The moment when Joel is telling Ellie about how he really got his scar. To which Ellie said time heals all wounds. Then Joel looks at Ellie and says it wasn’t time that did it. Then there’s that long silence of them looking at each other. That was just an absolutely beautiful moment and great performances from both actors. Love this show!!!!! ❤
Also Ellie wasn't talking about Joel when she says that. She's talking about herself. Ellie is still hurting after Riley's death, so much so that even though Joel has opened up about everything that happened to him, Ellie still hasn't told Joel about Riley. Her own wounds and guilt haven't healed yet.
Not only did Johnson slay in her cameo, the fact that she and Bella Ramsey bear some resemblance to each other really made the casting absolutely spot on. Chef's kiss, that.
She didn't really slay anything, so this comment immediately makes no sense in context. She only appeared in this episode and did the bare minimum. I could do better than her, honestly.
@@minafrota unfortunate amateur actor Mina Frota’s controversial cameo in HBO’s The Last of Us, where they butcher the 5 lines they were responsible for, are unable to meet the bare minimum, embarrass themselves, and are laughed off set.
Ellie's face at the end conveyed to me that she knew deep down there was something he wasn't being honest about but that she chose to believe him anyway. Bella Ramsey CRUSHED it in this show. She blew me away every episode.
She just went through another traumatic experience....That's why she was so quiet and distant. Joel sees that and is trying to cheer her up. This is why the giraffe scene is so important. Joel sees that she still has the potential for happiness and joy unlike him when he went through his own trauma with Sarah.
Yes, Ellie just went through the trauma of David assaulting her and then viciously killing him. It was clearly PTSD from that. That's why she was so absentminded when Joel asked for a boost up, just like ingame too.
Chris couldn't be soo much more wrong. They can kill joel off and still get great reception and audience. It's all about the execution...no pun intended
LITERALLY people keep going over this!!! Ellie was almost chopped up into pieces, THEN almost raped and had to brutally kill her attacker! That’s why she was so quiet.
They lingered on a shot of the doctor's bullet wound which aside from showcasing Joel's protective rage, makes me think they won't deviate from what we know to be the source material for season 2.
Not to mention they really can’t deviate. If they’re going to tell the story of TLoU2, the entire inciting incident of the game is (the thing). If that doesn’t happen until the end of the season, what will it be about? All the flashback stuff in the game?
@KaleMuncher True, but those changes were made in service of the ORIGINAL story, all the main beats were still there. This would be like if they chose to keep Sarah alive, the story completely falls apart
Man…. A multi-season show covering the events of Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 would be a dream come true. Arthur Morgan and John Marston are some of my favorite characters of all time. Would love for those stories to come to a bigger audience.
Giraffe scene was a big deal for me. It was one of those moments that needed to happen and they nailed it. They didn't leave out important game moments and I loved the little call backs like having ellie go open doors or drop down the ladder. It was a 9.5/10 for me
I appreciated how some of the optional dialogue from just walking around made it in, like in the hotel when Ellie starts pretending to check in and Joel calls her weird
Ashley Johnson said on the HBO podcast that the 'okay' isn't her accepting Joel's explanation. It's her basically saying ', okay, I know you're lying to me and our relationship isn't going to be the same.'
@@adrianpale2342 the game wasn't perfect either, there is no perfect show, game or anything really, just let people enjoy things and be excited, people liking the show more than you doesn't affect you at all.
Few things I missed in the finale: Joel saying "I struggled for a long time with surviving" then touching the watch Sarah gave him. As well as that feeling of rising hopelessness from the game as Joel carries Ellie out of the hospital under fire. First time I played the game I was convinced he was going to get shot dead.
I think the fact that we as an audience know that there's not only a second game, but that a second season has been greenlit, kinda makes it difficult to portray that hopeless in the same way since we know he isn't going to die here. I do love the choice of music for this reason.
This couldn’t be adapted well for a live action show, because in the game it was put on there I’m sure for dramatic affect because in real life if you have a guy running with a person in their arms and there’s like six or seven people shooting him he will get shot, so it was very unrealistic to adapt.
Yeah I was waiting for that too. I was also waiting for the subtle head raise and look of confidence when he says "I swear", like he really believes he made the right choice.
Also he called her baby girl again when he lifted her up in the game which made it more emotional. But maybe they decided it would be a little redundant because it would be said twice in a very short span of time since it was done at the end of episode 8. Also maybe they decided it would feel oddly placed after he just massacred an entire hospital. He was in executioner mode.
Ellie was mostly quiet because of the trauma with David. That event changed her forever. Ellie saying "okay" also doesn't necessary mean she accepts what Joel told her or believes him. It's more for Joel's benefit I think.
She doesn’t believe him. She knows that he’s lying but can’t bring herself to admit it so she forces herself into accepting it. Source. Bella Ramsey in the aftershow interview.
@@MMAGamblingTips YES! and its also important to note she "choses" to believe him even if she doesn't, because the alternative makes her life pointless. It takes away her redemption.
Pedro and Bella can do so much with just a look. That scene you were taking about when he tells her that it wasn't time that healed him was fantastic and they way they looked at each other had me tearing up. Such a great show and an amazing cast.
Chris, I must say it's insane to see you consistently putting out videos and with genuinely interesting points to make. In a sea of latent creators, you stand out. Great job on the TLOU series.
She doesn’t mention killing her, but she does say “she was the first to die” which could imply she killed her or that she’s choosing to view her succumbing to the infection as having killed her Edit- more evidence for it being the later is that Dina and Ellie talk about the first people they ever killed in TLOU2 and Ellie says the hunter she killed to save Joel was her first
If Ellie shot Reilly why she feel sick shooting the hunter in the game. They almost made it feel like that was her first time shooting someone. And I always thought she wanted to learn how to shoot so bad so she could protect Joel like she couldn’t protect Riley. Maybe shooting the hunter in the game brought back memories of shooting Riley and that made her feel sick but I don’t think so.
Fun Fact: if you started and finished TLOU season finale exactly 6:00pm PST/ 9EST and switched to the Oscar’s right after it ended (including the recap) Pedro got on stage to present and hand out an Oscar at the academy Awards. At least that’s what happened to me. It felt surreal that he was everywhere all at once 😂
I think Ellie was silent at the beginning because of what she had to go through from the previous episode. So it was up to Joel to try and cheer up the person who saved his life.
I LOVED they made the giraffe scene, I think maybe they should made the episode a little longer, but overall a great episode. Pedro and Bella incredible as always, so glad to watch Ashley Johnson as Ellie's mother. I hope they change some things of the 2nd game for season 2, like Chris said, they probably do. I'm going to watch this season again.
@@minafrota she's not. She was completly underrated before the show but she nailed it and deserves the praise. Reminder that she's pretty young, which makes it even more impressive.
Bella's acting can be improved but I'm not going to lie, it feels like Craig and Neil spent too much of their budget and they're rushing to end part 1's plot complete with the DLC. A giant chunk of the source material was not shot and had to be sacrificed to squeeze into TV format
It's almost like no one remembers the point of Episode 3 -- to hit home that Joel now sees Elllie as "his purpose". Unlike Bill, though, he wouldn't be able to go through with offing himself, or even facing those emotions, a second time (having been through it with Sarah's death). This time he doesn't want, or want to allow, Ellie to make the choice about her own life (the way Frank got to make the choice about his life).
Episode 3 honestly had 0 point to the main story and because of it joel and ellies relationship felt rushed. Good episode but the cost was dear. Since you dont play the game you dont even know the countless moments that we missed to flesh out their relationship
1. The time allowed Ep 3 took nothing from anything else. Zero impact on the time allowed for other episodes. (It's not like HBO gave them a time budget -- every episode was as long as the writers wanted them to be. Give it a rest.) 2. Re: Ellie having a choice, I said Joel doesn't want -- or want to even allow -- Ellie a choice (based on his lying to her). Frank got a choice, which Bill honored, and is a contrast that defines Joel's character -- in fiction you sometimes learn about characters in the way they respond differently from other similar characters. I think the complexity of human responses to the grimness and hopelessness of this alternate world elevates the fiction of this show's quality, making it more than just a show about people in a "zombie-apocalypse".
This show deserved more episodes to work out the little details, have more actions, more clickers and stalkers. This show was amazing and for people who never played the game it’s perfect, but there was so much more to tell. Maybe they didn’t believe it was worth more than 10 episodes, but with all the iconic action sequences and heart wrenching moments in the game this could of been 3-4 episodes longer.
When the first scene started I really thought that was Ellie running through the woods and I rewound it thinking Wow, was there a time jump and she’s now pregnant? I didn’t even know that was the actress from the game. The two of them really resemble each other and have similar voices!
The second I heard Ashley’s breaths in the opening I knew it was her and teared up. She did phenomenally well and it was a beautiful passing of the torch. I loved the subtlety of Joel putting Boggle in his bag, something he’d never do in the beginning. Even when this show does things exactly the same it still hit so hard and it’s such a testament to the brilliant writing of Neil Druckman. I’m so happy this exists. I hope they do the same thing with season 2 but with better pacing. I loved part 2 and how much it challenged my emotions and I can’t wait to see how people react to Abby.
Love the series of reviews! A few thoughts 1. I think the version in the game and show where Ellie says' "okay" is both versions of what you proposed. Depending on the viewer, you could hear that "okay" as believing Joel, accepting the lie and moving on, or accepting the lie and everything being different in their relationship. I feel like that "okay" could've meant any of those things! 2. They are 100% doing Part II in season 2. Neil already said he doesn't care what people think of the story, just that they feel something, one way or the other. He is too proud of what he has. I feel like the story is solid and the pace will be adjusted with what you can do in this medium.
The show has a better chance of executing the narrative of S2 more successfully than the game. The game sees a beloved franchise character get tortured and clubbed to death, then players have to spend a huge portion of the game, playing that character. I think the entire team knew rhis approach was going to cause massive backlash and poor ratings but they were hoping their overarching narrative and direction would redeem the players feelings by the end of the game. Unfortunately for most people it didn't, cudos for taking that huge risk but ultimately I think the second game was executed poorly. There wasn't really any need to have him tortured either, they could have simply had another character shoot Joel in the head before they let abbie torture him. Players spent more time with Ellie and Joel in 1st game than we spend with them in the show. We have gameplay sections that has banter back and forth plus the cutscenes. The narrative for S2 might have the advantage simply because you didn't spend as much time with the characters and we are on the outside looking in at this world snd the characters, we arent taking control of Abby in S2. they also setup S2 better than the first game with that hopsotal scene alone. Making Joel seem like a complete monster, when in the game I didn't really get that feeling. Idk I think the show has a good chance at redeeming the overarching story and characters well. The 2nd game was executed poorly and there was a lot of writer and pacing issues just compiled onto the odd approach they took.
I think it was just missing two or three more action sequences overall. The hanging trap from the town, the millhouse siege with David, and then escaping the tunnels and Ellie falling in the river right as they're arriving in Salt Lake City so that we're afraid for Ellie right as she gets taken away from Joel. To me, that was such an important moment because it mirrored his experience with Sarah, and also paid off Ellie's earlier comment about not being able to swim (which gets another callback in Part 2). The back half of the season was missing just a little bit more of the zombie threat and some action, but otherwise it was great.
They really failed at making the infected feel like a genuine threat. We only really see them featured prominently in episode 2 and at the end of episode 5. That's just not enough if they are supposed to be seem like ever present menace. In the game you knew that infected could be lurking around every corner but the show makes it seem like they are only found in urban areas. I understand that they wanted to use them sparingly but I don't think it worked and it also makes the potential cure seem like not such an urgent matter.
Completely agree, was definitely lacking a lot of the zombie stuff from the games, and they definitely should have had Ellie fall in the river before they get taken to the hospital, I also feel like it would be better (and this is a proplem with the game too) if they didn't straight up tell Joel that Ellie needs to die to get the cure, maybe he suspects something is up, does some sneaking around and finds out, then goes on his rampage, it would make his killing spree to save Ellie at least a little more justified as he just feels like a straight up crazy murderer in both the game and show the way it was done and I found it hard to like the character after that
I think it's interesting to think, would Ellie have gone through with the procedure if they told her, or would they have to lie to her like Joel did to protect her? Personally, I feel she would have known they were lying to her like she knew Joel lied to her. But that leads to discussion, which I find fun.
