The Leftovers Hypes Final Season with Multipart Trailer
By Amy Woolsey
In case you forgot it’s a Damon Lindelof show, The Leftovers sends fans on an Easter egg hunt for pieces of the latest season 3 trailer.
Since The Leftovers began, creator Damon Lindelof has insisted that his new project isn’t a Lost-like puzzle show. Yes, it revolves around a mystery – namely, why did 2 percent of the world’s population simultaneously vanish into thin air? But The Leftovers is ultimately more interested in exploring the emotional consequences of the so-called Sudden Departure than explaining its cause. Any narrative of faith, after all, needs room for doubt.
However, that doesn’t mean it can’t have a little fun.
Earlier today, the official Leftovers Twitter account posted a video that appears to be a trailer for the show’s third and final season. The twist? The video is only one of seven parts. The others are scattered across the Internet like Horcruxes or a Spear of Destiny for fans to find.
Who doesn’t like to engage in some good, old-fashioned sleuthing now and again? You can watch Part 1 below:
This is Part 1 of #TheLeftovers #7PartTrailer. Find the rest throughout the internet before it’s too late. Maybe our showrunner has a clue. pic.twitter.com/u0lJ3R03yU
— The Leftovers (@TheLeftoversHBO) March 16, 2017
A few things in the clip stand out. First, there is the ominous sign that Justin Theroux’s Kevin Garvey sees. It reads, “When those days expire, then the sanctuary shall be cleansed!” The words evoke a passage of the Bible: “And he said onto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” (Daniel 8:14). You can read more about the biblical context here and here, but within the show’s context, it’s another reference to the apocalyptic event that previous trailers have foreshadowed.
This is also our first glimpse of Christopher Eccleston’s Matt Jamison, who appears to be going back to his preacher ways.
From there, you can follow the clues to locate the other pieces. For example, the “showrunner” mentioned in the @TheLeftoversHBO tweet refers, of course, to Lindelof, who departed from Twitter but apparently still has an Instagram account. Here’s his part of the video:
As if this show wasn’t perfect already, they go and use ABBA in a promo. “S.O.S.” might be a little on-the-nose here, but there’s something sublime – and very Leftovers – about blending ‘70s dance pop with images of chaos and destruction. The song continues throughout the remaining videos, all posted on various social media accounts:
Well done. Part 4 is waiting for you. The guy who can’t seem to die can help. #TheLeftovers #7PartTrailer. @HBO Sea… https://t.co/GfeThHtRvl
— Liv Tyler (@LivTyler) March 16, 2017
I can help you get through this. The one who lost it all can help you find what you need. #7PartTrailer #TheLeftovers pic.twitter.com/5gSeJqmlpA
— Amy Brenneman (@AmyBrenneman) March 16, 2017
You're not going crazy. Just one more to go. #TheLeftovers #7PartTrailer @TheLeftoversHBO pic.twitter.com/D4weHBMBv3
— Carrie Coon (@carriecoon) March 16, 2017
You've made it to the end of The Leftovers #7PartTrailer. This season, the journey will come to an end, too….or will it? Season Premiere April 16. The full trailer is now available on The Leftovers Facebook page.
Posted by HBO on Thursday, March 16, 2017
Together, the clips take us on a wild ride, full of emotion, surprises (whoa that phone call!), and even humor (it’s true, Justin Theroux can rock a beard). And we’re sure they only give us a taste of what the season has in store. As far as marketing gimmicks go, this one certainly does its job: we’re dying to see what’s coming.
Related Story: Behold Our First Glimpse of The Leftovers Season 3
The Leftovers season 3 premieres April 16 on HBO.