I love video essays like this. And imo the single aspect of TLOU part I that made it so great is the build up to the father/daughter dynamic between Joel and Ellie. I know people who will vehemently argue against this and/or refuse to hear it said in plain English, but all I'd point to is the opening scene. It was a very precise narrative choice to open with Joel desperately cradling Sarah, likewise with how it ends with Joel desperately cradling Ellie in much the same way. I'll also say the game does a much better job at capturing this dynamic because of the subtlety in which it is developed, where as the show continuously spoils the games well built narratives with poor dialogue, almost as if to underestimate the audience. But that's just my opinion, & thanks for uploading the video. It was very engaging and well thought out.
Hey, thanks so much for the kind comment and for watching the video! I couldn’t agree more with what you said. TLOU is a special game and executes its vision nearly perfectly. The dynamic between Joel and Ellie is masterfully done.
I agree on your point about the show too. I’ve only watched a couple episodes, but from what I’ve seen it feels like the show has lost a level of subtlety that made the game work so well.
Thanks to everyone who tuned into the premiere, and everyone who has watched the video afterwards! This was a slightly different style of video than I have made before, but I am looking to continue this story-focused content for my next few projects.
It’s funny to see how 10 years on this relationship just works so well. It’s almost the whole concept around the hatred of part 2. In a different world you could make a handful more of stories with these two. This game pretty much has defined a single player narrative that involves 2 companions. Even so I don’t think you can copy paste them, again pt2. We know so little with both Joel and Ellie aside from what the story contextualizes aside from their current interactions. You play the game as the relationship evolves and in both cutscenes, dialogue, gameplay and non gameplay they evolve. I still wonder what another adventure full on would be like, though ND made a controversial stand that was never going to please anyone. I just hope we get to explore Joel in the past and Ellie in the future in a way that can address commonalities and maybe reunite them in a story theoretic once again fir the finale time
Well said. I haven’t played 2, but I have heard spoilers, and it doesn’t seem focused on capturing the same relationship as the first game. Since Ellie and Joel’s relationship is the true magic of pt1, it is difficult to see how a pt2 could live up to it. I’ll have to visit it myself in the future and give it a fair look. I agree though, I hope in a hypothetical pt 3 they find a way to explore Joel and Ellie again
I love this essay about the last of us, moreover from how I see it from the Giraffe at Utah where Joel tells Ellie that we can turn back to me it sounds like they can take a break since Ellie is not in the right state of mind can the show fleshes it out more with him saying that throughout their journey from Tess, Bill, Henry, Sam and David there's been hordes of infected, death and in Ellie's case almost being assaulted. Him telling Ellie that they could turn back, to me it's showing that Joel is worried about Ellie's wellbeing. Edit: also you earned a new subscriber and have a better appreciation of writing.
Joel saying turn back is what we call... INTUITION. He and ellie can feel as there journey ends this us not something they will.just walk away from. So he's thinking ignorance is bliss
@@robogreek3157 I think that interpretation makes a lot of sense, and I could definitely see it being that way. I have always taken it as his desire for Ellie's happiness and well-being above all else
40:30 While I completely agree that Ellie herself is the main/biggest reason for Joel's final decision, I believe that his perception of the fireflies heavily contributed to his decision being something that needed little to no contemplation. Like you said in the first part of the video, Joel was never an idealistic guy and he doesn't really take the fireflies seriously. He doesn't believe in them or their goal. And throughout his entire journey with Ellie, the fireflies show no sign of competence or reliability. They leave areas empty, they don't leave notes specifically for Ellie/Joel, basically they never carried their own weight throughout the entire game. Joel gave Ellie to them on a silver platter and they show no respect for either Ellie nor Joel. So to me, all of that plus the fact that the fireflies were actively threatening Joel, is partly why he gave them no chances. It's quite evident with how panicked Joel's voice is at the hospital run that he's not entirely devoid of guilt. You can hear him mutter "Oh god". This can either be seen by the player as him simply being scared of being killed or him not actually being 100% unashamed of what he's doing. To me, it's the latter seeing as he still showed hesitation during his last talk with Marlene. This, to me, is further supported by his deep sigh after he shot Marlene the first time. To me, Joel wasn't completely cold-hearted or ruthless at all at the end of the game. To me, he was put in a tight spot with no other choice than survival. He'd rather be the "bad guy" than to put his people at risk. I'd also like to add that Joel somewhat apologized to Ellie about the gun thing albeit indirectly. He tells her "Just so we're clear back there, it was either him or me". To which Ellie responda with "You're welcome" implying that she acknowledged the apology/gratitude. Loved this video and I was able to ponder on some stuff because of it. It made me like Joel a lot more than I already do. Would love to see your take on Part II. Not sure if we'd have the same thoughts but nevertheless I feel like I'd be able to learn a thing or two from whatever you have to say about it.