In this episode Marlene told Joel that they told her it was just a procedure and everything would be fine, before they put her under anesthesia, so they lied to her to not cause her the anxiety of the truth. Made sense to me, but obviously Joel wasn't going there.
The writers made it pretty clear that if Ellie was able to chose, she would of chosen to sacrifice herself. It’s hinted at throughout the story, and Ellie herself confirms it in part 2
I think people forget how many flashback sequences there are in part 2. (Which is fair, it’s a long game) but even if the death scene happens early on that character makes several appearances throughout the story. Ellie’s birthday at the museum is probably my favorite part of the game and I can see that being an entire (amazing) episode for instance.
Agreed. Part Two will have to take at least two seasons to complete. Perhaps to reduce the backlash, the flashbacks will actually be Season 2 and Season 3 will go chronologically.
There should still be a good chunk of stuff for Pascal to do in a Part II adaptation, since there’s all of the flashback content (which contain great scenes!).
Part 2 spoilers!!! Yeah I think people forget about all the flashbacks. The museum, the hospital revisit, the guitar, and of course the final conversation they have. Pedro is still going to be heavily involved even if they stick close to the second game.
What an incredible season overall. I never played the games, but my kids did, so I knew a small amount, but this kept me engaged and excited for every week! Thanks for the weekly recaps Chris, always love to hear your opinion!
this scene for me was disappointing. Initially, I love how Joel took out the first 2 guys but then everything became a medal of honor scene with the orchestra music on the background. I wanted to see Joel fighting and outsmarting a whole batallion by himself 1 by 1 but no everything was rambo style .
I love the first 8 episodes and the 9th had it's two most iconic scenes from the game. The best part of the episode was seeing Ashley literally transferring her soul of Ellie to the Ellie we see in Bella's character.
I’m so happy that you reviewed every single episode this season Chris! This show is so great and I’m glad that you have been putting out these reviews along with the show.
I'm not a parent and also didn't get why the guy didn't cover the baby's ears, ESPECIALLY AFTER MARLENE TOLD HIM TO 😩. On another note, I looooved the giraffe scene so much, Pedro's face watching Ellie enjoying herself was so cute 🦒💞. You can tell their relationship went a huge step up after all they lived in previous episodes. When I saw him shooting the doctor, and the camera going directly to the dead body on the floor, I told myself I'm not ready for the second season, man... I'm suffering beforehand, but I'm sure it will be superb! I'm excited for what's coming.
What I've come to love and learn about the last of us is, it feels like a celebration of life and love without being campy and happy. A common theme throughout is that when people let their guard down or open themselves up for love, laughter, the enjoyment of others company. Their reward is death, and Joel sees that and someone who has become so jaded and calloused even isn't immune to the connection of others. He took a massive risk for the sake of love, that again in the end got himself killed. Maybe overly poetic but love is something worth dying for life isn't worth it without those who make it worth it.
The season overall was solid, personally felt the last episode was a little rushed & would’ve liked to of seen more infected, especially since I thought the idea of the infected being all tied together as a hive kind was intriguing but not full fleshed out. Looking forward to season 2 and how they tackle part 2
The flashback scenes in Part 2 are the best scenes of Joel and her, and there are plenty of them to give Pedro screentime. And they could play it out chronological instead of flashbacks. To the moon...
They made Joel’s rampage feel so much more like a heinous, haunting act in this adaptation rather then a conflicting, heroic one from the game. That and Joel’s implied unaliving, Bella’s spot on accurate post-trauma behavior (which I can heavily relate to) and the entire intro had me taken aback. 10/10 episode and 11/10 series as a whole👌
I love how they blurred out and toned out music in the shootout of the hospital. Made me think that 1, Joel isn't going to stop no matter what, he is dead set on rescuing Ellie, and that 2, he doesn't care if he dies at that time, I know he lives for Ellie now but if he dies, no one will stop the lobotomy and she'll die also.
I love the giraffe episode too. Like giving hope to Joel that things from before this happened can still happen and it gives Ellie the glimpse of how beautiful the world was and can be.
I am so excited and scared to see Abby, for many reasons. I’m scared because I love Pedro as Joel and seeing his part in that story again IS going to hurt, badly. I’m also scared because of how much unjust hate I know the actress who plays Abby is going to get from the same people who bullied the actors in the game (which is stupid and shameful behavior). So many viewers are going to blindly hate her because she’s going to hurt good ole’ innocent bean Joel Miller (who wouldn’t harm a fly) and not have any sort of empathy for her situation and realize that she’s just as justified in her actions as any other character in the story. But, I’m so excited as well because (despite initial hesitation), Abby’s section of TLOU2 actually became my favorite from either game. Her bonding with Lev & Yara and learning to have empathy in her heart instead of blind hatred, which Ellie has a much harder time with, is so endearing to me and (while Ellie is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time), surprisingly made Abby my favorite character in that game. I’m not looking forward to the fan-base backlash, nor the brutality of Joel’s death scene, but I’m SO excited for the story and the character!
Totally agree re Abby. I wonder who would even take the part right now to be honest. The hate is going to be intense. But I also learned to feel for Abby’s side as the game went on. It was remarkably well done and the effect was just as ND intended.
@@harveyblue4108 he teaches her guitar but something happens which is very symbolic **kinda spoiler : she is not able to play guitar at the end as she forgets
@@StinkFingerr You can think that but it effected me emotionally even more than the 1st game. Joel just mentioning teaching Ellie guitar dam near made me cry more than any other moment in the show, just thinking of the significance of that in the 2nd game.
I really enjoyed this adaptation. As a stand-alone show, it's great. And as an adaptation, it remained fairly faithful. Enhancing some aspects. Though we did lose some lines and plot points that did happen in the game, I'm happy with how it turned out. Translating a video game to a TV show isn't very easy. And I think they did an overall great job. Definitely one of my favorite shows that exist currently. I may play the second game since after watching some videos on it I've softened up to what happens. I also want prior knowledge to what happens for season 2.
I absolutely love this first season. Both actors, Pedro and Bella, I think did a great job with this season. Two thumbs up for me. Going to be grueling waiting for season 2.
This was a great season for this show expectations are high for season two and I believe the show writers and actors will live up to them . This show had not one filler episode which is a very rare thing hope they keep it up
@@TrAp1O2 I mean, it was a story the showwriters wanted to tell, they told it and as a whole, the episode was amazing. Yeah infected are cool and all but they're not the point of the story at all, they're a byproduct of the world they live in, and that the real survival is against and with people, not against infected. That's how I see it at least
I despised Abby immensely, but I'm very eager to see them try to cast an actress with a physique that remotely resembles her ridiculous Conan the Barbarian body. The entertainment value of this situation is sublime.
This is the only episode that felt a tad bit rushed to me. I've appreciated the sparing use of the infected, but maybe just a five-minute encounter with a couple infected to again demonstrate how much Ellie has grown would have been nice. That being said, I LOVED how they did Joel's rampage. Him just slow-walking and clearing out everyone in his path with the muted sound and somber music was absolute perfection. I kind of hope season 2 is told more chronologically than the game. I kind of want to see Abby's motivation beforehand to build some dramatic irony. I want to kind of already have a little bit of sympathy established for her while simultaneously screaming, "Joel, get out of there!". The purpose in the game is to motivate the player to go hunt down and kill Abby, but I don't think that storytelling style would work in a passive medium.
The finale needed to be two parter or a super-sized episode. They covered their bases but the entire hospital sequence was incredibly rushed and lacked the impact it should have had in my opinion. We barley spend 10 minutes there.
Anna Torv getting killed off early on almost killed the show in the cradle for me. Her in Fringe was one of the best performances. Seeing her in Boston again was a real throwback.
I really wish this episode was longer than 43 minutes. The giraffe scene really moved me in the game but not so much in the TV show. And as I've come to think about it, I think it's because the game allows you to just pause and watch the beautiful scenery and the animals in a peaceful and safe environment. And the beautiful music continuing to play in the background. You're allowed to soak in this happiness in the game for as long as you like but the show forces you to move on pretty quickly.
PART 2 SPOILERS**** If Neil Druckmann stays on for season 2, I don't think he'll change it all that much. Even after some backlash from the fans for part 2, he stuck by his choices. He said he knew half of the audience was not going to like where things went. And if he backs down from those choices for the show just because of studio and fan interaction, I think I'll be pretty disappointed. If Joel doesn't die near the beginning, I just don't see how they can follow any of the rest of the story for season 2. Or at least follow it and have it be as impactful. Good story telling is often very divisive.
Also Part II was the most awarded game ever until Elden Ring a few months ago. Druckmann knows his shit, and if this season was any indicator, he and Mazin are superb adapters
They don’t need to change the story, they need to change how the story is told. I felt like a large reason why a portion of the audience couldn’t relate to the game was due to the pacing issues. As long as they fix that and maybe have the show focus on the story being told rather than trying to hammer in larger concepts, it could be brilliant.
@@ragingexodus My guess is S2 will start with the flashback sequences. If we know Abby’s past and motive from the start, people will probably sympathize with her decision more, despite hating it.
I would like for the second season to focus on Tommy's town and all the things they did in between this and the next show, how the relationship between Tommy and Joel has changed, fighting against raiders, Ellie actually getting to know some of the characters from the second game so that they have more development before that makes the show..... OOOOOOOOOOR, do a backstory season, how Joel went from Texas to Boston, meeting Tess, the fall-out with Tommy, really go deep into this world, how society changed, Joel learning to be a smuggler, how his anger developed to what we see in the game, pass business deals with Tess, there are 20 years between Sarah's death and when he met Ellie, a lot of things must have happened in that time.
@@JDisclmd only die hard supporter of 2nd video game will watch. General audience will quit. let's be practical, How many female lead movies make money? U will replace a big star and expect it to be success??
The show was great. I just felt like it went by so fast though, I think they could've stretched it out a bit longer. I thought they were going to stretch out Sam & Henry for 2 episodes & the David (the cannibal) into 2 episodes, like I wanted to see the part where Sam gets separated with Joel & Ellie gets separated with Henry, but basically each major plot point of the game was one episode of the show. There were a lot of time skips in the show as well, which are likely the parts where you're exploring in the game, but that also became a lot of bonding time between Joel & Ellie which I feel we didn't get much of that in the show. I was also hoping for the space shuttle scene. The show also needed more infected, they didn't even feel like a threat in the show after episode 5. I think they will keep Joel until the end of Season 2, or I at least hope they do, we need more Joel.
@@vedaryan334 I think killing him off in the Season finale would be a good gut punch though for the people who haven't played the game, & a good part to end the season on. If they kill him off early, I'm not sure how they will stretch out part 2 into two seasons. Also, killing him off early might lose some fans, as it did in the game.
All three of us (husband, adult son, and me) said the same damn thing when the guy failed to cover the baby’s ears, too! My hubby has a hearing loss so we thought we were sensitive to that part of the scene because of his hearing loss. Now I think it’s more universal as far as protecting kids. Such a great show! I’m so glad I watched the whole season with both my guys who are also big fans of the game before it was adapted.
That scene where The Last of Us went through the hospital killing everyone reminded me of the police station scene from Terminator 1. Pablo did an amazing job playing The Last of Us
Ellie does mention Riley in the ending of the game. It was their way of teasing the DLC - while also giving her something to open up about to Joel. I also forgot about this until my recent playthrough.
Marlene: (as Firefly leader) cover the baby’s ears… (walks off, gunshot) Ellie: (cries) Marlene: You know, we’re gonna have some real problems if you Fireflies can’t follow simple instructions
I mean you arent blocking the sound of a gunshot no matter what you do to her ears. It’s still an incredibly loud, violent sound thats certainly going to make the little one cry no matter what you do. Feels like a reasonable assumption he did as she said and the baby just cried because a small explosion went off twenty feet from her.
