Horror 'The Last of Us' HBO Series

[Still Wynning]

My emotional and facial reaction was Dina’s during the “Take On Me” scene.

Such a great little moment in the game, and I’m glad they kept because I loved it here. It was everything I wanted it to be. Probably even more because I actually teared up here, almost on the verge of crying. You can literally see Dinah completely fall in love with Ellie in real time in that moment, and Isabela sold that so well. She continues to be such a wonderful addition to this show.

And we got the love scene, and pretty much in the place where I predicted it would be! I think I even might actually like it a bit more than in the game. In the game, it’s kind of a playful, experimental kind of thing. Here, it’s still spontaneous, but it feels like something more and another crucial step in and solidifying of their relationship that we’ve seen building since the beginning of the season.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

When the show hits, it really hits. But so much of it feels stretched with puzzling adaptation choices.

 

[psylockolussus]

I think we get Ellie’s three days in Seattle, with each day peppering in some Isaac/WLF/Seraphite backstory, Eugene’s expansion, and the Joel/Ellie flashbacks. Apparently Dever is only in 3 episodes this season, which likely makes the theater encounter with “and you wasted it” the season capper.

Abby’s Seattle arc is then saved for early Season 3. If we get a ten episode order, maybe Seraphite Island could be the mid season arc; the production location of which could double for Santa Barbara. Then we get Ellie back for the back half of the season.

Or maybe they go for a shorter episode count again and we get Prophet flashbacks, Yara/Lev expansions, Jackson, etc. at the expense of any Ellie next season (unlikely). It’s difficult to call. Makes me wonder if their plan is to drop a release date for Part III at the end of season 3. Keeps the show alive and pump out one more game at the end of the PS5 era to provide future cash flow with PS6 remasters like they did Part II.

Its very doubtful we are going to get a third game by 2027 or 2028.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

Another banger of an episode and yeah Jeffrey Wright is killing it so far as Isaac.

Spoiler

The opening scene and the subway sequence had a lot of great tension and like Drizzle I also didn't expect that Josh Peck cameo lol.

Last weeks episode was really solid too but I actually found Ellie and Dina's scenes together in this episode to be way more impactful/engaging. It's been a long time since I've seen such great, natural chemistry between two characters and it just keeps getting better each episode.

 

[Snow Queen]

The TV station and subway sequences are probably the most the show has ever recalled the actual experience of playing the game to me. Some nice suspense building, Herron did a very good job.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Yeah that was a really good episode. Didn't mind the changes here and they nailed the Take On Me moment and pretty much everything with Ellie and Dina.

Lots of suspense in the TV station and subway sequences as well. Really curious to see how far into the game they go this season.

Isabella Merced is just an absolute delight to watch in every scene.

 

[Drizzle]

My emotional and facial reaction was Dina’s during the “Take On Me” scene.

Such a great little moment in the game, and I’m glad they kept because I loved it here. It was everything I wanted it to be. Probably even more because I actually teared up here, almost on the verge of crying. You can literally see Dinah completely fall in love with Ellie in real time in that moment, and Isabela sold that so well. She continues to be such a wonderful addition to this show.

And we got the love scene, and pretty much in the place where I predicted it would be! I think I even might actually like it a bit more than in the game. In the game, it’s kind of a playful, experimental kind of thing. Here, it’s still spontaneous, but it feels like something more and another crucial step in and solidifying of their relationship that we’ve seen building since the beginning of the season.

The funny thing about Ellie playing "Take on Me" in the game is that for such an important character moment, it's an entirely missable cutscene. I found that out in my second playthrough. The game doesn't force you to go into the music store which is an odd creative choice. Luckily they nailed it here.

When the show hits, it really hits. But so much of it feels stretched with puzzling adaptation choices.

I was cool with one choice in particular that was made in this episode.

Spoiler

 

[The Joker]

Oh my gosh what a fantastic episode. I loved the recreation of many of the game's set pieces and scenes. The TV station, the Weston pharmacy, the subway, and the movie theater. Brilliantly done. The subway scene was so intense. Jeffrey Wright nailed it as Isaac. To be expected. He is the OG.

