The Last of Us - Episode 4 Review

[@GreatSpaceToaster]

God, I agree so much with you regarding the stupid "filler" talk. People are so impatient. If you just go for crazy, impactful moments all the time, they'll stop being impactful. Episodes like this usually never end up on anyone's favorites list, but that's OK, they are necessary to build up character and the world, to make sure the big moments _really_ land.

[@travishart2721]

People forget the actually story in the game has a runtime of about 5 hours, this show might get 8 to 9 episodes, they would be idiots not to take advantage and build more of the world we didn’t get to see in the game

[@israelsaadesnoozer377]

Why not include some actual zombie killing that has barely been apparent in the series.

[@oreohunter7798]

@@israelsaadesnoozer377 is the title “the last fungal zombies for us to kill?”

[@Ebon_Sean]

@Israelsa Adesnoozer I imagine stuffing every episode with killing infected would get repetitive and boring real quick. The best thing about this is that we have this exact story already done in video game format WITH a sequel to do just that if that's what you want.

[@blanktom6049]

@@israelsaadesnoozer377 because they don’t want it to turn into The Walking Dead

[@boobootittleman7299]

Joel killing Bryan while he was screaming for his mother was chilling. What shocked me the most was that I thought Joel was going to shoot Bryan, but the fact that he stabbed him with his own knife to save ammo. Christ that was dark.

[@blizzard-storm97]

But totally fits

[@Sethpelepchuk]

Well it was also so nobody in the area can hear they're nearby

[@firstlast9846]

N30N01R - did you miss the entire shootout and car crashing into a building? They knew they were there anyway

[@lustrazor44]

Bro, Bryan tried to murder him and Ellie. A kid. They’re a well supplied militia group. Why are you feeling bad for a dude who got snuffed trying to snuff people?

[@mackinblack]

Not chilling in the slightest. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

[@nerdygal6133]

Joel and Ellie laughing at the end is my favourite moment of the series so far. I love seeing them bonding. Pedro’s more vulnerable take on Joel is really working for me, especially paired with Bella’s more vulnerable Ellie!

[@aiiv7839]

I'm not gonna lie, I actually like this shows take on Joel!

[@mangaas]

Naw, the show is mismanaging Ellie's arch and making Joel look weak. Hard to see Ellie as a young kid who's bothered by killing, after they already showed her as a sociopathic weirdo, playing with an infected, cutting them like an ant under a magnifying glass, before stabbing it in the head. So her being bothered by the shooting isn't earned. I'm more surprised she didn't walk up to him to just finish him off. This version of Ellie has an unhealthy curiosity with violence. Ellie needs to be forced into violence, not actively seeking it out, to stab and butcher things with her bear hands. That's not in the original story, and doesn't work for her character, at all. And the fight in this episode was, again, subpar compared to how it plays out in the game. And Joel being beaten by a scrawny, 110 lb kid by simply sitting on him, was lame. Joel was supposed to be a big enforcer of Tess's in the game. Yes he's old, but he's a 200+ lbs of a hardened brutal enforcer, who beats people to death for a living. The show has a high budget, but none of it was spent on good fight choreography, or good stunt work. That shootout need to end in a more brutal hand-to-hand fight that ends with Joel murdering more people, to help sell us in what he's become since that first episode. If they want to work in Ellie shooting someone, they needed to have more people in the fight. So far, they're portraying Joel as way less intimidating than he is in the game, and kinda weak and dumb, and Ellie as a bit of a weirdo, who seems like the type of kid you find out was drowning kittens out of morbid curiosity. Some of the early changes in episode one made sense, cause they were changes that gave the characters a more grounded, logical motivation for getting the plot going. But now, I'm noticing the writers making changes, and adding characters (Kathleen), just for changes sake. The brilliance of the game was it was better than your average HBO show. Now they're dumbing it down into one, instead of elevating it with superior writing.

[@noraunhappy]

@@mangaas You sure typed a lot of words when you could of just said, “I lack media literacy.” Because the show was never showing Ellie as some sociopathic killer. First because an infected isn’t the same as a person and killing an infected is entirely different to hearing a human being beg for his life as he’s stabbed to death. Second because that scene was much more about Ellie being curious about the infected, what makes them work, what they’re like. All of the things she’s somehow miraculously immune to. And the anger that she feels because of all the things these creatures have taken from her, both personally and on a larger scale.

[@GreatOldOne9866]

@@mangaas you’re wrong. Go play with the other animals.

[@g.e.o.r.g.e...]

Vulnerable in the sense that Joel doesn't know what he's doing? Ellie in the show is also more of a psycho right from the start.

[@beccazach]

THANK YOU for talking about the "filler" misconception. Character development is needed, and not every moment is going to be the main characters doing something exciting or dramatic; it's about them bonding and sharing small moments together, which is how the audience starts to get invested in these two characters (and characters like Tess, Bill, and Frank) so much. This episode was fantastic and I'm so excited for episode 5 :)

[@tw_judy]

I feel like gamers are programmed to expect wall-to-wall balls aching action, and they take this media illiteracy (or tendency if I’m being polite) to this other media because this is a videogame adaptation. Games are getting better at this, just like cartoons in the last few decades have started to get better at this (Ghibli’s moments of silence). But gamers still by-large love their brainless action just like they love their RGB peripherals.