According to articles, yes, Season 2 will adapt Part 2 immediately. As to what you said Chris, SPOILERS FOR PART 2: I think Joel should die in episode 1. It's the inciting incident of the ENTIRE story of Part 2. Joel's death is what kicks off everything, you can't have it happen at the end of the season. Then people say, well, what about just have an in between season before we get to Part 2. Ok, what story is there to tell? Ellie and Joel avoid each other because of Joel's inability to tell her the truth? What show would that be? Where would the infected fit in, where would the opposing factions fit in? That'd be pretty boring to be honest. On the topic of star power, yeah, with 2020's media, even maybe way back in 2015, fandoms pretty much, IMO, ruin shows/movies/games. If there was a fandom around Sean Bean when GoT S1 came out, and then he dies at the end, would GoT still keep going? It's an interesting thought, but ultimately I think that is what fandoms are preventing us from having. Because now the writers and execs and producers have to keep the Pedro fans in mind, now yeah, there might be hesitancy to kill him off now, even though it serves a story purpose. It sucks honestly.
SPOILER WARNING FOR SEASON 2: If was up to me the end of the first episode would be when Ellie walks down the stairs and finds Joel being tortured. Then the start of episode 2 is when it happens because I feel like if they kill him at the end of episode 1 many people won't be interested in episode 2. But if they kill him at the beginning of episode 2 they have around 40 minutes to try and keep you interested. That's just for the Joel fans at least.
SPOILERS FOR PART 2 I think it would be a massive mistake to kill Joel off immediately, the game has major pacing and structure issues that wouldn't work for a tv show format, they'll probably split tlou 2 into 2 seasons, so season 2 should cover the 5 year period, developing Joel and Ellie's relationship and developing and exploring Abby's character which felt rushed in the games via the flashbacks and season 2 ends with Joel's death. Season 3 then should be the main vengeance storyline with Ellie and Abby happening at the same time. The main issue with the game is that it traded what could've been a great story with emotional moments for a messy structure that just made me not connect to the story, doing it the way the game did in the show would make it a major mess in my opinion
I’m curious as to if they should keep the sort of disjointed flashback storytelling style of part 2 and if it would work on screen. In part 2 you get a lot of flashbacks and different perspectives that don’t make sense until near the end of the game.
@@jasondylan12345 I have mixed feelings on the structure of the game, on one hands it’s confusing at first, but on the other hand, not having Abby’s perspective at the beginning of the game when Joel dies really helps to put the audience in Ellie’s shoes
I agree with you that there should have been more episodes exploring and expanding their journey. In the end I was left wanting more of Joel and Ellie just moving through the world and building their relationship. Also the choice to not feature more of the 'infected' set pieces from the game was disappointing. So many memories of the game are tied to the horror of the infected and moving through environments terrified of alerting them...moments like that could have worked amazingly well in the show and really solidified Joel and Ellie's bond in them surviving those situations together. What's really odd to me is the decision to ditch the idea of 'spores' from the game and the characters (apart from Ellie of course) having to wear gas masks. They introduced the idea of the 'tendrils' to replace the spores seemingly because they didn't want to hide the characters faces behind gas masks. But then there really weren't enough encounters with infected to justify that choice and the whole idea of the tendrils being able to alert infected from miles away was just quietly forgotten. I loved the show overall and think they did an amazing job. It made some great new additions but also left out some things that really should (and could) have been preserved. Ultimately I still prefer the game, but understand its hard to be completely objective about the show having played it multiple times.
I’d be totally down for a last of us 1.5. I agree that season one felt a little too fast paced at times, and this might help slow things down. You could also get into some of the flashback scenes from part two before the meat of that story begins, which might help with some of the pacing/structural problems people had with part two
I kind of liked it better not knowing how or why Ellie was immune. I'm not the biggest fan of the 2nd game, but I'm guessing season 2 will follow the same as season 1.
They've said Pt2 was gonna take 2 seasons to do, and I hope that if they do follow the game that they make season 2 be comprised of the flashback sections of the game, then have the present day stuff be Season 3.
But the structure of part 2 is built with a very specific intent. For example Joel's last conversation with Ellie flashback was being built on by having the player question what their last conversation was very early in game.
I mean instead of flashbacks they could just add more stuff.. we know there’s a time skip between the games, seasons 2 should be mostly about that time skip..And the cliffhanger for seasons 2 could be the beginning of TLOU part 2
@BC animações I get that, but that would be one of the changes they'd have to make. One of the mistakes of the game was making us dislike a protagonist before giving the audience something to emotionally attach to with the character first. Another was not giving us enough time with our "heroes" before getting rid of them. I think them building a stronger relationship between Joel, Ellie, and the audience before doing that thing will better connect us to the story than strictly adhering to the order of events in the game, so long as the general theme still gets across.
I hope Neil gets to incorporate his original idea of having Owen's gang infiltrate Jackson learn and find Joel instead of them just blind luck meeting him in the wild and lure him in...
There is no way they are just doing a whole season as the flashbacks. Most I could see is them altering the structure a bit to have Ellie and Abby’s story told in parallel as opposed to one after the other.
I absolutely love the 1st season. My only (very very minor) issue with it was, exactly as you said, I wanted 1-2 more episodes, and a few more infected. For example when Ellie meets David, they should have had an infected around that area (maybe not as many as in the game, but at least 1). I'm on the fence about what I expect from the future season(s), since I wasn't quite fond of the 2nd game "decision" (talked about in the spoiler part of the video) and its conclusion. However, as much as I would like for them to change it, I'm also a huge advocate of following the source material as close as possible, and, for once we have a series that does it so beautifully. And now I expect them not to? I'm so torn! xD
@@NickSST Same same. Cause changes definitely need to be made. Not necessarily with what happens, but when they happen. But also the main issue with the game, was the "incident" happened so early and then you're FORCED to play as Abby and then forced to empathize with her, instead of the reverse. Have me connect with her first, see her side, then the incident happens and people will be more conflicted, instead of just out right "fuck that bitch".
Actually Ellie does mention Riley in the actual ending of the game to Joel even though it was before the DLC. Ellie in the game says to him " Back in Boston, back when I was bitten, I wasn't alone. My best friend was there too. We didn't know what to do, so she says let's wait out. You know we can be all poetic and just lose our minds together. I'm still waiting for my turn. Her name was Riley and she was the first to die."
The trick with Joel in part 2 is that - it's the inciting incident for the whole thing. But also I feel like people forget how many flashbacks we get as the game rolls on - and now we know this show can be VERY good and heartwrenching with any flashback, too. I think we're in good hands, even if I'm not ready to see it, yet!
This episode made me so uneasy! No one gave Ellie any agency, which felt especially messed up after the previous episode. With that “ok”, I don’t think Ellie really believed Joel. I think she just made a choice about how she wanted to continue their relationship. The lie was easier to swallow than the truth that Joel betrayed her. SEASON 2 SPOILERS AHEAD. (Don't look at the replies to this comment either if you don't want spoilers.) My guess is they’re knocking out Joel in the 1st episode next season. HBO knows the buzz and controversy that twist is gonna generate will be unmatched. Plus Bella Ramsey has proven she can step up and carry this thing 💪
Please stop posting spoilers on UA-cam. It is not reddit where the spoilers can be hidden. I was just scrolling your comment and randomly got this major spoiler before I could realize what I was reading.
They will not start the second season with offing Joel, that would be an awful decision and just piss the viewers off. I’d even say it’s more likely he doesn’t die in season 2. Neil did say there would probably be 3 seasons, I reckon it’d be in the final season
@@nisathsalsabilrob1680 I'm very sorry. I did not mean to spoil it for anyone. I wanted to reply to Chris' spoilery thoughts at the end of his video, but I should've formatted my comment better. Just edited it.
@@wDoucheCanoe Tbh I do not think they are going to care one bit about pissing viewers off. The people who signed on to adapt TLOU did so knowing that they're gonna alienate some of the audience with season 2. I haven't even played the game, and I know it set the entire internet on fire. With a different network it might be a different story, but HBO is down to take big risks like that.
I hope we get an episode of young Joel to finally see just how much more vicious he was and what the hell this man has done because the way he swept that hospital almost looked like child’s play for him??? But yeah bella, Pedro and the entire team are sweeping all their Emmy’s next year.
I'm one of the ones who loved Part 2. To me that's the story. Joel's lie to Ellie has consequences. His killing spree in the hospital has consequences. I love Joel. But part two deals with all of that. In a very harsh and real way. To me that's the story. Joel's murder. Ellie's rage and PTSD. Ellie losing her humanity and finding it again at the end and finally letting that rage go and moving on (Leaving Joel's guitar behind). And the Villains not being what they seem by forcing you to see the consequences of revenge and violence. And that circle of rage and how destructive it is. I know why some people hate it. It's fun to mindlessly kill everything in video games. In Part Two. That dog you killed had a name and she was a good girl. Nobody won at the end. It made no one feel better. It just left a lot of good people dead. It's a hard ending to swallow. People want their games to be simple and black and white. That's the bad guy we hate them we kill them. "Nobody ever thinks they're the bad guy"-Negan (Walking Dead)
Well done Chris. This might be the tightest review of yours to date. It makes me want to start a youtube channel to review this review and give this an A+. Loved every minute of it. Can't wait for the Season 2 Finale Review. If I could nit-pick one thing, it would be I simply want more it.
Great review! I was absolutely blown away by how much they were able to pack into this episode. I do wish that it was longer and we got more action, especially with the walkers, but I’m not disappointed at all. I hope they do take some of the feedback for season 2, but I’m very impressed with how faithfully they were able to adapt the game (for the most part). I don’t think it’s fair to say that the show did a better job with portraying Joel as brutal and not a “good person,” because as someone who finished the game again recently, I can confidently say that the game absolutely hammered it home
Lmao you had the same reaction as me with not covering the baby's ears. I was like "Bro. You had one job and couldn't even do that. That baby is traumatised for life."
@David I was the same way and I’m an Uncle of 4, I was like “MF, Are you Shitting me?” And yes with person above me I was thinking the same thing too and distance from the gun blast was like maybe 10-15 feet max. It can be bad on adults but much worse on babies.
wonderful isnt the word. Rushed is. For most of it they copied cut scenes verbatim. They need to expand the stories and the world not just make the cliff notes version.
@@purefoldnz3070 Having briskly paced episodes with minimal filler content does not equal rushed. I agree, some of the verbatim scenes annoyed me (as superior versions already exist) BUT they were necessary for helping others understand and convey the charm of TLOU. Only actual gamers complained about specific "missing" content. Everyone else was generally highly satisfied, but left wanting more (which is a good thing)! 😉
@@KrimsonKracker when I say rushed that is an understatement. Hell they barely had 30 mins to wrap up the finale episode. Once you take out the flashback and opening credits that's 30 mins. The average length of a sitcom. If you don't think this series was rushed you are clearly out your mind.
@@purefoldnz3070 They definitely skipped right to the point, no question. Everything frivolous was cut. I think we ALL would have appreciated more time with these characters and show, which we're thankfully getting in coming seasons. 😉
@@KrimsonKracker they really needed to show more infected to show that world is dangerous and a cure is urgently needed but we didnt really see any except for a flashback. Obviously HBO didnt know the show would be a hit and gave them less episodes and less of a budget to tell the story. I did some digging and TLOU had half the budget of House of the Dragon .
Best way to go forward is for season 2 to be centered around Joel and Ellie’s life in Jackson, introducing new characters and dynamic shifts. Basically it’d be all the flashbacks of the 2nd game rolled into a season dedicated to fleshing out the relationships of some of the characters Ellie meets in the 2nd game. This would allow the story to breath and let the 2nd season be a bridge between the games.
I really liked the show, but something about it left me feeling like it could have been better. I feel like we didn’t spend enough time with Joel. In the end, there were essentially 3 episodes of this 9 episode series where he was basically not in it at all. I get that those episodes/scenes were all to serve his and Ellie’s characters, but I just felt like they could have expended on the relationship a little bit more, or added/expanded on a few more scenes to really solidify things and bring it home. That may be a very “I played the game and spent 15+ hours with these characters” point of view, or maybe that’s even just me wanting more of a justification for the decision Joel makes in the end, but I don’t know. Just my thoughts.
Joel's final rampage didn't feel earned, when in any other story it would have felt like a victory. It felt cold and misguided, and the direction did a terrific job at making me feel so uneasy and reluctant to root for a character that I had really fallen in love with. The Last Of Us is a masterclass in subversion.
100% agree. I never played the games but if you kill Pedro Pascal early in S2, idk how that's going to sit with people. My parents are watching the show solely because of him right now 😂
I think if people like the show they will continue too watch it for Ellie. If your watching something solely on an actor and nothing else then that’s the wrong way to watch a show. You should be watching because you like the show and the world not just because of an actor. When Glen died in the Walking Dead I didn’t say okay that’s it I’m not watching anymore. I continued on and absolutely loved Negan even though he killed someone I liked.
