Felt too much rushed. And what's this about characters dying every episode??!
After a bit of a slow start, owing to the obligatory background info dump on Henry and Sam, this episode really opens up in the second half and doesn't ease off the throttle until the closing minutes.
Now its getting good :grin:
"It ends the way it ends"
Seriously god damn it that shit was sad.
Melanie Lynskey (Kathleen as the “leader”) is absolutely not fit for this role lmao. It was already apparent in the previous episode, but this one cements it. Some actors get typecast for a reason, and there’s a reason why Lynskey is usually the awkward goofy lighthearted type.
Other than that, another good episode in a good show.
This episode is absolutely amazing…
(790-word review) Without much consideration and on a surface level, part of me wants to say this was the best episode so far, mainly because of Henry and Sam, of course, including the last half. Once some thought's applied, that sentiment starts falling apart a bit, even though this episode was engaging, albeit on a certain level, despite the potential of being better, and I'll explain why.
First, as far as Henry and Sam are concerned, they should've had more screen time. People seem easily emotionally swayed concerning this show, and most would disagree because they found the amount of their screen time sufficient; they probably even bawled.
But they felt like an afterthought by the writers. Bill and Frank got more focus, while instead of doing the same with Henry and Sam, the writers decided it would be better to create a new character for the show who wasn't in the game, which concerns my second point.
Kathleen had screen time in the previous episode that should've revolved around Henry and Sam and even more in this one that shouldn't have been there. It's like the writers cared more about her. For some reason? Her character was a waste of screen time in the end. She and her faction both were a waste of screen time. What was the point?
And the way Melanie Lynskey has been praising her is a big head-scratcher. Were there hundreds of hours of screen time with Kathleen, which would make Melanie's reaction more understandable, except all that was headed for the grimiest dumpster ever?
We could've had some of Henry and Sam at the end of Bill and Frank's episode if it was much more condensed. At the very least, we could've had more screen time with them in the previous episode. And more in this one if Kathleen didn't exist: creating a better flow of events and more hard-hitting impact in this one because of a more solid sense of familiarity due to more screen time.
And depending on whether or not I glossed over a vital (probably subtle if I did) piece, what was the point of showing the hole in the building's floor in the previous episode? All I can assume is that it was foreshadowing, albeit sloppy foreshadowing, for what happened in this one: making you think something big will happen there, then subvert expectations by doing it elsewhere.
But there was no need. What happened in this episode would've been more surprising and impactful, which seemed to be the purpose, without the foreshadowing. It wasn't necessary. That sequence also played out too conveniently.
It conveniently happened as Kathleen was about to kill Henry. The Infected are generous enough to wait until the last moment to make their grand appearance, giving her that false sense of completion. They didn't even make noise when the vehicle exploded (but when it sunk; convenient timing) to add to that overwhelming element of plot convenience.
They also conveniently didn't run through everyone immediately: despite being that many, and that close, giving Perry his 'not a no-name character like everyone else, therefore an important character' moment; everyone also seemed to have infinite ammo without the need to reload.
And the slow-motion shot of his face when the big bad boss shows up was comical.
I can see why a critic or two mentioned 'rushed.' That was concerning the final two episodes, although it can apply to this one. The writers would prefer to waste screen time doing something different (the third episode) when they could've condensed that with the same result. Then, they'd favor wasting more time by creating new characters instead of using that screen time for characters from the game, which isn't precisely rushed: it's incompetent decision-making. And even then, they still managed to accomplish some rushing.
While I believe that Henry and Sam's involvement should've been done better, particularly by giving us more time with them instead of what we got, part of me liked it. Part of me also considered it slightly better than the game, which was more due to the performances by Lamar Johnson and Keivonn Woodard. But there was more to be desired; more potential there. And that was stolen by Kathleen's character, and for no particular reason either, which I didn't like.
It is what it is. I found this episode engaging, and I'd say it was the second-best one, right behind the premiere, which I consider the best so far mainly because of everything before the 20-year time skip. That isn't saying much: the show has been decent, but it still hasn't gone beyond that for me. At least most people seem to think it's the best thing ever, and nothing will surpass it in their lifetimes.
This was the best episode yet. This show continues to impress and shows just how great a video game adaption can be.
Making Sam deaf was a great example of how diversity and representation don't have to compromise a character. I'm not deaf myself, I don't know anyone who's deaf, and yet you won't hear anything negative from me about Sam being deaf, because 1) it's not my place to judge whether it's meaningful to those represented, and 2) they managed to keep everything that really mattered about him.
