Sorry to cheat and watch Ep 3 ahead of the Sky Atlantic premier (I got a Pub Quiz to go to later). Iām not sure that one worked for meā¦
I felt like it was retracing steps of so many other comics, films and tv shows. I also have concerns that they had an indirect side story so early in the shows run; its left me with the feeling that the show is going to be disjointed all the way through since each episode so far has had a different pace, tone and character development. We really needed time with the 2 leads to show the impact that the events of ep2 had on each of them and how their relationship is shaped by it, but instead its parked it for a tale about 2 characters that have almost no impact to the main story. Great as a one off but a mistake to have it as the 3rd ep, ruining any pace the show got from the first 2 eps and felt almost disrespectful to Tessās character by undermining the impact of her loss (āignore her, here is a story about 2 semi-random characters insteadā). If it turns out to be an anthology show with a loose plot held together by the 2 leads than this turn will make greater sense to me; but for now I can only see it as a mistake.
I know Iāll be in the minority on this one. Sorry to be a curmudgeon, if I bounce off of the series I promise to shut up to prevent ruining it for anyone else. I still want to like it for now, so giving it 2 more eps before giving up.
I thought the first episode was decent about to watch second episode once dinner is ready. I really enjoyed the first game and DLC but I hated, hated, hated The Last of Us Pt 2. Thought it was relentlessly miserable, and pushed some pretty reactionary bile using representatives of marginalized communities to cover itself. I know most zombie stuff is fundamentally reactionary but good god. Hope a serious rewrite happens when they get to the sequel material.(I know it wonāt)
There were a few beats of what I believe they call āsoy dialogueā in the pilot episode that I did not care for. You know, āso, uh, yeah, THAT happened.ā type exchanges. Nothing too unbearable however.
I actually enjoyed the side story, but had geared myself up for more Joel and Ellie post Tess. Was nice that we did at least get some bonus Tess in this episode. Definite shades of The Walking Dead and the various survivor communities in that show. Are there side stories in the game or is this stuff just for the TV series?
they will be returning to this house at a later point (hence leaving the weapons behind) so hopefully whats established from the ep isnāt wasted for future plots.
I havenāt played the game in a long time but I believe it always followed the 2 leads despite having a few time jump moments; but no harm in building out the world with other characters, heres hoping they fit into the wider story a bit more than is evident now.
I really liked that episode. I had literally been wondering what happens when Ellie menstruates for the last two episodes and now we know! Although using 20 year old tampons isnāt a great idea.
Thought that was the best of the three episodes so far.
Kind of wish someone would make an entire series about someone living alone in this kind of context. No need for much dramatic narrative stuff really, just give plenty of time to them concocting recipes, raiding the off license, doing repairs etc and build up that feeling of complete isolation and creepiness when something unexpected does eventually happen. When it forms a small part of a wider series it is never fully realised because thereās always someone rocking up every 5 mins to move the story along.
Maybe itās not the best idea to have an episode like this as the third one of the season, idk, but the episode itself was a clear step up in quality compared to the first two (which I have liked, but I donāt think marked the show out as anything properly top-tier).
Each place you get to in the game you usually explore the characters you meet and learn about their history. Very episodic narrative a bit like Apocalypse Now or something. They spun this entire episode out of a collectible note you find in the town which is either a sign they did not have enough material to get to 10 full episodes so we got a bit of cheeky padding, or shows a willingness to expand on and take risks with the source material.
they skipped an epic boss fight in the high school gym which demonstrates how the fungi is mutating and evolving so that was a shame.
I would guess they made this episode because all the other Prestige Shows have a random bottle episode that has nothing to do with the main narrative these days, to demonstrate the makers will take creative risks. It is so interesting how Prestige is now itās own genre with specific tropes. I suppose they felt obliged to do it so they will be taken seriously by the critics.
Great episode. Bit of a cheat using Max Richter, but small potatoes when the writing and acting is that good. A very strong 8, best of the three so far.
Thought it was fine enough as a stand-alone episode. Very typical modern tv storyline but well acted and the cinematography was great.
Thought it was odd how much extra effort was placed into the background and nuance on the āmainā character though where if anything less has been made with other characters and there have been considerable parts of the game missed in favour of it.
They spun this entire episode out of a collectible note you find in the town
It feels like not as much depth was given to some other characters as it was in the game. (I used āmainā instead of the character that the episode was focused on so as not to spoil it)
So, they have changed the Bill and Frank relationship here. Considerably. In the game, Frank passes away hating Bill. You even discover Frankās body with Bill. The hatred is in the note.
Theyāve taken a character that people liked and told a much more tender story. And offered up some important context about the different lives and situations people may have found themselves in that they couldnāt do in the game.
I thought it was a beautiful way to show more of that world. And show a more human, gentle side of what is just a ālevelā in the game.
she was so good as Tess and I loved her in 24