This show is so smooth. I don’t have to see any infected and I’m ok with it.
The movie they were watching was The Goodbye Girl, which is one of my favorite films ever, so I automatically love this show so much more than I already had. Excellent episode by the way.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'm really enjoying how toned down the violence is, because it really grounds the experience. Yeeting him off a second story catwalk and onto rebar is spectacle, but a simple stab wound in a quiet encounter really drives home how high the stakes are when the violence is so mundane. When it comes without spectacle or massive budgets. It reminds people of what violence actually is and forces them to connect with the intimacy of it, and I think this is something that's been a long time coming. I'm not the type to blame media for society's ills, but I do believe it could be doing more to impress upon people the consequences and nuance of violence, and The Last Of Us is a masterclass in this kind of storytelling.
Hit another one out of the park. They added so much more character development to Joel in this episode than the game did, which will play well for next season, and one bit in particular may even pay off in season 3. Then the scene in the house with Joel and Ellie was absolute perfection, and they ended the episode perfectly. I am nervous about how they handle the beginning of the next episode, but also excited because the parts of the story that will adapt are really good.
Can someone not die in this episode, please? Thanks
"I edit this dumb comment when the episode really come out."
- Edit -
"I cant do this without you" - I absolutely love the performance of these two. Love it
IS THAT DINA?!?! I hope so (I see you on season 2)
I think I always say this but the visuals, its beautiful.
Compare to the game, the show is more sentimental, and very good decision to change a few things, we have the opportunity now to explore a few things that are not that deep in the game. I'm loving all the changes but in the end its very true to the game.
"Be careful who you put your faith in. The only people who can betray us are the ones we trust."
Another outstanding episode. The changes from the game made a lot of sense, and I liked almost all of them. This episode is the best yet in terms of building Joel and Ellie's relationship - we got to spend a lot of time with them just talking and learning about each other.
Currently, I think my episode ranking is something along the lines of: 1 & 3 > 6 > 2 > 5 > 4. Every episode has been fantastic though.
One thing I've really been liking about the show is how they've been nailing these emotion driven scenes as well (or better in some cases) as the game. Can't wait to see if the next episode is going to introduce David's group and/or Ellie's background with Riley .
You got a map, so why are you lost?
Well we missed the bunch of road signs in the fucking forrest
Ellie has some nice comebacks
Another great episode. And how lovely to see Elaine Miles, "almost reprising" her iconic role as Marilyn in the 90's series "Northern Exposure".
Another stonking great episode. The end Credit tune 'Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again' Lyrics fit this episode so perfectly
Joel teaches Ellie to shoot with a rifle.
Joel:
A deep breath in, slow breath out.
You squeeze the trigger like you love it.
Gentle, steady, nice and slow.
Ellie:
You gonna shoot this thing or get it pregnant?
It isn’t gonna work, it doesn’t aim right.
Joel shoots…..
Ellie:
You dick
i love the scene with two brothers reuniting but my god joel please be alright.. that ending.. making me cry.. again
Not often does a show make me so emotional, and then laughing 10 seconds later.
Hooked on this show like an infected on cordyceps fungus—yes, that's a compliment!
Prepare to have your heartstrings pulled, and your emotions wrung out like a dishrag—this is one show that will leave you gutted. A roller-coaster ride of tension and heartbreak throughout. Even after the credits roll, you'll find yourself thinking.
The Last of Us has been praised for its storytelling, but this episode elevates it. It's not just a show about zombies; it's a show about human nature, survival, loyalty and love. It's a show that doesn't shy away from showing the dark side of humanity but also doesn't forget to show its light.
The performances are stellar across the board, especially from Pascal and Ramsey, who have palpable chemistry as Joel and Ellie. Pascal portrays Joel as a stern but caring protector haunted by his tragic past but still willing to risk his life for Ellie. Meanwhile, Bella Ramsey's portrayal of Ellie is improving, capturing the character's spirit and personality in a way that feels authentic to the source material. Their dynamic is heartbreaking yet heartwarming as they slowly bond over their shared experiences and losses.
I would have preferred the last half to have stricter adherence to the source material, but television constraints, I guess. Nevertheless, it still packs a powerful punch that hits you right in the feels. Pedro Pascal, take a bow; what a performance!
With three episodes still to come, it's clear that this show has already made an indelible mark on the world. It's a testament to the power of great storytelling and exceptional acting, cementing its place among the all-time greats. Don't miss this one!
