"G'Day Melbourne" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American supernatural drama television series The Leftovers, based on the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. It is the 24th overall episode of the series and was written by Tamara P. Carter and Haley Harris from a story by series creator Damon Lindelof, and directed by Daniel Sackheim. It was first broadcast on HBO in the United States on May 7, 2017.
The series is set four years after the "Sudden Departure" – an event which saw 2% of the world's population (approximately 140 million people) disappear and profoundly affected the townspeople. The previous season featured the characters moving to the town of Jarden, Texas, where no one vanished during the Departure. In the episode, Kevin and Nora arrive at Australia, where things start falling apart between them.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.846 million household viewers and gained a 0.4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances, writing, emotional tone, pacing, directing and cinematography.
Plot
While on the plane, Kevin (Justin Theroux) deduces that DSD is not involved in their destination, and questions why Nora (Carrie Coon) needs to meet with Mark Linn-Baker, but Nora brushes it off. As they arrive in Melbourne, Nora reads Kevin's gospel, mocking its content. Per the scientists' instructions, Nora must go to a bus stop by herself, leaving Kevin in the hotel room. While watching TV, Kevin is confused when he sees Evie (Jasmin Savoy Brown) during a live broadcast of "G'Day Melbourne". When the power turns off, he leaves for the location of the show in Federation Square.
Kevin finds Evie, who claims that her name is Daniah and can't recognize him. As a man steps up to protect her, Kevin is forced to flee. He calls Laurie (Amy Brenneman), who is shocked to discover she is alive, but advises him not to pursue her. Kevin ignores the advice and follows her to the State Library Victoria. She confesses to being Evie, but then claims that Laurie instructed her to tell him she was Evie. Calling Laurie again, Kevin is told that "Evie" is an hallucination, which he realizes after checking her photo again, which is now a different woman.
Nora takes a bus to Kensington, Victoria, where she is greeted by physicists Drs. Eden (Katja Herbers) and Bekker (Victoria Haralabidou). She is subjected to a few tests, which leads to some skepticism from Becker. To determine her place in the test, they ask her a question: two kids are born and one will discover the cure for cancer only if the other baby is killed at birth, would she let the baby die a quick death if it could cure cancer. Nora answers yes, claiming that kids die every day. The doctors then decide that Nora is not suitable for their plan and they leave despite Nora's pleas.
That night, Kevin returns to the hotel, finding Nora. Kevin is not willing to share his problems, as Nora left when he told her he was seeing Patti. She accuses him of believing in Matt's world of the gospel, which made her send Lily away. This prompts Kevin to burn the gospel, also telling her that she refuses to have a kid, because people wouldn't feel sorry for her. Nora maintains that her children aren't dead, just gone. Kevin then coldly tells her to be with them, and leaves the room just as the fire activates the sprinklers. Kevin tries to get a taxi, only to find chaos in the streets from an explosion. Kevin Sr. (Scott Glenn) appears, having recognized him on "G'Day Melbourne". He and Grace (Lindsay Duncan) drive Kevin away from the hotel, while Nora stays in her room.
Production
Development
In March 2017, the episode's title was revealed as "G'Day Melbourne" and it was announced that Tamara P. Carter and Haley Harris had written the episode from a story by series creator Damon Lindelof while Daniel Sackheim had directed it. This was Carter's first writing credit, Harris' first writing credit, Lindelof's 23rd writing credit, and Sackheim's second directing credit.
Reception
Viewers
The episode was watched by 0.812 million viewers, earning a 0.3 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale. This means that 0.3 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. This was a slight decrease from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.846 million viewers with a 0.4 in the 18-49 demographics.