The series is set three 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 characters of police chief Kevin Garvey and his family (wife Laurie, son Tom, daughter Jill and father Kevin Sr.) are focal points, alongside grieving widow Nora Durst, her brother Reverend Matt Jamison, and the mysterious cult-like organization the Guilty Remnant (GR), led by Patti Levin.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.53 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
After Patti (Ann Dowd) committed suicide, Kevin (Justin Theroux) calls Matt (Christopher Eccleston) for help.
Stopping at a diner, Kevin confesses to his infidelity, noting that his relationship with his family feels lost even when they are still here and he still has hopes that they can reunite.
The site's consensus states: "'The Prodigal Son Returns' balances gripping horror against deeply felt drama, adding up to a white-knuckle season finale that still manages to retain The Leftovers' essential humanity.
"[4] Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a perfect "masterpiece" 10 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "'The Prodigal Son Returns' was chilling and cathartic, with many tears shed throughout.
And given the news reports and the FBI's stance on cults, you get the feeling like boiling point moments are happening in towns, big and small, all over the world.
Mimi Leder directed 'The Prodigal Son Returns', and her work yields masterful stuff: Kevin running into the burning house of the Guilty Remnant to look for Jill elicited the most engagement I've had with the show all season.
The Leftovers has been one of the absolute highlights of this year, and I imagine that this season, and the events of 'The Prodigal Son Returns', will sit with me much longer than so much of what I've been privileged to watch in 2014.
"[9] Nick Harley of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I'm not sure I cared much about these answers three weeks ago, but after two strong outings in a row, including a finale that didn't rely on a huge cliffhanger to pique my interest in season two, I have to say I'm generally excited to see where this show goes and if it can learn from its strengths and weaknesses.
"[10] Matt Brennan of Slant Magazine wrote, "'The Prodigal Son Returns',' like The Leftovers as a whole, is a primer for all the physical and psychic weaponry we deploy to fill the gulf that opens when what we held dear is gone.
"[11] Michael M. Grynbaum of The New York Times wrote, "After nearly 10 hours of pain, the series left us with the suggestion that hope and humanity can persevere, even in the cruelest of circumstances.