[@Di7manya]

I really don't understand how people can say this episode was filler. This is genuinely the first episode we mostly spend with Ellie and Joel by themselves. Them getting to know each other, bonding and Ellie piercing Joel's armor is the most important part of the story. If we don't see them grow to love each other, how would the end even make sense? Its legit one of my favorite episodes so far, almost on par with 3.

[@traxagenda3445]

No one called this episode a filler. Episode 3 was for sure filler

[@ryantony7743]

​@traxagenda3445 it definitely wasn't filler. It was an episode that showed that in this world that seems so far gone, you can still live happily and find something to fight for as Joel said. Bill started out very much a reflection of Joel. A cynical distrustful man who ensured only his own survival. Until he found someone that made him realize that he may have had survival but he didn't have love. He wasn't actually living a life with much menaing until frank came about. Bill needed someone to actually live and love in order to live a life that meant something. Joel learns this from him.

[@samuelmattox7875]

Bryan begging for his life was so chilling. I think it was a great choice to put us in Ellies perspective when the actual kill happened. So much more effective that way

[@blizzard-storm97]

I thought that dude was faking it, like trying to trick them

[@jw1714]

@@blizzard-storm97 guarantee the second he had a chance to kill them he would’ve they just shot his friend minutes earlier.

[@rmarkley79]

@@blizzard-storm97 I agree, 10 seconds before he got shot in the ass, he would have killed Joel without hesitating. Now he knows he's screwed. If they let him go he would have flagged the team to their location as soon as he could.

[@ndb1aydc]

I just don’t get how a seemingly scrawny Bryan was able to overpower a big Joel. Kinda threw me off, but good scene overall

[@lustrazor44]

Bro, he tried to murder them to take their shit. Chilling my ass.

[@MavenCree]

My favourite line/moment was, "They won't hit you. LOOK AT ME. They WON'T hit you." The confidence that he WILL keep her safe... it's beautiful.

[@stringcheesetheory8127]

I love your take on this episode. The character development of Joel and Ellie is crucial to this story, and it was nice to see them acting like humans, not zombie killing machines. It seems like people need gruesome deaths, big monsters and huge explosions in order to think something is not “filler.” It just shows how numb many have become to an actual human story! And I love this story because it’s a human story surrounded by monsters and explosions! We just got the human part with this episode! I loved it and I’m glad you are giving it a worthy treatment on your channel. ❤

[@UnifiedEntity]

The last of us doesn't have a explosions in the first place. People want what they saw in the game. Dark elements of survival, horror and tension. Something this show has lacked.

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@charliemalick8985 If you want to show how people are handling it.....then you need the main loaming threat to actually be present. Hence why appeal for the walking dead was on a decline. Why should we care about these relationships when we don't see the actual stressors affecting them. At that point it feels very very fabricated.

[@nonnyj81]

As someone who played both games, I love the feel to the series. That's what separates games from TV shows is emotion. Yes I felt some emotions playing the game but at the same time it's a game and I was fighting zombies and "bad guys". But with a TV show it's supposed to feel a little different and it's working so far

[@GOBIAS.INDUSTRIES.]

I've loved every episode, but the infected are supposed to be a huge threat in this world and they've been all but forgotten after episode 2. The Road was an AMAZING apocalyptic movie - characters, world building, acting were all A+... but if it was supposed to be a zombie apocalypse and the zombies never showed up, plenty of people would've felt differently about it 🤷🏽‍♂

[@system0fadowner251]

@GOBIAS Industries you're getting your wish next week, dont worry. I absolutely love that they aren't just throwing different amounts of differently infected at them every ep and really focusing on the characters and storytelling. Not every moment should be filled with dread and danger. Ep 1 and 2 did great at making them feel dangerous, and next ep were gonna see just how dangerous they can become... Cool monster designs and action filled infected moments will hit harder when you've laid this kinda character groundwork, but it's never gonna be fully about fighting infected, and honestly, that's a good thing. Zombie genre is so stale, and this how you stand out. TWD tried to do this, but faltered heavily with poor writing. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have a vision for the story, as well as love and respect for the source material. They'll never please everyone, but so far I feel like they've done a great job walking a tightrope of changing things to work bettee for tv while also giving longtime fans an experience that just IS TLoU

[@alexgriffin1726]

Love the pacing of this show and the chilling down of Joel's defensive wall around his heart after the loss of his daughter and the things he had to do. Being a father of 3 amazing daughters, this reminds me of that relationship i have with the. This episode is absolutely not a filler...its called well crafted storytelling.

