The Last of Us Non-Gamer REACTION | Kathleen, the Kansas City "Chief" (pun intended) | Episode 4

Here they go again on their own.. Joel and Ellie are well outside Massachusetts and on their way to Wyoming when an unexpected pit stop in the worst version of Kansas City imaginable puts a hitch in their giddy-up. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey have really taken their performances to the next level with each episode, but it was Melanie Lynskey who stole the show this week with her performance as Kathleen.
I am a not a gamer (except a mean round of Mario Kart in '03), and I had never played nor ever heard of the game The Last of Us before HBO Max turned it into a show. Needless to say, I am now completely hooked after seeing the first episodes.
I'm excited to see where the rest of the show goes, and I hope that you'll come on the journey with me!
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SPOILERS FOR THE SERIES IN THIS VIDEO
Episode 1x4
00:00 Intro
02:23 Reaction
16:24 Commentary & Final Thoughts
#thelastofus #tlou #joelandellie #firsttimewatching #fireflies
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[@SteveBonario]

"Girl you're always OK at the bar" and "Y'all got foundation issues." you crack me up! Agree that Pascal delivers both a sense of Joel being both tired/world-weary and yet still strong and persistent.

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thanks, Steve!! Both of these statements are true though, right?? lol Notice there were no issues, foundation or otherwise, whilst at the bar.....

[@montego2]

After three emotionally charged episodes, it was wise to give us a breather with something more straightforward and "adventurish". It also works to their advantage because we're more amenable to an episode that mostly sets up the next section of the story.

[@morothane]

Agreed. Applause to the writers, and that opening scene with Ellie and the gun. It sustained the suspense, but somehow the lightheartedness and puns, and the calm and anxiousness of the camping quickly settled the tone.

[@DavidvsFilm]

Good point! And they're showing further wisdom by releasing the new episode early on Friday this week, since the Super Bowl will be happening during its normal time slot on Sunday. It could have been a tough hit to the momentum if, after the highly charged first 3 episodes, they had the one-two punch of a slower episode followed by something overshadowing like that.

[@morothane]

Pedro Pascal is rapidly becoming one of my favorite actors. While I haven’t seen Narcos, I first saw him in GoT, then The Mandalorian, and now this show. These are three very, very distinct characters with such different demeanors, and somehow he seems to nail every single one. 12:48 You articulate here very accurately and simply exactly what I felt. Pedro fantastically seems to relay that sense of exhaustion, and it feels like he’s dealt with everything before that he faces. Having never played the game, I’m starting to see that while he portrays so perfectly this “the world is the way it is” type, the whole Sarah/Ellie parallel is something completely unfamiliar to him. It’s something that was always new to him daily, something he didn’t know entirely and never got old or familiar for him. And now, instead of constantly figuring out how to be a single dad in the old world, he’s now constantly battling himself while figuring out how to be that figure in this new world. Cheers my friend. Great reaction as always :)

[@DavidvsFilm]

So perfectly put in that last paragraph! Yes. I love him as an actor, and he is so versatile. I completely forgot that he did Narcos too. I also like that he's not 32. Kinda like Jennifer Coolidge right now, he's out there living his best live on the other side of 40 lol

[@TdScar]

I know this comment is 2 months old so I don’t know if you’ve watched Narcos yet but I just started it and he’s great in it

[@DavidvsFilm]

@@TdScar haha that’s ok! Oftentimes I notice these comments because KZbin pushes them to my phone. I have NOT seen Narcos, actually, but I’ve heard it’s really great.

[@Rocco1332]

I'm glad that they ACTUALLY ADDRESSED THE FACT THAT GAS BREAKS DOWN! I can't remember another apocalypse show that has. 20 yrs in a tank...its no good. She knows the gun because she went to a military prep school, I assume firearms basics would be part. I think I have that joke book! My wife laments it, much like Joel lol. If something horrible happened to Marc, wouldn't you have a hard time getting attached? If the answer is "NO," please answer on camera with Marc there, bring a little Springer to the reaction 😄. When they killed the kid, it was so well done. I believe they overthrew Fedra. The diologue is so well written and delivered. I love how Joel isn't a "Good Guy", so many parallels to a certain character that I mention too much, haha. It's great how they start with Joel referring to Ellie as "cargo" and end with a heart to heart. That is FAR too much 🍑 🍵 left... you need to go watch Eli or something to finish it off, lol.

