A Matter of Geography

"A Matter of Geography" is the twelfth episode of *The Leftovers* overall and the second of its second season. The episode was co-written by the series' creators, Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, and directed by executive producer Mimi Leder. It aired on HBO in the United States on October 11, 2015.

The story picks up after Nora discovers Christine's baby left on the doorstep of the Garvey house. In Mapleton, Kevin, Nora, and Jill arrive to find the infant. Kevin later admits to Nora and Jill that he kidnapped Patti and was involved in her death. Nora, in turn, confesses that she still owns her gun and pays escorts to shoot her while she wears a vest. Despite these revelations, the two share a laugh.

Two months later, Kevin and Nora are granted custody of the baby, whom they name Lily. Still burdened by guilt, Kevin travels to Cairo, New York, digs up Patti's body, and drives to a police officer, confessing he has a corpse. ATFEC officer Lois Makepeace questions him but releases him after learning he was once Chief of Police, noting she has no interest in investigating a suicide tied to the Guilty Remnant. Kevin begins to hallucinate Patti. When he returns home, his father Kevin Sr. is still in the mental institution and plans to move to Australia.

Jill meets Tom at a diner to tell him about Lily's adoption. Tom asks her not to reveal his location or inform Kevin of his status, then leaves with Laurie, who gives Jill a note that Jill tears up unread. Kevin is contacted by MIT students who offer $3 million for his house. They explain their theory that multiple Departures occurred, and that Kevin’s home was one such site; if he had been at the kitchen table with his family, he might have vanished. They also suggest a second Departure could happen. Kevin accepts the offer.

Following his father’s plan to "begin again," Kevin decides to relocate the family to Jarden, Texas. Upon arrival, they find campers being turned away by guards due to access restrictions. Because of quarantine rules, they must leave their dog with the National Park Service for 60 days. They discover their leased house has burned down. While Kevin wants to find another rental, Nora uses the money from the house sale to buy an auctioned house in the area. As they arrive, Kevin is again haunted by Patti, who demands he talk to her.