A Matter of Geography

"A Matter of Geography" is the second episode of Season 2, and overall the twelfth produced hour of The Leftovers. It originally aired on October 11, 2015.

Analysis

Recurring Themes

• The Bible: A van the Garveys drive by in the encampment cites John 3:16.
• Memories: Kevin has flashes of several moments from “Cairo,” as well as the fire from “The Prodigal Son Returns.” Nora sees flashes of her children from “Guest.”

Cultural References

• Kevin sees Nooski Rat Traps and their slogan, “Kills Every Time.”
• The use of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” is a tribute to the song’s use in the 1998 David Fincher movie Fight Club, which also features a protagonist seeing someone who is not actually there.

Literary techniques

• Kevin dig up Patti both physically and metaphorically.
• The police woman who questions Kevin about Patti's corpose has an eye patch because she only sees one half of the reality: she cares only about Patti's unpleasant behaviour, but not about the fact that Kevin - as himself feels - is at least partially guilt for her death ("I don't care about you", as she says).
• The police woman begs Kevin to go home. Shortly after, Kevin decides to move his house in Miracle.
• The police woman asks Kevin if he would to ruin his life, and Kevin answers no, so she lets him go. The very fact she lets him go ruins Kevin's life, because he feels guilty for Patti's death.
• Kevin drives the mysterious bald man's pickup. Part of Penguin One, Us Zero's plot was based on Kevin trying to prove that very same pickup was not his.
• In order to enter the miraculous town of Miracle, it is mandatory to cross a bridge.
• Kevin says that his dog is not a wild animal. Part of Cairo was based on Kevin betting he could domesticate the dog.
• A recurring theme in Season 1 was the animals becoming feral. In Miracle, no animals are allowed.
• Garvey's house in Miracle was the same house that was burned by John in the last episode. Because of this, Nora buys the house alongside John's one.
• Miracle's ranger says Kevin there are not hotels in town. In International Assassin is introduced Kevin's Hotel.
  • Miracle has no hotels, and tourists can not stays in town after sunset. In other words, Miracle does not offer Solace for Tired Feet.
• Shortly after the ranger says Miracle does not welcome tourists after sunset, the church is framed, which exhibits an "Everybody is welcome" banner.
• The first thing Garveys see while crossing the town is the pillar, followed by the church.
• Nora gets mad with the scientists beacuse they want to buy her house at a very high price only because it's in a special spot. She later buys an house in Miracle for the very same reason and the very same price.
  • This is also what the title of the episodes refers to: they both buy an house at an exaggerated price only for a matter of geography.
    • In addition, even Kevin Sr. is moving to Australia because he feels that place is important. And Kevin Jr. decides to move to Miracle only after have speaked to his dad.
  • While the scientists want to buy Nora's house in order to study the reasons of the Departure for the whole world, Nora buys an house in Miracle no questions asked (without even see it, as Jill underlines) only for herself, and she doesn't question herself if Miracle is actually so special.
• Patti's line "Very interesting family, those Murphys: hard to tell if they're part of your story or you're part of their" is referred to the Season 2 itself, since it started in the previous episode focusing on the Murphys and not the Garveys, main characters in Season 1.
• Kevin gets mad because the light in his house won't turn on. He is later illuminated by the Murphys car's lights.
• John tries to get rid of people using fire. His daughter's disappearance seems to be connected to water.

Trivia

• Kevin goes to the same laundromat the Young Mother was at in the Pilot; both have screaming babies, and both are there because of a broken laundry machine.
• When Kevin and Nora speak to the adoption employee, the poster behind Kevin shows a parent throwing a child in the air, but it looks like the statue in the Pilot of a baby departing.
• The script excerpt released on HBO's website shows a bit of extra dialogue that was cut from the show. When Kevin asks Kevin Sr. if the voices just went away, Kevin Sr. replies, "No, sir. I walked through the fire for awhile... then I relented. Turns out the answer was in front of me the whole time -- " at which point he says he started doing what they told him to do.
• Virgil says he lives on Leddecker Road.
• The church’s street number is 721.
• The Garveys’ house number is 420.

Book to Show

• In the book, Tom leaves a note with the baby: “This little girl has no name. Please take good care of her.” On the show, he left no note.
• In the book, Nora plans to use Century 21 to rent her house out (after realizing she can’t bring herself to sell it). On the show, she does go through with her plan to sell the house, also using Century 21.
• Matt tells Nora, “I’m glad you’re here,” which is the title of the final chapter of the book (in the book, Jill believes this is what Scott Frost is saying with his eyes in the “silent conversation” between them as she watches Scott and Adam play ping pong).

Music

• "You've Got My Mind Messed Up" by Quiet Elegance (Kevin and Nora confess their secrets)
• "Genocide" by Virus Syndicate (ft. Cutline) (Kevin at the laundromat)
• "The Departure" by Max Richter (Lily's adoption is approved)
• "Where Is My Mind?" by the Pixies (montage of Kevin fixing the washing machine and digging up Patti)
• "Lasting Love (Alternative Version)" by Stefano Torossi & Vito Tomasso (background music when Tom and Jill meet)
• Sinfonio Concertante in E Flat Major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K. 364: I. Allegro maestoso, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by Iona Brown, Lars Anders Tomter & the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra (music in restaurant)
• "Take It All" by Ruelle (the Garveys drive through Texas and enter the park)
• "Crossings" by Max Richter (the Garveys drive into Miracle)
• "Let Your Love Flow” by the Bellamy Brothers (playing at Matt's house when the Garveys arrive)
• "Brave Drum" by the Catheters (Kevin's headphones in the tent)
• "Dona Nobis Pacem 2" by Max Richter (Kevin and Nora make up on the balcony)
• "C'est La Vie" by Shane Eli & Campfire (music in the girls' car after they disappear)
• "Burn" by Cody Crump (end credits)

Goofs

• It is unclear what the banging is when Nora talks to John at the front door in “Axis Mundi.” This episode shows the inside of the house during that conversation, and there does not appear to be any loud noise. Kevin’s fight with Patti takes place before John comes to the door, while Nora is upstairs.