In fact, I'd argue Craig Mazin even elevated Sam's character and his dynamic with Henry by tying his deafness to his innocence. Sam can't hear the gunfire, explosions, screaming, and tough conversations that Henry has to deal with and protect Sam from. It ties into what Joel tells Henry about how being a kid is easier. What a great adaptation of this chapter in the story.
That moment where Sam is sitting on the edge of the bed and we don't know if he's turned was adapted brilliantly. In the show, Ellie knows he's infected, but when she calls out to him and gets no response, she doesn't know if he's okay, because he's deaf. Great example of incorporating representation into a story in an uncompromising and meaningful way.
goodnight i want to die
one didn't survive, the other couldn't endure
Amazing. This portion of the story hit way harder than it did in the game.
Stay awake with me
I Promise
I’m sorry
:sob:
Damn. This is such a phenomenally, phenomenally engrossing show that’s ability to connect on an emotional level is truly unparalleled within the world of television. I’m gonna go to the store buy a box of tissues, grab a pen and write on them how much I love this fucking show, then cry into the tissue.
They made this even sadder than the game.
"I'M SORRY"
Yeah, I'm not ok after this...
Bella Ramsay's face and cry when the camera snapped to her as Henry shot himself gutted me.
This show started out brilliant, and just keeps getting better every episode. How in the world!?
Absolute masterpiece of an episode.
I keep scoring each episode 10/10 and for me this is the best one of all but I guess I felt the same with the previous ones! Another great example of how to bring an amazing sequence on the game into a great story and emotional ride. The changes applied are perfect and the snipper scene is perfectly staged!
“I’m sorry” :sob::sob::sob: It killed me
This show is great. Great writing. Great story. Can't wait for the next episode
Fantastic pacing and really intense. I think Henry and Sam are portrayed really well!
Intense. Heartbreaking. Each episode keeps getting better and better. The way Joel protects Ellie is amazing to watch.
Well... FUCK! I knew what was coming and it still managed to floor me, so I have to give the episode top marks for excelling at bulldozing my heart with another heartbreaking tale about the human condition. Anyway, this is a turning point for Ellie, what little was left of her childhood innocence has been shattered. It's hardcore "endure and survive" from now on.
Some valleys with the peaks as expected, but they're mostly appropriate silences to convey Sam's soundless world, and the gravity of the situation the brothers are in.
8.5/10 - for Henry and Sam (and for the massive hoard of horror that emerged from the bowels of hell and descended like a plague on those very deserving townsfolk... that shit was beautiful, and fuck you Kathleen).
Thanks to The Last of Us for scheduling my weekly cry.
That's traumatic even for who played the game.
Amazing episode indeed.
‘My blood is medicine’…,
Such a good scene
First I want to say, when side characters get proper attention, shows are 1000x better, and The Last of Us succeeds at this. The side/minor characters create the perfect world building, and shows what's happening in and outside of Joel/Ellie. Everyone is in the worst situation, but takes different avenues to recertify, and they all feel they're doing the right thing at the moment.
Kathleen brings up fate. I guess it was fate for her to get bit by a child clicker. She's going to turn into what she truly is. A monster.
I had a feeling something would happen to Henry, and Sam. Still hurt the same. Total mood killer. Great show, regardless. You manage to get emotionally attached to these characters. Great writing, and story.
It doesn't get any better than this. It's on a par with episode three, but with more action. And yet the emotions still hit hard when they need to. I also like the changes the writers have made compared to the game, as they are better suited to the TV show.
How many times is this show going to make me fall in love with characters just to have my heart ripped out? This episode had just about everything, so exciting and emotional at the same time.
The best and also saddest episode so far. Can't wait for how they handle Winter. With how things are going, I only see great things on the horizon
Crazy how they keep killing off characters that The Walking Dead would keep around for at least three seasons.
“To the edge of the universe and back. Endure and survive.”
omg, this is so sad..........
When the emotions are all over the place the last 10 minutes
This is more than a T.V. show. This is art.
this episode is so sad yet expressed perfectly. they made a good choice on the parts to keep from the game.
That was a great episode. the ending was heartbreaking.
If we hadn’t already learned this about The Last of Us is that they’re not afraid to kill off it’s cast of characters along the journey. Gut wrenching.
Damn this episode fucked me up :cry:
What the fuck, man. This went from super epic to super sad way too fast.
