Author: Megan Williams

TLOU Review – Episode 2: Infected

PLEASE NOTE: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 2’S ENDING

After the phenomenal and successful opener, the second episode of ‘The Last of Us’ has once again become HBO’s highest viewed drama with this episode gaining 5.7 million views. However, after the chaotic introduction, the second episode titled ‘Infected’ takes a step back to an extent. 

After escaping the Quarantine Zone, Joel, Ellie and Tess make their way across post-apocalyptic Boston to reunite with the rebellion group The Fireflies. However, after finding out Ellie’s secret, Tess and Joel are conflicted as to what to do with her.

This is another fantastic episode and serves as a character study. Even the title of the episode is clever, as it not only explores the Fungi Infected, but each main character too and represents Ellie’s secret.

Now that the first episode has been and gone, the biggest part that I was unsure about, and am still unsure about, was the reveal that Ellie was bitten but is not infected, hence why The Fireflies had her captive. The dialogue from Tess revealing this felt rushed because it’s an extremely important plot detail in the game that’s revealed much later. But it does help explain Tess and Joel’s reactions towards her at the start of this episode, which is fear. They don’t know if the virus will end up changing her into an Infected, so they’re tense around her. But this episode does allow Bella Ramsey to fully bring out Ellie’s charm here and it’s a much needed part of the show. Because the show’s tone is very bleak and serious, Ellie’s charm and, at times, innocence is needed and welcomed. This is especially the case since Joel has become hardened by the past twenty years and, while Tess is caring and sympathetic towards Ellie, she is also upfront about her and Joel’s intentions and the fact that Ellie is only important because it matches what their journey is for the most part. It’s interesting to see how the Infection has changed each characters’ personalities and approaches to situations.

Just like the first episode, this episode begins with a flashback, this time from 2003 marking the start of the infection. And, just like the previous opener, the sequence in Indonesia is terrifying too. However, while the previous opener was foreshadowing, this sequence spells out the inevitable start of the infection. It’s terrifying purely because it’s clear the spread has already started and, because there’s no cure to it, there’s not much that can be done to stop it aside from burning cities and victims. It’s a horrific image that the sequence paints, but it also emphasizes how important Ellie; she is a case that was impossible. Furthermore, the 2003 introduction and present day connect perfectly when a bomb crater is discovered, showing that other countries followed Indonesia’s horrific plan. Just like with the Infected, it’s another case of ‘show and don’t tell’ which is truly appreciated.

Because the majority of the episode is a journey, it does a fantastic job at explaining how the Infected work, in terms of their lifespan and how they become infected. But it moves slightly away from the game by adding in the idea of the Infected being connected via a hivemind of sorts. It’s an interesting new detail that I loved, plus it makes the Infected and the threat of them much scarier and can make for some very tense scenes. When adapting a beloved piece of media, it’s important to stick to a lot of the source material’s key aspects while also making it different enough for fans and non-fans, and this new detail is welcomed. The episode’s writing is incredible at explaining the Infected in a way that new fans will understand. 

This episode also gives viewers their first proper look at the live action Clickers. These are a staple in the game, and the most recognizable of the Infected. And they are just as terrifying in the show as they are in the game! The attention to detail when creating the Clickers is incredible. And it’s a relief to see that, just because this is an adaptation, the designs of these Infected haven’t changed at all, including their creepy clicking sound.

The biggest discourse that has arose from this episode is the ending reveal. Near the end, it is revealed that Tess is actually infected and will nearly become an Infected one herself. This is a huge departure from the game, which is where the divisiveness stems from. While it was a shock to see, I think this was a good change. Either way, the show/game centres around Joel and Ellie, so Tess sadly needed to be removed eventually. And, going on from a previous point, the show needs to make a couple of changes in order to entice new fans as well as surprise fans of the source material, and this change was shocking but executed very well. 

The second episode of ‘TLOU’ is just as strong as the first one. It’s a much needed one, purely because it provides exploration of the Infected, including an interesting new detail, as well as Joel, Ellie and Tess. Plus, viewers get their first proper look at the terrifying Clickers, a staple in the games. Even if the ending was divisive amongst fans of the game, it was a welcome one personally. It’s clear to see why this episode is another one of HBO’s most viewed episodes ever. 

