(CNN) The following contains spoilers about "The Leftovers" series finale.

After all the program's surreal moments and strange flights of fancy, "The Leftovers" got back to basics with its series finale -- a deeply romantic look at two people brought together through unspeakable grief.

Weaving in elements of spirituality and faith, it was the near-perfect end to a less-than-perfect series, one that HBO renewed for this third and final season as much to mollify critics as due to its commercial credentials. After reprising an elaborate fantasy in the show's penultimate hour, this was a case where less felt like more.

For producer Damon Lindelof, the finale also carried an element of redemption. Beyond the praise showered on the show, its finish bore similar hallmarks to his earlier co-creation "Lost," but here the pieces fit together more neatly as opposed to feeling like a letdown.

Granted, those expecting answers regarding the central mystery in Tom Perrotta's novel -- what made 2% of the world's population disappear, and where did they go? -- will have to ponder that on their own, along with a host of lesser questions. Instead, the finale centered on Nora (Carrie Coon) and Kevin (Justin Theroux) in what amounted to a two-character piece, coming back together after years spent apart.

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