It looks like the best episode so far though the bits with Kathleen were a little stretched, though we finally learn why she hates Henry so much. Though it seems like people like her are worse than monsters. Hard to say who is worse, the survivors or the zombies (who seem to aim to kill rather than infect now?). The story of the brothers are quite moving, though at first I thought Henry was Sam's father and not brother, he was very caring and loving towards Sam. The friendship between Ellie and Sam was also quite moving, especially the scenes when Joel and Henry hear children's laughter for the first time when Ellie and Sam play together, and later on at the end of the episode when they "talk" using Sam's tablet and Ellie tries to heal him with her blood, it is clear that she years for friendship and in the short time she's know him, Sam became an important person in her life. I knew the ending from watching some playthroughs of the game (never played the actual game myself), but it was still heart-breaking. They would have made a great team together. The zombies in the episode didn't feel very scary, what really mattered were the relationships between the characters and their emotions.
Holly merde!!! This show never slows down
Totally fantastic TV,best I have seen in a long while, show just gets better and better and unexpected things NGS happening.
We are getting absolutely EVERYTHING on this rollercoaster of a series of a journey. I don’t know what to feel right now :sob:
Getting bored by the setup = new characters, died at the end, nothing new to the story.
A terrifying episode that shows the violence of the present and foreshadows the inevitable, it also takes the time to present the perfect portrayl of Sam and Henry's story to layer Joel and Ellie's complex journey. The clickers and bloaters look incredible!
What an amazing episode!! An absolute masterpiece
:sob: :sob: :sob: :sob: :sob:
Even though I was disappointed that some dialogues in the game were not included, it was the best episode so far.
why did they do that to me
wow! This show keeps me audible. I usually don't talk at the TV but dang. This show has me like RUN, and WTF was that... haha
Still a great episode, but for me it might be my least favourite adaptation of the game's material yet. I felt it was very rushed and I never formed the same emotional attachment to Sam and Henry as I did in the game. I felt the tunnel section was done super dirty here, and it felt like they only even included it as a sort of nod to the game. I also really wasn't a fan of how they wrapped up the Kathleen plot. They gave her quite a bit of screen time for someone that just got unalived in an instant, and I felt like all her time on screen up until then didn't really add anything to the story.
Episode 3 was amazing, and I'm very glad we got it and that it was the length it was, but when I see Bill and Frank getting so much time to tell such a small story, I expect bigger stories like Sam and Henry to be treated with at least an equal amount of respect, and sadly that didn't happen. This definitely could have done with being another longer episode with an extra 20 minutes or so.
This episode felt awfully rushed. Episode 3 was amazing, albeit long for what it was; They could've cut some scenes and gave more screen time to other characters, all whilst keeping the exact same impact. Episode 4 and 5 was the opposite, they gave us a baddie that had an immense amount of screen time but packed little to no punch and was gone in a matter of seconds. Another small nitpick with her, although a leader, Kathleen looked immensely well-fed and soft-spoken for someone who just crawled out of a torturous regime wherein they traded apples for people's lives. Bad casting? I think so.
Henry and Sam... where was their screen time? Did Kathleen eat it up? We didn't see enough interactions between the two duos at all. I cried watching episode 3 having had more than enough time to grow attached to the characters, but I didn't have the time to grow attached to Henry or Sam.
I thought the idea of making Sam deaf was fantastic, it wasn't weird or shoe horned in.
TL;DR: They gave too much screen-time to a miss-cast baddie, a slight too much to the couple in episode 3 but very little to Henry and Sam, making their impact significantly less. It's just a good, rushed episode that missed the marks for being a great one.
Bored by this show by now
Why did they finnaly get some amazing characters and then kill them off right away.
Decent episode, really dislike the psycho vibe from the boss lady. People follow confidence and charisma... She has neither.
Loved they didn't pull punches on Sam and killed him..as aweful as it was.
Since I know the games, I have been dreading Sam's death since the moment he appeared. It was one of the saddest moments of the game for me, and the show captured it well, perhaps even "elevated" it.
...
:(
Seriously thought everyone would survive and move on.
Yep, not going to Kansas city anytime soon
That scenes at the end are just heartbreaking. Amazingly acted but so tough. The action scenes were also very well done in this episode.
9.5/10
Outstanding
and my favourite episode
thus far.
Even though I knew what
was coming because I
play the games so much
it still hit with impact.
I was oh here we go
it's the Henry and Sam
part, yes they left out
a massive chunk of
the time spent with them,
the toy robot part
the Ellie keeping
Henry safe, the nearly
drowning part where
Joel goes to rip Henry
a new one and Ellie stops
him, the fight out the building
and my personal favourite
When Henry and Sam
leave Joel for dead and
Ellie jumps back down
to Joel.
all that being said I
thought they handled
the brief meeting well
enough and had the main
set pieces of their encounter,
including using this episodes
title name from the actual
book Ellie is collecting and
reading in the video game,
which Joel does mention
to Henry, so kudos for that
attention to detail.
that last 25 minutes was
Epic and absolutely showed
me that this show means
business and is not fcuking
around, and after this
frickin awesome episode
I can now officially say that
"I AM ALL IN"
(for TLOU part1).
