The Last of Us (2023) - Season 1 (1 Viewer)

[Chris Will]

The story also seems to be moving very slowly. I'm only two episodes in and especially found ep. 2 frustrating because it seemed to me as if nothing really happened to move the story forward.

I find this really interesting because, as someone very familiar with the game, episodes 1 an 2 moved pretty fast. The main story being told is about Joel and Ellie so, you have to get to Tess's sacrifice to really kick start the adventure. I think that is the biggest fault of this weeks episode, it takes us away from Joel and Ellie for the majority of the runtime, when we are just getting started with the Joel and Ellie story. As good as the love story was, I kinda feel like it halted the main story right when it was really getting going.

It's why I wish they had stuck closer to the game in some ways. Show the love story but keep Bill alive. In the game, the interaction between Bill and Ellie teaches us so much about Ellie, it's where her personality really comes into focus. Now episode 3 gets Joel and Ellie to the exact same situation as the game did to this point but, part of me feels that we missed some good character building by focusing mostly on Bill and Frank.

I'm very curious about how people with no knowledge of the game ultimately connect with Joel and Ellie. It's crucial to the ending of the story. If the show keeps pulling us away to fill in backstory, will the non gaming audience make that same connection to Joel and Ellie, and ultimately have the same reaction to the story's end?

EDIT: I just want more Joel and Ellie. I love these characters so much and their scenes are my favorite so far, even in episode 3. I love the truck scene at the end, Ellie's fascination with being in a car for the first time. It reminds of a certain flashback in TLOU Part II that was so great!

 

[Tino]

but, part of me feels that we missed some good character building by focusing mostly on Bill and Frank.

I know what you mean but I think there are plenty of more opportunities to show Ellie’s character growth.

 

[jayembee]

A beautiful, tender, powerful heartbreaking episode.

More later after I process it.

My reaction was to think that even if the rest of the series completely sucks, it'll have been worth it just for this episode. It didn't have the emotional punch that the finale of 1883 had for me, but it comes close.

On the other hand, there's one scene that had me rolling my eyes, albeit it was before the Bill & Frank story started. Just after Joel builds the little cairn to memorialize Tess. There's this beautiful shot of the stream leading off into a background of forest and a couple of mountains. Then the legend comes up: "10 Miles West of Boston". No. Just no. There is no scenery even remotely like that "10 miles west of Boston". Ten miles west of Worcester, maybe, but still not likely. Ten miles west of Springfield, yeah, I'd buy that.

Just for frame of reference for those who have seen the episode but haven’t played the game:

Spoiler

In the game, Bill is not dead. Joel and Ellie get to town and navigate some traps before connecting with Bill. Bill gives Joel a truck but it needs a battery. He has a line on where he can get one, but it’s in a part of town that is not protected from the infected, in the school. Joel and Ellie have some close calls navigating through the infected and the school to get the battery, but ultimately get what they need. This has lots of intense sneaking and fighting of the infected. I mean great, scary, intense survival stuff. Lots of great, great game play.

But this show isn’t a game, so it doubled down on the character and emotional elements of this section and instead focused on a part of the story that was just hinted at in the game. In the game, Frank has passed, though we don’t know the specifics. But through notes we get the sense that there was somewhat of a falling out between Bill and Frank. Bill also warns Joel that caring about people and bringing someone in is what will get you killed, which is technically what happened to Bill in the show, though not in such a bad way but rather a beautiful way.

Bill is pretty crusty and he and Ellie clash a good bit. Would have been fun to see some of that dynamic. He warns Ellie not to steal any of his stuff, which she swears she won’t, but of course she does. When Joel and Ellie are leaving town the truck with the newly acquired battery still needs the help of movement to get it started. So as they try to exit and get it to turn over as Joel pushes and Ellie steers Joel has to fight off infected coming at them from the neighborhood houses. Playing through that, it was freaky intense. Ellie later fucks with Joel by asking questions about the porn magazine she stole from Bill that she already understood, just to make him uncomfortable.

Just wanted to say that I didn't read this. As I've not played the game, and have no intention of doing so, what happens in it doesn't matter to me. And I don't want an "alternate" version of Bill & Frank's story to taint what the episode showed me. I'm not complaining about you posting that. I'm sure others might appreciate the difference. But I want the show's version to be the one and only version I'm acquainted with.