I think the reaction to that will be... interesting. I think it'll be Abby who could cause people to tune out, especially if Season 3 is entirely about her.
I love this series as a whole, lots of extra story bits and explorations that brought so much... But damn did this last episode give me GotT season 8 vibes with how fast it went.
I get this sentiment to a degree, but I really feel like it would have angered the fans of the game if they expanded on it anymore than they already did at this point. I mean, after the winter arc with David, there really isn't that much left that happens in the game: Joel and Ellie get to the city, there's a ton of just gameplay where they're exploring and traversing the city ruins, they get found by the fireflies, Joel kills everyone, and they go to Jackson. It doesn't take long to do in the game, either
One thing I would have liked to see from the game is Ellie giving the picture of Sarah to Joel in the Triage. I loved that moment because, in my opinion, was the culmination of Joel's character development. Throughout the entire game, he was running away from Sarah and his grief. But finally you see this facade break down, as symbolized in him accepting the photo of Sarah which before he had refused. He's finally allowing the emotions he's kept bottled up all these years to come out and let his old self return and grow close to other people. He's been healed, or at least has started the process. I know that the Triage scene in the show served the same purpose, I just preferred the game version.
If I'm not mistaken I'm the game she told Joel about Riley in the end. During Ellie's snow section you check her book bag and Riley's firefly tag is in her book bag. So the seeds was already there
I think they caused a problem by showing how Ellie became immune. It’s also implied Marlene knows how she’s immune. So it seems to be repeatable, therefore making Ellie significantly less important.
Marlene doesn’t know that Ellie is immune because Anna tells her she gave birth BEFORE being bit. It does explain why Marlene didn’t kill Ellie right away after seeing her bite at the mall, and rather waited to see what happened to her.
I feel like I’m the only one who felt like this episode gave me whiplash. The pacing felt really off; I didn’t have enough time to process everything going on. I didn’t feel the tension, suspense or emotional payoff like I did during episode 8. Granted, I haven’t played the game.
In my case I wanted more. More of Joel and Ellie just hanging out talking, getting to know each other better. The last episode feels a little rush but well made at the same time so I can’t complain much.
Here's my biggest issue with the last part of the game and show: The Surgeons were going to perform this surgery on Ellie. But the fact that she doesn't know what it was going to do to her means that they did not inform her, or Joel for that matter, what this procedure would cause before putting her under. Does that mean informed consent doesn't exist in the Post-Apocalypse? And even if Joel isn't a legal guardian, they were going to kill Ellie just for the chance of a cure, and were willing to go to any length to do that, even keeping the truth from the person they were killing to do it. So how is any of what Joel did questionable?
Everything could have been avoided if Ellie would have made that choice in front of Joel. Fireflies waited for years, but now these guys couldn't even wait for a day to sort out everything. Did they expect Joel to just say okay and leave? (I know this is fiction, but man it hurts to see them go to waste and mess up the relationships.) Joel from his life experience learnt that once someone betrays him they will betray him again given the chance. So, he is not wrong at eliminating every potential enemy. And the cure? Hell naw. They were just guessing. And first guess is hardly the right one. They didn't even test the blood samples or did MRI scans and confirmed what they are guessing. It takes time for that, doesn't it?
I think the way they filmed Joel’s rampage at the hospital will actually make audiences much more accepting of what’s coming in season 2. Some will definitely be unhappy but I don’t think it’ll be the same toxic gamer rage that occurred with the game. That and the fact it’ll be a 2 year gap between TV seasons, not a 7 year gap between games, where you might have forgotten just how many bodies Joel left behind in his quest to protect Ellie.
If you are looking for perspective from someone who hasn't played the games and doesn't know what is coming in season 2, I've personally lost any empathy for Joel's character. In a fringe world that begs for stability and professional competence, he selfishly destroyed what was at the most the cure to an apocalyptic unsolvable problem, and at the very least killed the rare people with the ability to saved lives through already established medicine. I don't think I care for Ellie's character like the show wanted me to and others do because I think she should have died for the cause. If I was a writing this show I know exactly what I'd do. Ellie feels like a burden. She feels responsible for all of the death that she's experienced. Learning that Joel selfishly lied to save her when she feels personally responsible would completely shatter any compassion she has for Joel. I'd have Ellie kill Joel, her fall into a deep period of self loathing and depression (its hard to imagine suicide wouldn't cross the mind), and she'd be saved by finding what she's never really been able to find and keep, love.
@@kyleliegel I'm glad you had the intended takeaway from this episode. There's so many people who literally think "Joel did nothing wrong" and it's appaling. Even with the minor changes that made like having him kill the surrending Firefly soldiers, I've even seen people justify it with "that's what you need to do in combat. The second Joel turns away he would have picked his gun back up and shot". Not even trying to be insulting, these people are literally psychopaths who are cool with war crimes
@@BthIX I find it quite sickening the number of people who say "I'm a parent, Id' murder them all too, Joel did absolutely nothing wrong." Nope. The game creators wanted to make a morally murky final scene and to provoke discussion and thought about what exactly "unconditional love" can truly lead to. It's disturbing how many people don't even give it a second thought. FWIW yes I have kids, including a daughter exactly Ellie's age in the game. Watching episode 8 really hurt. Would I kill in self defense to protect my family? Sure. But would I murder a score of people, including one of the last remaining medicos who could possibly save humanity? I'd like to think I'd at least consider the greater good first. But again, it's great writing because even if you deplore Joel's choice and actions, you understand 100% why his trauma leads him to this action. Unfortunately, after David violated Ellie and broke part of her spirit, she's now suffered another violation, a removal of autonomy, but this time by Joel 😞
@@BthIX The Fireflies in the Game are not the Saints the Show tries to make you belive. They are a Terrorist Organisation that blow up Checkpoints and are also responsible for many Civilian deaths. Also they wouldn‘t just give everybody the vaccine or whatever. Hell they don‘t even have any infrastructure or way to produce alot of it, let alone ship it to all parts in the Country. They wanted to Kill a Kid without even asking her. The Vaccine woule been used for Political reasons and not for ethical reasons like : You Join us then you get the Vaccine, or you don‘t join us then you can fuk yourself. That‘s why Joels decision was right.
This is my favorite season of a television series. Period. I loved everything about it. The re-watchability of this show is unreal to me, as someone who doesn't typically re-watch things a heck of a lot.
Totally with you on just wanting 'more' - same! but actually HBO ordered 10 episodes, and the creatives ended up combining 101 and 102 to make the premiere episode one single episode with longer runtime. It was originally supposed to end with Joel throwing the deceased infected child onto the pyre, but executives said it wouldn't have hooked the audience if it had ended there. Plus, we wouldn't have met Ellie if they ended it there for 101.
The scene where Anna’s voice starts to crack up when she says, "Her name is Ellie,” made me tear up. God, this show has been a wild ride!
Sounded like when she says "Yes you will" to Abby... the absolute desperation resonating
@@bvgg833 OMG YES
They got me with the Ellie and Joel conversation about him attempting to take his own life.
@@residentevilclone yup, i had teary eyes the entire episode
Charlie is that you??
The moment when Joel is telling Ellie about how he really got his scar. To which Ellie said time heals all wounds. Then Joel looks at Ellie and says it wasn’t time that did it. Then there’s that long silence of them looking at each other. That was just an absolutely beautiful moment and great performances from both actors. Love this show!!!!! ❤
Also Ellie wasn't talking about Joel when she says that. She's talking about herself. Ellie is still hurting after Riley's death, so much so that even though Joel has opened up about everything that happened to him, Ellie still hasn't told Joel about Riley. Her own wounds and guilt haven't healed yet.
The performance of Bella in that scene is something else! The look and silence she gives Joel... it made me tear up. Just beautiful
Corny.
then after they got awkward lol in a good way
@@jessecuevas6456 ur entitled to ur opinion lol
Not only did Johnson slay in her cameo, the fact that she and Bella Ramsey bear some resemblance to each other really made the casting absolutely spot on. Chef's kiss, that.
She didn't really slay anything, so this comment immediately makes no sense in context. She only appeared in this episode and did the bare minimum. I could do better than her, honestly.
@@minafrota lol wtf the salt.
@@minafrota Massive day for annoying people
@@minafrota unfortunate amateur actor Mina Frota’s controversial cameo in HBO’s The Last of Us, where they butcher the 5 lines they were responsible for, are unable to meet the bare minimum, embarrass themselves, and are laughed off set.
@@Chicken_Rump Screw off.
Bella Ramsey at that last shot was beyond brilliant. She wells up and holds back like Ellie knows Joel is lying but it doesn't matter in the moment.
Ellie's face at the end conveyed to me that she knew deep down there was something he wasn't being honest about but that she chose to believe him anyway. Bella Ramsey CRUSHED it in this show. She blew me away every episode.
She just went through another traumatic experience....That's why she was so quiet and distant. Joel sees that and is trying to cheer her up. This is why the giraffe scene is so important. Joel sees that she still has the potential for happiness and joy unlike him when he went through his own trauma with Sarah.
Yeah, idk how he missed that.
Yes, Ellie just went through the trauma of David assaulting her and then viciously killing him. It was clearly PTSD from that. That's why she was so absentminded when Joel asked for a boost up, just like ingame too.
Eh, it's not that big of a deal. We all go through things one thing or another. That's probably the only realistic thing this show has ever produced.
Chris couldn't be soo much more wrong. They can kill joel off and still get great reception and audience. It's all about the execution...no pun intended
LITERALLY people keep going over this!!! Ellie was almost chopped up into pieces, THEN almost raped and had to brutally kill her attacker! That’s why she was so quiet.
They lingered on a shot of the doctor's bullet wound which aside from showcasing Joel's protective rage, makes me think they won't deviate from what we know to be the source material for season 2.
RIP Jerry, definitely noticed that too. I also just really don't see Neil changing the story that's his lifes work.
Not to mention they really can’t deviate. If they’re going to tell the story of TLoU2, the entire inciting incident of the game is (the thing). If that doesn’t happen until the end of the season, what will it be about? All the flashback stuff in the game?
@@MossyOnYT The first game is also his life's work, and this show is full of changes, big and small
Right now game of thrones has made main characters a less secure.
@KaleMuncher True, but those changes were made in service of the ORIGINAL story, all the main beats were still there. This would be like if they chose to keep Sarah alive, the story completely falls apart
Man…. A multi-season show covering the events of Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 would be a dream come true. Arthur Morgan and John Marston are some of my favorite characters of all time. Would love for those stories to come to a bigger audience.
Dude that would be a dream come true, I'm also wishing for a Super Metroid sci-fi horror series but it has to be Uber scary,
Yes this NEEDS to happen!!! Red Dead 2 is the best video game story outside of The Last of Us 1.
Nah there no need for that
Its not needed though, the games serve the story the best already. Same with TLOU.
@@eliminator173 not everyone plays games, this show isn't for the people that played the game.
Giraffe scene was a big deal for me. It was one of those moments that needed to happen and they nailed it. They didn't leave out important game moments and I loved the little call backs like having ellie go open doors or drop down the ladder. It was a 9.5/10 for me
I appreciated how some of the optional dialogue from just walking around made it in, like in the hotel when Ellie starts pretending to check in and Joel calls her weird
Pedro Pascal's performance is incredible, I cried multiple times watching and I still tear up from rewatches.
Grow some balls dude
I haven’t played the second game because I know they did Joel dirty.
I just refuse to do that, especially how they killed him.
play it and keep an open mind, joel is just a character. the story in part 2 is great you just have to accept why joel dies. @@TacoMonster4eva
Ashley Johnson said on the HBO podcast that the 'okay' isn't her accepting Joel's explanation. It's her basically saying ', okay, I know you're lying to me and our relationship isn't going to be the same.'
The reason I loved the original is because there wasn't any concrete answer. Part 2 definitely makes Ashley's explanation the definitive version.
Yeah it's just not landing in the show. I know it's trendy to heap praise on this show but it's not perfect. It's good. And just good.
@@adrianpale2342 the game wasn't perfect either, there is no perfect show, game or anything really, just let people enjoy things and be excited, people liking the show more than you doesn't affect you at all.