Hella Yeah
THIS IS SADDER THAN THE GAME.
I AM NOT OKAY.
I AM NOT OKAY RIGHT NOW. This show succeeds each time in making me care about the characters, only to kill them right after. IM CRYING. Sam was so innocent, and Henry was such a fighter for him. This show is so tragic
“Endure and Survive” – A Masterpiece of Horror and Emotion
If you thought The Last of Us was a bleak and brutal show before, you haven’t seen anything yet. “Endure and Survive” will leave you breathless, shaken, and possibly needing therapy. It will stay with you long after the credits roll.
The writers have created a truly unparalleled experience, cementing the show’s place in the pantheon of great television. It’s difficult to express in words just how exceptional this episode truly is. It’s simply one of the best the show has ever produced, and likely will ever produce.
The real heart of the episode lies in the moments of quiet and intimacy between the characters. We see how these four people share moments of sombre reflection and powerful displays of emotion—a truly poignant and moving adaptation. Kudos to the creators!
It’s hard to find the words to do this episode justice—it’s a true masterpiece that will be remembered as one of the show’s finest moments. No matter where the series goes from here, this episode will remain a shining example of what great television can achieve.
The only flaw I can find in this episode is Joel’s inconsistent aim—I’m joking! But it does seem to vary depending on the plot’s convenience, haha.
A triumph of television that leaves you breathless and begging for more. It’s a reminder of the power of great storytelling and exceptional acting and a testament to the heights the medium can reach when everything comes together just right. Don’t miss this one—it’s a true gem of the small screen.
01x05 - Endure and Survive: 9.2/10 (Near Perfection)
This is my least favourite episode so far. The character inconsistencies for plot relevance are glaring and increasingly frustrating. Why is army veteran Joel’s aim with a rifle so absurdly different from one scene to the next; going from struggling to hit a windshield to pinpoint accuracy shooting infected and then missing multiple times as one climbs into a vehicle with Ellie!? These characters are so dumb it’s a wonder they’ve survived this long. Terrible writing to support a weak storyline
THIS EPISODE HITS SO HARD. THAT ENDING HAD ME CRYING. THIS SHOW AFTER THAT BILL EPISODE.. AGAIN HERE WITH SAM. Just terrific writing.
Wow. It was getting a bit boring then the clickers awakened. That was a stroke of luck. I had no idea they were like that. They were like the World War Z zombies and the giant was like Resident Evil Nemesis.
A slight improvement, but they're really taking this title literally, aren't they? Potentially interesting characters who survive for years off camera appear and are killed off as soon as Joel and Ellie come anywhere near.
Some lovely moments in that episode though, both emotional and action, for a change. The "they have a cave troll" moment was funny.
Best episode of the show so far.
Surprising, because it’s one of the worst parts of the game.
It doesn't matter how many times you play through the game, the last five minutes of this episode are just BRUTAL!
what the fuck man (╥_╥)
A great and a heartbreaking episode.
Hell yeah!
and sad at the same time
mfs are making show better than game it seems & game itself is awesome af.
Wow, this was an amazing episode :clap:
Why didn’t they allow me to heal first? They could’ve squeezed in 3 more episodes before this.
Totally Masterpiece! they have done it so well for real and they really passed my expectations! i don't wanna this endddddd, give me more of it!
Maybe a little bit too slow in some parts, anyway superb episode.
This episode kept me on edge and wanting more.
great episode and sad end for sam and henry:cry:
This has been the best episode thus far, in a series that's pretty solid to begin with.
every episode of this damages me emotionally more than the last
Wow! Love the last part! And Sam… ufff ensure and survive…
Did anyone notice, that Bella looks so much like a child of Zuckerberg? Felt it from the beginning.
Otherwise great show so far IMHO.
I love the part where the guy is cowering on the floor and crying for help after he just tried to kill someone
Shout by TotimoshiVIP 3BlockedParent2023-02-11T06:27:53Z
After the masterful episode 4 I thought it's only going to get better. However I felt the Sam and Henry story was rushed, there was not enough time spent with these two characters in order for their deaths to be as impactful as it was in the game. Also, the character and the story of Kathleen or whatever her name was, is probably the worst thing I have ever seen on TV. The only bad thing happening to that entire sequence is Jeffrey Pierce not spending few more episodes on screen.