Page 2 | The last of us

Botw1 · 2023-01-30T22:04:29+00:00

Is it weird to say no game spoilers? I've not played the game so don't know the game story line Who else is watching? The 1st 2 episodes were really good But wow. Ep 3 is amazing. I actually cried over characters I'd known for less than 1 hour

SummerWillow · 31/01/2023 15:15

Episode 3, as everyone has said, is amazing and worth watching if you watch nothing else. It stands on its own being almost a self contained story. Beautiful and moving.

Abra1t · 31/01/2023 15:20

It was lovely. I was tense at first though, convinced that the stranger wasn’t as benign as he seemed and there were others waiting to storm the defences.

The mother and the baby, though… 😢

IClaudine · 31/01/2023 15:27

Pemba · 31/01/2023 14:47

DH and me watched the first episode, as it had been hyped up so much in the media. We liked the first section set in 2003 when the disease started, and with the main guy's daughter Sarah. Disappointed to see Sarah get killed off, and everything else after the time jump seemed a bit dull. I don't know if we'll bother really. It seemed quite derivative, of The Walking Dead and of the film The Girl with All the Gifts (infected child restrained in a wheelchair, that bit was quite poignant actually). I remember back when The Walking Dead started, it was exciting right from the start (but I gave up on it eventually when Carl got killed off).

I understand this is based on a video game? It's a shame as there are some good actors in there, the guy that was Prince Oberyn (?) in GoT, Nick Offerman (?) from Parks and Rec, Anna Torv (not seen her since Fringe, which was brilliant). But it is not grabbing us, is there anything worth sticking it out for? I am thinking the popularity is mainly just because the game was popular?

I know nothing about the game, but what has drawn me in so far is that the characters have depth and that the Infected aren't really the heart of the story, the relationships are. If nothing else, watch episode three. You can read the Guardian catch up to understand what went on on ep two.

elderberryink · 31/01/2023 18:33

Pemba as mentioned above, I played the game when it first came out. I'm not a massive gamer but it really got under my skin, where it remains nearly a decade later. I've never had a game before or since give me such an emotional sucker punch! That said, I don't think the show's popularity is purely due to how good the game was. Game adaptations are usually a bit shit, and I'd argue the reason Last of Us is getting all the hype is because its arguably the first adaptation to buck that trend.

The first episode, in gaming terms, is pretty much the tutorial. Its now three episodes in and I would say the next episode is where the set-up ends and meat of the storyline begins. You could pick up there but you'd miss episode three, which was just brilliant (though not much related to the main characters).

For what its worth I don't think its derivative at all, except insomuch as most zombie apocalypse themed TV shoes will share some common elements. As to whether its worth sticking with, I don't want to give too much away but the game storyline was incredibly gripping and despite the violence and fairly bleak tone, it was the relationships that left the strongest mark. You see a little of that in episode two.

Hope that convinces you to give the next couple of episodes a try 😉

SummaLuvin · 31/01/2023 18:36

I was a little bit of a mess throughout and after episode 3 also, even today when I looked at the hashtag on twitter and had to click out as I felt myself welling up again. It was so tender and beautiful.

I saw someone say that the episode is important in showing the 'why' to Joel and Ellies clearly difficult and dangerous journey, what they are striving to live for is beyond just survival.

TitoMojito · 31/01/2023 18:44

Pemba · 31/01/2023 14:47

DH and me watched the first episode, as it had been hyped up so much in the media. We liked the first section set in 2003 when the disease started, and with the main guy's daughter Sarah. Disappointed to see Sarah get killed off, and everything else after the time jump seemed a bit dull. I don't know if we'll bother really. It seemed quite derivative, of The Walking Dead and of the film The Girl with All the Gifts (infected child restrained in a wheelchair, that bit was quite poignant actually). I remember back when The Walking Dead started, it was exciting right from the start (but I gave up on it eventually when Carl got killed off).

I understand this is based on a video game? It's a shame as there are some good actors in there, the guy that was Prince Oberyn (?) in GoT, Nick Offerman (?) from Parks and Rec, Anna Torv (not seen her since Fringe, which was brilliant). But it is not grabbing us, is there anything worth sticking it out for? I am thinking the popularity is mainly just because the game was popular?

The Last of Us predates The Girl with All the Gifts.

rainydaysun · 31/01/2023 18:45

I thought this episode was an absolute masterpiece. DH is a massive lover of the game, whereas I'm too wimpy to have played it - but he and I are both absolutely obsessed!

I think it's leaps better than Walking Dead already - the Bill/Frank episode broke me!

IHaveCompletedShopping · 31/01/2023 18:51

I seem to be alone in finding episode 3 quite self-indulgent and forced, then. The actors were great, of course, but no, I didn't like the episode or find it moving. Hard to put my finger on why. I said self-indulgent, and I think that's the best way I can describe it. A bit "Look at us doing Prestige Drama.". A bit ersatz.

Found episode 1 more emotionally engaging and authentic.

fairysimples · 31/01/2023 18:57

That was one of the best hours of tele I have ever watched. (Episode 3)

flagpole · 31/01/2023 20:25

@IHaveCompletedShopping - completely agree. Incredibly well acted, well made etc but completely unnecessary and just an excuse to stick something a little more meaningful in. I dont need it to be that. Honestly i thought it was a cheap shot, but a well done cheap shot. Hated it. Made me sad.

gamerchick · 31/01/2023 21:39

It's bemused me the division in this program. The gamers hissing because the bill and frank part of the game was so different to the program and people who haven't played it thinking the third episode was amazing.

I've played the game multiple times but enjoyed the third episode anyway, despite looking forward to the boss we were all waiting for in the school gym.

