It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World
Matt Jamison's faith is tested on a chaotic Australian journey.
"It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World" is the 25th episode of *The Leftovers* overall and the fifth installment of its third season. The teleplay was co-written by Damon Lindelof and Lila Byock, with Nicole Kassell directing. It originally aired on HBO in the United States on May 14, 2017. This marks the third episode centered on Matt Jamison, following "Two Boats and a Helicopter" (season one) and "No Room at the Inn" (season two). In this installment, Matt travels to Australia with John, Laurie, and Michael in a turbulent effort to retrieve Kevin and bring him home.
The episode received critical acclaim, with reviewers highlighting its absurd tone, religious symbolism, and Christopher Eccleston's lead performance. Many critics ranked it among the series' best.
**Plot**
A rogue crewman on a French nuclear submarine in the South Pacific steals a launch key, breaks into the control room, and fires a nuclear missile. The warhead detonates in an unpopulated ocean area, but the explosion grounds all flights in Melbourne.
With four days left until the seventh anniversary of the Departure, Matt is convinced he must bring Kevin back to Jarden, believing it is the only place where Kevin can use his messianic powers to prevent an impending apocalypse. Matt persuades Arturo, a loyal member of his congregation and a pilot, to fly them to Melbourne under the pretense of a relief mission, hoping the cover will bypass Australian flight restrictions. Matt plans to bring only John and Michael, but John also brings Laurie, who thinks Kevin is having a psychotic break and insists on seeing him. Matt reluctantly lets her join.
Mid-flight, the group learns they cannot land in Melbourne and must reroute to Tasmania. Matt tries to book an 11-hour ferry from Tasmania to Melbourne but discovers a private client has reserved the entire boat. The passengers are members of a hedonistic cult that worships a lion named Frasier through mass copulation; they also have a caged lion—one of Frasier's descendants—onboard. Matt negotiates with the host to let his party board.
On the ferry, Matt and John argue over Matt's enduring belief that Jarden is sacred. Matt suffers increasingly severe nosebleeds from his resurgent cancer, which he is hiding. In the bathroom, a fellow passenger assumes Matt was injured in a fight with "God," a nickname for one of the boat's well-known guests.
- Series
- The Leftovers
- Season
- 3
- Episode
- 5 (overall 25)
- Air date
- May 14, 2017
- Writers
- Damon Lindelof and Lila Byock
- Director
- Nicole Kassell
- Network
- HBO
Lore & Background
The episode's storyline was constructed from various random ideas within the writers' room. Writer Nick Cuse conceived the opening scene depicting the hijacking of a nuclear submarine by a nude rogue crewman. Elements of the conflict between Matt and David Burton emerged from an idea by writer Patrick Somerville for an episode structured like an Agatha Christie novel. The presence of a lion-based sex cult on the boat was randomly suggested amid humorous back-and-forth between the writers; Lindelof likened the cult to the ending of the Book of Exodus. The "Frasier" lion was inspired by a 1973 film called Frasier the Sensuous Lion, itself based on a real-life case in which the eponymous circus lion fathered 35 cubs within 18 months.
The episode details the character of David Burton, first introduced in "International Assassin." Lindelof recounted that the idea of Burton as a God-like figure was established during production of the second season, and that the writers cut an exchange from the season 2 finale in which Burton tells protagonist Kevin Garvey that he is God. Burton's "business cards" answering frequently-asked questions were inspired by Back to the Future actor Thomas F. Wilson. Both Lindelof and Eccleston stated that it was left ambiguous whether Burton heals Matt's cancer at the end of the episode.
Reader's Guide
The episode was acclaimed by critics, who praised its absurdity, religious symbolism, and Christopher Eccleston's central performance. Many critics called it one of the best episodes of the series. Series co-creator Tom Perrotta remarked on the writers' creative choices with Matt, saying, "There's a very simple answer to [why we fuck with Matt so much] which is: he is Job. We're fucking with him the way God was fucking with Job." Eccleston interpreted the episode to have changed the nature of Matt's religious faith rather than eliminated it, stating, "I think his faith has been entirely realigned for the good. His faith is now in humanity, rather than a false idol." Lindelof stated that the episode's climax depicting Matt talking to God was directly inspired by the Bible, specifically the ending of the Book of Job where Job asks God why he has suffered.
Did You Know?
- The episode is the third in the series to focus on the character of Matt Jamison, after 'Two Boats and a Helicopter' and 'No Room at the Inn'.
- Director Nicole Kassell had previously directed the second Matt-centric episode, 'No Room at the Inn'.
- The 'Frasier' lion was inspired by a 1973 film called Frasier the Sensuous Lion, based on a real circus lion that fathered 35 cubs within 18 months.
- The episode's opening scene, depicting a nude rogue crewman hijacking a nuclear submarine, was conceived by writer Nick Cuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World' about?
It is the fifth episode of The Leftovers' third season, in which Matt Jamison joins John, Laurie, and Michael on a chaotic trip to Australia to try to bring Kevin back to the group.
Who wrote and directed 'It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World'?
Damon Lindelof and Lila Byock co-wrote the teleplay, and Nicole Kassell directed the episode.
When did 'It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World' first air?
The episode premiered on HBO in the United States on May 14, 2017, making it the 25th installment across the full series.
Why is 'It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World' significant for Matt's arc?
It is the third episode built almost entirely around Matt's perspective (following 'Two Boats and a Helicopter' and 'No Room at the Inn'), and it puts his faith under the most direct strain yet as he struggles to reach Kevin in Australia.
How does this episode fit into the broader season structure?
As the fifth entry of season three, it shifts the narrative focus squarely onto Matt's personal journey, giving viewers a rare solo-character deep dive before the season's later ensemble episodes pick up the other storylines.
More in The Leftovers episodes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced