Horror 'The Last of Us' HBO Series

[Drizzle]

This was a great episode, Bella Ramsey and Storm Reid's backs must be killing them because they owned that.

Spoiler

I was wrong in assuming that the episode would only consist of Ellie flashbacks to leave Joel's status in suspense but I absolutely loved that final scene where Ellie comes back to stitch him up. I was also incorrect in assuming that we'd see Ellie's birth in a flashback during this episode with Ashley Johnson playing her mom. I can only assume that'll be in the finale.

Good episode overall but it was kind of slow. Maybe one of my least favorite so far but that’s only because the other episodes have been near perfection for me.

I loved the episode but I totally get it, because the story of this episode is a significant break in the action that actually isn't part of the narrative of the original game. It was a storyline that was released as downloadable content about 8 months after the game originally came out. Even in the remasters and remakes of the game it's still a separate DLC that isn't woven into the main story. There are also a few added action moments in the DLC that weren't in the episode, like how

Spoiler

here Ellie finds the needle and thread in the house that she and Joel are taking shelter in but in the game, they're hiding out in an abandoned mall that was repurposed to a military base and Ellie has to search for medical supplies while also dealing with clickers and bandits. All the flashbacks with Riley in the mall (the carousel, photo booth, arcade, Halloween store) are directly pulled from the DLC.

 

[Arachnerd]

Sony's Soundtrack channel has started to post tracks of the show's music.



Now excuse me while I listen to this on loop.

 

[Kane52630]

Riley figuring out the fatalities that quickly is more sus.

To be fair, I believe the MK 2 cabinet had the moves and fatalities listed on the front of the cabinet.

On some they do like this

But the cabinet they had was the original which didn't. But I think there's a handbook somewhere where they list the moves.

 

[Drizzle]

I did love that the arcade was fully operational. In the game it's obviously not MKII because of copyrights that I'm sure was easier for HBO to secure but the machine isn't even working so Ellie (and the player) have to use their imagination:

 

[Kane52630]

Yeah I honestly liked the game version more but I get it, plus it makes sense if the power was on that the arcade games would be on too.

 

[Prison Mike]

I love that they put Troy into the show.

Who did he play? I missed him

 

[squeekness]

Great Episode .

Keep an eye on Storm Reid who played Reilly.

I think this young lady is going places in her future in Hollywood.
She's already had some appearances in some bigger films, but it'll be interesting to see her work as an Adult actress.

Agreed. We're going to be seeing a lot of her in the future.

 

[squeekness]

...that 'carnival' version of Just Like Honey was neat.

I saw The Cure a few years back and it's crazy how amazing they still sound.

Isn't that by Echo and the Bunnymen or am I confused on songs.....?

 

[Drizzle]

Yeah I honestly liked the game version more but I get it, plus it makes sense if the power was on that the arcade games would be on too.

I liked both versions but different mediums, I suppose. They had to get more creative with it in the game. Also as someone who misses the heyday of shopping malls from my childhood, I also appreciated seeing all the old storefronts. There are a few operational malls by me still but they're mostly just made up of chain restaurants and Target/Best Buy/Macy's.

Who did he play? I missed him

He's in the next episode but he's all over the preview.

 

[Luigi]

Who did he play? I missed him

Looks like he's playing

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James.

 

[Prison Mike]

Looks like he's playing

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James.

I don’t know who that is (I haven’t played the game), but I’m looking forward to it

 

[Drizzle]

Looks like he's playing

Spoiler

James.

Spoiler: Game spoilers

I know that Ellie kills him in the game but I can totally see them giving that job to Joel in the show for the novelty of show Joel killing "game Joel".

 

[antsman41]

Isn't that by Echo and the Bunnymen or am I confused on songs.....?

Oh my - I meant 'Heaven' and not 'Honey' (Jesus & The Mary Chain) // steal my Cure-fan card.

 

[antsman41]

I did love that the arcade was fully operational. In the game it's obviously not MKII because of copyrights that I'm sure was easier for HBO to secure but the machine isn't even working so Ellie (and the player) have to use their imagination:

I loved playing Crash Bandicoot on the PS2 in Nathan's apartment in the beginning of the last Uncharted game.

 

[BoredGuy]

On some they do like this

But the cabinet they had was the original which didn't. But I think there's a handbook somewhere where they list the moves.

Even WITH a list of moves though, fatalities were not easy
Had to get the timing just right... she'd have had to practice with Mileena all week before bringing Ellie there to pull that off lol

 

[Kane52630]

Listening to the insider podcast, apparently this shot was CG because they couldn't find the right mall.