HBO’s The Last Of Us: The BRWC Review

Episode 1: When You’re Lost In The Darkness

The new decade has seen some fantastic video game adaptations: ‘League of Legends Arcane’, ‘Tekken: Bloodline’, and even Sonic the Hedgehog have graced the small and big screens to positive reviews. And the adaptation trend looks to continue with HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’.

‘The Last of Us’ was originally a 2013 Playstation 3 game developed by Naughty Dog (Uncharted, Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter). The game follows Joel and Ellie as they navigate through an apocalyptic world that has been taken over by mutated plant-like humans. While it has been remastered twice (for Playstation 4 then Playstation 5), this is the first live action adaptation of the property, starring Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) as Joel and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Ellie.

The first episode aired on Monday in the UK, and it’s immediately clear the team behind the show care about the source material because this is a fantastically emotional introduction. Showrunner Craig Mazin (HBO’s Chernobyl) has taken great care to make sure the show is accurate to the game’s look and feel and it’s perfect. The setting of apocalyptic Boston is fantastically creepy and looks as if it’s been lifted straight out of the game. Plus, the ruling of the Quarantine Zone that the first episode focuses on looks just as barren. Not only that but the episode doesn’t shy away from showing how corrupt the safe zone has become, in an attempt to keep people away from the devasting virus. The game carries a theme of ‘the humans are the real monsters’ but it’s still disturbing to see it on the small screen. And, while the game does have a familiar story of people trying to survive in an apocalypse, video game adaptations have been met with mixed/poor reviews right up until a few years ago. So, to see this game being adapted perfectly is another relief; so far, the first episode deserves to be placed amongst the recent fantastic gaming adaptations.

But is it a good opener for people who have never played the game? 

Yes, it is. 

The first five minutes of the episode, which features a talk show from the late 60’s, beautifully foreshadows upcoming events and how bleak the situation will become for humanity. And, from there, it’s a slow build up to the initial outbreak. What the show does well, compared to the game, is give viewers more time with Joel and his daughter Sarah. The game didn’t allow players much time with these two characters but the show gives the storytelling a second chance especially with the absence of gameplay. This means that the first half of the episode revolves around Sarah and Joel’s father/daughter relationship and developing them. This makes one of the character’s inevitable fate even more emotional and impactful, and it was just as upsetting as it was in the game. 

At the same time, hints of the apocalypse are happening around them and the execution of the build up is terrifying. In an admittedly strange comparison, it’s reminiscent of the one take scene in ‘Shaun of the Dead’ that built up the zombie apocalypse slowly and subtly, thus building up the dread of events that are soon to come. It also means that the relationship between Joel and Sarah is just as heart-breaking as it is in the game. ‘The Last of Us’ cinematography also helps emphasize the chaos of the outbreak by using the found footage/handheld style and it works fantastically, adding to the fast-paced scenes and the panic that ensues. 

The cast are fantastic: Pedro Pascal is perfect as Joel; he give the character a stern and mature confidence, which is needed. But Bella Ramsey also gives Ellie a confidence too, but a fierce one. Just like in the game, Ellie here is tough but cheeky and proves to hold her own in a fight. The two are wonderful to watch together even if it’s just for a short amount of time; it’s a hint to what their interactions will be like for the rest of the series. The biggest casting surprise is Merle Dandridge, who reprises her video game role as Marlene, the leader of the revolutionary group The Fireflies. What isn’t a surprise is just how good she is; because she had previously done motion capture and voicing for the character in the game, she fits very comfortably into the same role onscreen. 

Even though the video game adaptation curse had been resolved a few years ago, the first episode of ‘The Last of Us’ is fantastic. It covers a lot of exposition and character development in its 95-minute runtime and uses the time well. Plus, the casting and setting is perfect, and the original theme is even featured in the show’s title sequence. It will be interesting to see what the show changes in terms of the game’s narrative and especially ending, given Ellie’s reveal already. But, just as the game became quickly beloved, the show has already won me over.