I like the way they're keeping us guessing. It's mint

DuncanBiscuits · 31/01/2023 21:40

Well, I’m a hot mess.

That was beautiful.

gamerchick · 31/01/2023 21:40

Really looking forward to the adaptation of the 2nd game. Proper pins.

Original poster

Botw1 · 31/01/2023 21:47

@flagpole

Having not played the game its hard to tell how unnecessary it was

It didn't feel unnecessary in terms of character or plot development, in fact it felt completely necessary.

But then I sat through 11 series of TWD (and I felt less at some of those deaths)

OP posts:

BentleyRhythmAce · 31/01/2023 21:49

Episode 3 was beautiful. A masterpiece. I give no shits about the game, will never play it, but the show is incredible.

jackstini · 31/01/2023 22:08

No idea about the game - but loving the series. Just watched episode 3 and am in bits

Incredibly acted - the relationship between Frank & Bill was the most beautiful, romantic, funny and tragic thing I have seen in a long time

Full of meaning, real life and raised a lot of questions about the true meaning of love

Feel like I am rambling but this has absolutely floored me emotionally

user1471561661 · 31/01/2023 22:10

I thought episode 3 was ok it didn't make me cry and I think possibly episode 1 did - it didn't go how I expected given especially given that Tess said in episode 2 that they were bad people and had done stuff. I guess we can infer things about Joel and tess from the relationship that they had with them. Trying not to spoil too much! It had an obvious function though and was a change of pace.

Ireallydohope · 31/01/2023 22:51

GCSEstress · 31/01/2023 12:21

@RandomCatGenerator I was thinking the same, except I was worried he was actually going to kill Bill when he was playing the piano, so he could take his house.... but then the kiss and the tears in Franks eyes! 😢

Also, that 'last day together' scene broke me! The music they played is actually one of my favourite pieces- Max Richter, On the Nature of Daylight ❤ Beautiful.

Very clever how they made you feel so much for a couple in such a short space of time.

Yes exactly this

It was a beautiful episode

Very unexpected

And highlights the reasons to keep going or not as the case may be

Furries · 01/02/2023 02:11

I’d never heard of the game, was just excited to see another zombie/apocalypse series coming out.

I have really liked each episode so far. They’ve done a really good job of covering timelines and where each character “is” at each point in the timeline.

Episode 3 was amazing. Can’t believe I cared so much about them both, just from one episode. Like others, I was very wary of Frank at first. I really thought he was going to go for the gun when he embraced Bill after playing the piano. I also thought we were going down the route of the mother and baby. Was so sad to see the material from her dress and being left to imagine what exactly happened.

I knew I recognised Pablo Pascale, but just couldn’t put my finger on it. I gave up and googled and then, obviously, remembered. I really like it when an actor from a show I’ve loved takes on a new character and I can’t place them - I hate watching something where I just can’t help seeing “previous character”.

I did recognise Bella Ramsey without searching (and thought she was great in GoT), but again, she’s got me hooked enough that I’m not thinking about GoT.

Am looking forward to the next episode and the rest of the series.

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 01/02/2023 03:00

OMG Am so loving this. My 22 year old son did not want to watch it at first as he played the game and loved it but when he saw the imdb rating we watched it. It is fantastic but hate waiting another week for next episode. The 3rd episode just beautiful and the story just so loving and sad and great acting. Great to have something different to watch and loving this.

mumof3now2 · 01/02/2023 06:09

Episode 3..... wow!

Workerbeep · 01/02/2023 06:33

@Pemba pp is wrong.
They are probably about the same time. I agree the concept is similar.
girl with all the gifts film. 2016
GWATG book 2014
last of us game 2013
GWATG short story 2013

Who knows when the idea first formed in game developer or writers minds? Science had been talking about intelligent fungus for decades.

Hobbesmanc · 01/02/2023 09:03

No interest in zombies and post apocalyptical drama. Never heard of the game. Oh and I hated the actress playing Tess in The Newsreader

So wasn't enthused to be dragged in to watching it. To be fair I make DH sit through Call the Midwife. Happy Valley. All creatures etc etc.

Well I stand converted. Loving the arbitrary dispatching of characters, the drip feed exposition. And the beautifully crafted love story. I cried!

No idea if it's like the game. But it's great tv. And it keeps steering away from the obvious. I fully expected a grim Holocaust style massacre when we saw so.diners loading the doomed mother and baby on the truck. But it didn't need that. The shot of the killing field was enough to show the horror. Also expected some from corpses in bed shot. But no our lovers retained their dignity. Just a dried out plant was enough.

Can't even doing with this weekly release though!

MotherOfHouseplants · 01/02/2023 09:23

gamerchick · 31/01/2023 21:39

It's bemused me the division in this program. The gamers hissing because the bill and frank part of the game was so different to the program and people who haven't played it thinking the third episode was amazing.

I've played the game multiple times but enjoyed the third episode anyway, despite looking forward to the boss we were all waiting for in the school gym.

I like the way they're keeping us guessing. It's mint

TBH I think anyone who played the game and didn’t clock that Bill and Frank were partners wasn’t really paying attention!

I think it was a very deliberate choice to make ep 3 the one where they deviated significantly from the game. It is a message to the gamers that they don’t know everything that’s coming (although I don’t think they’ll change the ending).

Anyotherdude · 01/02/2023 09:23

Not a gamer, nor a zombie apocalypse film fan, but this was interesting from the start (a bit violent for me, normally) and then, Ep3 - so beautiful!
I like that it can’t be binge-watched as it gives me a week to reflect on what happened, and something to look forward to on a Monday evening!