But the stand outs of this episode were the Ellie and Dina scenes. Their chemistry is through the roof. They are so good together. I like how they have defined their roles in this journey. Ellie is more of a spit fire, and Dina is more tactical.

Spoiler

I love how they handled the revelations of Ellie being immune and Dina being pregnant. Ellie's reaction in the game to Dina's pregnancy was so cold. I get why but I much prefer how they did it here.

I know we're only four episodes in but Isabella Merced deserves to win something for this role. She's killing it.

 

[Drizzle]

I know we're only four episodes in but Isabella Merced deserves to win something for this role. She's killing it.

Her presence in this reminds me a lot of Peter Dinklage at the beginning of Game of Thrones where you have such a great performance that it softens the blow of losing a major character.

 

[DCDAVE]

Just wow!!!!

What a way to introduce us to Isaac with the great Jeffrey Wright. He is ruthless. What a powerful scene with the young Saraphite (Scar). What the Scar said to Isaac is something show fans need to keep in the back of their minds for next season.

The scene with the music store and Elle singing “Take on Me” just melted me. I know there will be plenty of YouTube content with this moment. Straight up right out of the video game. If you don’t think Bella is Elle, I have nothing for you. I don’t know if the song is a tribute to Joel or a love song to Dina. I guess it can be both.

Straight out video game episode. Loved how they didn’t sugar coat the Scars. They are ruthless. Elle and Dina are walking right into a war. Transit scene is best video game scene that they did for the series so far. I like the touch of Elle getting bitten to save Dina. We finally got to see the infamous theater.

Best episode of season 2……..

 

[DCDAVE]

The funny thing about Ellie playing "Take on Me" in the game is that for such an important character moment, it's an entirely missable cutscene. I found that out in my second playthrough. The game doesn't force you to go into the music store which is an odd creative choice. Luckily they nailed it here.


I was cool with one choice in particular that was made in this episode.

Spoiler

View attachment 132173

Yeah hopefully we don’t get video game Shimmer. I was worried as well.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Fun to see people learn how good Merced is.

 

[Snow Queen]

I'll say, this episode I found myself missing the tone of the game. The Isaac scenes are really strong and the TV/subway section is the most I feel it's evoked the feeling of playing and I think the two are cute together and Merced does a great job with the hold up scene, but it feels too loose for my tastes. One of the things I liked in the game was that even in the peaceful moments, there's a sense of what's bubbling under the surface even just in small things like Ellie being a little too forceful telling Dina to move on at times. It's a lot more relaxed and easygoing here. The mood of the early patrol section shifted into Seattle. See where it goes, but I find it less emotionally provocative.

 

[Drizzle]

Yeah hopefully we don’t get video game Shimmer. I was worried as well.

I'm still not totally convinced yet.

 

[DCDAVE]

I'm still not totally convinced yet.

I think they purposely took that scene out but I agree. They could be saving it for later.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I'll say, this episode I found myself missing the tone of the game. The Isaac scenes are really strong and the TV/subway section is the most I feel it's evoked the feeling of playing and I think the two are cute together and Merced does a great job with the hold up scene, but it feels too loose for my tastes. One of the things I liked in the game was that even in the peaceful moments, there's a sense of what's bubbling under the surface even just in small things like Ellie being a little too forceful telling Dina to move on at times. It's a lot more relaxed and easygoing here. The mood of the early patrol section shifted into Seattle. See where it goes, but I find it less emotionally provocative.

Yep. And this is the issue I have with some of the adaptation choices.

The game has an overwhelming sense of melancholy at the best of times, and overwhelming dread of the rest. Ellie's general mood really enforces that and colors her relationship with Dina.

On the show, it's taken on a teen post-apocalypse vibe, where Ellie and Dina are inept teens fumbling through with the lols.

The contrast between the straight up game scenes and the more overly adapted material is very stark and feels like two different shows slapped together.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

The thing is, the friend of Abby's who captures Ellie when shimmer dies isn't in the show, they cut him out. So I think shimmer is safe.

 

[Dr.]

An official/authorized video from Max's youtube channel:

 

[Man in the Suit]

Yep. And this is the issue I have with some of the adaptation choices.

