250:Axis Mundi
186:53 minutes
175:2014-09-07
140:Editing by
113:Sleep Walk
64:Written by
58:Mimi Leder
49:Episode 10
1216:Certified
925:March 21,
897:March 21,
869:March 21,
837:March 21,
809:March 21,
777:March 21,
749:March 21,
721:March 21,
689:March 21,
661:March 21,
634:March 21,
603:March 21,
572:March 21,
534:Accolades
413:Reception
1251:Category
1173:Season 3
1114:Off Ramp
1092:Season 2
1011:Season 1
1003:Episodes
435:website
358:Ann Dowd
335:Annie Q.
233:Previous
123:Al Green
41:Episode
803:Vulture
496:Vulture
418:Viewers
246: →
231:←
173: (
36:episode
1047:Gladys
918:TVLine
743:HitFix
543:named
540:TVLine
476:HitFix
163:4X5710
1068:Cairo
1054:Guest
1019:Pilot
445:'
278:drama
115:" by
105:" by
95:" by
1135:Lens
957:IMDb
927:2023
899:2023
871:2023
839:2023
811:2023
779:2023
751:2023
723:2023
691:2023
663:2023
636:2023
605:2023
574:2023
401:and
325:Plot
298:and
244:Next
955:at
948:HBO
946:at
683:IGN
473:of
453:IGN
340:On
308:HBO
290:by
43:no.
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