'The Leftovers': How Patti Levin Was Basically Damon Lindelof's 'Internal Voice' In Season 2 [VIDEO]
Patti Levin (Ann Dowd) was a frequent source of blunt humor in season 2 of HBO's The Leftovers - and series co-creator Damon Lindelof recently revealed why she was an important element to the show.
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Some fans may have been unsure and confused about Patti's inclusion in season 2, considering she committed suicide in season 1. But with Patti appearing as a ghost following Kevin (Justin Theroux) around throughout season 2, she became a strangely relatable presence with her frank observations.
Lindelof recently spoke with The New York Times about how Patti's voice was essentially his own self-doubting voice, in a way.
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"That voice was not the fans' voice, that voice was my own, internal voice. Because it is very rare where the fans say something that my own internal voice hasn't said to me, you know? Including the most abusive things," he explained. "So that idea that Patti is trolling Kevin and on a meta-level, Patti is trolling the audience - the genesis for what's coming out of Patti's mouth is that I am trolling myself."
He continued, "So, I was like, 'Oh, this'll be cool. I'll just let Patti start articulating these ideas.' And it's not a defensive maneuver, it's an acknowledgment of: I'm telling you exactly what you're thinking, in the moment you are thinking it, because I'm thinking it, too. I don't want the fans to ever feel like they're being trolled by me. I want them to feel like we're all in this together.
Considering the events of episode 8, titled International Assassin, it seems unlikely that Dowd will return to play Patti again in season 3, though she has made a lasting impression. The actress was just nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the Critics' Choice Awards.
The Leftovers season 3 does not have a premiere date.
