America's National Parks

Three years after millions of people--some two percent of the world's population--vanished into thin air, residents of Mapleton, NY weigh the pros and cons of a "Heroes Day" tribute to the local "Departed." Attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy in his strained community, police chief Kevin Garvey faces additional challenges at home.

Kevin visits a therapist. Meg must decide whether she can let go of the past. Tom and Christine are put in a precarious situation.

In the face of dwindling church attendance and threats on his life, the Rev. Matt Jamison continues to preach his gospel: that many who disappeared in the Departure were sinners and not saints. Matt's campaign is detoured when he learns he may lose the church to foreclosure, forcing him to launch a desperate, last-minute plan to come up with the cash to keep it.

A holiday display goes wanting, sending Kevin scurrying to find out who is responsible. Tom and Christine run into trouble at a hospital and on the road. Kevin retrieves a surprise detainee from a neighboring police station, and receives some unexpected visitors at home. The Guilty Remnant puts their stamp on the holiday season.

Laurie's resolve is put to the test in the wake of a brutal hate crime. After his latest initiatives to maintain peace in Mapleton fall short, Kevin turns down an outside offer to rid the town of its problems. Matt brings his pulpit to the street. Meg takes on a new role.

Nora takes care of some unfinished business in Mapleton before heading to New York for the Second Annual DROP conference (Departure Related Occupations and Practices). Agitated that her ID has been pinched, Nora, wearing a "Guest" badge, scours the convention for her imposter, and ends up getting detoured by an amorous salesman, a best-selling author, and a rogue attendee.

Kevin's father wreaks havoc after escaping the psych hospital; Tom makes an unsettling discovery.

Kevin fears he's losing touch with reality after finding himself, inexplicably, in a difficult situation involving Patti Levin, a leader of the Guilty Remnant. Meg loses control during another encounter with Matt; Jill confronts Aimee about her relationship with Kevin; Nora stands up to Laurie, and finds her privacy invaded.

Kevin tries to suppress his bad habits while tracking down a marauding deer in Mapleton. Laurie receives some not-unexpected news amidst a rising sense of foreboding. Tom connects with his past, against his better judgment. Nora has a job interview; Kevin Senior receives an honor.

An unexpected ally helps Kevin get out of a jam near the town of Cairo. Meanwhile, an elaborate Memorial Day initiative by the Guilty Remnant plunges the town of Mapleton into chaos. Holy Wayne grants a final wish; Tom copes with his new reality; Nora makes a life-changing decision.