"Certified" is the sixth 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 26th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Patrick Somerville and co-producer Carly Wray, and directed by Carl Franklin. It was first broadcast on HBO in the United States on May 21, 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, Laurie arrives at Australia, intending to help Nora and Kevin in their missions.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.770 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received universal acclaim, with critics praising Amy Brenneman's performance, sense of closure, directing, score, pacing and emotional tone, with some naming it among the series' best episodes.
Plot
Flashback
Two years after the Departure, Laurie (Amy Brenneman) tends a therapy session for a woman who lost her baby in the Departure. The woman is frustrated that Laurie does not offer anything, with a distracted Laurie just saying "I don't know". Alone at her house, Laurie decides to commit suicide by using pills, leaving a note behind. However, she changes her mind and throws them up. Seeing GR members outside, she puts on white clothing and meets them, wanting to join.
Present day
At Australia, Laurie meets with Kevin Sr. (Scott Glenn) at his new house, wanting to help in his plan for Kevin (Justin Theroux). Later, Laurie helps Nora (Carrie Coon) and Matt (Christopher Eccleston) in spying Drs. Eden (Katja Herbers) and Bekker (Victoria Haralabidou) from a van outside their house. Nora and Laurie have a fight inside the van, just as the doctors leave and they decide to follow them.
As preparations are ready for Kevin's death, Laurie talks with John (Kevin Carroll), Michael (Jovan Adepo) and Grace (Lindsay Duncan) about their new lives. John wants Kevin to meet Evie to tell her he loves her, Grace wants to know what happened to their kids and Kevin Sr. wants to know Christopher Sunday's chant. During dinner, she drugs their meals, causing Kevin Sr., John, Michael and Grace to fall unconscious. She then meets with Nora and Matt by the ocean, where the machine is held at a truck parked on a highway. Instead of alerting the DSD, Nora wants to enter the machine, determined to be reunited with her family. Laurie protests, as she is convinced her pain will not be erased, persuading her to report it to the DSD. Nora stands by her decision and Matt stays with her, with Laurie leaving them.
Laurie meets with Kevin, admitting to drugging them, as she wanted to talk to him before his death, wanting to say goodbye. She confesses that she was pregnant seven years ago, with the baby disappearing during the Departure. She explains she did not tell him, as she felt they already had Tom and Jill in their lives. While confused, Kevin understands her decision. He confesses that he is not afraid of dying, he is actually very curious about his role. Laurie leaves, leaving her lighter with Kevin. Based on an advice Nora gave her, Laurie decides to go scuba diving despite an incoming storm. Before doing it, Jill (Margaret Qualley) and Tom (Chris Zylka) call her about a childhood memory. She ends their call by telling them she loves them. She then dives in, leaving her fate unknown.
Production
Development
In March 2017, the episode's title was revealed as "Certified" and it was announced that supervising producer Patrick Somerville and co-producer Carly Wray had written the episode while Carl Franklin had directed it. This was Somerville's fourth writing credit, Wray's first writing credit, and Franklin's fourth directing credit.
Reception
Viewers
The episode was watched by 0.770 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 17% decrease from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.919 million viewers with a 0.4 in the 18-49 demographics.