[@DavidvsFilm]

Haha fair point about the attachment. Even with Marc alive and in perfect health I still don't get attached to kids, so.. (jk I know what you mean :) Point taken). And YES I thought about you immediately when they addressed the gas at the beginning!!! I was like, Ok now Jon will respect this show haha

[@sarah.the.clumsy]

I tried to take a panoramic photo of a corn field.....it turned out all grainy. 😁

[@DavidvsFilm]

Lol! Hands down the corniest joke I’ve ever heard.

[@morothane]

@@DavidvsFilm I’d be aMaized if we can keep the puns coming.

[@lamijas9632]

As someone who has played the game this episode has been perfect! There are so many scenes that are straight from the game and I am loving it! I love the way they're slowly showing how Joel is warming up to Ellie and how protective he becomes. This episode has been great. P.S. The guy who plays Kathleen's right - hand man Perry is none other than Jeffrey Pierce - he played Tommy in the game! I was so shocked when I heard his voice!

[@alib6615]

I loved how you recognized the doctor from "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" - classic.

[@TheToasterPirate]

QZs were established all over the country. As of the start of the first game, Boston was still active and per the tv show, Atlanta, GA was still active too (only know that because of the drugs and bullets that they were making/exporting). It is possible the Atlanta one was taken over though and the drug/bullet business was being run by the populace. This section of the game takes place in Pittsburgh, and that QZ no longer works. Frank in the TV show says the Baltimore QZ broke down 4 years into the pandemic. As of right now, Boston is the only confirmed functioning QZ. That may or may not change.

[@peterengelen2794]

That was John Getz (in that scene with Melanie Lynskey) who was the main actor in Joel & Ethan Coen's directorial debut ''Blood Simple'' (1984) ánd he was the ''villain''(?) in David Cronenberg's ''The Fly'' (1986). The first time I noticed Melanie Lynskey (and also of course Kate Winslet) was in Peter Jackson's ''Heavenly Creatures'' (1994).

[@DavidvsFilm]

OMG you just blew my mind pointing out that he was in The Fly! I didn’t even recognize him with the beard! Holly crap. AndI even watched that movie on ur channel lol. All I remembered was his role in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and a recent guest appearance on “Grace and Frankie”. Thanks Peter

[@WatchwithMarcella]

Omg that is Gus! I knew the doctor was familiar! 😂 also - the shirt. I giggled about 20 times so far. 😂

[@DavidvsFilm]

Yes! That is ol' Gus. He got older, didn't he? I mean, I know we all have, but yep, that's him :)

[@jackransom.]

"Like roaches.. And Cher" good one ; )

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thanks! I love me some Cher though, so I meant it in a good way. Roaches, not so much.

[@jackransom.]

@@DavidvsFilm nah, she's on the level, I can groove to most of her music. Quip just gave me laughter ; ).

[@KatiesGoldenDust]

Finally we get an episode with no tears! I doubt it will last long though haha. As for your question regarding the game, no there are not scenes like that. In the game, you know nothing about the people attacking you. You are just fighting them. I like that they humanized the people more and gave them back stories. Makes the entire thing much more muddled in morality instead of just a black-and-white good guy vs bad guy thing

[@morothane]

For the parts of TWD I’ve seen, I feel like they tried to capture what you mentioned in your last few sentences, but didn’t execute well. Often the tribal/group mentality seems to take precedence over the fact that we humans are some very morally gray creatures. I hope to continue to see the individualism portrayed, regardless of the faction or “side” someone belongs to in this show.

[@KatiesGoldenDust]

@@morothane I gave up on TWD after Glenn died. I adored the first few seasons, then found it to be a chore to watch. Once Glenn was gone, I was like nope, done with this! It really did have so much potential. Sad they didn't execute it properly!

[@morothane]

@@KatiesGoldenDust yeah, and while I personally enjoy that human are supposed to be more horrific than the monsters everyone is facing, TWD seemed to focus more on amping up the intensity of its human psychopaths and introducing more and more characters, rather than turning it back to the crew we followed and became acquainted with.

[@DavidvsFilm]

Yeah, I'm kind of like you, @KatiesGoldenDust. I hung in there with TWD until about then also.

[@toukie]

HAHAHA remembering how much you like Dad jokes, I couldn't wait to see your reaction!!!!

[@DavidvsFilm]

Me and this episode was like peas and carrots. lol

[@jubilantsleep]

Pedro Pascal makes Joel so much more likable to me. Not just because I love the actor but he brings a warmth to Joel that the game is kind of missing. Him telling Ellie “I’m sorry” after she had to shoot that kid to protect him was not in the game. So glad it was in the show. Also Joel’s love for Ellie begins to show so much earlier than in the game

[@DavidvsFilm]

I mean, seriously though. I am just completely blown away by how great both of them are.

[@JTMason001]

This was another great episode! Joel and Ellie have such great banter and chemistry! I’ve never played the game and I’m excited to see where this goes… ❤

[@DavidvsFilm]

I love their relationship!

[@saraann3281]

Pedro is an incredible actor. I'm so happy for him achieving his dreams. And I can't remember the name of the actress who plays Kathleen either (although google is clearly within my reach) but I loved her in Ever After, too

[@DavidvsFilm]

That's right! I forgot she was in that!

[@lynnhettrick7588]

*That’s* where I know her from! It was frustrating me!

[@saraann3281]

@@lynnhettrick7588 lol she was the "I'm only here for the food" sister!

[@lynnhettrick7588]

@@saraann3281 Yes! I love that movie! lol

[@spooniesworld]

As always, love your videos. Hoping your channel grows they way you hope and wishing you tons of success amigo☺💚

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thank you so much!!! :) Slowly but surely haha

[@spooniesworld]

I hate how they left stuff in the truck, like their maps etc. But as we are all learning in these apocalyptic shows...the enemy is usually us not the fungi or walkers or vamps etc.

[@Dustyphoto915]

The enemy is both. But it is expensive to bring the fungus to life. There should be more infected.

[@morothane]

Agreed, but there was also the situation of the shootout. I feel like Joel has that “just survive now and we’ll deal with logistics” later attitude that initially kicks in after 20 years of this stuff lol. Yeah, they had time to very quickly grab some essentials after the fight, but I also like these small moments that show subconscious human nature.

[@lizmagu3189]

Ellie could go toe to toe with you and the jokes with her book! Lol.. If you haven't seen or read anywhere yet the next episode is airing early on Friday night. They didn't wanna compete with the superbowl for ratings. They will have the Sunday show too tho.. Also, if you didn't happen to catch Pedro on SNL this past weekend check out the clips on KZbin. He was really good. Even if he wasn't who tf cares cos he's just so fkn sexy!!! 🔥😏

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thanks!! Yeah I saw that :) Early Last of Us is good with me! I haven’t seen the whole SNL episode yet, but I saw the Mario Kart sketch, and it was awesome lol. I gotta get my hands on that book..

[@spooniesworld]

This show always leaves me wanting more!!!!

[@jenniferredmond3592]

SPOILERS FOR THE GAME (just in case) In this section of the game, you don't actual meet any of the militia in the town, you are just trying to escape. They are after you both but there's no one main person that you ever see. They have the trucks and guns and all that, and you do lose all the gear in your truck, but you do meet Sam and Henry. I've told you this before, and I'll say it again, you can't get attached to a single character in this show. At all. It's just gonna hurt lol As far as zombies go, I think they've introduced Runners, Stalkers, and Clickers. They are missing Bloaters and potentially Shamblers (can't remember if those were game 1 or 2. Also, side note, the guy Perry who is Kathleen's right hand man, that guy was the voice actor for Tommy in the video game!

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thanks Jennifer! haha, you're right about that. Don't get attached! thanks also for the fyi about Perry. He looks familiar to me from other things as well though.

[@donnathomas6063]

As to your question about the scenery - they filmed actual things (the bridge is in my town and the roller coaster is a couple hours away), then they edited them to look post-apocalyptic

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thank you, Donna!! They did a great job. Looks very realistic.

[@coasterguy]

re: is the scenery real or not - the rollercoaster was Mamba at Worlds of Fun in KC MO. Most of the other stuff is filmed around Calgary, Alberta... my home town. I moved there from Houston in 2014 and as much as I loved Houston, Canada is a massive upgrade. Just look at the background scenery with the mountains and stuff. It's amazing up here.

[@AL-fl4jk]

The real villain here is Atkins

[@DavidvsFilm]

Damn you, 3 steak and fried egg dinners!!

[@naiaddore1797]

I had a feeling you would get a kick out of the punny jokes in this episode. If you're interested there's this guy, Lucas Alifano, on here that tells some of the cheesiest frippin' jokes. Fair warning they may make your brain hurt lol. 14:40 I remember having to walk down from the 12th floor because the elevator went out & how my legs were like jelly when I reached the bottom. I can't imagine walking *up* to the 34th. Probably on all fours. 😂

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thank you so much, @Naiad Doré! And agreed, 34?? No no no. lol

[@spooniesworld]

Have you watched Yellowjackets? She is great in that too

[@DavidvsFilm]

I haven't! But I heard that it's great. I think I last saw her in the Hulu miniseries Candy last year, where she plays a housewife who was murdered by a friend of hers in the 70s. Based on a true story- my favorite kind lol

[@shakycam3]

Pedro is also good friends with Oscar Isaac. I would like to make them a sandwich.

[@DavidvsFilm]

(lowers eyeglasses) I hear ya.

[@anamaldonado2336]

Podcast 4 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYGwfIuEo8emnKssi=Cf9-yKssif6GbCL6

[@antoinettelopes]

OT: You're ahead of me on this show so I'm not watching this yet. I'm taking this moment to say I saw Knock at the Cabin yesterday and I want to know if you guys did/will see it and what you thought. And I know it makes me some kind of racist-y thing for asking in the first place. But we already know I'm terrible.

[@DavidvsFilm]

Haha no worries, Antoinette!! I am not sure that that is, so we haven't seen it. But I'll look it up..

[@antoinettelopes]

@@DavidvsFilm It's the new Shyamalan movie. I was asking because the family at the center of it is two dads and a daughter. So I didn't know if maybe you want to support it in the theater. 😉😊

[@TomTomson81]

As I understand it, Henry is a snitch and responsible for Kathleen's brother death by betrayal. I guess he betrayed them because Fedra threatened Sam. I think Kathleen's brother was the leader of the resistance movement and she was probably the mom of the troops. That's the only reason I can imagine why the group follows her at all, so insecure and focused on revenge she seems. The bottom line is that she has absolutely understandable reasons. Just as good reasons as anyone else on the show and Joel wouldn't do anything else. In fact he did the same. Shows again that no group is good or bad. Joel's poor hearing has been shown throughout the episode. He always sleeps on the right side and Ellie often had to repeat when she called Joel. He didn't hear Henry and Sam because he hadn't slept the night before and because he had laid down on his good ear in his sleep. The only criticism so far is really the lack of brutality shown by Joel, because that is very important. Firstly, Joel was brutal and ruthless and secondly it's important for the second season. I think it is a mistake not to show this in all its brutality. The show still has to improve and I hope it will be later. It just has to. Btw... I still believe that Ellie pocketed the two grenades that fell at her feet when Tess had her heroic death. And whatever is under the crater will eat them.

[@DavidvsFilm]

Thanks so much for your comment Coyote! I love this kind of speciation about what’s to come. And your theories on Kathleen, Henry, her brother are interesting.