I’d never seen that and yet That was exactly the vibe I got. Interesting.
@@adrianpale2342 I know it's trendy to heap negative criticism on a popular show but it's a great first season
Few things I missed in the finale: Joel saying "I struggled for a long time with surviving" then touching the watch Sarah gave him. As well as that feeling of rising hopelessness from the game as Joel carries Ellie out of the hospital under fire. First time I played the game I was convinced he was going to get shot dead.
I THINK they replaced that line with the conversation Joel has with Ellie about his attempted suicide. That was his “struggle.”
I think the fact that we as an audience know that there's not only a second game, but that a second season has been greenlit, kinda makes it difficult to portray that hopeless in the same way since we know he isn't going to die here. I do love the choice of music for this reason.
This couldn’t be adapted well for a live action show, because in the game it was put on there I’m sure for dramatic affect because in real life if you have a guy running with a person in their arms and there’s like six or seven people shooting him he will get shot, so it was very unrealistic to adapt.
Yeah I was waiting for that too. I was also waiting for the subtle head raise and look of confidence when he says "I swear", like he really believes he made the right choice.
Also he called her baby girl again when he lifted her up in the game which made it more emotional. But maybe they decided it would be a little redundant because it would be said twice in a very short span of time since it was done at the end of episode 8. Also maybe they decided it would feel oddly placed after he just massacred an entire hospital. He was in executioner mode.
Ellie was mostly quiet because of the trauma with David. That event changed her forever. Ellie saying "okay" also doesn't necessary mean she accepts what Joel told her or believes him. It's more for Joel's benefit I think.
She doesn’t believe him. She knows that he’s lying but can’t bring herself to admit it so she forces herself into accepting it.
Source. Bella Ramsey in the aftershow interview.
@@MMAGamblingTips YES! and its also important to note she "choses" to believe him even if she doesn't, because the alternative makes her life pointless. It takes away her redemption.
Strange how he missed Ellies trauma from the whole David encounter
we all know. There is a second Game that came out like 4 years ago.
there is a second game 😂
Pedro and Bella can do so much with just a look. That scene you were taking about when he tells her that it wasn't time that healed him was fantastic and they way they looked at each other had me tearing up. Such a great show and an amazing cast.
Chris, I must say it's insane to see you consistently putting out videos and with genuinely interesting points to make. In a sea of latent creators, you stand out. Great job on the TLOU series.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe Ellie does mention killing Riley in the base game at the end. Even before the DLC came out.
She doesn’t mention killing her, but she does say “she was the first to die” which could imply she killed her or that she’s choosing to view her succumbing to the infection as having killed her
Edit- more evidence for it being the later is that Dina and Ellie talk about the first people they ever killed in TLOU2 and Ellie says the hunter she killed to save Joel was her first
That's what I thought too....
Ah yeah "she was the first and I'm still waiting for my turn" or something like that....
You are correct
If Ellie shot Reilly why she feel sick shooting the hunter in the game. They almost made it feel like that was her first time shooting someone. And I always thought she wanted to learn how to shoot so bad so she could protect Joel like she couldn’t protect Riley. Maybe shooting the hunter in the game brought back memories of shooting Riley and that made her feel sick but I don’t think so.
I think they've confirmed that Part 2 will take multiple seasons to do, so I'd say we'll definitely get to see more of Joel before his golf trip.
By multiple, they mean two. "The incident" will be the finale for the second season.
😂lol at “golf trip” 😉
Nice spoiler....
Fun Fact: if you started and finished TLOU season finale exactly 6:00pm PST/ 9EST and switched to the Oscar’s right after it ended (including the recap) Pedro got on stage to present and hand out an Oscar at the academy Awards. At least that’s what happened to me. It felt surreal that he was everywhere all at once 😂
Not really a fun fact, but go off I guess.
I see what you did there. 😉
@@minafrota - Fun fact…I don’t think you are fun at parties. 😂
I see what you did there. nice
I see what you did there!
Joel is so vicious, what he did in this episode is hard to forgive. Absolutely crazy season with so many brilliant plots.
YES! I rlly thought they wouldn’t something like that but WOW!!!!!
I think Ellie was silent at the beginning because of what she had to go through from the previous episode. So it was up to Joel to try and cheer up the person who saved his life.
I LOVED they made the giraffe scene, I think maybe they should made the episode a little longer, but overall a great episode. Pedro and Bella incredible as always, so glad to watch Ashley Johnson as Ellie's mother. I hope they change some things of the 2nd game for season 2, like Chris said, they probably do. I'm going to watch this season again.
I don't understand the hype and praise about the actress, Bella. To me, she sounds overrated.
@@minafrota she's not. She was completly underrated before the show but she nailed it and deserves the praise. Reminder that she's pretty young, which makes it even more impressive.
@@eduardohenriquecarneiroalv6343 Oh, well that makes sense. I didn't know she was underrated at the time. My bad.
@@eduardohenriquecarneiroalv6343 Well, I'll admit, for a young actress, she did a good job on this show. I hope she wins an Emmy.
Bella's acting can be improved but I'm not going to lie, it feels like Craig and Neil spent too much of their budget and they're rushing to end part 1's plot complete with the DLC. A giant chunk of the source material was not shot and had to be sacrificed to squeeze into TV format
It's almost like no one remembers the point of Episode 3 -- to hit home that Joel now sees Elllie as "his purpose". Unlike Bill, though, he wouldn't be able to go through with offing himself, or even facing those emotions, a second time (having been through it with Sarah's death). This time he doesn't want, or want to allow, Ellie to make the choice about her own life (the way Frank got to make the choice about his life).
Did that episode have to be 1 hour 30 minutes though compared to the finale? I really don’t think so.
She wasn't presented a choice. Marlene kept her from the truth.
Episode 3 honestly had 0 point to the main story and because of it joel and ellies relationship felt rushed. Good episode but the cost was dear. Since you dont play the game you dont even know the countless moments that we missed to flesh out their relationship
@@KaneK1234 I think they both should have been 1.5 hours! Episode 3 was great
1. The time allowed Ep 3 took nothing from anything else. Zero impact on the time allowed for other episodes. (It's not like HBO gave them a time budget -- every episode was as long as the writers wanted them to be. Give it a rest.)
2. Re: Ellie having a choice, I said Joel doesn't want -- or want to even allow -- Ellie a choice (based on his lying to her). Frank got a choice, which Bill honored, and is a contrast that defines Joel's character -- in fiction you sometimes learn about characters in the way they respond differently from other similar characters.
I think the complexity of human responses to the grimness and hopelessness of this alternate world elevates the fiction of this show's quality, making it more than just a show about people in a "zombie-apocalypse".
This show deserved more episodes to work out the little details, have more actions, more clickers and stalkers. This show was amazing and for people who never played the game it’s perfect, but there was so much more to tell. Maybe they didn’t believe it was worth more than 10 episodes, but with all the iconic action sequences and heart wrenching moments in the game this could of been 3-4 episodes longer.
When the first scene started I really thought that was Ellie running through the woods and I rewound it thinking Wow, was there a time jump and she’s now pregnant? I didn’t even know that was the actress from the game. The two of them really resemble each other and have similar voices!
Maybe Bella's character voice. She's British.
Same!!!!
I thought it was Ellie too!
The second I heard Ashley’s breaths in the opening I knew it was her and teared up. She did phenomenally well and it was a beautiful passing of the torch. I loved the subtlety of Joel putting Boggle in his bag, something he’d never do in the beginning. Even when this show does things exactly the same it still hit so hard and it’s such a testament to the brilliant writing of Neil Druckman. I’m so happy this exists. I hope they do the same thing with season 2 but with better pacing. I loved part 2 and how much it challenged my emotions and I can’t wait to see how people react to Abby.
Love the series of reviews! A few thoughts 1. I think the version in the game and show where Ellie says' "okay" is both versions of what you proposed. Depending on the viewer, you could hear that "okay" as believing Joel, accepting the lie and moving on, or accepting the lie and everything being different in their relationship. I feel like that "okay" could've meant any of those things! 2. They are 100% doing Part II in season 2. Neil already said he doesn't care what people think of the story, just that they feel something, one way or the other. He is too proud of what he has. I feel like the story is solid and the pace will be adjusted with what you can do in this medium.
The show has a better chance of executing the narrative of S2 more successfully than the game.
The game sees a beloved franchise character get tortured and clubbed to death, then players have to spend a huge portion of the game, playing that character. I think the entire team knew rhis approach was going to cause massive backlash and poor ratings but they were hoping their overarching narrative and direction would redeem the players feelings by the end of the game. Unfortunately for most people it didn't, cudos for taking that huge risk but ultimately I think the second game was executed poorly.
There wasn't really any need to have him tortured either, they could have simply had another character shoot Joel in the head before they let abbie torture him.
Players spent more time with Ellie and Joel in 1st game than we spend with them in the show. We have gameplay sections that has banter back and forth plus the cutscenes. The narrative for S2 might have the advantage simply because you didn't spend as much time with the characters and we are on the outside looking in at this world snd the characters, we arent taking control of Abby in S2. they also setup S2 better than the first game with that hopsotal scene alone. Making Joel seem like a complete monster, when in the game I didn't really get that feeling.
Idk I think the show has a good chance at redeeming the overarching story and characters well. The 2nd game was executed poorly and there was a lot of writer and pacing issues just compiled onto the odd approach they took.
I think it was just missing two or three more action sequences overall. The hanging trap from the town, the millhouse siege with David, and then escaping the tunnels and Ellie falling in the river right as they're arriving in Salt Lake City so that we're afraid for Ellie right as she gets taken away from Joel. To me, that was such an important moment because it mirrored his experience with Sarah, and also paid off Ellie's earlier comment about not being able to swim (which gets another callback in Part 2). The back half of the season was missing just a little bit more of the zombie threat and some action, but otherwise it was great.
They really failed at making the infected feel like a genuine threat. We only really see them featured prominently in episode 2 and at the end of episode 5. That's just not enough if they are supposed to be seem like ever present menace. In the game you knew that infected could be lurking around every corner but the show makes it seem like they are only found in urban areas. I understand that they wanted to use them sparingly but I don't think it worked and it also makes the potential cure seem like not such an urgent matter.
@@amysteriousviewer3772 They definitely felt threatening when they were around, they just didn't use them in the last few episodes.
The show was set on severely EASY mode obv 😂
!!!! absolutely agree about the river stuff w this episode! my same thoughts.
Completely agree, was definitely lacking a lot of the zombie stuff from the games, and they definitely should have had Ellie fall in the river before they get taken to the hospital, I also feel like it would be better (and this is a proplem with the game too) if they didn't straight up tell Joel that Ellie needs to die to get the cure, maybe he suspects something is up, does some sneaking around and finds out, then goes on his rampage, it would make his killing spree to save Ellie at least a little more justified as he just feels like a straight up crazy murderer in both the game and show the way it was done and I found it hard to like the character after that
I think it's interesting to think, would Ellie have gone through with the procedure if they told her, or would they have to lie to her like Joel did to protect her? Personally, I feel she would have known they were lying to her like she knew Joel lied to her. But that leads to discussion, which I find fun.
In this episode Marlene told Joel that they told her it was just a procedure and everything would be fine, before they put her under anesthesia, so they lied to her to not cause her the anxiety of the truth. Made sense to me, but obviously Joel wasn't going there.
The writers made it pretty clear that if Ellie was able to chose, she would of chosen to sacrifice herself. It’s hinted at throughout the story, and Ellie herself confirms it in part 2
In one word, "YES".
@@donovan4222 the thing is, you never know what she would ACTUALLY do in that moment
@@JD-jz5gu Yeah we do…the writers and Ellie told us
I think people forget how many flashback sequences there are in part 2. (Which is fair, it’s a long game) but even if the death scene happens early on that character makes several appearances throughout the story. Ellie’s birthday at the museum is probably my favorite part of the game and I can see that being an entire (amazing) episode for instance.
Agreed. Part Two will have to take at least two seasons to complete. Perhaps to reduce the backlash, the flashbacks will actually be Season 2 and Season 3 will go chronologically.
The emotion on the faces and the eyes of them both in the final scene is incredible. You can practically peer into Bella's soul at the end.
There should still be a good chunk of stuff for Pascal to do in a Part II adaptation, since there’s all of the flashback content (which contain great scenes!).
