‘The Leftovers’: Creator Damon Lindelof Writes Hilarious Letter to Critics About Spoilers

With the third and final season of The Leftovers beginning next month, HBO has released seven episodes to TV writers and critics to help them prepare future stories about the critically acclaimed drama. And while networks always ask that the aforementioned writers keep spoilers to a minimum in their coverage, this time around, HBO is letting Leftovers creator Damon Lindelof make the request, via a hilarious, self-deprecating, and delightfully rambling email. In it, Lindelof comes out against binge-watching TV (while also admitting he recently stayed up into the wee hours watching the first season of Amazon’s Fleabag), and also makes an exceedingly polite plea that writers and critics not reveal anything that might surprise them in the episodes — including Liv Tyler’s laser eyes? The letter ends with a hilarious nod to notoriously spoiler-phobic Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner. Read the full text below:

Dear Critical Community,

G’day! Welcome to the third and final season of THE LEFTOVERS. On behalf of our entire team, I just wanted to say one thing before you embark on the journey.

Bingeing is bad.

I am old school. And not just because I agree with Joss Whedon about everything. Never before in the history of the English language has “binge” been associated with something healthy or productive. Just because there is an entire can of Pringles in front of you does not mean you should eat them all in one sitting. Every time I have done this, I feel sad and guilty, and then mad at The Pringles Corporation. Which is probably not even a thing. But I also must acknowledge times have changed. I must acknowledge there is not just too much television, but too much good television (“Fleek TV?”) and in order to make any kind of dent, we folks who produce it have to get out of our rocking chairs and get hip to the times. Which probably includes not ever saying “hip” again. Anyhoo…

We’re providing you with seven of our eight episodes. Watch them however you see fit. Review them however you see fit. It’s not my place to suggest how to do your jobs. I’d rather you not spoil some stuff, but I ultimately think it’s ridiculous to list that stuff, as it would seem completely arbitrary. All I ask is that if you were surprised by something that happens on the show (either positively or negatively), it would be cool to maintain that same surprise for the audience. For example, when Liv Tyler shoots lasers out of her eyes in Episode 4, we want that to be as shocking for them as it was for you.

Liv Tyler does not shoot lasers out of her eyes in Episode 4.

It’s Episode 6, actually.

But aren’t you bummed that I told you?

You get it. You’re pros. The point is, I’ve never sent out this many episodes in advance and I feel scared and I am trying to mitigate that fear by controlling things, but the way I’m controlling them is by trying to convince you that I’m okay with not controlling them. I also ate an entire can of Pringles last night while watching the entire first season of FLEABAG until three in the morning, so y’know, hypocrite.

One last thing. Please do not reveal the year this season takes place nor the new architectural design of STERLING, COOPER, PRYCE, GARVEY & JAMISON.

Your Pal,

Damon

The Leftovers Season 3 premieres Sunday, April 16, at 10 p.m. on HBO.

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