01x06 - Kin: 8.6/10 (Great)
(855-word review) Part of me thinks rating this episode the highest out of every episode so far is a bit weird, given that the previous ones had the ingredients, so to speak, that boil down to "better." And this is conveyed by the majority's reaction toward them.
Except I usually have opinions that go against the majority-held, further proven by how this episode was more like the fourth episode: mostly an interlude and break from the excitement, topped by a character-driven focus, especially concerning Joel and Ellie's relationship. Most of the focus was also on presenting Tommy and Maria's settlement, which was undoubtedly its weakest part.
That usually means the "ingredients" are perfect for me to consider an episode like that as weak(er). The fourth one accomplished that, so this one should have done the same. But alas, I have gone against the grain again to an extent, as I'm sure some people will consider this one the weakest for them, not the fourth one.
As I've previously mentioned, the focus on the settlement/community of Jackson/the introduction, showing and telling us things about it, some scenes with Maria, while some people may (most likely, even) love the hell out of it, were the weakest elements for me. They were enough of the episode to where it had a lasting effect: lessening the engagement a bit in my case. And apparently, Maria and her men can materialize horses, as Joel and Ellie had individual ones on the way to Jackson instead of sharing two with other people.
It was cool seeing the similarities of its look to the second game, though. The production and set design was good. And that cameo (whether or not that person playing the character will be the same in the future, or even if that character was just a reference, not the actual one) for those who'll recognize it was a pleasant surprise, including the horse cameo, but the Jackson elements remained weak despite those particular aspects.
In the middle of that, however, was Joel and Tommy's interactions, especially "that" scene; Pedro Pascal's acting in it was great, as was the writing for Joel: also, Joel and Ellie's interactions, especially the deepening of their closeness. My only gripe is that the writers could be doing a better job showcasing their chemistry through the writing side of things and the development of their relationship; it seems slightly hasty/gapped with how they're navigating it.
Also, I've been hoping that the chemistry between Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey would develop alongside Joel and Ellie's relationship. What most people would insist was chemistry from the get-go seemed the opposite to me, yet, six episodes in already, three left, and it still seems too lackluster/not convincing enough.
In the event of that, you'd have hope for the writing side of the chemistry to make up for it to an extent (that can only do so much if the actors' chemistry isn't alongside it), except I mentioned it could be better.
Pedro Pascal and Gabriel Luna (whose performance I'm also more compelled by than Pedro's, especially the accent and the consistency of it, unlike Pedro, and he's only been in two episodes) displayed more chemistry. That's great, but Pedro and Bella should have what he and Gabriel seem to have naturally, and, for me, they don't.
But it says a lot when time with them still elevates an episode despite that, showing where the interest is, at least for me. Even then, the disappointment is palpable regarding the chemistry/lack thereof: chemistry that should be involved in the elevation of an episode when time is spent with them, not just the fact that their characters are the draw, creating a slight disconnect.
Another thing to note is the ending: rushed/too convenient. Plain and simple. The guy showed up out of nowhere despite the other three being far enough away to where these precious seconds have time to pass before they conveniently show up: fighting him, looking at Ellie, her looking at his chest, him following her eyes/looking for himself, then pulling it out. After all that, and only after all that, do the other three show up. Except that one guy wasn't with them for plot convenience; his purpose was hiding in the shadows to ambush Joel.
The interactions between Joel and Tommy/Joel and Ellie were the highlights of this episode. And while the following opinion is off-course from my views towards the previous ones, I thought those interactions warranted the highest rating (8/10) I've given one so far.
If it makes a difference: going into the specifics, the 8/10 is closer to the beginning of it, aka close to a high 7/10, which I've given every other episode.
Besides that, the various shots of the scenery looked great. A score cue or two sounded good, but they've generally been too subtle, resulting in a lack of interest; the liveliness of the theme song is what I like. Jessica Mazin's (Craig Mazin's daughter) cover of Depeche Mode's "Never Let Me Down Again" at the end was also pretty good.
i <3 zombie-esq shows that aren’t really about the monsters at all, they’re about HUMANS and RELATIONSHIPS and PEDRO PASCALS SEXY FACE
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the change they made to the story, culminating in Joel and Ellie's conversation, but it still hit as hard as it did in the game. Both Pedro and Bella did a great job.
The Jackson also looked perfect. Great setup for Part II, and we got a chance to see young Shimmer. No Dina though ;)
They're doing a good job at making Joel actually likable.