Part 2 spoilers!!!
Yeah I think people forget about all the flashbacks. The museum, the hospital revisit, the guitar, and of course the final conversation they have. Pedro is still going to be heavily involved even if they stick close to the second game.
What an incredible season overall. I never played the games, but my kids did, so I knew a small amount, but this kept me engaged and excited for every week! Thanks for the weekly recaps Chris, always love to hear your opinion!
As someone who played the game in 2013 and has revisited it every now and again over the years…This is literally my favorite show. Period.
So it's the only show you watch? The last 3 episodes ranged from mediocre to bad...
@@Digger-Nick we must not be watching the same show if you just called the last 3 episodes “Mediocre” 🤣 I can’t even take you seriously
@@Digger-Nick alot of mid moments
@@jordanellis3615 Episode 7 was extremely mediocre.
@@mrguest-bc3mv now give me your best explanation as to why you believe that’s the case.
The hospital shooting scene was freaking crazy! Like Joel was killing everyone 😧
this scene for me was disappointing. Initially, I love how Joel took out the first 2 guys but then everything became a medal of honor scene with the orchestra music on the background. I wanted to see Joel fighting and outsmarting a whole batallion by himself 1 by 1 but no everything was rambo style .
@@christianrowbotham7386 eh
Man, I watched the whole episode through tear-filled eyes. Such an incredible adaptation for one of video games’ best stories. Two thumbs up.
I love the first 8 episodes and the 9th had it's two most iconic scenes from the game. The best part of the episode was seeing Ashley literally transferring her soul of Ellie to the Ellie we see in Bella's character.
I’m so happy that you reviewed every single episode this season Chris! This show is so great and I’m glad that you have been putting out these reviews along with the show.
I'm not a parent and also didn't get why the guy didn't cover the baby's ears, ESPECIALLY AFTER MARLENE TOLD HIM TO 😩.
On another note, I looooved the giraffe scene so much, Pedro's face watching Ellie enjoying herself was so cute 🦒💞. You can tell their relationship went a huge step up after all they lived in previous episodes.
When I saw him shooting the doctor, and the camera going directly to the dead body on the floor, I told myself I'm not ready for the second season, man... I'm suffering beforehand, but I'm sure it will be superb! I'm excited for what's coming.
What I've come to love and learn about the last of us is, it feels like a celebration of life and love without being campy and happy. A common theme throughout is that when people let their guard down or open themselves up for love, laughter, the enjoyment of others company. Their reward is death, and Joel sees that and someone who has become so jaded and calloused even isn't immune to the connection of others. He took a massive risk for the sake of love, that again in the end got himself killed. Maybe overly poetic but love is something worth dying for life isn't worth it without those who make it worth it.
Having just become a father in October, Baby Ellie was the most precious thing ever.
The season overall was solid, personally felt the last episode was a little rushed & would’ve liked to of seen more infected, especially since I thought the idea of the infected being all tied together as a hive kind was intriguing but not full fleshed out. Looking forward to season 2 and how they tackle part 2
The flashback scenes in Part 2 are the best scenes of Joel and her, and there are plenty of them to give Pedro screentime. And they could play it out chronological instead of flashbacks. To the moon...
When she looks down to see she's been bitten while holding Ellie...that was the most emotional scene in the entire season.
When a life is born a life is taken
So cool they had Ashley play Ellies mom
They made Joel’s rampage feel so much more like a heinous, haunting act in this adaptation rather then a conflicting, heroic one from the game. That and Joel’s implied unaliving, Bella’s spot on accurate post-trauma behavior (which I can heavily relate to) and the entire intro had me taken aback. 10/10 episode and 11/10 series as a whole👌
Nah, it was the same.
You don't need to say "unaliving" here
@@KlutzDeluxe internet has really softened them up
Lol unalive? You can say kill
I love how they blurred out and toned out music in the shootout of the hospital. Made me think that 1, Joel isn't going to stop no matter what, he is dead set on rescuing Ellie, and that 2, he doesn't care if he dies at that time, I know he lives for Ellie now but if he dies, no one will stop the lobotomy and she'll die also.
I love the giraffe episode too. Like giving hope to Joel that things from before this happened can still happen and it gives Ellie the glimpse of how beautiful the world was and can be.
I am so excited and scared to see Abby, for many reasons. I’m scared because I love Pedro as Joel and seeing his part in that story again IS going to hurt, badly. I’m also scared because of how much unjust hate I know the actress who plays Abby is going to get from the same people who bullied the actors in the game (which is stupid and shameful behavior). So many viewers are going to blindly hate her because she’s going to hurt good ole’ innocent bean Joel Miller (who wouldn’t harm a fly) and not have any sort of empathy for her situation and realize that she’s just as justified in her actions as any other character in the story. But, I’m so excited as well because (despite initial hesitation), Abby’s section of TLOU2 actually became my favorite from either game. Her bonding with Lev & Yara and learning to have empathy in her heart instead of blind hatred, which Ellie has a much harder time with, is so endearing to me and (while Ellie is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time), surprisingly made Abby my favorite character in that game. I’m not looking forward to the fan-base backlash, nor the brutality of Joel’s death scene, but I’m SO excited for the story and the character!
I absolutely agree with you. It's good to see that there are others who can put things into context.
Terry Crews as Abby!
Totally agree re Abby. I wonder who would even take the part right now to be honest. The hate is going to be intense. But I also learned to feel for Abby’s side as the game went on. It was remarkably well done and the effect was just as ND intended.
@@corrado8955 well if they get a likable actress to play her. Some people think Florence Pugh would be a good Abby.
That’s stupid why would you hate an actor who’s playing a character. Hate the character not the actor so stupid
Hearing Joel tell Ellie “maybe I can teach you how to play guitar” is a real gut punch when you remember what happens in part 2…
Thanks for the spoiler
@@harveyblue4108 it’s not a spoiler, there’s just something that happens involving a guitar that’s very important symbolically in the story
@@harveyblue4108 he teaches her guitar but something happens which is very symbolic **kinda spoiler : she is not able to play guitar at the end as she forgets
@@donovan4222 Part 2 is just pointless, hopeless misery, and gratuitous Raunch.
@@StinkFingerr You can think that but it effected me emotionally even more than the 1st game. Joel just mentioning teaching Ellie guitar dam near made me cry more than any other moment in the show, just thinking of the significance of that in the 2nd game.
I really enjoyed this adaptation. As a stand-alone show, it's great. And as an adaptation, it remained fairly faithful. Enhancing some aspects. Though we did lose some lines and plot points that did happen in the game, I'm happy with how it turned out. Translating a video game to a TV show isn't very easy. And I think they did an overall great job. Definitely one of my favorite shows that exist currently. I may play the second game since after watching some videos on it I've softened up to what happens. I also want prior knowledge to what happens for season 2.
I absolutely love this first season. Both actors, Pedro and Bella, I think did a great job with this season. Two thumbs up for me. Going to be grueling waiting for season 2.
If Season 2 follows the game then it'll be an absolute disaster.....
season 2 will be accurate to de second game, and i will love it
@@aaallleeexx22 Boooooooo! 👎🏻
@@chriscunningham8703 season 2 will follow the second game and it'll be amazing
Season 2 will be so dark
This was a great season for this show expectations are high for season two and I believe the show writers and actors will live up to them . This show had not one filler episode which is a very rare thing hope they keep it up
Episode 3 tho
@@TrAp1O2 I mean, it was a story the showwriters wanted to tell, they told it and as a whole, the episode was amazing. Yeah infected are cool and all but they're not the point of the story at all, they're a byproduct of the world they live in, and that the real survival is against and with people, not against infected. That's how I see it at least
Bro the whole season felt super rushed for me
@@jouflow I know what you’re saying but I really didn’t mind it. I thought it was still pretty good
Episode 3 was definitely filler, I can try to understand why they made it but it didn't contribute to the story at all
Good finale, nice to see Ashley and Laura make their appearances. High sympathy for the actress playing Abby in the future.
She's gonna get so much hate mail from this fanbase sadly
I despised Abby immensely, but I'm very eager to see them try to cast an actress with a physique that remotely resembles her ridiculous Conan the Barbarian body. The entertainment value of this situation is sublime.
If they could land Florence Pugh, she could pull it off.
@@AKSBSU Well they could cast a trans woman ig
This is the only episode that felt a tad bit rushed to me. I've appreciated the sparing use of the infected, but maybe just a five-minute encounter with a couple infected to again demonstrate how much Ellie has grown would have been nice. That being said, I LOVED how they did Joel's rampage. Him just slow-walking and clearing out everyone in his path with the muted sound and somber music was absolute perfection. I kind of hope season 2 is told more chronologically than the game. I kind of want to see Abby's motivation beforehand to build some dramatic irony. I want to kind of already have a little bit of sympathy established for her while simultaneously screaming, "Joel, get out of there!". The purpose in the game is to motivate the player to go hunt down and kill Abby, but I don't think that storytelling style would work in a passive medium.
The finale needed to be two parter or a super-sized episode. They covered their bases but the entire hospital sequence was incredibly rushed and lacked the impact it should have had in my opinion. We barley spend 10 minutes there.
@@amysteriousviewer3772I reckon we all feel that way because the combat segments take a while, but the show didn’t really miss much tbh
Anna Torv getting killed off early on almost killed the show in the cradle for me. Her in Fringe was one of the best performances. Seeing her in Boston again was a real throwback.
I really wish this episode was longer than 43 minutes. The giraffe scene really moved me in the game but not so much in the TV show. And as I've come to think about it, I think it's because the game allows you to just pause and watch the beautiful scenery and the animals in a peaceful and safe environment. And the beautiful music continuing to play in the background. You're allowed to soak in this happiness in the game for as long as you like but the show forces you to move on pretty quickly.
I feel like the pacing choices were kinda bizarre after episode 5
PART 2 SPOILERS**** If Neil Druckmann stays on for season 2, I don't think he'll change it all that much. Even after some backlash from the fans for part 2, he stuck by his choices. He said he knew half of the audience was not going to like where things went. And if he backs down from those choices for the show just because of studio and fan interaction, I think I'll be pretty disappointed. If Joel doesn't die near the beginning, I just don't see how they can follow any of the rest of the story for season 2. Or at least follow it and have it be as impactful. Good story telling is often very divisive.
Also Part II was the most awarded game ever until Elden Ring a few months ago. Druckmann knows his shit, and if this season was any indicator, he and Mazin are superb adapters
Neil is staying for Season 2. He's writing the next season right now with Mazin
How is good story telling divisive? That doesn't make any sense
They don’t need to change the story, they need to change how the story is told. I felt like a large reason why a portion of the audience couldn’t relate to the game was due to the pacing issues. As long as they fix that and maybe have the show focus on the story being told rather than trying to hammer in larger concepts, it could be brilliant.
@@ragingexodus My guess is S2 will start with the flashback sequences. If we know Abby’s past and motive from the start, people will probably sympathize with her decision more, despite hating it.
I like how he progressed through the types of gun just like in the game.
I would like for the second season to focus on Tommy's town and all the things they did in between this and the next show, how the relationship between Tommy and Joel has changed, fighting against raiders, Ellie actually getting to know some of the characters from the second game so that they have more development before that makes the show..... OOOOOOOOOOR, do a backstory season, how Joel went from Texas to Boston, meeting Tess, the fall-out with Tommy, really go deep into this world, how society changed, Joel learning to be a smuggler, how his anger developed to what we see in the game, pass business deals with Tess, there are 20 years between Sarah's death and when he met Ellie, a lot of things must have happened in that time.
Do whatever, but if they r killing Pedro Pascal I ain't watching shit
@@ankursingh9548 cool bro. Than don’t watch. The other 50+ million people will be watching.
That... does not sound compelling at all.
@@JDisclmd only die hard supporter of 2nd video game will watch. General audience will quit. let's be practical, How many female lead movies make money? U will replace a big star and expect it to be success??
@@ankursingh9548 Joel needs to die. Maybe they will kill him at the end of Season 2.
Pedro Pascal is such a great actor. I hope he wins an Emmy for this role 🙌
Amazing show. Thanks for covering it Chris, it was fun to hear your thoughts every week!
