10 Years Ago Today, This HBO Masterpiece Released a 10/10 Fantasy Episode That Changed Everything

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HBO has many consistently good shows, but occasionally an episode stands out as truly exceptional, even among other great installments. One such episode, which aired ten years ago today, dramatically changed the direction of its series and made an immediate impact on viewers.

This episode wasn’t just the best of the series so far—it fundamentally changed the story, exceeding viewers’ expectations. The show took a dramatic turn towards the fantastical, which could have felt awkward, but “International Assassin” handled it brilliantly. It was a perfect episode that promises even more surprising developments ahead.

The Leftovers’ “International Assassin” First Aired 10 Years Ago Today

While it didn’t reach the massive popularity of shows like Game of Thrones and Succession, The Leftovers is arguably one of HBO’s greatest series. Every episode of the show, created by Tom Perrotta and Damon Lindelof, was exceptionally well done. But the standout episode aired ten years ago today: “International Assassin.” Originally broadcast on November 22, 2015, it followed directly after the events of the previous episode, which depicted the apparent death of Kevin Garvey (played by Justin Theroux).

Kevin was tormented by Patti Levin (Ann Dowd) and frantically searched for a way to escape her. This led him to Virgil (Steven Williams), who gave him poison, promising to bring him back with an epinephrine injection. It was a dangerous gamble for Kevin, and it unfolded in what many consider to be one of the strangest episodes of The Leftovers. “International Assassin” began with Kevin regaining consciousness in a bathtub—apparently in the afterlife. He found himself in an alternate world where he was an assassin with a mission: to kill Patti, who was portrayed as a powerful politician—or so it seemed.

The whole situation was strangely compelling, and the contrast with what originally happened – Virgil taking his own life instead of saving Kevin – made it even more unsettling. This created a confusing ending to the final episode of The Leftovers, as Kevin somehow came back to life despite being gone. While the HBO show was full of unanswered questions, Kevin’s return in the episode “International Assassin” completely upended everything we thought we knew.

How “International Assassin” Changed Everything for the HBO Series

The episode “International Assassin” stood out in The Leftovers simply because of its unusual story. But it also represented a turning point, becoming a crucial moment in the series. From the beginning, The Leftovers dealt with a mysterious event – 2% of the world’s population disappearing – and hinted at supernatural possibilities. The character Kevin had even seemingly cheated death before. In Season 2, Episode 2, he’s found waking up in a dry lakebed with a cinder block attached to his leg. He should have drowned, and maybe he did, but something incredible saved him.

Similar to the mysterious disappearance before it, this new event left viewers with more questions than answers, hinting at supernatural forces without revealing much. It wasn’t clear if Kevin was actually dead, or if something else caused the strange happenings at the lake, even if that seemed improbable. The episode “International Assassin” finally gave us a glimpse of what might be beyond, showing there was something “more” happening, though it didn’t fully explain it.

While some viewers think the events of “International Assassin” might have been happening inside Kevin’s mind, that idea doesn’t quite fit with everything that happens. It would be a huge coincidence for him to come back to life after killing Patti, and dismissing it as such would lessen the impact of later events. This episode marked a shift in the show, allowing for more fantastical things to happen. Kevin continued to return to life without explanation, and even destroyed the afterlife in Season 3. Similarly, the ending of The Leftovers could be seen as happening in Nora’s mind, but it was intentionally left open to interpretation. After Kevin’s journey to the afterlife, the show embraced fantasy more fully, making almost anything – including Nora’s story – a real possibility.

A Decade Later, “International Assassin” Is Still The Leftovers’ Best Episode

Even after ten years, the episode “International Assassin” stands out as the best of HBO’s The Leftovers, and one of the strongest episodes the network has ever produced. Its unusual and ambiguous nature is actually what makes it so compelling. This fits perfectly with the show’s themes of faith, suggesting that not all mysteries need to be solved. While the episode hints at something supernatural – from its opening moments to Kevin’s repeated resurrections – it importantly sets the stage for the show to further explore those otherworldly elements in later episodes.

What fantasy show do you love watching over and over again? Share your pick in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-22 22:10