MY JOEL. They freaking made him even more vulnerable than the game and I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!
The “scene” was just as expected to be… almost identical to the game as same power! 3 more episodes
Okay, and it's nice to see them meeting people who stay alive for more than one episode, but I still miss the cold opens
Are you gonna shoot it or get it pregnant :joy:
if you get stabbed you don't pull the object out unless/until you're able to treat the wound lest you bleed the f out and someone of joel's intelligence and experience as established by the show would know that
I don't understand why they have to put a black person as a leader or a wife for somebody everytime.
Well, this show is inspired by, not heavily influnced by the game as the show runners stated. The changes they made here are some of the worst ones so far. So, now Joel aparently is a believer in the vaccine and believes that Marlene knows what she's doing and if she says there is a chance for Ellie to save humankind then there definitely is. I almost laughed out loud here. To people who never played the game, people like me saying "well they did so and so in the game" is probably not something they want to hear over and over again, so I won't say a lot of that here. What I will say though is that Joel as a character does not worm up to Ellie until a later event happens. He shows that by uttering one very famous and scarce line in the game that everyone who played the game had misty eyes when they heard Joel saying them to Ellie. Here, even if he says something similar to Ellie, won't have the same effect as it did in the game. People saying the show is better than the experience and the story in the game, I am pretty sure have not played the game. To people that are witnessing this story for the first time through the show, I will say this: Play the game. It is 5 times better.
Another amazing episode with character evolution at its best. Vs the game I only missed the part of Ellie having to kill multiple persons to rescue Joel. It truly removes all innocence from her. Here it still exists, and that may be good.
Can’t wait for what comes next.
I love how they go to Jackson instead of just the plant and that the house they fight in is in Jackson instead of off somewhere else as it just makes more sense. I wish they kept the starting sequence of the game of them going to the plant because it’s just so beautiful but overall it was a good episode
Loving the grounded vibe. Still surprised they wouldn't just send help after Ellie left the town.
7.5/10
So Good
But So much
was cut from this episode
parts that made this section
of the game the most important part of
Joel and Ellie becoming
Farther and Daughter
(as this section leads
to the first Baby Girl,
what Joel called Sarah).
the first bond between
them both happens at this
section of the game, but no
the guts (dressing) of this
stage was completely
ripped out,
Talk about a Swing
and Miss.
Man I waited and
waited for CALLUS
(Joel and Ellies horse)
To be named because that
is an important step
to the bonding of
Farther and Daughter
to be.
for the first time this
season I question what
they decided to cut,
it was too too much,
Most Important
"The Sarah Photo Pass"
that scene alone
impacts the very last
scene in the game part I/episode S1 E9
The big fight gone,
Joel and the pipe
gone, Ellie running off
gone although the knock
on scene from that
now happened at the
compound.
Speaking of the compound
so they jumped straight
to the compound from
The Last Of Us part II
with the flash of
Dina no less
(Cool Easter egg
I guess).
This section of the game is
so important, it had
everything that makes
this part of the game
Epic, Special and so
Emotional with the impact
of the events but
Ultimately it bonds
Joel and Ellie for the
rest of their lives,
that this episode left
completely out, which
hurt the impact of
what this episode
attempted
to put across.
The performances were
outstanding from
Joel and Ellie too that
their is no doubt
but because too much
was left out, for the first
time in this show at the
end of the episode
i just felt like it was
desperately in need of an
"ADD-ON"
Verdict: DLC needed
for this episode,
way too much was
LEFT BEHIND
That Marilyn Whirlwind as Northern Exposure
You would think that after 20 years batteling, you should know to NOT remove the stabbing object from the wound
They left out massive bits of action from the game and turned the episode into a boring snooze fest. I'm closing in on not watching anymore. 5/10
I was a little disappointed before this episode, because I thought the first seasons of The Walking Dead did horror drama much better. But wow, this is 60 minutes of outstanding television, I was tense, I laughed and I cried.
Ah! Hey there Leonard, hey Marilyn :D
It's still little more than a higher budget TWD with better lead performances, but that was a pretty good episode.