The show was great. I just felt like it went by so fast though, I think they could've stretched it out a bit longer. I thought they were going to stretch out Sam & Henry for 2 episodes & the David (the cannibal) into 2 episodes, like I wanted to see the part where Sam gets separated with Joel & Ellie gets separated with Henry, but basically each major plot point of the game was one episode of the show. There were a lot of time skips in the show as well, which are likely the parts where you're exploring in the game, but that also became a lot of bonding time between Joel & Ellie which I feel we didn't get much of that in the show. I was also hoping for the space shuttle scene. The show also needed more infected, they didn't even feel like a threat in the show after episode 5. I think they will keep Joel until the end of Season 2, or I at least hope they do, we need more Joel.
Space shuttle scene is actually the first flashback in Part 2. Takes place after Joel and Ellie have moved into Jackson
@@ChristianJayTheCTrain Oh dang, haven't played them in so long, I thought that was from the first game. Lol
I think they'll kill him but the flashbacks will keep him coming back, and to compensate for star power, they might have more flashbacks
@@vedaryan334 this is actually a smart move and I am all up for it if they go this route!
@@vedaryan334 I think killing him off in the Season finale would be a good gut punch though for the people who haven't played the game, & a good part to end the season on. If they kill him off early, I'm not sure how they will stretch out part 2 into two seasons. Also, killing him off early might lose some fans, as it did in the game.
All three of us (husband, adult son, and me) said the same damn thing when the guy failed to cover the baby’s ears, too! My hubby has a hearing loss so we thought we were sensitive to that part of the scene because of his hearing loss. Now I think it’s more universal as far as protecting kids.
Such a great show! I’m so glad I watched the whole season with both my guys who are also big fans of the game before it was adapted.
That scene where The Last of Us went through the hospital killing everyone reminded me of the police station scene from Terminator 1. Pablo did an amazing job playing The Last of Us
Ellie does mention Riley in the ending of the game. It was their way of teasing the DLC - while also giving her something to open up about to Joel. I also forgot about this until my recent playthrough.
I hope so much they adapt Part 2 closely. The journey is so extremely worth the pain it inflicts
Marlene: (as Firefly leader) cover the baby’s ears… (walks off, gunshot)
Ellie: (cries)
Marlene: You know, we’re gonna have some real problems if you Fireflies can’t follow simple instructions
Well, they are some incompentent and slow bunch do they. No wonder Joel can single handedly massacre a building full all of them
They weren’t Fireflies back then.
I mean you arent blocking the sound of a gunshot no matter what you do to her ears. It’s still an incredibly loud, violent sound thats certainly going to make the little one cry no matter what you do. Feels like a reasonable assumption he did as she said and the baby just cried because a small explosion went off twenty feet from her.
@@gestaposantaclaus they was fireflies the farm Anna runs into had a firefly symbol on the silo
@@gestaposantaclausyeees they were indeed. The farm had fireflies logo painted on it.
According to articles, yes, Season 2 will adapt Part 2 immediately.
As to what you said Chris,
SPOILERS FOR PART 2:
I think Joel should die in episode 1. It's the inciting incident of the ENTIRE story of Part 2. Joel's death is what kicks off everything, you can't have it happen at the end of the season. Then people say, well, what about just have an in between season before we get to Part 2. Ok, what story is there to tell? Ellie and Joel avoid each other because of Joel's inability to tell her the truth? What show would that be? Where would the infected fit in, where would the opposing factions fit in? That'd be pretty boring to be honest.
On the topic of star power, yeah, with 2020's media, even maybe way back in 2015, fandoms pretty much, IMO, ruin shows/movies/games. If there was a fandom around Sean Bean when GoT S1 came out, and then he dies at the end, would GoT still keep going? It's an interesting thought, but ultimately I think that is what fandoms are preventing us from having. Because now the writers and execs and producers have to keep the Pedro fans in mind, now yeah, there might be hesitancy to kill him off now, even though it serves a story purpose. It sucks honestly.
SPOILER WARNING FOR SEASON 2:
If was up to me the end of the first episode would be when Ellie walks down the stairs and finds Joel being tortured. Then the start of episode 2 is when it happens because I feel like if they kill him at the end of episode 1 many people won't be interested in episode 2.
But if they kill him at the beginning of episode 2 they have around 40 minutes to try and keep you interested. That's just for the Joel fans at least.
SPOILERS FOR PART 2
I think it would be a massive mistake to kill Joel off immediately, the game has major pacing and structure issues that wouldn't work for a tv show format, they'll probably split tlou 2 into 2 seasons, so season 2 should cover the 5 year period, developing Joel and Ellie's relationship and developing and exploring Abby's character which felt rushed in the games via the flashbacks and season 2 ends with Joel's death.
Season 3 then should be the main vengeance storyline with Ellie and Abby happening at the same time.
The main issue with the game is that it traded what could've been a great story with emotional moments for a messy structure that just made me not connect to the story, doing it the way the game did in the show would make it a major mess in my opinion
I’m curious as to if they should keep the sort of disjointed flashback storytelling style of part 2 and if it would work on screen. In part 2 you get a lot of flashbacks and different perspectives that don’t make sense until near the end of the game.
@@jasondylan12345 I have mixed feelings on the structure of the game, on one hands it’s confusing at first, but on the other hand, not having Abby’s perspective at the beginning of the game when Joel dies really helps to put the audience in Ellie’s shoes
Seeing Joel and Ellie survive up until that point.
I agree with you that there should have been more episodes exploring and expanding their journey. In the end I was left wanting more of Joel and Ellie just moving through the world and building their relationship. Also the choice to not feature more of the 'infected' set pieces from the game was disappointing. So many memories of the game are tied to the horror of the infected and moving through environments terrified of alerting them...moments like that could have worked amazingly well in the show and really solidified Joel and Ellie's bond in them surviving those situations together. What's really odd to me is the decision to ditch the idea of 'spores' from the game and the characters (apart from Ellie of course) having to wear gas masks. They introduced the idea of the 'tendrils' to replace the spores seemingly because they didn't want to hide the characters faces behind gas masks. But then there really weren't enough encounters with infected to justify that choice and the whole idea of the tendrils being able to alert infected from miles away was just quietly forgotten. I loved the show overall and think they did an amazing job. It made some great new additions but also left out some things that really should (and could) have been preserved. Ultimately I still prefer the game, but understand its hard to be completely objective about the show having played it multiple times.
I’d be totally down for a last of us 1.5. I agree that season one felt a little too fast paced at times, and this might help slow things down. You could also get into some of the flashback scenes from part two before the meat of that story begins, which might help with some of the pacing/structural problems people had with part two
I kind of liked it better not knowing how or why Ellie was immune. I'm not the biggest fan of the 2nd game, but I'm guessing season 2 will follow the same as season 1.
They've said Pt2 was gonna take 2 seasons to do, and I hope that if they do follow the game that they make season 2 be comprised of the flashback sections of the game, then have the present day stuff be Season 3.
But the structure of part 2 is built with a very specific intent. For example Joel's last conversation with Ellie flashback was being built on by having the player question what their last conversation was very early in game.
I mean instead of flashbacks they could just add more stuff.. we know there’s a time skip between the games, seasons 2 should be mostly about that time skip..And the cliffhanger for seasons 2 could be the beginning of TLOU part 2
@BC animações I get that, but that would be one of the changes they'd have to make. One of the mistakes of the game was making us dislike a protagonist before giving the audience something to emotionally attach to with the character first. Another was not giving us enough time with our "heroes" before getting rid of them.
I think them building a stronger relationship between Joel, Ellie, and the audience before doing that thing will better connect us to the story than strictly adhering to the order of events in the game, so long as the general theme still gets across.
I hope Neil gets to incorporate his original idea of having Owen's gang infiltrate Jackson learn and find Joel instead of them just blind luck meeting him in the wild and lure him in...
There is no way they are just doing a whole season as the flashbacks. Most I could see is them altering the structure a bit to have Ellie and Abby’s story told in parallel as opposed to one after the other.
I absolutely love the 1st season. My only (very very minor) issue with it was, exactly as you said, I wanted 1-2 more episodes, and a few more infected. For example when Ellie meets David, they should have had an infected around that area (maybe not as many as in the game, but at least 1).
I'm on the fence about what I expect from the future season(s), since I wasn't quite fond of the 2nd game "decision" (talked about in the spoiler part of the video) and its conclusion. However, as much as I would like for them to change it, I'm also a huge advocate of following the source material as close as possible, and, for once we have a series that does it so beautifully. And now I expect them not to? I'm so torn! xD
Druckman already confirmed there's gonna be "massive" changes. I forget how he phrased it, but said it's changing.
@@zap7737 I'm intrigued. 😁
@@NickSST Same same. Cause changes definitely need to be made. Not necessarily with what happens, but when they happen. But also the main issue with the game, was the "incident" happened so early and then you're FORCED to play as Abby and then forced to empathize with her, instead of the reverse. Have me connect with her first, see her side, then the incident happens and people will be more conflicted, instead of just out right "fuck that bitch".
@@zap7737 I totally agree!
Actually Ellie does mention Riley in the actual ending of the game to Joel even though it was before the DLC. Ellie in the game says to him " Back in Boston, back when I was bitten, I wasn't alone. My best friend was there too. We didn't know what to do, so she says let's wait out. You know we can be all poetic and just lose our minds together. I'm still waiting for my turn. Her name was Riley and she was the first to die."
Loved these reviews of the show. Thank you so much for doing these videos this season!
The trick with Joel in part 2 is that - it's the inciting incident for the whole thing. But also I feel like people forget how many flashbacks we get as the game rolls on - and now we know this show can be VERY good and heartwrenching with any flashback, too. I think we're in good hands, even if I'm not ready to see it, yet!
This episode made me so uneasy! No one gave Ellie any agency, which felt especially messed up after the previous episode. With that “ok”, I don’t think Ellie really believed Joel. I think she just made a choice about how she wanted to continue their relationship. The lie was easier to swallow than the truth that Joel betrayed her.
SEASON 2 SPOILERS AHEAD. (Don't look at the replies to this comment either if you don't want spoilers.)
My guess is they’re knocking out Joel in the 1st episode next season. HBO knows the buzz and controversy that twist is gonna generate will be unmatched. Plus Bella Ramsey has proven she can step up and carry this thing 💪
Please stop posting spoilers on UA-cam. It is not reddit where the spoilers can be hidden. I was just scrolling your comment and randomly got this major spoiler before I could realize what I was reading.
They will not start the second season with offing Joel, that would be an awful decision and just piss the viewers off. I’d even say it’s more likely he doesn’t die in season 2. Neil did say there would probably be 3 seasons, I reckon it’d be in the final season
@@nisathsalsabilrob1680 I'm very sorry. I did not mean to spoil it for anyone. I wanted to reply to Chris' spoilery thoughts at the end of his video, but I should've formatted my comment better. Just edited it.
@@wDoucheCanoe Tbh I do not think they are going to care one bit about pissing viewers off. The people who signed on to adapt TLOU did so knowing that they're gonna alienate some of the audience with season 2. I haven't even played the game, and I know it set the entire internet on fire.
With a different network it might be a different story, but HBO is down to take big risks like that.
@@nicole_1747 no worries. Thank youuu
I hope we get an episode of young Joel to finally see just how much more vicious he was and what the hell this man has done because the way he swept that hospital almost looked like child’s play for him???
But yeah bella, Pedro and the entire team are sweeping all their Emmy’s next year.
They're eligible this year. The Emmy's is in September.
I'm one of the ones who loved Part 2. To me that's the story. Joel's lie to Ellie has consequences. His killing spree in the hospital has consequences. I love Joel. But part two deals with all of that. In a very harsh and real way. To me that's the story. Joel's murder. Ellie's rage and PTSD. Ellie losing her humanity and finding it again at the end and finally letting that rage go and moving on (Leaving Joel's guitar behind). And the Villains not being what they seem by forcing you to see the consequences of revenge and violence. And that circle of rage and how destructive it is. I know why some people hate it. It's fun to mindlessly kill everything in video games. In Part Two. That dog you killed had a name and she was a good girl. Nobody won at the end. It made no one feel better. It just left a lot of good people dead. It's a hard ending to swallow. People want their games to be simple and black and white. That's the bad guy we hate them we kill them. "Nobody ever thinks they're the bad guy"-Negan (Walking Dead)
Well done Chris. This might be the tightest review of yours to date. It makes me want to start a youtube channel to review this review and give this an A+. Loved every minute of it. Can't wait for the Season 2 Finale Review. If I could nit-pick one thing, it would be I simply want more it.