I think this is a great analysis! Thanks for sharing. I’m considering doing a video on the second, if I end up having something novel to say after I beat it. I have a few planned videos before that, but I may circle back in a few months!
Mate, I hope you play the part 2, I myself saw the leaks/spoilers back in 2020 and saw the user reviews and decided to avoid the game, 4 years later i visited my sister's house and to my surprise she had a PS5 and part 2 lying around, i said why not and played it, I understood why people disliked it but man personally i liked it a lot, obviously not as good as part 1 but the joel and ellie dynamic is complex and very well written, every dialogue and cutscene between them is incredible and beautiful, while I don't like certain other story aspects, the experience of how the bond unfolds between them in part 2 is 10/10, i hope you experience the part 2 yourself and make a video one day. Thank you for this video and cheers !
I’ve only seen a couple episodes, so I can’t speak on the whole show. From what I’ve seen though, it’s a pretty good adaptation. However it seems that they went a bit away from the ambiguity I talk about in this video in certain ways and lost a bit of the little nuances I like. What do you think?
That’s definitely a valid opinion. What I like about the last of us is that it leaves us room to have our own opinions of Joel and his actions. I haven’t played TLOU 2 so I can’t vouch for Abby one way or the other
@AlphaFeverDreams that makes a lot of sense, thanks for sharing! From what I've heard about the game, it seems like a case of good intentions, but lacking in execution. I plan on checking it out myself someday, maybe for a video!
@@calvinfishermedia I wouldn't believe this guy's comment. Abby lacks the thoughtfulness that Joel has for people he cares for. Abby only thinks about herself for the most part of the game and just randomly tries to "do good".
I love video essays like this. And imo the single aspect of TLOU part I that made it so great is the build up to the father/daughter dynamic between Joel and Ellie. I know people who will vehemently argue against this and/or refuse to hear it said in plain English, but all I'd point to is the opening scene. It was a very precise narrative choice to open with Joel desperately cradling Sarah, likewise with how it ends with Joel desperately cradling Ellie in much the same way. I'll also say the game does a much better job at capturing this dynamic because of the subtlety in which it is developed, where as the show continuously spoils the games well built narratives with poor dialogue, almost as if to underestimate the audience. But that's just my opinion, & thanks for uploading the video. It was very engaging and well thought out.
Hey, thanks so much for the kind comment and for watching the video! I couldn’t agree more with what you said. TLOU is a special game and executes its vision nearly perfectly. The dynamic between Joel and Ellie is masterfully done.
I agree on your point about the show too. I’ve only watched a couple episodes, but from what I’ve seen it feels like the show has lost a level of subtlety that made the game work so well.
Thanks to everyone who tuned into the premiere, and everyone who has watched the video afterwards! This was a slightly different style of video than I have made before, but I am looking to continue this story-focused content for my next few projects.
It’s funny to see how 10 years on this relationship just works so well. It’s almost the whole concept around the hatred of part 2. In a different world you could make a handful more of stories with these two. This game pretty much has defined a single player narrative that involves 2 companions. Even so I don’t think you can copy paste them, again pt2. We know so little with both Joel and Ellie aside from what the story contextualizes aside from their current interactions. You play the game as the relationship evolves and in both cutscenes, dialogue, gameplay and non gameplay they evolve. I still wonder what another adventure full on would be like, though ND made a controversial stand that was never going to
please anyone. I just hope we get to explore Joel in the past and Ellie in the future in a way that can address commonalities and maybe reunite them in a story theoretic once again fir the finale time
Well said. I haven’t played 2, but I have heard spoilers, and it doesn’t seem focused on capturing the same relationship as the first game. Since Ellie and Joel’s relationship is the true magic of pt1, it is difficult to see how a pt2 could live up to it. I’ll have to visit it myself in the future and give it a fair look. I agree though, I hope in a hypothetical pt 3 they find a way to explore Joel and Ellie again
If this guy was still in school, he would be the essay fisher, the essays are effortless yet highly informative
Haha thanks man!! I appreciate the compliment!
I think your soft and calm voice is great for these kinds of videos and helps me to relax and listen all the way through, all in all a great essay.
Thank you that means a lot! I am glad you enjoyed it.
