but it was hard to avoid just randomly hearing about all the backlash from the ending. I actually started watching Leftovers in part because of some random longform about Damon and how it took him a really, really long time to get over the hate for the show. The Leftovers was borne after a long period of self-reflection and other projects... mix that with the Rapture-like premise and my interest was piqued.

> i accepted early that we will never know how or why anyone disappeared. it made it much easier to enjoy the show, and now I love it.

Yup, I love how they're unapologetic about never giving the real reason for the Departure... it helps make the exploration of such so appealing. Humanity has this burning desire to examine and explain the world around them, and I love how The Leftovers gives so many rational (and irrational) possibilities to explain The Departure.