Great review! I was absolutely blown away by how much they were able to pack into this episode. I do wish that it was longer and we got more action, especially with the walkers, but I’m not disappointed at all. I hope they do take some of the feedback for season 2, but I’m very impressed with how faithfully they were able to adapt the game (for the most part). I don’t think it’s fair to say that the show did a better job with portraying Joel as brutal and not a “good person,” because as someone who finished the game again recently, I can confidently say that the game absolutely hammered it home
Lmao you had the same reaction as me with not covering the baby's ears. I was like "Bro. You had one job and couldn't even do that. That baby is traumatised for life."
Baby wouldn’t even remember it.. literally had spent 4 minutes in the world
@@firstlast9846 A large blast like that near a baby so young could damage their hearing. Hence why Marlene told him to cover her ears.
Marlene was like, "Cover the baby's ears. This will be loud" and then not even bother to close the door.
@David I was the same way and I’m an Uncle of 4, I was like “MF, Are you Shitting me?” And yes with person above me I was thinking the same thing too and distance from the gun blast was like maybe 10-15 feet max. It can be bad on adults but much worse on babies.
@@firstlast9846 you underestimate the power of childhood trauma
Amazing ending to an absolutely outstanding series!
It was wonderful watching Craig Mazin's highly faithful rendition, critical scenes being unchanged. No need to fix perfection! 😎
wonderful isnt the word. Rushed is. For most of it they copied cut scenes verbatim. They need to expand the stories and the world not just make the cliff notes version.
@@purefoldnz3070 Having briskly paced episodes with minimal filler content does not equal rushed. I agree, some of the verbatim scenes annoyed me (as superior versions already exist) BUT they were necessary for helping others understand and convey the charm of TLOU. Only actual gamers complained about specific "missing" content. Everyone else was generally highly satisfied, but left wanting more (which is a good thing)! 😉
@@KrimsonKracker when I say rushed that is an understatement. Hell they barely had 30 mins to wrap up the finale episode. Once you take out the flashback and opening credits that's 30 mins. The average length of a sitcom. If you don't think this series was rushed you are clearly out your mind.
@@purefoldnz3070 They definitely skipped right to the point, no question. Everything frivolous was cut. I think we ALL would have appreciated more time with these characters and show, which we're thankfully getting in coming seasons. 😉
@@KrimsonKracker they really needed to show more infected to show that world is dangerous and a cure is urgently needed but we didnt really see any except for a flashback. Obviously HBO didnt know the show would be a hit and gave them less episodes and less of a budget to tell the story. I did some digging and TLOU had half the budget of House of the Dragon .
Best way to go forward is for season 2 to be centered around Joel and Ellie’s life in Jackson, introducing new characters and dynamic shifts. Basically it’d be all the flashbacks of the 2nd game rolled into a season dedicated to fleshing out the relationships of some of the characters Ellie meets in the 2nd game. This would allow the story to breath and let the 2nd season be a bridge between the games.
They're just doing the second game, already confirmed by druckman
I really liked the show, but something about it left me feeling like it could have been better. I feel like we didn’t spend enough time with Joel. In the end, there were essentially 3 episodes of this 9 episode series where he was basically not in it at all. I get that those episodes/scenes were all to serve his and Ellie’s characters, but I just felt like they could have expended on the relationship a little bit more, or added/expanded on a few more scenes to really solidify things and bring it home. That may be a very “I played the game and spent 15+ hours with these characters” point of view, or maybe that’s even just me wanting more of a justification for the decision Joel makes in the end, but I don’t know. Just my thoughts.
Joel's final rampage didn't feel earned, when in any other story it would have felt like a victory. It felt cold and misguided, and the direction did a terrific job at making me feel so uneasy and reluctant to root for a character that I had really fallen in love with. The Last Of Us is a masterclass in subversion.
You're gonna love season 2 even more if youre a fan of stories that use subversion and make you feel uneasy
100% agree. I never played the games but if you kill Pedro Pascal early in S2, idk how that's going to sit with people. My parents are watching the show solely because of him right now 😂
Exactly what my parents said. "I'm only watching for Joel", lol.
I think if people like the show they will continue too watch it for Ellie. If your watching something solely on an actor and nothing else then that’s the wrong way to watch a show. You should be watching because you like the show and the world not just because of an actor. When Glen died in the Walking Dead I didn’t say okay that’s it I’m not watching anymore. I continued on and absolutely loved Negan even though he killed someone I liked.
That's the same dilemma the game had which is why it was so divisive. If season 2 sticks to Part 2 it will be just as divisive.
I think the reaction to that will be... interesting.
I think it'll be Abby who could cause people to tune out, especially if Season 3 is entirely about her.
I love this series as a whole, lots of extra story bits and explorations that brought so much...
But damn did this last episode give me GotT season 8 vibes with how fast it went.
I get this sentiment to a degree, but I really feel like it would have angered the fans of the game if they expanded on it anymore than they already did at this point. I mean, after the winter arc with David, there really isn't that much left that happens in the game: Joel and Ellie get to the city, there's a ton of just gameplay where they're exploring and traversing the city ruins, they get found by the fireflies, Joel kills everyone, and they go to Jackson. It doesn't take long to do in the game, either
One thing I would have liked to see from the game is Ellie giving the picture of Sarah to Joel in the Triage. I loved that moment because, in my opinion, was the culmination of Joel's character development. Throughout the entire game, he was running away from Sarah and his grief. But finally you see this facade break down, as symbolized in him accepting the photo of Sarah which before he had refused. He's finally allowing the emotions he's kept bottled up all these years to come out and let his old self return and grow close to other people. He's been healed, or at least has started the process. I know that the Triage scene in the show served the same purpose, I just preferred the game version.
Agreed
If I'm not mistaken I'm the game she told Joel about Riley in the end. During Ellie's snow section you check her book bag and Riley's firefly tag is in her book bag. So the seeds was already there
I think they caused a problem by showing how Ellie became immune. It’s also implied Marlene knows how she’s immune. So it seems to be repeatable, therefore making Ellie significantly less important.
Marlene doesn’t know that Ellie is immune because Anna tells her she gave birth BEFORE being bit. It does explain why Marlene didn’t kill Ellie right away after seeing her bite at the mall, and rather waited to see what happened to her.
Maybee that's what they've been doing. And Part III will be about how there's a new generation of motherless infants who are immune
They pulled a Marvel's Blade back story lol
I feel like I’m the only one who felt like this episode gave me whiplash. The pacing felt really off; I didn’t have enough time to process everything going on. I didn’t feel the tension, suspense or emotional payoff like I did during episode 8. Granted, I haven’t played the game.
you described my feelings about the episode to a T.
Would love to see a prequel series with tommy and Joel. I think it would be great to see the grittiness of survival immediately after the outbreak.
No, very boring.
thats cliche and done to death
In my case I wanted more. More of Joel and Ellie just hanging out talking, getting to know each other better. The last episode feels a little rush but well made at the same time so I can’t complain much.
That's what you have the game for.
Yeah I played the game. The game is perfect. But if you are only watching the series you end up wanting for more and not exactly TLOU2.
Thank you for reviewing the Last of Us each week. Felt like I was watching it with you. Cannot wait for season 2.
It's gonna be a fat minute til season 2. Apparently later 2024, too far away.
Here's my biggest issue with the last part of the game and show: The Surgeons were going to perform this surgery on Ellie. But the fact that she doesn't know what it was going to do to her means that they did not inform her, or Joel for that matter, what this procedure would cause before putting her under.
Does that mean informed consent doesn't exist in the Post-Apocalypse? And even if Joel isn't a legal guardian, they were going to kill Ellie just for the chance of a cure, and were willing to go to any length to do that, even keeping the truth from the person they were killing to do it.
So how is any of what Joel did questionable?
Killing people who surrendered and/ or were already disabled. He didn't simply kill those who stood in his way.
That's the beauty of the story isn't it there can be an argument for either side.
@Robbie O Mahony That's ultimately the idea. I don't hate the ending at all, I still love The Last of Us 1 and this season.
Everything could have been avoided if Ellie would have made that choice in front of Joel. Fireflies waited for years, but now these guys couldn't even wait for a day to sort out everything. Did they expect Joel to just say okay and leave? (I know this is fiction, but man it hurts to see them go to waste and mess up the relationships.)
Joel from his life experience learnt that once someone betrays him they will betray him again given the chance. So, he is not wrong at eliminating every potential enemy.
And the cure? Hell naw. They were just guessing. And first guess is hardly the right one. They didn't even test the blood samples or did MRI scans and confirmed what they are guessing. It takes time for that, doesn't it?
I think the way they filmed Joel’s rampage at the hospital will actually make audiences much more accepting of what’s coming in season 2. Some will definitely be unhappy but I don’t think it’ll be the same toxic gamer rage that occurred with the game.
That and the fact it’ll be a 2 year gap between TV seasons, not a 7 year gap between games, where you might have forgotten just how many bodies Joel left behind in his quest to protect Ellie.
If you are looking for perspective from someone who hasn't played the games and doesn't know what is coming in season 2, I've personally lost any empathy for Joel's character. In a fringe world that begs for stability and professional competence, he selfishly destroyed what was at the most the cure to an apocalyptic unsolvable problem, and at the very least killed the rare people with the ability to saved lives through already established medicine. I don't think I care for Ellie's character like the show wanted me to and others do because I think she should have died for the cause. If I was a writing this show I know exactly what I'd do. Ellie feels like a burden. She feels responsible for all of the death that she's experienced. Learning that Joel selfishly lied to save her when she feels personally responsible would completely shatter any compassion she has for Joel. I'd have Ellie kill Joel, her fall into a deep period of self loathing and depression (its hard to imagine suicide wouldn't cross the mind), and she'd be saved by finding what she's never really been able to find and keep, love.
@@kyleliegel I'm glad you had the intended takeaway from this episode. There's so many people who literally think "Joel did nothing wrong" and it's appaling. Even with the minor changes that made like having him kill the surrending Firefly soldiers, I've even seen people justify it with "that's what you need to do in combat. The second Joel turns away he would have picked his gun back up and shot". Not even trying to be insulting, these people are literally psychopaths who are cool with war crimes
@@BthIX I find it quite sickening the number of people who say "I'm a parent, Id' murder them all too, Joel did absolutely nothing wrong." Nope. The game creators wanted to make a morally murky final scene and to provoke discussion and thought about what exactly "unconditional love" can truly lead to. It's disturbing how many people don't even give it a second thought.
FWIW yes I have kids, including a daughter exactly Ellie's age in the game. Watching episode 8 really hurt. Would I kill in self defense to protect my family? Sure. But would I murder a score of people, including one of the last remaining medicos who could possibly save humanity? I'd like to think I'd at least consider the greater good first.
But again, it's great writing because even if you deplore Joel's choice and actions, you understand 100% why his trauma leads him to this action.
Unfortunately, after David violated Ellie and broke part of her spirit, she's now suffered another violation, a removal of autonomy, but this time by Joel 😞
@@BthIX The Fireflies in the Game are not the Saints the Show tries to make you belive. They are a Terrorist Organisation that blow up Checkpoints and are also responsible for many Civilian deaths.
Also they wouldn‘t just give everybody the vaccine or whatever. Hell they don‘t even have any infrastructure or way to produce alot of it, let alone ship it to all parts in the Country.
They wanted to Kill a Kid without even asking her. The Vaccine woule been used for Political reasons and not for ethical reasons like :
You Join us then you get the Vaccine, or you don‘t join us then you can fuk yourself.
That‘s why Joels decision was right.
This is my favorite season of a television series. Period. I loved everything about it. The re-watchability of this show is unreal to me, as someone who doesn't typically re-watch things a heck of a lot.
Totally with you on just wanting 'more' - same! but actually HBO ordered 10 episodes, and the creatives ended up combining 101 and 102 to make the premiere episode one single episode with longer runtime.
It was originally supposed to end with Joel throwing the deceased infected child onto the pyre, but executives said it wouldn't have hooked the audience if it had ended there. Plus, we wouldn't have met Ellie if they ended it there for 101.
Got you made such a great point with what they could do for season 2. I hope they explore the story more before going straight to part 2