The game has an overwhelming sense of melancholy at the best of times, and overwhelming dread of the rest. Ellie's general mood really enforces that and colors her relationship with Dina.

On the show, it's taken on a teen post-apocalypse vibe, where Ellie and Dina are inept teens fumbling through with the lols.

The contrast between the straight up game scenes and the more overly adapted material is very stark and feels like two different shows slapped together.

Agreed. I feel like Craig Mazin is sanding down the edges of Part II and whitewashing the characters. The game's tone is so unapologetic and brutal, and Mazin seems to be going for a teen drama at times. But then you have gritty scenes with Isaac and there's a bit of tonal whiplash going on.

 

[Kane52630]

Solid ep. All the Isaac stuff was fantastic.

I still think this adaptation is a softer version of what has gone on in the game.

 

[Drizzle]

An official/authorized video from Max's youtube channel:

They're 100% going to include this on the soundtrack like they did last season with Nick Offerman's cover of "Long Long Time" (which they deprived us by not giving a full version but I digress).

I'll say, this episode I found myself missing the tone of the game. The Isaac scenes are really strong and the TV/subway section is the most I feel it's evoked the feeling of playing and I think the two are cute together and Merced does a great job with the hold up scene, but it feels too loose for my tastes. One of the things I liked in the game was that even in the peaceful moments, there's a sense of what's bubbling under the surface even just in small things like Ellie being a little too forceful telling Dina to move on at times. It's a lot more relaxed and easygoing here. The mood of the early patrol section shifted into Seattle. See where it goes, but I find it less emotionally provocative.

Yep. And this is the issue I have with some of the adaptation choices.

The game has an overwhelming sense of melancholy at the best of times, and overwhelming dread of the rest. Ellie's general mood really enforces that and colors her relationship with Dina.

On the show, it's taken on a teen post-apocalypse vibe, where Ellie and Dina are inept teens fumbling through with the lols.

The contrast between the straight up game scenes and the more overly adapted material is very stark and feels like two different shows slapped together.

Agreed. I feel like Craig Mazin is sanding down the edges of Part II and whitewashing the characters. The game's tone is so unapologetic and brutal, and Mazin seems to be going for a teen drama at times. But then you have gritty scenes with Isaac and there's a bit of tonal whiplash going on.

Solid ep. All the Isaac stuff was fantastic.

I still think this adaptation is a softer version of what has gone on in the game.

I've been thinking about this myself and while I don't dislike the different direction the show is going with it, it does seem a little too light at times. Ellie doesn't seem as, for lack of a better term, world-weary as she does in the game at this point in the story. Maybe we can chalk that up to there being a longer passage of time between Joel's death and Ellie and Dina making the trek to Seattle as opposed to the game where they go a lot sooner, thus the pain of losing Joel not being quite as fresh but that's just me taking a stab at the in-universe reason. My best guess as to why they watered down a lot of the "misery simulator" that the game is, is because too much of it can be exhausting for the audience. At least right now. The show is still going to take Ellie down the darker and darker path that her need for vengeance drives her toward, and I suppose seeing her kill who she kills later on and the decisions she makes will be all the sadder in the show because we've seen her go through more of these lighter moments with Dina now.

 

[Snow Queen]

They're 100% going to include this on the soundtrack like they did last season with Nick Offerman's cover of "Long Long Time" (which they deprived us by not giving a full version but I digress).





I've been thinking about this myself and while I don't dislike the different direction the show is going with it, it does seem a little too light at times. Ellie doesn't seem as, for lack of a better term, world-weary as she does in the game at this point in the story. Maybe we can chalk that up to there being a longer passage of time between Joel's death and Ellie and Dina making the trek to Seattle as opposed to the game where they go a lot sooner, thus the pain of losing Joel not being quite as fresh but that's just me taking a stab at the in-universe reason. My best guess as to why they watered down a lot of the "misery simulator" that the game is, is because too much of it can be exhausting for the audience. At least right now. The show is still going to take Ellie down the darker and darker path that her need for vengeance drives her toward, and I suppose seeing her kill who she kills later on and the decisions she makes will be all the sadder in the show because we've seen her go through more of these lighter moments with Dina now.

