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The last of us

420 replies

Botw1 · 30/01/2023 22:04

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

OP posts:
LadyLyndon · 02/02/2023 07:17

And this is the reason why my son won’t eat mushrooms.

Also, Con O’Neil was originally cast as Bill but had to drop out due to “scheduling” aka he was filming “Our flag means death” which is also an excellent programme.

middleager · 02/02/2023 07:26

I enjoyed E1 but the next two, not so much.

I watched all TWD and it feels like the same, including episodes where they focus on a one/two person backstory.

Yes, it's a survival story, exploring human relationships....but the horror count is low. Like pps I want to see monsters, not romamce. The flower heads are not scary.

Pemba · 02/02/2023 15:15

Thanks @elderberryink and also @IClaudine and @Workerbeep I will try it for at least another few episodes then, as you all say it's so good, and worth it.

Not sure about DH though, he seems to fall asleep whilst watching anything now, except Happy Valley and The Sopranos (which we have belatedly discovered, just finishing up season 1). It's an age thing maybe. He seems to fall asleep more with anything in the fantasy/Sci Fi genre, which personally I find hard to understand! So I might end up continuing Last of Us on my own.

user1471561661 · 02/02/2023 15:35

@brittanyfairies that's really interesting thanks, so they just want to be loved

Grin @LadyLyndon

Dotellhimpike · 02/02/2023 15:44

I'm a massive gamer so have played the game itself but I am definitely in a minority in that the game simply never grabbed me the way it has most people who have played it, I found it a bit dull to be honest. Having said that, it was always clear the plot of the game had the potential to be a movie or a TV show and I am very impressed with what they have done and the level of care and attention they have put into transferring the game to the screen. Like most people I was blown away by episode three, and even if it was self indulgent, it was still one of the best standalone episodes of television I have ever seen. It wasn't self indulgent though and here's why. Bill and Joel are in many ways the same, they survive for the sake of surviving but Bill didn't realise he was just suriviving, nothing more, until Frank came along and he found a reason to start living, something that made him afraid to lose, and that gave a purpose and meaning to his life that wasn't there before. Joel is the same, and he will face the same choice, spend the rest of his life just surviving, or open up emotionally and leave himself open once again to the same hurt he felt when he lost his daughter. He has the chance to find purpose to life, just as Bill did.

One other thing the show did was inform the viewers who thought they knew how this show would pan out, that they can expect some surprises. This entire episode was what it means to risk loving someone to the point you will die for them, it's absolutely essential to the plot and theme of the entire show. So now we wait to see what choice Joel will make.

DuncinToffee · 02/02/2023 15:52

I wasn't too bothered watching this but I am glad I did. I am really enjoying it.

That kiss in E2 was truly disturbing, E3 was beautiful and now the references to the pancake mix, birthday cake, the cookies and Joel's diet make sense.

DH has borrowed the game from a friend and the start is like E1.

Original poster
Botw1 · 02/02/2023 15:53

Excellent post @Dotellhimpike

OP posts:
MotherOfHouseplants · 02/02/2023 16:03

Completely agree @Dotellhimpike. It's a narrative about living with purpose, not merely surviving. I can see why viewers who particularly want survival horror are finding it a disappointment because that's not at all what it is.

lightinthemirrorstormyoutside · 02/02/2023 16:08

Last night's was so brilliant, Nick Offerman & Murray Bartlett were so brilliant (and gorgeous) and I loved seeing Tess looking all well and healthy.

Furries · 03/02/2023 01:47

Dotellhimpike · 02/02/2023 15:44

I'm a massive gamer so have played the game itself but I am definitely in a minority in that the game simply never grabbed me the way it has most people who have played it, I found it a bit dull to be honest. Having said that, it was always clear the plot of the game had the potential to be a movie or a TV show and I am very impressed with what they have done and the level of care and attention they have put into transferring the game to the screen. Like most people I was blown away by episode three, and even if it was self indulgent, it was still one of the best standalone episodes of television I have ever seen. It wasn't self indulgent though and here's why. Bill and Joel are in many ways the same, they survive for the sake of surviving but Bill didn't realise he was just suriviving, nothing more, until Frank came along and he found a reason to start living, something that made him afraid to lose, and that gave a purpose and meaning to his life that wasn't there before. Joel is the same, and he will face the same choice, spend the rest of his life just surviving, or open up emotionally and leave himself open once again to the same hurt he felt when he lost his daughter. He has the chance to find purpose to life, just as Bill did.

One other thing the show did was inform the viewers who thought they knew how this show would pan out, that they can expect some surprises. This entire episode was what it means to risk loving someone to the point you will die for them, it's absolutely essential to the plot and theme of the entire show. So now we wait to see what choice Joel will make.

I love that some people have the capacity to see and write stuff like this - I find it fascinating.

I usually get as far as yup, I am enjoying this or nope, this is a pile of crap.

It’s why I usually read, but don’t post, on threads re programmes I like. I get more from the programme by reading the threads.

So, to all who post really great insights, whatever programme it may be, thank you.

Wheretheskyisblue · 04/02/2023 14:50

Anyone know how they powered their generator for 20 years in episode 3? The 2 canisters of gas that Bill filled up at the start of the episode
wouldn't have lasted very long and the lights were still on when Joel and Tess arrived.