A bit calmer episode but all the same very emotional. Joel finally finds his brother Tommy, who is now the husband of a woman called Maria, running a sort of small town. The first meeting of the brothers is quite moving, but later on it turns out that they cannot reconnect after a long time being apart as a lot changed in their lives. Tommy's wife Maria seems a likeable character, and befriends Ellie (who even gets a menstrual cup from Maria?) The townlet Maria is running is really special because they seem to have most of creature comforts of civilisation, such as electricity and running water, there are normal houses and facilities such as even a worship place for all creeds (this is the first time religion was mentioned in the show which seems strange taking into account the apocalyptic events people would likely turn to religion for solace?) and on the whole people can lead lives which are as close to normal as it is possible under these circumstances. Tommy reveals to his brother that he is going to be a father, which awakens all kind of fatherhood memories in Joel, it even seems to him that he sees Sara in the crowd. He confesses to Tommy that he feels weak, afraid and not fit to escort Ellie and asks his brother to do it for him (first telling him the whole truth about Ellie). Joel does look a bit tired and even sick from the beginning of the episode when he has moment of stopping as if he were going to faint or something. Tommy agrees but Ellie is really angry at Joel at planning to abandon her since she's already lost all people she has ever been close to. Her reaction just shows how impoortant Joel has become for her. In the end, Ellie decides she goes with Joel and for some time they have really good time travelling and sharing stories, with Ellie's funny and sarcastic comments. However, when they reach the university where the Fireflies are supposed to be staying, Joel is seriously wounded by some bandits. Ellie saves his life and they manage to escape, but it puts into question whether Joel had been right in thinking that he is not physically fit to escort Ellie and if they should have chosen Tommy after all. I know Joel will not die from some game playthroughs, but this seems a bit unrealistic since the wound could have been mortal.
Show still hasn't missed yet. Really awesome character-driven episode that gave so much depth and humanization to Joel, and Pedro is just so good. Caring about others in this world is terrifying, especially for Joel, and I love that we see him open up to Tommy about that. He thinks he needs to leave Ellie to protect her but also to protect himself from losing yet another person he's grown to love. He doesn't want to leave her, but he's just to terrified and tries to push her away. Seeing him in the end choose to continue on with her and the ensuing connection the two of them have, and their ability to smile and laugh together was so heartwarming. But of course nothing can go right in this show for too long and that cliffhanger ending left me speculating how Ellie is going to handle this. I fully expect my heart to get ripped out by the end.
Defo not better than last week’s episode but still a heartfelt and poignant episode I really enjoyed :black_heart:
The focus will be on Pedro Pascal's monologue with very good reason, but man, "Anyway, that was 30 minutes ago..." also almost choked me up.
The episode is alright, not as strong as the previous ones, but it's alright.
Ellie is still annoying af in the "clever and emotionally mature, but still a curious child" way (average post-apocalypse teenager), but this one is really about Joel, realising he needs to trust himself and others, to accept and embrace his grief, to not run from his growing affection for the child in his care, and to breathe (literally).
Also, I strained my neck looking for Dina at movie night, still couldn't find her, lol... Oooh, we're in the thick of it now, some people are going to lose their minds in the upcoming episodes. Can't wait.
6/10 - for Shimmer
Weakest episode of the season so far
That was probably the most boring episode in HBO history. They walk, and walk, and walk, oh hey there's a one person that knows my brother just showing up randomly out of nowhere. Oh my brother safe let's keep walking… No wait let's ride a horse. At least the last episode had that hilarious ending that redeemed itself.
As Joel and Ellie continue west, they encounter a familiar face who offers them support on their journey. A little detour from the game but full of important pieces that lay the foundation for season 2 based on TLOU P2, the show still leaves viewers guessing.
Review by Reiko LJVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2023-02-21T21:04:13Z
Bringing a full on Jackson visit into this part of the timeline is bold. But I guess it makes sense to see what some people have managed to build. Still felt very disjointed. A* for Shimmer though and was the girl in the dining hall supposed to be Dina?
Also seeing the lights set up the same way as the barn dance was pretty neat.
An odd choice having Joel be injured in that way as opposed to the game. I feel like we lost something not having him battle onwards to get Ellie away and to safety. Much akin to Frodo making his own way after being injured in the LOTR book vs Arwen helping him in the film. Some real character strength is lost there.
Ellie felt way too aggressively assholish at times. The nuances just aren't there. And they used one of my favourite pieces from the soundtrack 'The Path (A new beginning)' randomly? It's from RIGHT at the end of the game coz that's what it represents! UGHHH!
I know I shouldn't moan about differences but I wouldn't if they made sense/made it more effective.
Despite its best efforts the episode just felt a bit empty. Like a series of notes to hit but not quite making music as a result.