The Last of Us Spoiler Discussion

[ZooCrewDude]

I liked the shows choice to spend some time developing the reason why Ellie is motivated to fight for Joel's life (she wasn't able to save the last person she cared about, and she alludes to having no one else in her life). They needed to add depth to her character at some point, IMO. I don't even mind that they dedicated an hour to it... but as @The Human Q-Tip mentions, I think it did expose Ramsey's acting a little bit. She's been crushing the sarcastic/witty teenager all season, but I think this episode was just a little bit outside of her range and it required her to carry it (the girl opposite her was great, btw). Still loving the show... they didn't miss by much here and it was necessary for them to develop Ellie a little bit further; we know a ton about Joel comparatively.

 

[Urban]

I mean, I know the game was about ten hours long, but you have to remember that about six of those hours were combat and another two are exploration and simple puzzles (like finding a pallet for Ellie to float on since she can’t swim). The show necessarily has to add some narrative stuff to work as a show, because it was never going to be Joel murdering hundreds of people and just as many zombies on a trek across country.

We can set aside the cognitive dissonance of Joel’s actions and the point of the story in a game, because ultimately a game needs a gameplay loop, but it doesn’t work on a show.

Well the game was definitely longer than 10 hours.

Again, I think it would've worked better if they started the episode with present day Ellie scavenging a mall, condensed mall flashback, return to Joel to help fix him up but realize he needs more medicine and she is not going to lose another person she cares about.

A few things they could've spent more time on that would've been more worthwhile, in my opinion

-Underground sewers when Joel/Sam and Henry/Ellie were split up chased by infected
-Those ominous, haunting opening scenes like the first two episodes with the doctor talking about fungi and the other talking about bombing Indonesia
-Spending more than 60 seconds on Joel getting stabbed by a raider fleeing the university's science building

 

[Ohio]

Well the game was definitely longer than 10 hours.

Again, I think it would've worked better if they started the episode with present day Ellie scavenging a mall, condensed mall flashback, return to Joel to help fix him up but realize he needs more medicine and she is not going to lose another person she cares about.

A few things they could've spent more time on that would've been more worthwhile, in my opinion

-Underground sewers when Joel/Sam and Henry/Ellie were split up chased by infected
-Those ominous, haunting opening scenes like the first two episodes with the doctor talking about fungi and the other talking about bombing Indonesia
-Spending more than 60 seconds on Joel getting stabbed by a raider fleeing the university's science building

Agreed on all accounts.

I mean, the show has been great, but by my count they've "wasted" (for lack of a better term) two episodes while also shortcutting significant scenes/moments of the game, such as the ones you mentioned. In that sense, it's hard not to be slightly disappointed. It had the potential to be a classic but instead its just another one of many great shows.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Well the game was definitely longer than 10 hours.

Again, I think it would've worked better if they started the episode with present day Ellie scavenging a mall, condensed mall flashback, return to Joel to help fix him up but realize he needs more medicine and she is not going to lose another person she cares about.

A few things they could've spent more time on that would've been more worthwhile, in my opinion

-Underground sewers when Joel/Sam and Henry/Ellie were split up chased by infected
-Those ominous, haunting opening scenes like the first two episodes with the doctor talking about fungi and the other talking about bombing Indonesia
-Spending more than 60 seconds on Joel getting stabbed by a raider fleeing the university's science building

I’m watching a play through of the first game on YouTube and it’s just under ten hours. So yeah, it’s definitely shorter than ten hours if you play through at a relatively quick pace and know what you’re doing.

Now, will your average gamer beat it that quickly? No, they’ll die and have to replay somewhat long combat encounters and likely spend more time scouring each arena for supplies.

But none of that really changes my point, which is that the first game had maybe two hours of actual narrative content over 10-15 hours of total run time.

 

[Urban]

I’m watching a play through of the first game on YouTube and it’s just under ten hours. So yeah, it’s definitely shorter than ten hours if you play through at a relatively quick pace and know what you’re doing.

Now, will your average gamer beat it that quickly? No, they’ll die and have to replay somewhat long combat encounters and likely spend more time scouring each arena for supplies.