Telephome · 04/02/2023 14:55

Wheretheskyisblue · 04/02/2023 14:50

Anyone know how they powered their generator for 20 years in episode 3? The 2 canisters of gas that Bill filled up at the start of the episode
wouldn't have lasted very long and the lights were still on when Joel and Tess arrived.

He would have kept filling up wouldn't he?

Although, I was very shocked impressed that there was still wine left after all that time, I'd have been bone dry by Jan 2004.

Wheretheskyisblue · 04/02/2023 15:08

How long had they been dead though when Joel showed up? I also got the impression that they did not leave the compound.

Luckily they had their own wine shop so should take a while to get through the stock. Maybe 1000 bottles in 20 years at 1-2 a day.

SunshineAndFizz · 04/02/2023 15:12

It was fantastic.

DH loves the game and he also said that episode was amazing, even though it's got differences to the game.

In his words "I didn't look at my phone once during that." The mark of a good tv 😂

SunshineAndFizz · 04/02/2023 15:17

Wheretheskyisblue · 04/02/2023 15:08

How long had they been dead though when Joel showed up? I also got the impression that they did not leave the compound.

Luckily they had their own wine shop so should take a while to get through the stock. Maybe 1000 bottles in 20 years at 1-2 a day.

We also had a debate about how much wine there'd have to be and how quickly we'd plough through it 😂 I seriously doubt we'd have any left after 20 years!

Roundlampshade · 04/02/2023 15:26

Wheretheskyisblue · 04/02/2023 15:08

How long had they been dead though when Joel showed up? I also got the impression that they did not leave the compound.

Luckily they had their own wine shop so should take a while to get through the stock. Maybe 1000 bottles in 20 years at 1-2 a day.

Judging by the marigolds in the pot, I’d say less than a fortnight. The food on the table hadn’t gone mouldy though and the smell can’t have been that bad otherwise Ellie would have said something.

DuncinToffee · 04/02/2023 15:40

When Joel, Tess and Ellie left, the radio came on with a 80's song. Joel told Ellie that Bill's radio would start playing 80's music after ? days of inactivity

(can't remember the number of days)

Bill's letter was dated 23 Aug if I remember correctly.

Pennyforthezombies · 04/02/2023 17:25

I was very underwhelmed with episode 1 but it redeemed itself somewhat with episode 2 and then totally bombed again last week - I don’t understand the hype with this series, maybe different if you’re a fan of the game.

Greatly · 04/02/2023 17:58

Pennyforthezombies · 04/02/2023 17:25

I was very underwhelmed with episode 1 but it redeemed itself somewhat with episode 2 and then totally bombed again last week - I don’t understand the hype with this series, maybe different if you’re a fan of the game.

Felt exactly the same.

It was a bit daft - I mean, what are the chances of your gay soul mate falling into your man trap 😉

Brendabigbaps · 05/02/2023 08:39

LadyLyndon · 02/02/2023 07:17

And this is the reason why my son won’t eat mushrooms.

Also, Con O’Neil was originally cast as Bill but had to drop out due to “scheduling” aka he was filming “Our flag means death” which is also an excellent programme.

I watched ep 3 already knowing this, I couldn’t imagine it at all. Spent alot of time thinking how would Con do it, all I could imagine was squeaky voice Neil from Happy Valley
Con ONeil is an amazing actor

Isthisabitweird · 05/02/2023 09:19

I have questions!

So the clickers aren’t dead people they are humans that have been taken over by the fungus so effectively hosts?

Are they attacking humans to spread the fungus? I got the impression they were eating them in episode 1?

If Joel and Tess knew bill and frank why do they keep going back to the quarantine zone? Are the People in the quarantine zone prisoners?

thank you!

Edthehorse · 05/02/2023 09:30

Watched episode 3 last night.

I was also waiting for him to be killed whilst playing the piano 🤦‍♀️

Best single episode of anything I've ever seen.

Even OH was in tears 😢

Original poster
Botw1 · 05/02/2023 09:43

@Isthisabitweird

Yes my understanding is that the humans aren't dead but have been taken over/are being controlled by the fungus. That's how it operates irl. It controls insects to make them more effectively spread the spores.

Don't think they are eating the humans just trying to infect them to spread the humans

And yeah I think it's illegal for people to leave the QZ but I also presumed that a) bill wouldn't allow them to stay /didn't want to share resources and b) they didn't want to stay

OP posts:
MotherOfHouseplants · 05/02/2023 10:14

Yes, it is illegal to leave the QZ. That was the crime of the people you saw in the public execution in ep 1. Joel and Tess are smugglers and they have a reciprocal trading arrangement with Bill and Frank. It was Joel and Tess who procured the medication that Frank was taking towards the end.

They don’t stay in Bill and Frank’s town because they aren’t invited. Frank has a genuine friendship with them (or at least with Tess) but Bill merely tolerates them and develops grudging respect over time.

Abra1t · 05/02/2023 19:28

Tess and Joel seem to be suggesting that bill and frank go back to the QZ, though? Suggesting that in the earlier stages they (Tess and Joel) were foraging on behalf of the QZ? Did I misinterpret?