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Post by PromNightCarrie on Feb 11, 2023 11:27:25 GMT
”Endure and Survive.” Hate cliffhangers or not, Ellie, if last week’s episode felt like an extended set up, this is a huge payoff. As critical as I was to last week’s episode, I can forgive a build up if the follow up is strong enough, and this is absolutely strong, and another return to form for the series’ gut-wrenching, heartbreaking roots. Full thoughts in spoilers. Henry and Sam get their time in the sun, and they are heart tugging soul of this episode. While the two brothers may have a lighter dynamic, with Henry less chastising of Sam’s childlike attitude, his new interpretation as an informant still fits neatly into the spirit of Henry’s character, of his desperation to keep his brother safe, even if it means to put others in danger: decisions with consequences that he may have yet to reconcile with.
Lamar Johnson is a spot on interpretation of Henry, no doubt, but Kevionn Woodard proves the real revelation, his version of Sam, a sensitive soul quashed by the bleak world of the infection, having some of the emotional - as well as visual highlights of the episode. The character’s newfound deafness adds some powerful new layers to his conversations with Ellie in particular, and the innocent bonding sessions formed between them.
But Melanie Lynskey makes the biggest turnover following last week’s episode, herself something of an inverse to Henry’s position. Her revolutionary leader is both tragic and sinister, furious with a violently fascist world, where even when empathy and forgiveness is asked for or even expected, so rarely is it given back in return. Also, Jeffrey Pierce makes a solid one-off appearance, as her closest confidant, and greatest enabler of her vengeful attitude.
The episode gets great mileage out of the mini-bottle episode in the episode’s beginning, before the extended stretch of suspense in the escape from Kansas City. Also, yeah, I squeed when we got to see the underground nursery. Obviously WE know the significance of Ish, but even for newcomers, it’s a nice bit of mystery left to the imagination, and provides a nice bonding moment for the child and parent surrogates. Perhaps a little too close to home for Joel.
The final third is where the build up really pays off, starting off with the minimal, but no less startling sniper run, leading into the rebellion assault on the nearby town, and the uprising of the underground infected.
And Bloaters, people! We got Bloaters! The reveal was as horrifying as I hoped it would be.
But then comes that final stretch, and somehow they made an already gut-wrenching twist that much more depressing, and a heartbreaking addition to Ellie’s motivation for her mission, her crippling survivor’s guilt, and desperation to make her immunity mean something. Her makeshift dedication to Sam at the gravesite… right in the feels. So I would say last week was a necessary evil. If it was a set up, it was an effective one for this follow-ups thrilling pay-offs, and emotional high points. While I would say there was probably a way to combine elements from this week’s episode, and give them to the last, the two of them still make a collectively great block of television. The moments between Ellie and Sam work well. Never played the game but called what would happen because I got the sense they needed to be a duo again for the story? I agree with you about the young actor as Sam. He didn't come off as a tv/movie kid, but instead a very real, gentle and sadly aware kid. Ellie started off to me as some typical annoyingly snarky teenager, but she's grown on me. Even though people don't seem to care for the last episode, I think that was when the Ellie character began to finally settle into the show. I'll add to that that Pedro Pascal as Joel is just perfect. A great lead for the series. I watch and think I would follow him anywhere.
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LaraQ
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Post by LaraQ on Feb 11, 2023 14:01:44 GMT
Same.Heartbreaking.
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Post by stephen on Feb 11, 2023 19:15:33 GMT
"Stay awake with me."
That line destroyed me.
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Post by stephen on Feb 11, 2023 19:24:32 GMT
I thought the episode itself was pretty faultless except for Kathleen's demise. Come on, grief-consumed or not, she's not gonna stop them mid-flight from a swarm of infected, only to be sneakily and slowly ambushed by a Clicker. I thought that was a completely ridiculous scene.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 11, 2023 22:30:55 GMT
"Stay awake with me." That line destroyed me. For me it was the "I'm sorry" note.
