The Last of Us Epi.9 made me question my morals

#thelastofus #pedropascal
My heart is literally in need of some repair after this craZy episode and season. I have no words. Just FEELS.
Thanks SO FRIGGEN MUCH for watching with me and if you have been with me on this ride of the Last of Us from the beginning! thanks for being here!!!!! WOW! Well, we did it. and NOW we must wait for season 2. I guess I still have the game to play!
If your feeling it please don't forget to show some love to the SUB button! I really appreciate it!
I have general support patreon now live here;
patreon.com/HoldDownA
Thanks a mill!
ames

[@jonathanross149]

The Ellie's mom has to be the easiest casting in history.

[@dylusional419]

Facts. It's literally the original Ellie from the game

[@coldbluddjp]

Hear Hear 👏👏👏

[@suryanshu_ssr]

Why

[@TrashPandaActual]

​@@suryanshu_ssrbecause Ashley Johnson is Ellie from the games.

[@danielhejlund3314]

@@suryanshu_ssr She literally voiced Ellie in the game that the show is based on.

[@roarmbee7045]

The fact that Ashley went from giving Ellie to life in the video game, to giving birth to Ellie in the show

[@MrIkilledmyspace]

@15:58 "What is he just going to take everyone out?" Joel: "Yes." 😂

[@holddowna]

LOLOLOLOL

[@AnnaDiLiberto]

I know you meant scalpel but when you said the doctor grabbed a spatula I had the funniest image pop into my head 😂

[@holddowna]

YEA that’s the word that u hahahaha sometimes words can’t come fast enough when ur reacting lol!! Thanks for watching !!

[@palinode]

“Let him cook, Joel”.

[@johnyd1911]

I about spit out my drink....😂

[@GlennShook]

Against Joel with a gun he might as well grabbed one.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

Arthur to Merlin: Are you threatening me with a spoon? Don't knock kitchen implements Blacklist's Katarina shows how a spoon can be threatening.

[@Braincleaner]

We're told several times about "the man Joel was in the early days", the reason Tommy left him... here we get to meet that man.

[@holddowna]

100000000000%%%

[@cristrivino7820]

Hahahahah "if she is Ellie's mom she is such a good casting" She actually IS Ellie from the videogames playing Ellie's mom in the tv show ❤

[@holddowna]

It’s alllllll making sense now 🤣🤣🤣

[@darth856]

Some people complained that Bella doesn't look like Ellie in the games. Be that as it may, but she does look very much like Ashley Johnson.

[@jasontaylor1151]

Spatula. Not making fun. It's cute and funny to think about.

[@empty-chair]

@4:43 The weakness and pain in Anna's voice when she says to Marlene, "Her name is Ellie" breaks my heart. She's obviously doing her best to hold her emotions together and she knows what she has to do in order to keep Ellie safe, but that in itself hurts much more than any bite or injury from an infected. She's forced to say goodbye to her entire life, literally and metaphorically. She had less than a day with her daughter and she never even got to nurse her. All of the things a mother deserves to experience with her child is taken away from Anna.

[@holddowna]

😔😔😔

[@TheAlmeidamaysa]

ashley johnson is absolutely brilliant

[@tomasbiela5860]

One of the nurses is Laura Bailey who is the voice actor and motion actor for an important character in Part II. They also used real giraffes for that scene

[@jhornacek]

Only the single giraffe that Joel and Ellie interacted with was real. The group shot of the multiple giraffes was all CGI.

[@chrislambert9903]

I wish they could have got Jocelyn to play the other nurse

[@sgtmian]

she also played one of the nurses in the first game as well as the reporter in the beginning when sarah goes into joel's bedroom and a few other characters.

[@matthewcullen3486]

Love can be the incredibly selfless. Yet it can also be the incredibly selfish.

[@miserablepileofsecrets]

"They're doomed, their relationship is done " LoU2: 🙂

[@holddowna]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ScharfeZungel]

People who know: 🏌️🏌️🏌️

[@blueotan]

@@ScharfeZungelyour done.

[@__Sauron_]

The actress playing Ellies mom is none other then Ashley Johnson🤩, Ellie herself. She is the mocap and voice actress for Ellie in both games. And now she has brought life to Ellie in 2 different ways.

[@chrisw2307]

Imagine finishing the game, seing that ending, a second game is NOT CONFIRMED, and you wait 7 years for it to come out. Everyone calls this a cliffhanger, but it was just THE ENDING for a while. Also, the game has one line in Ellie's speech at the end i wish they'd kept. After describing Riley's death she says, "I'm still waiting for my turn." It puts in perspective that the entire story, her attitude about everything.

[@TheOtherNormie]

One of the many ways the game was better. All they had to do was a shot for shot adaptation for show/movie goers to experience what gamers have been experiencing for a decade. Wasted opportunity.

[@doughbafett]

I remember a lot of people(including me) not really wanting a sequel because the ending was so perfect. Does Ellie know Joel is lying? Will she ever find out the truth? Is the human race doomed? I would've preferred they just leave it up to us to write the rest of the story in our minds. Especially given the awful storyline we got in Part II.

[@Jimandtonic85]

@@doughbafettthat’s the beauty of opinions though. In a lot of peoples opinions 2 had just as good of a story and put perspective on a lot of different things. I don’t want to post any spoilers so that’s all I’ll say

[@Jon66B]

From an article discussing Joel's choice: "On The Last of Us’s post-episode podcast, Neil Druckmann revealed that in early testing, most players were split about the final decision and what they would do if actually given the choice to potentially save the world or just save Ellie. Except for one group. Parents, Druckmann said, were 100% in Joel’s camp. No exceptions."

[@holddowna]

Wow

[@chappy48]

Yup, this makes sense to me. As a parent myself I would do anything to save my children. And if someone was going to kill my child, whatever the purpose...thats not going to happen.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

Too bad they didn't ask the parents if, even though they would do the same, if they thought it would be moral/right. I am a parent and I would do the same but I know it would be WRONG morally. I'm just willing to face the consequences, be it jail or hell, or what not. Too many people seem to think that those parents not only would do it too but think that it is the moral thing to do.

[@Tristan_eCola]

⁠@@ChibiHoshiDragonI don’t think so. No one’s realistically going to think it is morally right thing to do, but most would do it regardless. If I were in that situation I’d let the world burn before sacrificing my children no questions asked. I’d know it wasn’t the right thing but I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Life is finite, I’m not spending mine worrying about all the strangers I’ll never meet, when the chips are down it’s family first.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

@@Tristan_eCola Not true though, there ARE some who DO think it is the RIGHT thing to do. Not just the Right thing for ME, but the right thing and I would be punished by a Higher Power NOT to do so. Much like there ARE people who believe that it is RIGHT to commit cultural genocide of a Tribe because they commit infanticide or aren't Christian. They TRULY believed that it was RIGHT to take children away from their Indigenous Parents. That to not do otherwise was condemning them to a fate worse than death. They used to say "Kill the Savage to Save the Man" and created Indian Boarding Schools, the Residential schools and the 60's Scoop adoptions because they BELIEVED it was the RIGHT thing to do. Even today: MANY believe God will punish them if they don't stop Indigenous Rights from allowing infanticide, which IS practiced by some tribes in the Amazon. They DO believe that letting them maintain their culture is morally WRONG and they believe it is RIGHT to force them to adopt Western Traditions, Culture and Religions. MANY believe that LGBTQ+ Rights is wrong and will get them condemned because they didn't do anything to stop it. They want to ENCOURAGE those who are immoral to do self-harm. They feel it is their moral duty to even kill them to help their soul and secure their spiritual future. So YES, there ARE people who would believe saving Ellie IS in fact the RIGHT thing to do and to not do otherwise would be to condemn Joel's soul, just like there are some who think using a cure or vaccine made from stem cells will damn them to hell.

[@Coilla85]

The opening scene was amazing, Ashley's emotions are so gripping. In labour with all the pain that comes with that, scared for the infected, fighting, joy to be alive and seeing her daugther and realising she's now infected and almost killing herself. What a scene!

[@holddowna]

It was soo amazing I couldn’t contain the emotion!

[@Coilla85]

@holddowna Same!! But I love it when a show brings out those emotions ♡

[@jhornacek]

The shot of Joel standing over Marlene as she begs for her life is a parallel of the 2003 scene in the first episode when the soldier stands over Joel as Joel begs for his life.

[@meikusje]

"If that's Ellie's mom that's such good casting!" Boy, do we have something to tell you! 😂

[@holddowna]

🤓

[@Shurororu]

*"That wasn't time that did it"* It will aways get me, Joel suffer alot and when he finally open up and found someone they try to kill her? Well, people can say whatever they want but I would had did the same in his shoes, not so sure about the lie tho. Great reaction ❤

[@holddowna]

Broke my heart!!!

[@Codefortyseven]

"So time heals all wounds, I guess." "It wasn't time that did it" Two simple lines yet so powerful and emotional.

[@YuneePug]

I dont know if you know this but they used a lot of the origional cast in this show. Marline played video game Marline, game Joel played James, video game Ellie played Ellies mom, and video game Tommy played Kathleens right hand man. Pretty cool that they did that!

[@holddowna]

So cool! Thanks for commenting! Some people have mentioned it! I haven’t looked into much cause I don’t want any game 2 spoilers!

[@YuneePug]

@@holddowna oh okay cool! And ya that makes sense. Better safe than sorry!

[@braydenisstillhere]

The scene where Joel is opening up to Ellie about almost ending his life is even more heartbreaking if you know that Pedro Pascal’s mom took her own life when he was in his 20s. I remember seeing a behind the scenes picture that showed Bella and Pedro sitting there in-between filming takes of that scene, and Bella was just resting their head on his shoulder😭 that had to be such an emotional shoot day for him🥺

[@aerthreepwood8021]

There's a reason everyone is terrified of Joel.

[@jhornacek]

Remember in the first episode when Robert was interrogating Tess, and he pleaded with her not to tell Joel what he had done to Tess? Robert was terrified of what Joel might do to him. We see here the Joel that Robert was afraid of.

[@skydemo6776]

I like how in games the one Robert is more terrified of is Tess

[@dlweiss]

Yeah, the Fireflies ARE trained, but Joel is just a uniquely savage and skilled killer, even in the brutal world they inhabit.

[@jhornacek]

@@skydemo6776 Yeah, in the game Tess is definitely the alpha in their partnership. She calls the shots, she tells him when to hurt a target, she gives him orders when they're attacking a group of enemies, etc.

[@Ladco77]

@@jhornacek Yeah. Joel was the muscle, but Tess was the brains. They touched on it a bit when Tess tells Robert "he answers to me" but you don't really see it like you do in the game.

[@Dave3Dguy]

17:38 - Do not attempt surgery with a spatula. 😄 Great reaction to this series! Thanks for this!

[@EmilyDawn1137]

Ashley Johnson, who played Ellie's mom in the first scene, played Ellie in the original video game. So perfect casting is right! Such a perfect tribute. I've loved your reactions to this show, girl! Sad the journey is over, but happily subscribed for more :) cheers!

[@holddowna]

Thanks for the sub! I really appreciate it! I can’t wait to play the game! I love all these fun facts thanks for your. Comment

[@EmilyDawn1137]

@@holddowna of course!!

[@eternalturtl6320]

If you thought this season was rough just wait for 2 and 3. Im excited to see how they adapt it. Loved this reaction series ❤

[@holddowna]

😮😔I believe u

[@jbark25]

Nurse...spatula

[@holddowna]

Lolololol 🤔😝

[@jhornacek]

Bella Ramsey has said that in the final shot of the show, after Joel says "I swear", she played it as if she was disappointed in Joel. She doesn't know what really happened at the hospital, but she knows Joel is lying to her, and she was giving him one final chance to tell her truth. So she's disappointed that he wouldn't do that.

[@tomfehr]

Loved this reaction series! Def would check out you playing the games!!

[@grantgardiner]

It's insane how good this story was done on screen. It began with Sarah's death on Joel's birthday evening. We end the season with Ellie's Mother dying on Ellie's birthday evening. This was a beautiful story of love and family. So glad to watch your reactions to it all. As a dad of 2 girls, I would never trade my kids for anything. I definitely would not give away my humanity at a slim 'chance' to create a 'cure' for humanity.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

He died the day after. His birthday was that whole day, where he goes to work anyways, and comes home late and forgets the cake. Outbreak day was 2 am the NEXT day

[@grantgardiner]

@@ChibiHoshiDragon yes, the evening of their births had deaths. most likely 2am for both.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

@@grantgardiner That is NOT the evening of their birth. No matter what time you are born, say 10 pm Sept 5th. Your birth DAY is from 00:01 on Sept 5th to Sept 5th 23:59. September 6th at 2 am is NOT your birthday. Evening by definition is after the afternoon and before night. It is generally around sundown because night is after the sun has set and the last glow has disappeared. 2 am is Late NIGHT time, maybe early morning (though that is usually 3 am and generally called pre-dawn instead of early morning, but not always so I say maybe. Another term for Pre-Dawn is Oh/Zero Dark 30 or Stupid o'Clock in military circles. Older generation may call it wee hours of the night. NO ONE calls 2 am "evening") As soon as midnight passes it is the NEXT day, and no longer your birthday. 2 am can NEVER be the evening of your birthday. It can only be the beginning. And we SEE Joel wake up on his birthday, eat breakfast, go to work, stay out longer than he should, forget a cake answer the phone and put Sarah to bed before heading out to bail out his brother

[@grantgardiner]

@@ChibiHoshiDragon So you go to sleep on Monday, you wake up Tuesday 2am. Do you say you woke up Monday evening or Tuesday Morning?

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

@@grantgardiner NO ONE calls 2am EVENING. No one says: the movie ends at 11 pm in the evening. They say, it will end at 10 o'clock AT NIGHT. The 6 o'clock news is the evening news, the 11 o'clock news is the NIGHTTIME Saturday NIGHT Live is at 23:30 The Late Show is at NIGHT at 23:35 Maybe this is a language problem. What time is NIGHT (as a time frame) in your language? In English: In a two word system, Day is between Sunrise and sunset and Night is between sunset and sunrise (with dawn and dusk being the times of transition) When one uses the words: Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night as time frames Morning is usually sunrise - 1200 Early morning is midnight to Predawn Afternoon is 1200 - sunset Evening, the time around sunset (1700-2000) Night is the time after the sun has set and the light no longer is visible to pre-dawn hours. (meet me at 9 o'clock at NIGHT, NO ONE says meet me at 9 o'clock in the evening). The only time I have seen the word evening used outside these times is for a GREETING/salutation, since good night is only used when ending a meeting and not starting one. But the word as a greeting can NOT be used in the same place as the word when used as a time frame. We may say: good evening, to our waiter at 10 pm before they seat us, BUT we would NOT say we were seated at 10 pm in the evening. And we would NOT say good evening at 2 am even AS a greeting. It would be good morning as a greeting even if it was Late Night as a timeframe.

When i first saw the beginning of this episode and heard Ana talking, i could only hear Ellie. Then the acting in the serie is amazing but the acting in the game is in a whole another level, reason why it made to the TV. You should definitely play.

[@MrSoBitchy]

Finally someone that was as affected as I was by "I'll follow you anywhere you go"

[@holddowna]

😭😭😭😭😭 Thank u so much for watching!

[@mdr1990]

Man, i rmember me and my wife crying, this scene is emotional, when you have young babies, i feel even more so. Damn. What a show

[@johncourtright1632]

Oh Ames, I've seen this episode so many times but your emotional reaction had me tearing up big time! 0:35 "Is this Ellie in the future?" Girl, you don't know how many people (including me) asked themselves this very question. The resemblance between Ashley Johnson and Bella Ramsey is astonishing and added so much to the story! That opening scene was so emotional. For Anna, it was one heart-breaking thing after another ... giving birth to Ellie while fighting off an infected, ... hurriedly cutting the umbilical cord when she realized she'd been bitten, ... understanding she couldn't risk nursing Ellie, ... holding a knife to her own throat in case she started to turn, ... telling Marlene, "... so you pick her up right now, and then you kill me". What an amazing, gut-wrenching performance by Ashley Johnson! It is interesting to me that at the beginning of the episode Anna lies to Marlene to keep Ellie alive, then at the end of the episode Joel lies to Ellie, also to keep her alive (at a minimum, to keep Ellie from continuing her quest to be the cure). I think, on some level, Ellie knows Joel is lying, but is in denial and doesn't have the emotional strength to consciously deal with it right now. But I agree that Joel's lie will tear them apart. It would be cool beyond belief if you were able to join the cast for Season 2!!

[@ericbatterson7720]

Ellie has made Joel feel again, feel human, and Joel doesn't want to lose that.

[@Martyntd5]

"It wasn't time that did it" Damn.

[@TheWezoid]

I just binged your entire season watch of this and I loved it. Your reactions are so genuine. Thankyou

[@holddowna]

Thank U so MUCH for watching!

[@_LexiMae]

When Joel talks about being too weak to keep Ellie safe, he's mainly talking about his emotions. Joel views emotions as a weakness, but when Ellie is kidnapped and when he takes down the hospital shows he still has the ability to be the person he claims he's not anymore. The ironic part is Ellie tells Joel throughout the series that if he lied to her, she'd believe it. She KNOWS he's lying, but accepting the fact that he's lying about something so big is too much to bear because he's one of the only people she trusts, so she chooses to accept the lie. I never thought Joel was wrong on saving Ellie. I always found it weird that people were more concerned about a cure after all they encountered. The world wasnt worth saving, but Ellie was. Plus, she's too young to make that kind of medical decision.

[@holddowna]

Aww I love this comment thanks

[@jhornacek]

This world *is* worth saving though - Tess, Bill, Frank, Henry, Sam, Tommy, Maria, everyone in Tommy's commune - there are plenty of good people worth saving. Yes, a cure wouldn't return the world to its pre-outbreak state, but it would greatly reduce the number of new Infected being created, which would save many lives.

[@_LexiMae]

@@jhornacek it wasn't, though. Those people were neither good nor bad people. A lot of them made bad choices, but the problem was never the infected. It's the people. There's no cure for that and sacrificing a little girl for that doesn't seem worth it. The cure wouldn't have been distributed fairly anyway. The world before wasn't any better either.

[@uncledonel1742]

​@@_LexiMae While it's true that the post-apocalyptic world depicted in the game is filled with violence, suffering, and moral ambiguity, this doesn't necessarily mean it is a lost cause. Human history has shown that even in the most dire circumstances, people can come together to rebuild societies and improve their situation. In The Last of Us, there are still people who are fighting for a better future, and their perseverance demonstrates that hope remains. In a world where hope exists, there is potential for change and growth. Regarding the assertion that the problem was never the infected, but the people, it's important to recognize that the infected are a direct result of the fungus, which has caused massive devastation and societal collapse. Even if many people have made bad choices in this world, it's also crucial to consider the context in which these choices were made. The extreme conditions created by the infected have forced individuals to make difficult decisions for their own survival and the survival of their communities. These choices do not necessarily define the inherent nature of the people involved, but rather reflect the challenging environment they find themselves in. The concern that the cure wouldn't have been distributed fairly is a valid one, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle. It's important to consider the possibility that the development of a cure could inspire cooperation and collaboration among the remaining communities, leading to a more equitable distribution of the cure. Furthermore, even if the cure is not distributed perfectly, it could still save a significant number of lives and help to pave the way for the rebuilding of society.

[@jhornacek]

@@_LexiMae Tess, Bill, Frank, Henry, Sam, Tommy, Maria and everyone in the commune aren't good people? Go home, @bythebook, you're drunk! 🤣 Most of the people in QZs are just normal people wanting to survive and live their lives. The KC QZ people turned into monsters because, as Henry said, if you treat people like monsters for long enough, they will become monsters. But most QZs were just trying to maintain order and keep people alive. As far as how they would have distributed the cure, they likely would have given it to every Firefly. Gone from base to base and given it to all members. Once that was done, they would put the word out - "We have a cure, if you want it, join the Fireflies." You'd see lots of people leaving QZs, FEDRA, Hunters groups, etc to join the Fireflies to get the cure. Most of those people would stay with the Fireflies. Eventually the Fireflies would become the strongest organization in the country.

[@DRrascius]

It was great to embark on this journey with you! You know how to express your feelings. I loved!

[@jrod1591]

“spatula” 😂😂 You made my day with that one. Love your reactions. ❤

[@joeokabayashi8669]

What a great ride with you on this journey! Looking forward to watching more of your content. And yes, support the writers!

[@holddowna]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@Leader1623]

Hey this was a lot of fun watching through the show's first season with you and your reactions. Can't wait for season 2!

[@holddowna]

Ahhhh! Thanks for being here! I hope to get on season 2 ! Pray for me Hahahah

[@farbod21]

Joel is a man of focus, commitment, sheer will...

[@holddowna]

Papapedro

[@MrPicklerwoof]

I always viewed Joel's actions as inevitable. Once he found out out they were going to murder Ellie he was always going to save her, regardless of the consequences. For me, the real debate is about Marlene and the Fireflies. i.e., losing your humanity towards a child and murdering them without any consent. Can that be justified in any situation? Does it cease to be unethical if those actions could possibly lead to a cure? Etc..

[@SidPhoenix2211]

To them it is. And it is not some bizzare position. I fully get why they believe what they believe. To them, killing this one child can make the world a better place. It will be SUCH a big thing and save countless lives (men, women, and CHILDREN). To them, as much as it sucks... it is the price to pay. And after 20yrs of fighting, dying, and sacrificing for this thing... they are close to their goal. I also get Joel's stance of simply not wanting Ellie to die. I ultimately fall on his side (i do not want Ellie to die either), but i absolutely do not demonize the fireflies. Just like anyone else in this world, they're doing some flawed, messed up shit. The difference is that at least they are doing it to reach a utilitarian, benevolent goal. Nor do I demonize Joel. because I GET it. After losing everything... he finally has a chance to love again. And he cannot bear to be in a world where Ellie is dead. So yeah, I get why he does what he does. In the game, I murder the Fireflies without any qualms cuz that is precisely what Joel would do. I kill that surgeon without a second thought because that is what Joel would do. And I absolutely do not want Ellie to die either.

[@leob3447]

@@SidPhoenix2211 First, let me say I agree with both viewpoints here. One thing I've been thinking about lately is that no one seems to bring up that there are groups of humans still alive and surviving even after 20 years - why is the forgone conclusion that humanity is doomed by cordyceps? It seems to me the biggest threat to humanities survival is that humans have gone back to full tribalism and spend more time killing each other than the fungus does. I'm not exactly sure how a vaccine would solve anything at this point.

[@sletrent]

The counterpoint to this counterpoint is that what is a vaccine in this destroyed world other than a method to seize power? Provided of course they can somehow develop and mass produce one, which seems unlikely in and of itself. The world is toast. There is no rebuilding. A vaccine doesn’t reverse mushroom people into non-mushroom people that then live happily ever after. Does America suddenly collectively go “all right, that was tough, back to it, next election between two political parties in the fall”. Nah. Joel definitely made the decision of a parent but it’s also the only one that provides ANY kind of future for Ellie. And as a parent, you just get rewired. Joel saved the only world that mattered, and it was Ellie.

[@zimvader25]

@@SidPhoenix2211 yeah no. Joels reasoning aside, I get the creator said it would’ve worked, but that’s like stan lee saying spiderman could also shoot webs out of his butt. If it isn’t in the finished work, then you cant just “jk rowling” it. In this established world, There was no guarantee that this experiment would work and going straight for the kill instead of trying EVERYTHING ELSE with the only known immune person ever discovered, is inane as hell. Their entire strategy was dumb. There were other QZs with other doctors around who could’ve probably had better ideas. The logic that he was the only surgeon left and that the fireflies had any intention of actually releasing any cure to anyone not falling in line behind them has zero basis in this particular reality. Joel saving her was not only the fatherly thing to do but also the smart thing to do. The only thing he did wrong was lying to her at the end. I can even understand lying to her as soon as she woke up, she was still groggy from the drugs and not point agitating her, but at the end he should’ve just been honest: “look ellie they lied to you” and told her the truth. She’s 14, she’ll throw a fit then get over it.

[@ianthomas865]

@@zimvader25 The thing is it doesn't actually matter whether or not the cure would have worked. They believed that the surgery was necessary to create the cure and would have worked. Joel believed it would have worked. The heart and soul of this story is how the characters react to that belief. It's a perfect little trolley problem the writers have constructed... Kill one to save millions, possibly billions if you count future generations? But what if that one is your daughter? Given that everybody involved was convinced that the surgery was necessary to create the cure and would have actually worked, it was inevitable that the fireflies would go through with it, and inevitable that Joel would have reacted the way he did, and inevitable that Joel would lie about it to Ellie to prevent her from trying to go back and do it on her own. That's the actual story. Whether or not the surgery was actually needed, whether it would have worked, whether it could have been effectively applied, none of that matters to the human drama they were trying to lay out. Interesting to think about as a side question, but ultimately irrelevant to the actual story.

[@janeldavis905]

I've really enjoyed watching your reactions to this series. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@holddowna]

Thank you so MUCH for watching with Me! It mean a lot to me!

[@ofthenearfuture]

Such an incredible show, truly a masterpiece... And it was great watching along with you, loved your reactions to it!

[@holddowna]

Thank you so much for watching with me !!

[@olmanzomby7718]

What a journey to watch this with you! Can't wait for season 2!

[@FredtheFrisian]

Thanks, I enjoyed your reactions very much. I hope to see you again at some other show. Good fortune on your reactions to come and warm regards from the Netherlands!

[@JonathanCarlosGamerOfficial]

Just subscribed to your channel, love your reactions! Keep up the great work.

[@holddowna]

Wow thanks so much! Appreciate the sub!

[@life-x476]

This ending stays with you for a long time... What a great adaptation and great Reaction from you

[@neilbrideau8520]

I teared up for your whole reaction. Nice work.

[@holddowna]

Sorry!🤣😅

[@00rabbit7]

Omg your reactions were amazing! Can’t wait to watch you play the game

[@holddowna]

Can't wait! Thanks for watching

[@Sawyer1982OAC]

Such an amazing work done here. Can´t wait for season 2 because the second game´s story is easily one of the best and more nuanced I´ve ever experienced in gaming

[@pds8475]

it was a good touch that most of the voice actors from the first game were in the series. As in Marlene(Merle Dandridge) is played by the same person who voiced her in the game, The voice actor for Joel (Troy Baker)in the game was the man Ellie took a meat cleaver to in the last episode, The actress who plays Ellies mother(Ashley Johnson) voiced Ellie in the game, Perry who is Kathleen's right hand man in episode 4 and 5 was the voice actor for Tommy. Also one of the nurses in this episode voiced one of the main characters from the second game.

[@CataRDJ]

I'm so sad that you finished it! Loved rewatching this beautiful show with you. I specially loved how much you enjoyed it. It's always interesting to see the reaction of people who don't know the story from the games. But besides that, I just really like your channel. Started watching because of TLOU but now I've seen almost all your videos, and wanted to say that I hope you get a lot more subscribers and views because this is one of the best reaction channel I've come across. Can't wait to see what else you catch on. Maybe check the first season of Severance if you haven't seen it already, it's the best new show from 2022 imo. Anyways, keep it up and greetings from Chile 💜🇨🇱

[@holddowna]

Thank u so much! Wow! I plan to do more! And re watch old classics that are my fave that I haven’t seen in a while! I LOVE movies so much! So thank you for watching! Means a lot!

[@Soleya9]

Really enjoyed watching your reactions to the show. Hope you enjoy the game as well when you play it.

[@holddowna]

Thank u for watching with me!

[@MarcoMM1]

This episode really broke you, i feel you it did the same to me. Such a good episode with a lot of twists, and i realy love all the easter eggs in this last episode, since ashley johnson the original Ellie from the game, the giraffes becouse in several previous episodes, there was actually a clue that they would meet a giraffe, from photos of giraffes, stuffed giraffes, and even what happened in the game version.and In this episode, Joel and Ellie accidentally bump into a herd of giraffes, the nurse that is the actress that gives voice to ally in the game, and so many other. Great reaction once again keep up the amazing work.

[@holddowna]

Thanks for watching and dropping this comment!!

[@Thomas-no9wy]

When the first game came out in 2013, I traded in my xbox to buy a ps3 to play this game. I have never looked back. The Last of Us games (Part I and II) are the best games I've personally ever played. So much emotions. It showed me how good video games can be. Loved your reactions to this series. Can't wait to see more of what you do.

[@holddowna]

Thanks so much! My hope and dream is to get cast in the series!! I don’t know who I’d play but ill take any character! I am a Nintendo gal so I know nothing on the PS… we got an Xbox for red dead and hogwarts and then are going to borrow a ps4/5 to play LOU! So hopefully I can play game 1 ASAP. But playing Zelda:TOTK rn 🤣

[@Thomas-no9wy]

​@@holddowna I love everything about these games. Being able to work on the show would amazing. I did see that there will be an official TLOU haunted house experience at universal studios this year. trying to decide if I have the funds to travel to it. The makeup for that experience will be amazing.

[@crazycatlady6226]

It is so beautifully symbolic that the original voice actress for Ellie plays her mom. But I do have to say that the first time I heard Ashley Johnson in the show it was so weird because I’m a long time fan of the game and u can really hear it with her voice😂

[@manbearpig7359]

Thank you for having the wisdom to see the shades of grey in Joel and Marlene's behaviour and decisions regarding Ellie. Many people are just full on team Joel and he can do no wrong

[@catenystrom6506]

I don't know what happens, I didn't play the game, but I'm telling you if they kill off Ellie OR Joel, at least in Season 2, I'm going to LOSE IT. I honestly don't know if I could continue watching if that happened....especially Joel, I adore him.

[@d-dcay1783]

Well all I can say is Joel and Ellie fans are gonna lose their shit In the second season😂😂

[@Cramdeon1969]

Great Reactions to Season 1. As a huge fan of the game, always enjoy seeing another reactor appreciate the storytelling of this adaptation. It's why most of love the game so much. The gameplay is fun but it's the story that sets this apart from others. Well Done 👏

[@holddowna]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@sgtmian]

if you’ve played the game you’d recognize ashley’s voice anywhere, you know it’s her from the moment you hear her, and it was such an emotional moment for me. the moment where anna tells baby ellie "you fuckin’ tell ‘em ellie" might be the most meaningful thing i’ve ever witnessed in a show, knowing the whole story.

[@ticklishhoneybee]

There was a moment in the first episode (when Tess & Joel close Ellie in the room, and she says "what the fu..." as it slams) that seriously threw me, because Bella sounded exactly like Ashley in the first game.

[@groggy34]

The second game is all about Joel and Ellie’s tumultuous relationship based off the aftermath of the ending of the first game and let me tell you, you will NOT be prepared mentally and emotionally. It’s such an amazingly beautiful game and the story telling is top tier. My husband and I were blown away when we played. So many emotional scenes and the game play is lots of fun. I don’t care what anyone says I side with Joel on his decision to save Ellie. She’s a 14 year old girl riddled with survivors guilt. She never asked to be a potential cure and carry that kind of weight on her shoulders. While I get she wants to do the right thing, is it worth risking your own life for something that isn’t a sure thing? I don’t demonize the fireflies but you gotta think, even if Ellie said “no” do you really think they would just be like “ok, cool, off you go”? They would do it regardless of her consent. She was under the impression they would use her blood, not her whole brain. She expected to survive this. Imagine guilt tripping a little girl to save the world? And I get it, it’s one life versus everyone else but who’s to say the cure would have worked? That’s what’s so great about this story, not everything is black and white. And with Joel, he also suffers from guilt of not being able to save his daughter so in his mind saving Ellie was his redemption and peace of mind. So much guilt for different reasons for everyone. Season 2 will explore more of that. I can’t wait! Side note, there will be a very important character next season that will help explore the consequences of Joel’s decision.

[@MonkeySeeker.]

I agree, Joel made the right choice with regards to what he did to the fireflies and I do demonize the fireflies. First of all the fireflies and their "Doctor" were unbelievably incompetent. You don't jump straight to killing your one and only chance of a "cure" (it wasn't really a cure but a vaccine - it wouldn't help anybody already infected, or who got infected before receiving the vaccine). Maybe they did explore other options but we are not shown or told they did so I have to assume they didn't, which is utterly nonsensical and moronic (and if it worked as they stated, blood WOULD have sufficed in getting what was needed to create a vaccine - I'm no Doctor but I've seen Doctors reacting to this show and they suggest that it made no sense and blood would be enough to be able to create it). Joel hasn't doomed the human race here, as far as I'm concerned he's stopped the fireflies from doing so and needlessly killing a young girl in the process. Put it down to a rare case of poor writing or firefly incompetence - I'll be charitable and blame the fireflies' incompetence (they are shown repeatedly to actually not be very good at what they do - they have no qualms about blowing up innocent civilians and constantly get their butts handed to them). As a resistence group they were severely lacking in ability. Now, was it morally right? - I'd say not, but in worlds such as this and other post-apocalyptic worlds the right choice is often not the morally right choice. Lets face it, almost everybody left their morals behind 20 years prior.

[@coladict]

Marline isn't the only one who lost half her crew on the journey. Joel lost Tess. She was half his crew. It was Tess and Joel.

[@WarNeverChanges9191]

Marlene lost a whole crew back in Boston she did lose people only she and the girl with the damaged ear survived at Boston and the fireflies at that hospital are not her men actually she not the leader of the whole fireflies there is multiple leaders she basically only managed Boston QZ and she fucked that up big time.

[@davidweed1879]

Thanks for your wonderful content. You dissected this emotional and wild ride with the precision of a skilled surgeon using a scalpel. Or a spatula. Regarding the WGA strike affecting season 2, the only two writers on the show are the show creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Drukmann, who oversaw the writing for the actual games. There is no writer's room. I don't think they'd put pen to paper during the strike (Mazin used to be on the WGA board) but it's hard to imagine not "figuring things out" even during a strike. Sadly, it looks like Season 2 is scheduled for 2025. Those rat bastards! Thanks again. You're great.

[@holddowna]

Damn thought it was coming to shoot in November 2023!! Thanks for watching omg a SPATULA…🤪

[@kennycooper294]

that doctor grabbed a scalpel in the game too lol, this episode from the hospital on is pretty much the game shot for shot. its amazing that when neil wrote that ending he didnt know if the game would be a success and no sequel game was planned or tv show.

[@SaraBrightScales]

This show is so awesome, can't wait for next season. For anyone who hasn't seen the Game Theory videos on how and why Ellie isn't actually immune I highly recommend giving them a watch.

[@IanHillan]

100% agree with everything you said in your wrap up. I also went into this knowing nothing and expecting an ok series, and was just blown away. Pay those writers, man!

[@holddowna]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jamesswan7323]

Love how they included both voice actors for ellie and joel from the game in to the show. Troy bakers character in the show even gets killed by Ellie, which I always found kinda funny.

[@igloo2158]

What a perfect reaction. All the right questions. Yeah part two is a rollercoaster of emotion.

[@daws7511]

I was stunned this episode. Such an amazing season.

[@csxanatos653]

Wow, you are pretty awesome...late comer but enjoying your reactions.. thanks

[@holddowna]

Thanks for WATCHING and hanging out! Appreciate it!

[@Daishi13]

Fun fact is that the woman that plays Ellie's mom Ashley Johnson not only the original mocap/voice actress for the game but she was also Chrissy Seaver in Growing Pains.

[@holddowna]

👏🏽🙌🏽

[@nekoaltman305]

I love Ashley Johnson. Bella Ramsey did a good job. But when I hear Ashley. That’s my Ellie. The voice alone just brings back waves of emotion

[@nitrokid]

Here's to season 2 🍻🍻🍻

[@holddowna]

Weee !

[@holddowna]

Weee !

[@johnyd1911]

Whenever it gets here....

[@Gabriel_Moline]

A fantastic reaction to a really great final episode!🌸🍀🌼

[@holddowna]

Thank u for watching with me!

[@gaieepo.jeffrey]

One of my fav reactions so far. If you got chance, do make a playthrough. You can try on easy mode and enjoy the differences between the game and the series. Very look forward to that!

[@holddowna]

I def need a new comp to stream but I want too!!!! Thanks so much for watching

[@Dunagin]

Just love your reactions to this whole series. Your response to "it wasn't time that did it" was my exact reaction to that scene. As a fan of the game and the fact that it got turned into a series, they captured Joel so well. He has his own unique way about him that you can tell he loves her and sees her as a 2nd chance of being a father and having a daughter. He doesn't come right out and say it, but you just know he went from this loving father who lost his way after losing his daughter to hating life to somehow coming around having a reason to live again and not just live again, but to love and protect someone to having a daughter again and being that loving father. The circle is complete with Joel. I can't get enough of him and Ellie. I only discovered part 1 of the game about 2 years ago and played part 2. I have watched several dozen people's reactions and you are definitely 1 of my top 3 people because you were emotionally captured by these characters as much as I was.

[@holddowna]

Thanks so much! Ur words are soo bang on!!! I neeed to play the game already!!!!! Thanks for being here!

[@meaburro4207]

​@@holddowna Could you please record and post your playthrough on yt? 🙏 I loved your reactions to the show and I would love to see you react to the game. A couple tips for the game: -Explore the environment. You not only can get supplies, but also special conversations with the characters and notes that flesh out the world by telling stories about people and places. The gameplay is part of the storytelling too. Take your time to explore, you'll miss so much if you rush through the levels. -Don't ignore the characters. There are lots of optional conversations and if you don't hit the button in the moment, the conversations will disappear. Sometimes people see the option but they go explore first thinking they can talk to the character later, only to find out they can't. I hope you have a lot of fun!

[@MauriceCalis]

Ames, I had exactly the same reaction on the open. Perfect casting for Ellie’s mom. I thought it was Bella in that scene at first. Funny, because Ellie always reminded me of this actress (from What Women Want); same voice and similar look. Seemed strange for Joel to deny what he did, even at the end. Sad to think of how the lie will affect things with Ellie. They were doing so well. “I will follow you wherever you go”…., just the devotion that had to each other - loved that dynamic.

[@holddowna]

Truly amazing show. Thanks for watching! Love seeing your comments Maurice!

[@MauriceCalis]

@@holddowna Hey, why can't I ❤your comment? Haha, not fair.

[@SathReacts]

It's been a fun ride. While some changes were made for TV, you'll find a striking similarity in the beats of the game. In general the game goes harder and darker on the characters than the show did (yikes, I know). Enjoy!

[@Nomadic813]

Don't know if I agree with that. The game is certainly more gruesome and violent. But that's largely because it's a video game that has a violent gameplay loop. We could sit here and nitpick tiny examples of where the game went a little further or what changes the show made, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't tell anyone that they might not be ready for the game if they were fine with the show. Maybe with the major caveat of Bill and Frank serving as a positive example in the show instead of a cautionary tale in the game.

[@SathReacts]

@Nomadic813 A better way to say it might be, 'The tv characters are more emotionally vulnerable than their video game origins' still equates to them being 'tougher' in the game. There are copious examples of this across multiple characters, so I wouldn't consider that nit-picking. Also, I've never not recommended TLoU to anyone. That should be a crime.

[@CrazeeAdam]

Oh btw. Ellie now has PTSD and thoughts about humanity after having dealt with David... If you couldn't tell. It's the journey coming to an end AND her experience with David... Like.. He really got to her, in the game and in the show.. Also this final episode is like frame for frame like the game. The only thing added was Joel talking about his suicide.

[@holddowna]

Wow

[@Ladco77]

Every time I hear Ashley Johnson's voice, all I hear is Ellie.

[@DevilzFan]

This episode was my first time seeing Ashley Johnson since she was the kid in the last few seasons of "Growing Pains" in the 80's. I know she was Ellie's VA in the game, but I didn't realize what a similar look site has to Bella Ramsey too.

[@rnkelly36]

It is very good casting. That was the same lady that does the voice of Elle in the video game. They did a really good job of giving the video game cast parts in this show.

[@joerhea9340]

The Dr grabbed like a spatula you said. Lol. I think you meant a scalpel. ❤❤❤❤

[@ThunderTaco206]

Without spoiling anything for you, I will say that you have a pretty good intuitive grasp of the potential consequences of Joel's decision at the end of this episode. The more far-reaching consequences are tragic and drive the narrative in the second game, and from what it sounds like the second and possibly third season as well. Brace yourself. If you thought this season was hard to watch, just wait. The first game broke my heart. The second one shattered it.

[@holddowna]

Oh no😬 thanks for ur comment

[@luismtz88]

I just can't way to watch you play the game!!! .... :D

[@isuckreallyreallybad]

You gotta do a rewatch. The foreshadowing throught each episode leading up to the end is masterclass. And def play the games!

[@holddowna]

I def pick up so much when I edit! I’m like HOLY SHIT! Half the time! For sure gotta play!

[@bidishah]

Okay I got the tissues ready for the tears I'm inevitably going to cry watching you. Let's do this. 😭

[@holddowna]

LETS GOOOOO !! Thanks for watching with me!

[@jotairpontes]

Great content! Amazing rewatching this and seeing your reactions, someone that did not play the game. TLoU 1 is one of my fav games of all time and I loved the series so far. The small changes were pretty cool, basically all for the better in my opinion. I think season 2 could be a masterpiece. No spoilers: I know a lot of people hate TLoU2, and I kinda did at first, but I felt that the problem with the second game was not what happened (the story is brutal as is the first game), but *how* some stuff happened (some of it was bad writting, some of it was stuff happening too fast, etc). Why am I saying this? Because I feel that they could create a great second season for the series, by writting better some parts, taking more time with others, etc. as they did with the first season, changing some stuff for the better.

[@shrubbinthepub3176]

600 million percent?! thats a lot!

[@holddowna]

Lolol

[@atuuschaaw]

I hated to see this episode. I was so invested, I didn't want it to end. ♥

[@holddowna]

Me either!

[@gusfernanddes]

i would love to see you play the 2nd game!!!!

[@johncmoore416]

The pregnant mom at the beginning is Ellie in the game. Marlene, is Marlene in the game.The music at the giraffe scene is identical to the same scene in the game. I also recommend playing or watching a playthrough of the 2nd game before watching season 2. Get that trauma out of the way early. If you do watch, I recommned Christopherodd as a channel. He's a very empathetic player and I feel you would like his commentary.

[@ernieojeda]

I’ll give you all the likes 🙌🏻❤️

[@holddowna]

Thankkk uuuuu 👍🏽❤️

[@ernieojeda]

@@holddowna 😌😌😌 thank you! For all the reactions. I just started watching the boys last week it’s so good! Idk if you have seen it but would love a reaction of that lol I just got to season 3. 8 episodes a season

[@alexalvarez1843]

Amazing cast of actors! Kudos to the actors who played Tess,Tommy, Bill and Frank, Henry and Sam .. they made us fall in love with their characters in a span of 1 or 2 episodes.. and kudos to even Scott Shepherd who plays David! He played the perfect creep! Of course Bella and Pedro, proving all doubters wrong. Last but not least, a great big Kudos to Nico Parker who played Sarah and made everyone cry like a baby with just a few minutes of screentime.

[@holddowna]

Thanks for ur comment!

[@_3clipse_]

The writing and story was essentially Neil Druckmann (creator of the game) and Craig Mazon (Director of Chernobyl and AVID fan of the game) if you have played the game by now you will see how word for word a lot of the script was... hopefully you also watched all the BHS content most amazing team and it shows in the incredible production quality. This is the masterpiece of film making, by miles the best live game adaption ever and simply one of the greatest television experiences I have seen.

[@toddsonnier3763]

Here's the truly crazy fact: the last of us part one was not intended to be part of a series. They said from the beginning it was a one-off game and there would not be a sequel. It ended exactly like this. THAT. WAS. THE. END OF. THE. STORY! No cliffhanger. Just that brutal ending. In the end, the money talked a bit too loud for them to stick to that decision. Instead, they followed it up with an exponentially more brutal second part.

[@catharinesantiago5281]

looved your reaction to this series, you should really watch The Walking Dead next honestly my two favorite post-apocalyptic worlds there's a recent interview with Pedro Pascal and Steven Yeun (he plays Glenn on Walking Dead) where they talk a little bit about their similar experiences playing a show like this and how amazing it was for them, it's so sweet, definitely worth watching.

[@holddowna]

Love actors on actors series! Already seen it lol I stopped TWD season 5 then got back in til 7 and then stopped again… def loved it and then didn’t…would love to be on a show like that or this!! Maybe I should catch up ?? 🤪

[@gunmetal2890]

It's amazing how different people respond differently to Joel and what he did/said. It seems to be a clear divide as to whether he did right or wrong.

[@sgtmian]

personally i’m only on ellie’s side which makes it easier to be balanced when it comes to joel and the fireflies.

[@uncledonel1742]

​@@sgtmian Yeah, that seems fair!

[@Aaron-fs1vz]

He picked up a spatula!!!

[@holddowna]

🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪🤪😅

[@johnsinclair4448]

If I had a time machine, I'd go back before this show started and buy stock in facial tissues. Every episode rips your heart out. How did they make us care about fictional characters so much? Everyone involved in this show should get EVERY award possible.

[@holddowna]

AGREEEEEED thanks for watching !

[@RustyPopcorn]

18:18 This is exactly right. They made it slightly more apparent in the game with a gasp and slight recoil from Joel