I'm very curious about how people with no knowledge of the game ultimately connect with Joel and Ellie.

The same way I connect with any two characters paired together in a story, from the way they're presented in the story at hand. I might be curious about another version if it was likely that I would encounter it in the normal course of being exposed to it. Like say, reading a novel as well as watching a series/film based on it. But since I'm not a gamer, and don't have any interest in playing it, the only version that matters is the one I'm exposed to.

 

[Mike Frezon]

But since I'm not a gamer, and don't have any interest in playing it, the only version that matters is the one I'm exposed to.

That's how I'm going in to this.

And, frankly, it took my son explaining it to me as to how a video game can have much of a narrative.

Am I skeptical as to whether a videogame narrative will make for an interesting story? Yes. But I am definitely open to the possibility.

My issue with episode two is that we left Joel, Tess and Ellie at the end of episode 1 leaving the Boston QZ. By the end of episode 2, they are still basically just starting out (minus Tess). There were some obligatory closecall moments. And I guess we got introduced to clickers. But as far as progressing from A to B, I felt like we didn't really move the dial.

I hope to get to episode 3 in the next day or so.

 

[Walter Kittel]

I'm very curious about how people with no knowledge of the game ultimately connect with Joel and Ellie. It's crucial to the ending of the story. If the show keeps pulling us away to fill in backstory, will the non gaming audience make that same connection to Joel and Ellie, and ultimately have the same reaction to the story's end?

I have not played the game and am only aware of the dynamics of the game based on the first three episodes of the HBO series and a few You Tube reaction videos that briefly discuss the series vs. game.

It seems clear to me, especially after Joel reads Bill's letter, that Ellie will become (and already is becoming) a surrogate daughter for Joel in the wake of Sarah's demise. My guess is that Joel will experience something of an emotional reawakening with feelings that he by necessity buried deep inside himself after the tragic loss of Sarah. Obviously family is important to him, given the lengths he is going to in order to find Tommy, and Ellie will become part of that family. (I fully expect that Joel and Ellie will bond very strongly during the shared experience of the awful things they will be facing as their journey progresses.)

At least that is where I think the series is headed. (???)

I have always been a big fan of first person survival stories, and I am enjoying this series tremendously. Bella Ramsey is killing it as Ellie. I particularly like the constant curiosity that her character exhibits. Also, despite the emotional toll of episode three, I did appreciate the lighter touches that her relationship with Joel brought to the episode, especially her first ride in a truck.

- Walter.

 

[Greg.K]

Yeah ok.

 

[Mike Frezon]

The Berkshires at their most impressive.

 

[Tino]

For this that have played the game. How many times have you played it completely thru?

I played through it 5 or 6 times.

3 times so far for Part II

 

[Tino]

‘The Last Of Us Audience Grows For Third Consecutive Week, Becoming HBO’s Fourth Current Series Averaging 15M+ Viewers Per Episode​

The Last of Us doesn’t look like it’ll be losing steam any time soon. On Sunday, 6.4M people tuned in to watch the third episode of the post-apocalyptic series across HBO and HBO Max, according to Nielsen and first party data.

That’s a 12% increase from last week’s viewership, which already had set a record for the largest week 2 audience growth for an HBO Original drama series in the history of the network. Sunday’s audience is also up 37% from the series premiere, which was watched same-day by 4.7M people.

It only took two episodes for HBO to renew the seriesfor a second season. It was an expected movie, considering the first episode scored the second-largest premiere after House of the Dragon since Boardwalk Empire’s launch in 2010.​

The first two episodes of The Last of Us are averaging 21.3M viewers. With that, HBO now has four current series that have cross-platform audiences averaging more than 15M viewers per episode. This marks the first time HBO has had multiple current series drawing more than 15M viewers at a time across all genres.

House of the Dragon Season 1 is the top performer, averaging 29M viewers per episode. The Last of Us comes in at a close second with 21.3M. Euphoria Season 2 is averaging 19.5M per episode, and The White Lotusis up to 15.5M.

The Last of Us, which is based on the PlayStation game, takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal journey as they both must traverse the US and depend on each other for survival.

It stars Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman as well as Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, Elaine Miles, Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker.

‘The Last Of Us’ Audience Grows For Third Consecutive Week, Becoming HBO’s Fourth Current Series Averaging 15M+ Viewers Per Episode

The Last of Us doesn’t look like it’ll be losing steam any time soon. On Sunday, 6.4M people tuned in to watch the third episode of the post-apocalyptic series across HBO and HBO Max, a…

deadline.com

 

[Chris Will]

For this that have played the game. How many times have you played it completely thru?