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Post by stephen on Feb 12, 2023 0:37:19 GMT
Also, I gotta say, I love the seeming indestructibility of the Bloaters. The fact that Perry emptied a full magazine into it and did fucking nothing to faze it made it all the more terrifying. Druckmann and Mazin did a fantastic job of making them well and truly terrifying, even if they're not lobbing spore grenades. I imagine we'll see them one more time, but man, wait until the Rat King .
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Post by Ryan_MYeah on Feb 12, 2023 1:36:03 GMT
Also, I gotta say, I love the seeming indestructibility of the Bloaters. The fact that Perry emptied a full magazine into it and did fucking nothing to faze it made it all the more terrifying. Druckmann and Mazin did a fantastic job of making them well and truly terrifying, even if they're not lobbing spore grenades. I imagine we'll see them one more time, but man, wait until the Rat King . I kind of want The Rat King saved towards the end of the series. Considering it’s canonized Patient Zero, I don’t know how you top the “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit” factor of it.
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Post by stephen on Feb 12, 2023 1:55:06 GMT
Also, I gotta say, I love the seeming indestructibility of the Bloaters. The fact that Perry emptied a full magazine into it and did fucking nothing to faze it made it all the more terrifying. Druckmann and Mazin did a fantastic job of making them well and truly terrifying, even if they're not lobbing spore grenades. I imagine we'll see them one more time, but man, wait until the Rat King . I kind of want The Rat King saved towards the end of the series. Considering it’s canonized Patient Zero, I don’t know how you top the “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit” factor of it. Oh, that definitely has to be saved for the last season, and in the way it was in that game. God, I really hope to see them laying the groundwork for Abby soon.
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VERITAS
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Post by VERITAS on Feb 12, 2023 2:30:02 GMT
Man alive...that episode...
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Post by DeepArcher on Feb 13, 2023 5:16:44 GMT
Ah yes, a grim alternate reality where Kansas City doesn't have refs to bail them out...
Kidding, kidding...
Getting criticisms out of the way first, I did find the giant zombie horde pretty silly. That coulda been a cool image in something tonally different, but in the given context it felt like 10 minutes where The Last of Us becomes the generic zombie shoot 'em up that The Last of Us famously has always avoided. Also just felt like a way too quick way to wrap up the KC storyline in general ...
Otherwise, I liked the episode!
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Post by stephen on Feb 20, 2023 19:02:45 GMT
This episode, I think, is the one that really shows Pascal and Ramsey's range and strength as actors, and they sell the dynamic perfectly. I am so happy they changed things up a little from the game and didn't have Ellie just run away because she overheard Joel and Tommy. I also prefer the way that the show highlights the reasons for Joel's doubts about continuing this journey -- he is feeling his age and he can't deal with losing his (surrogate) daughter again. This feels rawer and more potent than the game's take on it.
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Post by Ryan_MYeah on Feb 22, 2023 8:00:45 GMT
I never did give my full thoughts on the last episode, Kin. It’s hard for me to find new, creative ways to say “It’s a thing, and I love it.” So short version, love the breathing room is affords us, we get some Last of Us Part II building blocks (was that Dina my eye caught?), Luna’s a perfect Tommy, and Pascal and Ramsay’s emotional range is heartbreaking and raw. Pascal’s big scenes with Luna were gut-wrenching. Thought the college sequence lacked a *little* bit of the game’s punch, but all in all, just another great friggin’ episode.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 22, 2023 12:55:38 GMT
Turns out "I'm failing in my sleep" was unscripted, suggested by Pedro himself.
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LaraQ
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Post by LaraQ on Feb 24, 2023 14:48:18 GMT
Turns out "I'm failing in my sleep" was unscripted, suggested by Pedro himself. Really?.That was a hell of a line.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 24, 2023 15:20:03 GMT
Turns out "I'm failing in my sleep" was unscripted, suggested by Pedro himself. Really?.That was a hell of a line. Yeah, Mazin mentioned it on the podcast.