Spoiler

I get where you're coming from, but I'll disagree with the idea of it being all the sadder int he show because of the light moments with Dina. I think that's something that's consistent in both materials. The difference is just when those lighter moments happen. They've essentially shifted forward the patrol section, mood-wise.

Based on the previous episode, my expectation was/is that they want Ellie to be hiding it more before it comes out. That it's not completely divorced from the idea of it being underneath the surface in the early parts of the game, just better concealed before it strikes. Which I felt in scenes like the town hall and hospital last week, but I think just isn't really felt in this one. I'm not sure if that's intentional, or if maybe there's a bit of a struggle threading the young romance tone with it.

I can understand what you mean about it being too exhausting for the audience potentially, but ultimately I found this section evoked a lot less than the game equivalent for me, so that's all I can really go off. The mood is I think a big part of what makes the game feel distinct. I don't need like a one to one recreation, I think episodes 1 and 3 were the strongest so far and they diverged pretty heavily, but I do wish that mood was present as it's such a defining feature of what attracts me to this story.

 

[Snow Queen]

Oh and to be clear, I like the show. I think it's good. Far from a bad show. Just it's adapting material I think is great and so have Feelings about things

 

[DarthSkywalker]

They're 100% going to include this on the soundtrack like they did last season with Nick Offerman's cover of "Long Long Time" (which they deprived us by not giving a full version but I digress).





I've been thinking about this myself and while I don't dislike the different direction the show is going with it, it does seem a little too light at times. Ellie doesn't seem as, for lack of a better term, world-weary as she does in the game at this point in the story. Maybe we can chalk that up to there being a longer passage of time between Joel's death and Ellie and Dina making the trek to Seattle as opposed to the game where they go a lot sooner, thus the pain of losing Joel not being quite as fresh but that's just me taking a stab at the in-universe reason. My best guess as to why they watered down a lot of the "misery simulator" that the game is, is because too much of it can be exhausting for the audience. At least right now. The show is still going to take Ellie down the darker and darker path that her need for vengeance drives her toward, and I suppose seeing her kill who she kills later on and the decisions she makes will be all the sadder in the show because we've seen her go through more of these lighter moments with Dina now.

Spoiler

I get where you're coming from, but I'll disagree with the idea of it being all the sadder int he show because of the light moments with Dina. I think that's something that's consistent in both materials. The difference is just when those lighter moments happen. They've essentially shifted forward the patrol section, mood-wise.

Based on the previous episode, my expectation was/is that they want Ellie to be hiding it more before it comes out. That it's not completely divorced from the idea of it being underneath the surface in the early parts of the game, just better concealed before it strikes. Which I felt in scenes like the town hall and hospital last week, but I think just isn't really felt in this one. I'm not sure if that's intentional, or if maybe there's a bit of a struggle threading the young romance tone with it.

I can understand what you mean about it being too exhausting for the audience potentially, but ultimately I found this section evoked a lot less than the game equivalent for me, so that's all I can really go off. The mood is I think a big part of what makes the game feel distinct. I don't need like a one to one recreation, I think episodes 1 and 3 were the strongest so far and they diverged pretty heavily, but I do wish that mood was present as it's such a defining feature of what attracts me to this story.

Spoiler

The game has plenty of light moments. They are just had by a different Ellie. The "Take on Me" moment is so beautiful in the game, is because it's coming from someone suffocating in their mourning, that that moment feels like oxygen. Here it's just kind of comes off as reference.

The structure of the game is important to the story, and I think moving stuff around harms character development. Why I do think Ellie and Dina should've got together early on opposed to waiting until Seattle.

But overall I agree with Man in the Suit. Part 2 isn't my favorite game and a lot of that has to do with how Abby's section plays out (99% of Ellie's material is pure gold imo). It feels like the game there is trying to get you to like her, blunting her edges. I feel like that's kind of what's happening with the show in general.

It's still good. At times very good. Honestly think it's better then season 1 so far. But something about it feels a bit like the GOT adaptation, where the soul is getting a bit lost in changes.

 

[Kane52630]