I played through it 5 or 6 times.

3 times so far for Part II

Once each but, it was just last October-November when I finished. So I’m new blood.

Part I instantly became my favorite game. I really enjoyed Part II but not on the same level as I. I’m already itching to play Part I again but have decided to wait until after the show’s season is done.

 

[Tino]

Once each but, it was just last October-November when I finished. So I’m new blood.

Part I instantly became my favorite game. I really enjoyed Part II but not on the same level as I. I’m already itching to play Part I again but have decided to wait until after the show’s season is done.

My first play thru of part II I felt the same as you. On subsequent play thru’s tho I really connected with it and now consider it nearly as perfect as the first game.

They are by far the two best video games I have ever played. And the reason why is the story and characters.

 

[Joe Wong]

Yeah ok.

I’ve only been to Boston a few times, but even I thought this proclamation was a bit of a stretch!

And so did Stephen King!

 

[DaveF]

For this that have played the game. How many times have you played it completely thru?

I played through it 5 or 6 times.

3 times so far for Part II

Once about six years ago. I’m thinking about getting a PS5 and replaying it with the re-mastered version. Then I can finally play Part 2.

 

[Tino]

Once about six years ago. I’m thinking about getting a PS5 and replaying it with the re-mastered version. Then I can finally play Part 2.

The PS5 version is spectacular.

And try to stay spoiler free Re Part II. It’s an emotional powerhouse. Keep an open mind would be my advice to all first time players OF Part II.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Yeah ok.

I remember the first time I visited Walden Pond. I was picturing the untamed wilderness that Thoreau wrote about, when the reality is smack dab in the middle of suburban Concord. The pond itself is still beautiful:


...but a hundred feet or so away, it looks like this:

 

[Chris Will]

The PS5 version is spectacular.

And try to stay spoiler free Re Part II. It’s an emotional powerhouse. Keep an open mind would be my advice to all first time players OF Part II.

Yep, the PS5 remake is one of the best looking games I’ve played to date. I’m not saying the original looks bad but I’m glad the remake was my first experience. Part II is no slouch either, it’s a late era PS4 title and still looks really good.

 

[Chris Will]

I’m glad it seems the story is working, for the most part, for those who haven’t played the game.

That's how I'm going in to this.

And, frankly, it took my son explaining it to me as to how a video game can have much of a narrative.

Am I skeptical as to whether a videogame narrative will make for an interesting story? Yes. But I am definitely open to the possibility.

My issue with episode two is that we left Joel, Tess and Ellie at the end of episode 1 leaving the Boston QZ. By the end of episode 2, they are still basically just starting out (minus Tess). There were some obligatory closecall moments. And I guess we got introduced to clickers. But as far as progressing from A to B, I felt like we didn't really move the dial.

I hope to get to episode 3 in the next day or so.

As far as narrative video games go, The Last of Us series is basically the best video games have to offer. There are many games with narrative stories that I really enjoy, but none like TLOU. It is basically a cinematic experience interrupted by gameplay. I think that is why it works so well as a TV show, so far at least.

Not that it helps but, depending on your play style, it takes about 2-2:30 hours to get to Tess’s death in the game. That’s roughly the runtime of the first 2 episodes. Trust me, after episode 3, the pace is about to pick up. The game takes 15-22 hours to complete, so they’ve got a lot to get to in these final 6 episodes.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

My issue with episode two is that we left Joel, Tess and Ellie at the end of episode 1 leaving the Boston QZ. By the end of episode 2, they are still basically just starting out (minus Tess). There were some obligatory closecall moments. And I guess we got introduced to clickers. But as far as progressing from A to B, I felt like we didn't really move the dial.

I hope to get to episode 3 in the next day or so.

Without spoiling anything, the third episode provides a mechanism for how Joel and Ellie will be able to cover a lot more distance a lot faster going forward.

 

[DaveF]

The game takes 15-22 hours to complete, so they’ve got a lot to get to in these final 6 episodes.

Is The Last of Us definitively a mini-series planned to tell the entire story in a single season?

 

[Tino]

Is The Last of Us definitively a mini-series planned to tell the entire story in a single season?

Yes