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Post by Ryan_MYeah on Feb 27, 2023 3:30:45 GMT
“ Left Behind”, episode 7, made me happy. The DLC is some of my absolute favorite material with Ellie, and while certainly more atmosphere and character over story, it succeeds in the same way those add ons did in fleshing out, and recontextualizing the actions, and the emotions of its greatest character. Full thoughts in spoilers. Set up in a very similar manner to “Long, Long Time,” in that the episode bookends with Joel and Ellie, but is more of a flashback bottle episode. It doesn’t take nearly the same bold liberties, as Ellie’s friendship with Riley was well documented, but it didn’t have to when what was there was already strong enough, and it was no less vital a character development tool.
Left Behind is a significant chapter for Ellie, in that it affords us a rare glimpse to the girl before, and the oft buried rays of innocence she had before she was forced to kill. That’s what makes Ellie so endearing, and quietly scary, because at the end of the day, she is still a kid. She’s still young enough that this is traumatizing, and so it’s heartbreaking to see her be stripped of that youthful naïveté, and unnerving in showing shades of the killer she could - and will - be.
As such, it affords Bella Ramsay some of her best work this season, and seeing her embody this carefree, aloof spirit of a kid enjoying her last night of pure happiness, had me grinning from ear to ear so often during this episode. Also, as a fan of the game, you had no idea how happy it made me to see her actually PLAY a video game.
But for this episode to work also depends on Riley. While Ramsay has been a titan this season, Storm Reid is no slouch in matching her energy, and for adding some more welcome depth to this character, as well as the show making effective moral debates over the Fireflies’ and Fedra’s conflicting, and overall flawed ideals.
What’s really important was that the two of them had chemistry, that even disregarding where that spark was going to lead, still would have felt infectious to watch, and featuring some of the most adorable interplay of the season. Product placement or not, the Victoria’s Secret bantering was so lovable to watch.
It also made the ending just as heartbreaking. I knew what was gonna happen, I knew it was all downhill after the kiss, and yet it still depressed me. But furthermore, I like what it continues to build, and what this season established before with Sam’s death. Ellie taking to heart that she should fight for those she loves, hence her decision not to abandon Joel, and her insistence on reaching the fireflies out of hope to produce a cure. If nothing else, I think the show had a gargantuan task in doing justice to Ellie’s character, and met the challenge ready and mighty. This one may be a bit of a breather, but it felt no less compelling as a welcome extension. Next week… Winter. Don’t know how I’m gonna brace for that one.
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LaraQ
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Post by LaraQ on Feb 28, 2023 12:31:47 GMT
Bella Ramsey continues to impress the hell out of me.So talented.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 28, 2023 12:54:08 GMT
Bella Ramsey continues to impress the hell out of me.So talented. Her immediate reaction to getting bitten was chefs kiss.
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Post by Ryan_MYeah on Mar 6, 2023 7:07:38 GMT
Episode 8, “ When We Are In Need,” was an episode I was anticipating seeing, but also dreading. Because as by far the most feral and grim section of the game, it is a lot to unpack, and the most emotionally devastating to endure. And this episode did not disappoint, embodying all of its nuanced, uncomfortable, and savage spirit in one harrowing block of television. Full thoughts in spoilers. It’s fitting that David, the man whose very motto is “Everything happens for a reason,” would be imagined as a God fearing pastor in the show. Which actually gives this episode not only some timely relevance, but an interesting, if critical added layer to the resort town’s outlook. Perhaps for some as an attempt to find reason for such awful events taking hold, some seeing it as a new lease on life, or even some who see it as justification for the drastic actions they take. That no matter how cruel, no matter how animalistic, the ends justify the means.
Despite physically being the least like his in-game character, Scott Shepherd is nothing short of phenomenal in his one-off role. David has the trickiest tightrope of any character in the game, needing to feel charismatic and soft-spoken enough that you understand why this town elected him as their leader, while also chilling and quietly menacing enough you can see him for the monster he truly is.
If you lean him too far over the edge, you throw off his entire character, and yet the show manages this balancing act seamlessly. As Shepherd is quite gentle, and fittingly honest in his softer segments, but also unhinged and frightening when that vicious true colors come out (and with his past history as a teacher, one has the eerie implication that before the outbreak, Ellie wasn’t his only prey).
