and emphasized that by providing a number of different possible explanations (Rapture, geography, Azrael/lens, physical characteristics, etc.)

What makes the show resonate is that lack of closure is something everyone can relate to. That college relationship, best friends that drift apart, a missing child, a senseless death... those are the types of things that stick with a person throughout their lifetime. I'm happily married, but I still often think about that girl from college where it seemed everything was perfect... and then somehow it wasn't. I have zero desire to ever get back with her but I do wonder sometimes... "what if?"

The Departure is that unresolved feeling but on a much, much larger scale and it's a shared global experience... but everyone's experience with The Departure is uniquely their own (Laurie vs Meg vs Nora, etc.)