 

[BoredGuy]

It's one pretty shot
Made me want to run out to the mall (which I also haven't done since before a global pandemic lol)

 

[Arachnerd]

Spoiler: Game spoilers

I know that Ellie kills him in the game but I can totally see them giving that job to Joel in the show for the novelty of show Joel killing "game Joel".

Spoiler

At first I thought they would have him be the guy Joel tortures to find out Ellie's whereabouts, but from what we've seen of the next episode's footage so far, it's making me wonder if after killing David in the restaurant, Ellie flees the scene and is pursued by him into the snowy wooden area (there's a shot of Ellie riding a horse and shooting at someone behind her, as well as what looks to be Troy Baker's character looming over someone in the preview, could be part of the same scene), gets the better of her and Joel comes in at the last second and kills him.

Would explain the different setting at least, but that's just speculation from my end.

 

[squeekness]

Oh my - I meant 'Heaven' and not 'Honey' (Jesus & The Mary Chain) // steal my Cure-fan card.

View attachment 62662

It's all good.

 

[Drizzle]

Spoiler

At first I thought they would have him be the guy Joel tortures to find out Ellie's whereabouts, but from what we've seen of the next episode's footage so far, it's making me wonder if after killing David in the restaurant, Ellie flees the scene and is pursued by him into the snowy wooden area (there's a shot of Ellie riding a horse and shooting at someone behind her, as well as what looks to be Troy Baker's character looming over someone in the preview, could be part of the same scene), gets the better of her and Joel comes in at the last second and kills him.

Would explain the different setting at least, but that's just speculation from my end.

Spoiler

Whatever happens in that conflict between Ellie and David's group next week whether it all ends in the restaurant or it's extended to go beyond that I just hope they keep this line from Joel in there when he finds her:

 

[Arachnerd]

That's a necessity. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann will never hear the end of it if that line's not in there.

 

[Drizzle]

That's a necessity. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann will never hear the end of it if that line's not in there.

To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't include this line in episode 6 but to their credit, they actually addressed it in the podcast and explained why it didn't fit show Joel which I do understand:

 

[Still Wynning]

This show is seven for seven thus far. I can’t believe how consistently great it’s been. Can’t remember the last time I’ve been this sucked in, engaged and engrossed by a primetime drama. Breaking Bad, maybe? Andor is probably the closest in recent memory.

Once again, I can’t really add anything that has an already been said. This was another fantastic episode. Aside from a few changes here or there, I loved that it stayed relatively true to the original source. Obviously, the direction of the show and the actors bring their own flourishes and touches, but it’s basically the same. Still hits just as hard, too.

Also, loved the

Spoiler

MK II appearance, as well as the use of the end credits music at the end of this episode, which is taken straight from the “Left Behind” end credits. Great piece of music that I’m glad they didn’t leave out.

Maybe it’s just because of the use of 80s songs, but did anyone get John Hughes vibes from this episode?

Spoiler

Start with and meet our main character, who has a reputation as resident misfit of the school. Gets picked on by the school bully, then proceeds to beat them up. Sent to the principal’s office and receives helpful life advice and a stern warning. Lifted off her feet and swept away at night by an old, carefree friend for a magical night on the town at the local mall. The friend shows her some of the best sights and sounds, and they both engage in playful antics. Main character finds out some thing about her friend and feels betrayed, resulting in an emotional outburst where they walk off in frustration and anger. They immediately regret it and go back to make up and apologize. She finds out that her friend is leaving and did all of this stuff as a going away present. They have one last fun moment where they dance together, which results in a tender, romantic moment of them kissing. The main character pleads with her to stay, to which the friend agrees. Something at the end happens which pulls them apart and cuts the romance short. Cue tragic, bittersweet ending.

I mean, it’s practically beat for beat that I’m wondering if that was intentional on the writer’s and director’s part.

Spoiler

Whatever happens in that conflict between Ellie and David's group next week whether it all ends in the restaurant or it's extended to go beyond that I just hope they keep this line from Joel in there when he finds her:

Agreed 100%.

 

[antsman41]

...gave me Night Of The Comet vibes.

 

[Arachnerd]

To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't include this line in episode 6 but to their credit, they actually addressed it in the podcast and explained why it didn't fit show Joel which I do understand:

True, though the

Spoiler

baby girl

line would 100% fit the show's version of Joel.