But none of that really changes my point, which is that the first game had maybe two hours of actual narrative content over 10-15 hours of total run time.

And that doesn't change my point that this episode was probably the weakest of the season so far and that I wish they didn't spend 10% of the season on a flashback that wasn't part of the original story.

Ratings seem to agree as it's the lowest rated episode so far, excluding episodes that have been review bombed by homophobes

 

[CardiacCavs]

Enjoyed yesterday's episode. Although after they cut away from the flashback, me and the person I was watching with both asked "Wait, that's it?"

We didn't get to see how the situation resolved itself. Did Ellie have to put down her friend once she turned (and Ellie did not)? Did Marlene find Ellie at the Mall? Just some connective stuff that I thought could be fleshed out more. Based on the preview for next episode, it doesn't appear they will answer those.

 

[MirORich]

Enjoyed yesterday's episode. Although after they cut away from the flashback, me and the person I was watching with both asked "Wait, that's it?"

We didn't get to see how the situation resolved itself. Did Ellie have to put down her friend once she turned (and Ellie did not)? Did Marlene find Ellie at the Mall? Just some connective stuff that I thought could be fleshed out more. Based on the preview for next episode, it doesn't appear they will answer those.

Could be saving some of that for a S2 flashback at another point where further backstory/emotional background on Ellie makes sense with a present day storyline? Does feel weird to not commit to the final hours of Ellie and her friend and Ellie getting caught by the fireflies and what compels them to believe she’s immune and not immediately kill her

 

[Jack Brickman]

Could be saving some of that for a S2 flashback at another point where further backstory/emotional background on Ellie makes sense with a present day storyline? Does feel weird to not commit to the final hours of Ellie and her friend and Ellie getting caught by the fireflies and what compels them to believe she’s immune and not immediately kill her

May be an excuse to bring back Marlene next season. Plus they're going to need some stuff to pad the run time given they're supposedly splitting the second game into two seasons. It was longer than the first game, but the vast majority of it was still combat and exploration.

 

[Urban]

Riley turning wasn't in the game and I don't think it'll be in the show either.

Nor was Marlene picking up Ellie after she was bit. I'm skeptical there will be a flashback for that, but if there is, I think it's most likely to be in the Season 1 finale.

 

[kookoo]

I really enjoyed the episode. Outside of the ending, it was a good calm before the storm episode. Especially for gamers who know what's coming, we're going to need it. Bella was okay, I think better than I expected her to be in this episode. Totally agreed there are things I'd love to have seen in a few episodes (the upside down shooting needs to be in there, though obviously we didn't actually end up meeting Bill so it's okay). I think in the game we spent so much time in sewers and high water where we had to move around and it added to the element of fear, that we definitely miss out on that intensity. But I guess logistically it doesn't make sense. Definitely some workarounds or omittance needed to make it work more for a TV show.

As for needing to go to a mall to get to the flashback, I like the idea but they're in such a desolate area at this point a mall might not exist. Not wanting to lose the second person in her life she's genuinely loved seems like a good enough reason for a flashback like that. Also, the DLC and episode are called Left Behind. So it makes sense she doesn't want to do that. IDK, maybe not the best episode, but I love that they're giving non-gamers a look to the DLC. And possibly some gamers who didn't play it.

 

[Chris]

The more I watch, the more I want to just play the games again honestly. Good show, still. Final two episodes need to pack a real punch if it wants to come anywhere close to the source material.

 

[Chris]

Derp derp

 

[BMAN]

I’ve said all along I have no idea what the show is gonna do when Bella has to carry it.

Welp, didn’t think I was going to get a game spoiler in this thread. Guess that’s on me, that sucks.

 

[kookoo]

Welp, didn’t think I was going to get a game spoiler in this thread. Guess that’s on me, that sucks.

If it makes you feel better, it was spoiled for every single gamer as well...

 

[Chris]

Thought that's what Q Tip was talking about ... lol. Sorry, I'll edit. Seemed like game spoilers were being thrown around I misinterpreted I guess.