The idea of speculative fiction is one that we’ve discussed multiple times over the course of this semester. Considering realities different from our own and how we as people would respond to these realities is ingrained in this genre and in human nature as well. It is a genre of postulations and introspection.  That is why, after finally getting up with HBO’s The Leftovers, that I can say without any doubt at all that this is show is *the* piece that I would use as a primary example of speculative fiction.  In my opinion, this show puts the speculative in speculative fiction.  Here’s my case:

The show is essentially a case study of the aftermath were a Rapture-like event to happen.  We see all sorts of people dealing with different situations with the am-I-insane-am-I not Kevin Garvey, Nora Durst who tragically lost all of her family members to the Departure, and Kevin’s ex-wife Laurie Garvey who joined a mute, chain-smoking, all white-wearing cult who walk around “reminding” people about what happened.

The thing is – we literally know virtually nothing (à la Jon Snow) about these three people’s situations.  I mean, we do in that things are kind of explained, however it’s all left intentionally ambiguous so we’re always questioning whether or not we truly understand what’s going on.  The story of this show is one that essentially forces the viewer to accept the augmented reality in which they are present and go along with what’s happening on the screen.  And that’s the point of the entire show – it’s to force you to accept this new reality and realize there’s nothing that you can do to change about it, and that you have to live within these new parameters and understand it as best as you can.  As the viewers are doing this, the show’s characters are doing the exact same thing within the confines of their reality.  Can’t wait for Season 3.