I love this essay about the last of us, moreover from how I see it from the Giraffe at Utah where Joel tells Ellie that we can turn back to me it sounds like they can take a break since Ellie is not in the right state of mind can the show fleshes it out more with him saying that throughout their journey from Tess, Bill, Henry, Sam and David there's been hordes of infected, death and in Ellie's case almost being assaulted. Him telling Ellie that they could turn back, to me it's showing that Joel is worried about Ellie's wellbeing.
Edit: also you earned a new subscriber and have a better appreciation of writing.
That’s a great observation! Thanks for watching and subbing, I really appreciate it
Joel saying turn back is what we call... INTUITION. He and ellie can feel as there journey ends this us not something they will.just walk away from. So he's thinking ignorance is bliss
@@robogreek3157 I think that interpretation makes a lot of sense, and I could definitely see it being that way. I have always taken it as his desire for Ellie's happiness and well-being above all else
40:30 While I completely agree that Ellie herself is the main/biggest reason for Joel's final decision, I believe that his perception of the fireflies heavily contributed to his decision being something that needed little to no contemplation. Like you said in the first part of the video, Joel was never an idealistic guy and he doesn't really take the fireflies seriously. He doesn't believe in them or their goal. And throughout his entire journey with Ellie, the fireflies show no sign of competence or reliability. They leave areas empty, they don't leave notes specifically for Ellie/Joel, basically they never carried their own weight throughout the entire game. Joel gave Ellie to them on a silver platter and they show no respect for either Ellie nor Joel. So to me, all of that plus the fact that the fireflies were actively threatening Joel, is partly why he gave them no chances. It's quite evident with how panicked Joel's voice is at the hospital run that he's not entirely devoid of guilt. You can hear him mutter "Oh god". This can either be seen by the player as him simply being scared of being killed or him not actually being 100% unashamed of what he's doing. To me, it's the latter seeing as he still showed hesitation during his last talk with Marlene. This, to me, is further supported by his deep sigh after he shot Marlene the first time. To me, Joel wasn't completely cold-hearted or ruthless at all at the end of the game. To me, he was put in a tight spot with no other choice than survival. He'd rather be the "bad guy" than to put his people at risk.
I'd also like to add that Joel somewhat apologized to Ellie about the gun thing albeit indirectly. He tells her "Just so we're clear back there, it was either him or me". To which Ellie responda with "You're welcome" implying that she acknowledged the apology/gratitude.
Loved this video and I was able to ponder on some stuff because of it. It made me like Joel a lot more than I already do. Would love to see your take on Part II. Not sure if we'd have the same thoughts but nevertheless I feel like I'd be able to learn a thing or two from whatever you have to say about it.
I think this is a great analysis! Thanks for sharing. I’m considering doing a video on the second, if I end up having something novel to say after I beat it. I have a few planned videos before that, but I may circle back in a few months!
This intro was one of the best edits of the last of us I've seen
Wow that’s really kind of you to say! Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!
Agreed
Mate, I hope you play the part 2, I myself saw the leaks/spoilers back in 2020 and saw the user reviews and decided to avoid the game, 4 years later i visited my sister's house and to my surprise she had a PS5 and part 2 lying around, i said why not and played it, I understood why people disliked it but man personally i liked it a lot, obviously not as good as part 1 but the joel and ellie dynamic is complex and very well written, every dialogue and cutscene between them is incredible and beautiful, while I don't like certain other story aspects, the experience of how the bond unfolds between them in part 2 is 10/10, i hope you experience the part 2 yourself and make a video one day. Thank you for this video and cheers !
Thanks for watching and leaving the kind comment! I hope to play part 2 eventually and make a video on it!
Can't wait to hear your breakdown about joel and ellie's relationship in part 2! Looking forward to it !
What are your thoughts on the series?
I’ve only seen a couple episodes, so I can’t speak on the whole show. From what I’ve seen though, it’s a pretty good adaptation. However it seems that they went a bit away from the ambiguity I talk about in this video in certain ways and lost a bit of the little nuances I like. What do you think?
Awesome video
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Not me, Joel is a Murderer who needs to go to Anger Management classes, haha. Abby is easily the best character in the franchise.
That’s definitely a valid opinion. What I like about the last of us is that it leaves us room to have our own opinions of Joel and his actions. I haven’t played TLOU 2 so I can’t vouch for Abby one way or the other
@AlphaFeverDreams that makes a lot of sense, thanks for sharing! From what I've heard about the game, it seems like a case of good intentions, but lacking in execution. I plan on checking it out myself someday, maybe for a video!
During the apocalypse?? They all need therapy and anger management classes, including Abby lmao
Bro…
@@calvinfishermedia I wouldn't believe this guy's comment. Abby lacks the thoughtfulness that Joel has for people he cares for. Abby only thinks about herself for the most part of the game and just randomly tries to "do good".