Also, credit to Troy Baker as well, taking what was essentially a thankless bit part in the original story, and giving some deeper connection to his bond with David. It’s just a shame he’s not able to stick around, because Baker has the star-making power to command a major show role all his own.
With Joel injured and incapacitated, it also leaves Ellie feeling especially vulnerable, as she hasn’t fully hardened or seasoned as a survivor yet, throwing her into the lion’s den as she’s forced to take charge. She’s yet to become a truly tactical killer, relying more on her resourcefulness and cunning, over her true violent nature.
But violent she does become, leading to some of Bella Ramsay’s best work of the season, through her fear and projection to assert dominance over the strangers, and through her descent into her most violent instincts. Her gotcha with the finger is so satisfying in particular.
David’s death by Ellie savagely hacking him with a machete… yeah. As thoroughly satisfying as that is, it may be even more grueling in the show. Because as good as it is to watch David bite it, it is agonizing to see what it’s done to Ellie. She’s already endured so much at only 14, and to see her retreat into her most vicious, primal instincts feels devastating. A girl who used to be so exuberant and lively when you looked at her, now when you look in her eyes, you’ve seen that innocence drained from her very being. One thing is evident from here on: she won’t be the same girl she was. Like its in game counterpart, this episode is grim and even tough to watch, but still another strong chapter in its story. As we near the end of the season, a lot is going to rest on them sticking the landing. But with how strong and how effortlessly they’ve been delivering thus far, I have very confidence that this finale is going to deliver. I’ll just be sad once it’s over.
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Post by DeepArcher on Mar 6, 2023 17:30:37 GMT
Really enjoyed both 7 & 8. The Winter section was always my favorite part of the game, and I think it was effectively adapted. David was quite a bit less menacing than in the game, but I think Scott Shepherd's version might've been even more compelling.
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Post by stephen on Mar 7, 2023 21:48:11 GMT
It pains me to say it, but I think this episode was far and away the weakest of the run, and it's primarily due to composition and economy of plotting. The elements were all there: Ramsey is at her peak here, the interrogation setpiece is fantastic, and Scott Shepherd was excellent. But I just found it hard to believe that a barely conscious Joel could, in the span of a couple of hours, muster enough strength to overpower three armed men and then hike through the snow for miles to rescue Ellie. That tested my suspension of disbelief far more than it should have. I also was hoping that they wouldn't go the pedophile route with David. The game's portrayal of him as a skeevy menace was always the weakest element of the game for me, as I felt like it was a cheap way for us to immediately hate someone like him, and while I see why they did it (because it emphasizes that Ellie is still a little girl despite everything she has to endure), I thought they would take the opportunity to be a little more clever here. But nope, we get it outlined in bold neon letters. They could easily have made it a situation where David had turned to religion after losing a daughter (making him something of a counterpart to Joel), and that his interest in Ellie stemmed from a desperation to regain that. But nope, he's a creeper preacher, something we've seen countless times and we get nothing new out of it here. A missed opportunity, really. Also, the whole time that Joel and Ellie were limping from the burning building, I was yelling at them to get to cover, dammit. Was everyone sleeping?
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VERITAS
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Post by VERITAS on Mar 7, 2023 22:30:38 GMT
This last one is runner-up for my favourite episode of the season; hand Ramsey her flowers, Emmys, etc. Only disappointment from my end is that penicillin is typically injected in the butt...meaning we were robbed of las cheeks de senor Pascal. I should've been present during that scene to administer...not Ellie. Shame the finale reportedly has a runtime of only 47 minutes or so...although I can see them attempting to squeeze the final bits of the game's closure into that window...
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Archie
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Post by Archie on Mar 8, 2023 2:57:24 GMT
Now hear me out, Scott Shepherd as Micah in a Red Dead Redemption show.
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Post by stephen on Mar 8, 2023 3:12:47 GMT
Now hear me out, Scott Shepherd as Micah in a Red Dead Redemption show. Ten years ago, hell yeah.
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Archie
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Post by Archie on Mar 13, 2023 4:52:50 GMT
Liked this show a lot, but am I alone in thinking that the game did EVERYTHING better?
I duuno, it was hard for me to separate the two while watching.
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