[@rthiro8667]

One of the things I notice is how Joel actually ended up staying up through most of the night to watch over Ellie when she showed a hint of fear of getting killed by bandits while they're sleeping when they were talking

[@jsanchez796]

One thing I caught to be fantastic and so neat in detail is the way Bryan pleaded for his life. I know some movies have characters really beg for their lives but sometimes, the emotion only lives in that moment of the scene and it gets forgotten through the rest of the movie/show. Idk what it was, maybe it was the acting or just what was being said by Bryan as he was begging for his life, but that part felt so real, genuine and made me feel so guilty to even look at him, knowing he was gonna die. He said things that someone would've said to stay alive. Like begging for his mom really hit me in the chest. Then yelling out, "Mom, mom, mom!" Just seconds before he died...like that felt so real. "Chilling" like others are saying in the comments. I know after the episode Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann speak about putting humanity inside the enemies. I felt that as I watched the scene the first time. So they definitely nailed that, and I wish more people would talk about it. I feel that kind of dedication in acting just for a small part, really goes a long way and often times, overlooked. Props to Juan Magana as Bryan in his performance. They definitely did that in TLOU Part 1 game remake and Part 2. I freaking love TLOU!

[@SethHMG]

Having seen a few people die up close, that scene was uncomfortably accurate.

[@SoldierSpiderx]

the fact u can see Joel warming up to Ellie is actually done well in the show and see Joel finally losing it at Ellie's jokes was such a great scene 😂

[@obliviousdave562]

Did you notice that Joel always sleeps on his deaf/bad hearing side (accordingly to Ellie), except for that final scene he sleeps on the other side hence not hearing them walk on the glass. Love that attention to detail

[@jesuschrystler777]

Ellie's reaction to Bryan's death contrasts an earlier episode when she toyed with and killed an infected with no remorse. This is probably her way of coping with Riley's fate. She had to believe there is no humanity left in the infected in order to live with the fact that she probably killed Riley herself when she eventually turned. This is what she meant by "it's not my first time." It still weighs on her.

[@wyyn]

Thank you for addressing it. Episode 3 was absolutely not filler. Although it wasn’t my favourite episode, it had meaning to it. People don’t realize that every experience and person Joel and Ellie come across is a parable or lesson to their relationship and why certain decisions are made at the end of their journey. Bill and Franks story was there to tell Joel that some walls are meant to be torn down. And thats why episode 4 was so perfect in showing Joel slowly doing that. Its because he learned from Bill.

[@PhilGerb93]

It was absolutely a filler. The characters won't influence anything later, and only existed in that one episode. If that wasn't a filler, I don't know what is. Literally the only contribution to the main story is "take my car", that's it. Saying that it happened because he learned from Bill is pretty dumb, since it happens anyway in the game and has nothing to do with Bill. It happens because of Ellie, that's it.

[@wyyn]

@@PhilGerb93 thats okay. We can disagree. But we can say the same thing about the game. Why didn’t they just have Bill have a truck ready for Joel and say their goodbyes? Was that whole section filler? No, Instead we learn about Bills tragic story. Like i said a parable and a direct parallel to Joels situation. In the game they showed how Joel can turn up like Bill- a bitter old man with no purpose after the death of Frank. Because he never learned to open up and let Frank fully into his life. While in the show- they show the dichotomy of that scenario. Bill fully embraces Frank and dies fully “satisfied”. This is what Joel begins to realize, especially with the death of Tess and that hole that his daughter left him. Ellie will begin to fill that void for him.

[@PhilGerb93]

@@wyyn I think it would have felt less like a filler if he had stayed alive and spoke with Joel and Ellie. Then it would have felt like his backstory mattered. Right now you could have removed his entire backstory and just left his suicide note and it wouldn't have changed much. Don't get me wrong though, it was still a great little story.

[@wwbuirkle]

No meaning just a constant barage of gayness 24/7 non stop

[@wyyn]

@@wwbuirkle its okay buddy. Not everyone can comprehend complex narratives 👍. This isn’t showrunners being woke. Just people being close minded

[@barryosullivan7763]

You didn't mention or maybe I missed it, but god damn the floor moving was one of the most terrifying (without showing anything) moments so far, to let our imaginations run wild. Especially fact it had a Chernobyl-esque feel to it, that there's an imminent explosion coming, seems poetic it's Craig Mazin involved! Can't wait for next episode!!

[@SamoIsKing]

My wife asked me “whats under the floor? Loads of infected” and I was like “Nah, worse than that”. The bloater already looks amazing, cant wait for episode 5.

[@thephilosopher7173]

That part about "filler" was 100% needed! This show doesn't abuse the time that it has and uses it to expand the world their in. Not to mention they're making it very interesting for those of us who played the game already.

[@TheJaker5]

I actually said the exact same thing about this episode being called “filler” by some people. I friggen loved this episode. It’s pretty much my favorite so far. This episode gave me what I needed to be 100% invested in the relationship between Joel and Ellie. AND it finally sold me on Bella playing Ellie. Now I really enjoy her in the show.

[@phillipeulee4441]

The laugh at the end made me tear up... It's just so nice seeing them have fun together, but at the same time, i can't help but feel sad, knowing the darkness waiting for these characters.

[@alih6804]

The guy who played Bryan did a great job. When he realized he can’t feel his legs, I felt his fear and regret.

[@GoofyRiderFilms]

when he realized he couldnt feel his legs, he couldnt feel his legs

[@MrRPS2012]

honestly, I think that actor is getting far less attention than he deserves. He absolutely nailed the part.

[@platypusbunneh]

Not only is Joel not using a gun to kill Bryan saves a bullet, but is also much, much quieter- both for the environment they're in but to save on his ears. Something I remember when Joel was talking about his hearing after 20 years not using protective gear.

[@__-fm5qv]

I also like that at the end and at the beginning, because of his hearing he tries to go to sleep on his right side, so his better ear isn't obstructed. But when we see Sam and Henry at the end we see he's rolled in his sleep on his left side, hence why he didn't hear them coming.

[@platypusbunneh]

@__ or Ellie saying his name at first, she had to repeat herself louder a second time.

[@nicolasmaldonado1428]

Let this be a lesson to all, when the apocalypse comes, don't forget to bring your PPEs.

[@DOS_Nostalgia]

I like that Ellie noticed that Joel doesnt hear out of his right ear very well. He sleeps with his right ear down but turns around in his sleep and when she wakes him up during the ambush, his right ear is up.

[@LazyTallGuy]

Ellie made me laugh and smile a lot this episode, especially her reaction to coffee 😊

[@pikakelaaja]

100% agree with your take! These little character moments are the best things for me in this show.

[@darnbricks]

Both Underworld and Matchstick Men are also, in VERY different manners, about adopted daughters - which is a nice little reference in its own way. But yeah: Matchstick Men is not only one of Cage's most underrated movies; it's also one of Ridley Scott's (and Sam Rockwell, while we're at it).

[@silashurd3597]

I don’t know if this is just me, but I really like how Joel has trouble hearing in one of his ears because it feels realistic. Like you’d think that after years of being around guns, you’re ears wouldn’t be a little damaged? I’m honestly surprised that game Joel didn’t have anything like this and Joel in the show having damaged hearing is really good attention to detail and I really like it! (Despite what some KZbinr I watch was complaining about it before the show was released). Also I love all the moments where Joel and Ellie are finally bonding because that means that the father/daughter relationship that they’re destined to have! Great episode, as usual!👍🌟

[@hollandscottthomas]

Yeah, I went to a tonne of concerts in my 20s and one of my ears is half-ruined because of it. Guns are fkn LOUD man, someone in their 50s who's been shooting a lot is absolutely going to have hearing problems.

[@leoonellzs]

The way he also sleeps on that side so his good ear is up and his back is facing Ellie, but then when he finally let his barrier down in the last night he ended up in his other side with his bad ear up thus probably not hearing sam and henry

[@JPRvideos]

Imagine if this was a thing in the game. Sound is lowered on the right side of the speaker or headphones and you couldn't hear enemies from that side.

[@martinlarsen7354]

Yup and it's worst on the right ear which is closest to the gun it makes perfect sense.

[@reignrl]

@@leoonellzs great detail

[@DogBrainDingus]

It’s been great seeing you weekly Chris. Thank you for mentioning the early release, especially with how invested I am in the Super Bowl, I’m really going to need the distraction to help with the nerves

[@merrytunes8697]

I'm from KCMO and felt teary eyed when I saw Worlds of Fun and our horrible highway interchange downtown. Agreed, Matchstick Men is also an underrated gem and brings a tear to my eye. Interesting that both Matchstick Men and Underworld were movies with protagonists that don't realize they're missing something in their lives.

[@Unelephant]

I like the difference between the game and the show with the gun story point. In the game, Joel did not want Ellie to have a gun because he didn't trust her with it. But in the show, it seems Joel did not want Ellie to have it because it is a tool used for killing, and he didn't want to put that on a child.

[@Insoma]

What I noticed or what I think, is that Kathleen hesitated to shoot the doctor at first, because of their history together. As she asked if the Raider could be saved, if she had a doctor, I felt like it was her last attempt to justify not killing him, saving him from her. And as the other Raider said, that a doctor would not help, she knew, she had to do it now...(especially as she thought the doctor is protecting the ones who killed her men). And I think, she will find the knive at Joel...

[@FreiTrain]

This episode was truly outstanding in its field.

[@Original-Juice]

all but Kathleen I think she sucks

[@FreiTrain]

@@Original-Juice well maybe she’ll improve in the next episode.

[@PLBiohazard]

I understood that reference!

[@bobbywogoman7932]

I don’t have anyone to really talk to about stuff like this and sometimes it bums me out. I’ve been listening/watching to your videos for years now and, hearing you talk about things that I notice and feel and see makes me super happy. thank you for all of your work.

[@WastelandDovahkiin]

You're one of the first reviewers I've seen who actually gets this episode, and the nuance of the humor and the character and relationship building that happens here. I've seen so many reviewers completely miss it, and they think it's corny or surface level. And yes, I've heard a couple people call it "filler". I'm glad I'm not the only one out there who thinks this is a great episode. This one is my favorite so far.

[@juanmorenofuertes351]

Love to see it! It makes me so happy the bond between Joel and Ellie its starting to develop. That last scene when thay laugh at the diarreah joke its so wholesome.

[@jp3813]

This is the kind of "filler" episode that Game of Thrones fans wanted more of in its final season.

[@davidm9942]

Chris you killed it. Everyone was complaining about how short the episode was. I thought it was very impactful

[@OneFreemanC17]

Little thing I caught. Joel is deaf in his right ear. He sleeps on his right side so his left ear can pick up sound. He also sleeps with his back to Ellie. When Sam and Henry get the drop on them, Joel was sleeping on his left side. He fell asleep, keeping an eye on Ellie. That’s why he didn’t hear the glass cracking.

[@CinemalecularFilms]

EXCELLENT attribution to the very purposeful episode. Definitely made me rethink my initial reaction...which, admittedly, was "filler"...but there was plenty of importance in building up the characters and their relationships as well as gently introducing "the next thing". Loved this take!

[@scaps2200]

Based on the ending of the game and what Joel does characterization is so important between those two to make his actions make sense.

[@jopiebroeksknopie]

Great review. Also don't forget the little subtle nods to the gameplay elements in this episode. Boosting each other through a small opening to open up a door, hearing the enemy in the background shouting that they've lost one of their group, small stuff like that also made this episode great.

[@kensredemption]

I appreciate Chris’ takes on everything because he does it from an artistic perspective and he often sees the symbolism behind the footage that armchair reviewers and analyzers often overlook. Kudos to you, sir.

[@victoriarose4716]

I wish more people noticed the Arbys sign in the beginning of the episode since it’s a clear nod to Bill and Frank.

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

I love your speech on "filler." What has struck me during the production lead up and the reactions like this is how people completely disregard the same "filler" work the game delivered. It took a long time to build Joel and Ellie into the iconic pair everyone knows and loves. It's like they forgot their first playthrough, when they had no idea who these two characters were. They want them immediately fully formed. The level of complaint around casting, production updates, and now the show is like they'd rather watch a rote cosplay recreation of cut scenes. They get angry when it doesn't match perfectly and doesn't trigger the right dopamine release. No storytelling could survive an audience sitting with a checklist in their hand of what they must see. Imagine watching Star Wars with someone like that. When Luke complains about power converters, this person would scoff. "Why isn't he a Jedi Knight yet? I like him better as a Jedi Knight." Let the characters go on their journey and - isn't this the point of stories? - go on the journey with them!

[@BiLLz66614]

Chris definitely has a point..I do find it funny how people use terms and stuff like "filler" like they are some kind of experts lol. All while completely missing subtle moments like Joel speaking first. Or they talk about camera shots like theyve been there when they havent even left their parents house . This show has been great. And the character building it fun to watch. You'll get the gross people that are hateful that dislike the show because of things like the last episode.. and people that just hate the series now ever since the second game and wont give any of it a chance now and just want to trash it straight out of the gate. ANd that is what it is. But bottom line.. is the fact its a well executed show and the best video game adaption weve seen maybe ever. Super excited to see where things go from here. Its a fun game and great story that they are expanding on for the show in a great way.

[@farbod21]

Your discussion about "filler" is why I always come back to your reviews/videos. I feel like such a small percentage of people that talk about film/tv these days have even a basic understanding of storytelling.

[@herrtituswinslow4717]

I thought Joel used the knife not only to save ammo, but also not not alert people nearby where they were. If there were three guys there, he likely assumed there was more looking for them.

[@TheEnecca]

yeah maybe but the shooting and car crash was already pretty loud

[@herrtituswinslow4717]

@@TheEnecca valid

[@danielgillrup9518]

Pedro is absolutely crushing it as Joel! I bet he’s cast as the “protective dad role” in everything from now on lol

[@marcoramos4873]

Im glad to see you’re reviewing every episode. I was a big fan of the game, I actually started replaying it after watching episode 1.

[@JordanNMovies]

5:40 this is accurate to when Breaking Bad had filler episodes - The Fly episode in particular - and ppl complained. They were episodes that actually had character development. I’m fine with TLOU doing filler.

[@maia_gaia]

Yes! Love your take on filler. Does it further characterization? Does it explore and heighten the thematic content? Does it give us important context or world building? Then it's not filler. And often, I don't think you can call something filler before you finish the season because you don't know what's going to be important

[@Sagaxis]

I never played the game but watched the movie cutscenes from the game maybe 4 times and loved it. To me, the filling was the gameplay and I'm really happy to see it as a real serie now where we can give more time to the character without having to engage into man slaugther to entertain the players. I feel that everything has and will have so much more impact now watching this serie!

[@TheBigdutchster]

There was a little pushback for episode 3, but it didn't bother me, and I feel that the show is moving along nicely and is on my must-watch list.

[@apelido22]

Great episode! Can't wait for 5!

[@chrisbiggs5415]

It’s the little things and moments that really make this show special. This was a very good episode. Joel has soften to Ellie and Sam and Henry are in some deep shit. Can’t wait to find out their story tomorrow. Smart move by WB airing the Last of us on Friday 🙌🏾

[@narva8474]

Kathleen was just as threatening as a mcdonalds manager.

[@bengirard1984]

Yup. I love Melanie Lynskey (she is awesome in Yellowjackets) but here she seems to play the same character as the one she plays in YJ actually. And what was the purpose of killing the (probably) only doctor around? That was such a dumb move. I thought her ''kill 'em all'' speech was too much swirling mustache cartoony villain.

[@annsmith9825]

I like the character idea and I love her acting, but she does kinda feel like a throwaway character that would be in the walking dead or somethin idk lol. kinda agree with you. BUT at the same time, I like to imagine what these characters were like before the outbreak and I can see her as just a normal person and now she has to change into this character and I can see it not being uknow like her perfectly adapting to being a hardcore leader, but she does what she has to do. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? I DON'T KNOW MAN. imma just let chris stuckmann do the talking from now on LOL.

[@bengirard1984]

@@annsmith9825 I agree about TWD feeling haha But that's the thing right? If she was ''just'' a character that tries to survive, that would be one thing, but since she's presented as a leader who everyone listens to, who can kill a doctor without anyone saying anything I mean...from my perspective as a viewer, no I didn't believe she was a leader the way she portrayed the character lol

[@RashikaRai]

I mean she forced Charlie Sheen to having a restraining order against her, but that's all her power really. I'll show myself out now..

[@shelby4771]

Fun fact: the military guy with Kathleen (cant remember his character's name) is the voice actor for Tommy in the OG video game :)

[@BULLETSCARER]

I love the small details in the show. From the small moments from the game like Ellie and the magazine. Or something more major like how even when Joel reassures Ellie nobody will find them in the forest, he still stays up for watch. Which shows he's still haunted by the night with Sara and he doesn't seem to like making promises like that. Everything about this show is so damn good.

[@kingsleyabrokwah3930]

Definitely more set up, but there were many great moments between Joel and Ellie.

[@FluffyBunniesOnFire]

I forget the quote, but the plot is what happens. The story is what happens within the characters.

[@michaell4292]

Excellent take as always. And can I just say I really appreciate that your intro is the perfect length. I know that seems petty but it aggravates me when I have to watch 15 seconds of iMovie animations before a video starts.

[@GabeWilliams]

Been playing the remake along side the show, glad you’ve been uploading these ☺️

[@g.e.o.r.g.e...]

I almost want to skip the show and wait for the PC version in a month. I never beat the game when I had it on PS3, but after comparing the playthroughs on youtube to the series so far... it's night and day.

[@tint1122]

I drove by that gas station. It's actually a rest stop/truck stop. The only thing there is a trash can. Seen some of the sets here in Calgary as well. They had a huge one with a church at the end of a street but behind this considerable wall, they built. Pretty badass! That place is just an empty lot in the industrial part of the city.

[@scaps2200]

Couple other quick points. Ellie's reaction to the magazine and throwing it out the window is also foreshadowing another part of her personality. Also Joel doesn't use the gun to finish off the guy because it would make more noise to attract others

[@Shubhro_Plays]

This series is the best video game adaptation there is. Everything they are doing and the improvisation they are making are all top notch. I love this show. Maybe I am biased for this show because I loved the games. However if I see this series as some one who has no idea about the game even then it would have been one of my favourite series.

[@abhishekdutta5323]

Chris maybe complete a detailed review on house of the dragon

[@GoodMorningBeautiful4]

I'm so happy that they are nailing this! It's not only great to experience it with family members who don't play video games but it's like I also get to experience it for the first time too. Staying true to the source material with all the easter eggs and using dialogue straight from the game and interesting new characters and plots. I couldn't be happier with this so far

[@leungjohn1]

I loved how the real life horror contrasted with the slick, 1:45 stylistic action of Underworld. In my head, of course. It was amusing to think of that as the last movie people might have seen in the theater

[@leungjohn1]

I have no idea how I did a timestamp..

[@couchmusings9147]

I would argue that when people say filler it shouldn’t be automatically dismissed as pointless criticism. Many people are not trained in filmmaking and perhaps don’t know how else to put in any other words what they are finding dissatisfying. Craig Mazin does indeed put a ton of attention to detail; Chernobyl was a true masterpiece. In TLOU’s case, that remains to be seen. Even when hearing the companion podcast, there are several writing decisions taken that strike as odd or contradictory, but still not nearly enough as jarring to warrant further criticism. Time will tell.

[@claytonrios1]

I know I was a bit surprised when I saw Rose from Two and A Half Men in this episode.

[@batowlxv503]

The last dad joke got me chuckling at the end too.

[@VantaClawz]

Now THAT was an EPISODE! BRILLIANT weaving, this could have been a missed opportunity but they used every second of this episode perfectly. Now I know why they picked Bella Ramsey.

[@jbearclowater]

I love the insights Chris can provide here, as a writer himself he picks up on so much.

[@rachelm.3173]

I enjoyed this episode as well. Appreciate the thoughtful building of Joel and Ellie's relationship. I love this show!

[@thalia9789]

Thank you for talking about people misusing the term "filler". It's one of my biggest tv show fandom pet peeves

[@LuxBellator92]

Thank you for defining the difference between filler and good characterisation and worldbuilding. Everything you said is absolutely spot on. I'm tired of hearing people misuse this term as well. This series has been fantastic thus far.

[@MillennialMedia247]

The worst thing that ever happened to film discourse was people learning insider terms like filler and throwing it around like they actually understand storycraft. Mazin is throwing out some superb scripts through 4 episodes.

[@keno6697]

While I love the third ep surrounding bill and frank, not only did it not need to be an hour+ long but that fleshed out. I feel like it took more out of joel+Ellie’s growth from (cargo+carrier) to (father+daughter) dynamic, like we only got a 45 min ep that covered some of the more important areas of their relationship. I know it’s not trying to be a scene for scene adaption, but still even outside the game it felt rushed compared to the more long methodical approach the game took with making them care for one another.

[@kyo2975]

I'm SO freaking glad that you caught that part where Joel pulls a bit from Mission Impossible 1 where Ethan spreads glass across the floor. NOBODY has noticed or mentioned this. Not even New Rockstars I think.

[@eme.261]

Thank you! People's lack of narrative literacy-- how a powerful story is told best-- is growing tedious. They're constantly griping about how an "episode was slow and nothing happened," or "why did we have to spend time with these characters, when it's Joel and Ellie who are the main characters?" It boggles my mind that some viewers don't comprehend that a good show depends on those deviations to provide context and world building. Without them, the show's empty.

[@davidmun1601]

Excellent point. Some episodes will be more exciting and be more meaningful than others. All that being said, sometimes it's these slow moments that have more impact

[@rubenzavala2084]

It's because everyone has become addicted to easy dopamine release. Everything is fast and the ability to pay atention decressases as does the enjoyment you find in things. It's just like drugs.

[@g.e.o.r.g.e...]

The first episode was pretty inefficient and lame compared to the game though. Why try to fix something that isn't broken? If you have 80 minutes to tell the same story, I would appreciate 30 minutes of action not being replaced with nonsense about Joel having to stay late to frame a house that has no foundation, or Sarah baking raisin cookies. Nobody needed the origin story to the wristwatch. I like the cutaways to Jakarta and the TV talkshow with epidemiologists, but that TV segment belongs at the end of the episode. If you're going to push the tragic death of Sarah by 20-25 minutes compared to the game, I need more. Show, don't tell. Write something that makes sense why Joel would stay late and Tommy would leave early to get into a bar fight. Maybe someone at the jobsite was very sick and had a horrible workplace accident. Maybe SHOW us Tommy getting into a brawl. Maybe later in the episode, you can even SHOW us Joel and Tess handling Robert's betrayal... instead of arriving late. Maybe Fedra actually sends people to hunt them down when they break out of the QZ, and we can SEE a thrilling cat and mouse chase beyond the wall.

[@MrFrussel]

@@g.e.o.r.g.e... Funny, cause I thought that was incredibly well done. I loved that they fleshed out the before situation more compared to the game. Sarah's death felt even more impactful because of the moments you shared with her. Also, all those moments served as a tool to create tension, atleast it did for me. To each their own I guess, but I just don't see why there needs to be a lot of action in this series. The game might be an survival-action game, the story however, is definitely a drama about love and loss. I think Craig Mazin understands this very well, that's also why Neil Druckman chose to work with him.

[@eme.261]

@@g.e.o.r.g.e... - So, your gripe is you want MORE context-- different and more in line with your preferences, and a lot more pew-pews and monster arrghs! to satiate your lust for depictions of fear and pain, and as a brilliantly successful TV writer, yourself, you know how best to get that done. If you haven't already written and run a brilliant TV show, when you do eventually craft one of the most watched and highly.rated TV shows, do come back to this comment and remind us how right you were. Others may snicker and say you're not that guy, but I have faith in you. Truly. 👍🏼

[@alcarajo61]

Agreed! This episode was a feeler and not a filler

[@Truth_Alone_Triumphs_777]

I didn’t get the “killing Bryan with a knife to save bullets” thing but i thought the reason he killed Bryan in spite of Bryan begging for his life was because Joel didn’t want Ellie to live with the fact that she killed someone so he took it upon himself to be the one who did the killing.

[@lustrazor44]

it’s both. Bryan had to die and Joel didn’t want Ellie to do it. He used the knife to save a bullet and likely his hearing as well as we learned later. It had multiple meanings.

[@chriscurlett4548]

I think aside from saving ammo, it comes up later that Joel is losing his hearing in right ear from shooting guns so he uses his knife when he can. You always see him lay down to sleep on his right side. At first you think he is just facing away from Ellie, but really he wants his good ear to be out so he can hear if anything approaches. At the end you see that he had rolled over onto his good ear which is how Henry and Sam were able to sneak up on him even though he had put down all that glass. It’s really awesome how all of these small details fit together. Amazing writing.

[@JordanNMovies]

6:26 Chris I won’t lie… I love anime but some series I skip the filler 😅 Naruto, Naruto: Shippuden…once I watch Bleach and if I ever watch One Piece I plan to do the same. I don’t have time to sit through filler when it’s not straight from the manga + I don’t feel lost having done so.

[@Kidcrowley]

Tbh i can’t really get to see Pedro as Joel, i just see Pedro, when i was watching the whole ambush sequence i was thinking how different it felt to the game in regards of how Joel deals with these types of situations, then i went back and watched the game scene and it’s a different person completely. The show talks a lot about Joel not being a good person or doing bad shit in the past but so far he’s a pretty good guy lol. Game Joel was so ruthless that it had way more impact when Ellie slowly softened him up a bit and brought back his dad side of himself. Idk, i feel like the show is scared of showing Joel truly being Joel since he’s the mc and most people have this huge urge of relating instantly to characters and seeing them as always the good guy.

[@GOBIAS.INDUSTRIES.]

While I 100% agree that episodes 3 & 4 aren't filler (and were phenomenal), it doesn't mean leaving the threat of the infected out of the picture entirely was the best move. I get that a story needs character & world building, but in 130+ minutes of screen time over the last 2 episodes, they've shown zero threats from the infected. Between episodes, Joel & Ellie drove from Massachusetts to Missouri... HBO couldn't squeeze in a 5 minute scene here or there with a threat from the infected, just to remind the audience of its danger??

[@davi1415]

Always nice to see Joel and Ellie bonding. Really like how Joel taught her how to properly handle a gun.

[@underscore_5450]

I also like that they're not too afraid to make big changes to the story if it makes the story better. A less creative showrunner would be trying to recreate every little thing from the game shot for shot, and while that does happen they also make a lot of better changes as well. It makes it an exciting viewing experience for both new and old fans alike.

[@DemonHunterMOG]

Dude, I love watching your inner director hating the word pan in conjunction with camera angles. Thank you for your art and perspective. ❤

[@eddyawesomes]

Me getting shocked up by seeing how Joel and Ellie's bonding is working beautifully, the last episode of this series will be heart braking.

[@nicholasstehl6375]

This episode was freaking fantastic. Great back and forth moment between Joel and Ellie

[@CameronForrester]

Filler is not as common as many complain. I call these episodes storybuilding or worldbuilding episodes. Because it’s not like they just don’t have material and they’re milking the IP. that’s the beauty. All of it is relevant to the world and story they’re building. This show is a masterpiece thus far.

[@robertkiefer8967]

I'm interested in this show and watch reviews for it to see if it's worth my time. Your review didn't give me much hope, when you mentioned Joel siphoning gas out of a 20 year old gas tank. I know The Walking Dead did the same thing for far to long but at least they eventually faced the fact that gas goes bad. 20 year old gas would be unusable for anything.

[@Rio_Yeti_]

Another thing worth mentioning is Joel sacrificing his sleep when they were in the woodsso he could stay up watch over Ellie. It shows he that he wants to take care of her.

[@Frostecy]

I hate when people call episodes ''bottle or filler episodes'' they have NO IDEA how a tv show works and they only care about action

[@Y7D]

what do you call an hour and a half episode about two gay men vs 40 minutes episode revolving around Ellie and Joel ?

[@hollandscottthomas]

@@Y7D Worldbuilding.

[@radioactive4788]

Why is no one talking about the violence being extremely toned down to a point where it doesn't feel like it's set in a post apocalyptic world, the harsh reality of the environment played a huge part of making the game top tier survivor horror adventure, it was brutal , 20 years in the apocalypse and the villains are still looking in shape clean waisting bullets when they ambushed Joe. This show is really turning into an average tv drama with an excellent set budget being waisted on poor storytelling and pacing issues they are rushing the show. And every critics is being extremely generous and nice when reviewing it .

[@privatebh]

Good take

[@chrisbrown8748]

This show is as close to perfect as I’ve seen in a long time and I can’t wait to see the next episode.

[@MrRPS2012]

A detail people often miss (and lesser writers would as well) is that the guy who gives the knife to Joel also tells them his name. It's an attempt to humanize himself in hopes of surviving.

[@ParadoX-os]

I loved how you explained characterization and filler stuff. It's one of the things people kept saying about Avatar 2, without understanding why we need it to see all that.

[@Brianhall1174]

Thank you for discussing the "filler" accusations. I totally agree with your assessment on how people are using that statement.

[@MrDagonOfTheDead]

Back-to-back episodes with characters getting the giggles and both scenarios being so heavy emotionally. I am in love with this show, I have been in love with zombies since I was a kid and it's so awesome to finally see somebody take something like a zombie movie and turn it into a masterpiece of Storytelling Amazon be there just background

[@jens2049]

Amazing review Chris. Connecting the dots and especially that filler rant at the end.