The Last of Us on HBO Max

[Cullenator]

Another great episode.

 

Does anyone know if this is a one shot type deal or are they going to have future seasons?

[TheRumGone]

 

[TheRumGone]

Great episode 

[PanthersATL]

1 hour ago, Cullenator said:

Another great episode.

 

Does anyone know if this is a one shot type deal or are they going to have future seasons?

Season 2 has already been approved

[cookinbrak]

Another throw away filler episode. Going downhill quickly.

[jayboogieman]

54 minutes ago, cookinbrak said:

Another throw away filler episode. Going downhill quickly.

It was the weakest episode so far, but they did have to show how she got infected at some point.

[Cullenator]

So the history of how Ellie was bitten and the why behind her decision to stay with Joel is now "filler"

 

 

Just go watch 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead

[Brooklyn 3.0]

I don't like nor watch it ... but the "filler" episode yesterday was actually just a DLC extra in the game. So, not filler at all. Pure fan service. Which is, IMO. what the show is. Fan service for video game people. If you want a good zombe/creature show ... well, there's not one. But like Cull said, just watch TWD.

[PanthersATL]

1 hour ago, Cullenator said:

So the history of how Ellie was bitten and the why behind her decision to stay with Joel is now "filler"

Just go watch 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead

While the overarching theme of the show is tied to the infected (or zombies, for easier reference) -- the show itself is not a zombie show

The first episode makes it seem like it's All Zombies, All The TIme.   But it's not.  It's about how people still need to find a connection to other despite difficult circumstances.

Perhaps "difficult" is an understatement given the fungus. But folks have lived - some would say thrived - over 20 years, as they found their connections that could get them through.

As someone who hasn't played the game, the show is pretty darn good. The fact that it is inspired by a game doesn't detract. Yes, there are set pieces that seem very video game-ish. But so does pretty much any action film.

Was the Ellie backstory required to be a full hour episode?  For the TV viewing audience - probably.  But the same could be said for episode 3 -- these stories needed to be told to bring the human element to the character's drive to find those connections.

To me, this is basically a Zombie-themed version of The Mandalorian.  

In both shows, Pedro Pascal is tasked with bringing The Child to an unknown/hidden destination, with various people helping or trying to prevent things along the way.

 

Edited February 27, 2023 by PanthersATL

[cookinbrak]

9 hours ago, Cullenator said:

So the history of how Ellie was bitten and the why behind her decision to stay with Joel is now "filler"

 

 

Just go watch 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead

Did they need a 58 minute explanation of how she got infected? Maybe they should have spent some of that time explaining how an abandoned mall was getting electricity?

At least TWD waited a few seasons to start using one off filler episodes. Half of the episodes on this have been 5 minute stories stretched out  to an hour.

[Cullenator]

7 minutes ago, cookinbrak said:

Did they need a 58 minute explanation of how she got infected? Maybe they should have spent some of that time explaining how an abandoned mall was getting electricity?

At least TWD waited a few seasons to start using one off filler episodes. Half of the episodes on this have been 5 minute stories stretched out  to an hour.

Dude. Come on.

This told us a lot about who and what Ellie was.

 

Yes they needed 58 minutes to tell that story.  For me it just developed a depth to her that justified her choice to stay and help Joel. 

 

Ive never played the game so I'm coming at this from a "tell me a compelling story" perspective.  And so far Im in.  This is appointment TV for me at this stage.

[PanthersATL]

10 hours ago, cookinbrak said:

Did they need a 58 minute explanation of how she got infected? Maybe they should have spent some of that time explaining how an abandoned mall was getting electricity?

They said it was when Fedra restored power to a section of town, they inadvertently powered up the closed off mall that nobody is supposed to go in.  Reasonable explanation, considering.

As one critic said this week as to why the mall episode worked:  

the series keeps a close eye, through Ellie, on what’s been lost. Ellie’s fondness for even a dilapidated shopping center offers a reminder of how simple pleasures can be as important as food and shelter. This ruined complex is meaningful not because it houses a sick collection of Halloween decorations, but because it’s a monument to Ellie and Riley’s friendship. Genuine human connection is rare enough in a normal world.  Sure, this episode included little forward momentum of the overarching plot, but that’s the point: The show is not just about whether Joel and Ellie will save the world. It’s about what is left to save, and why they should save it at all. 

[stan786]

I think there were pacing issues in the episode but it 100% was needed, really enjoyed it. I'm blown away by how good of an actress Bella Ramsey is.

[stan786]

On 2/27/2023 at 1:44 PM, Brooklyn 3.0 said:

I don't like nor watch it ... but the "filler" episode yesterday was actually just a DLC extra in the game. So, not filler at all. Pure fan service. Which is, IMO. what the show is. Fan service for video game people. If you want a good zombe/creature show ... well, there's not one. But like Cull said, just watch TWD.

Honestly I know you dont like it from you comment and thats fine but as someone went in expecting the show to be pure fan service, it stands alone as a TV show very very well. The people with the biggest problem with it seems to be the video game crowd who wanted a one for one fan service level remake.