LAST OF US Episode 8 Breakdown - HIDDEN MEANING and Easter Eggs EXPLAINED

Our LAST OF US Episode 8 Breakdown is here! Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉. Get up to 60% OFF your subscription ➡️ HERE: go.babbel.com/...
The episode is filled with Biblical symbolism from the book of revelations, Genesis. Matthew, John, Psalms, and of course, the Devil himself. In this video we break down all this hidden meaning and symbolism.
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Written and Hosted by Ryan Arey ( / ryanarey )
Edited by Randolf Nombrado, Lee Mazzio, and Rohail Mistry
#LastOfUs #Episode8 #EasterEggs
This episode had a lot of easter eggs to the game, but I'm actually more impressed by what they added to the story. There’s also a lot of allegory and biblical symbolism I’m going to break down for you, and the episode actually has a flaw-or at least a story point I disagree with that I’m going to talk about a little later. And there’s also lots of hints that led up to that big twist. But first, let’s get to these easter eggs.
The title of the episode, when we are in need, could be paraphrased from Hebrews 4 '16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace when we are in need of help.”
The bible actually has many, many passages about approaching God in times of both physical and spiritual need. TThere’sa lot of needy people who need guidance and a strong protector in this show-and pastor Dave is here to take advantage of them to bolster his own ego and twisted world view.
So we start in silver lake, Colorado, which we're told is a resort, [it’s a fake town]. And that is a really interesting turn of phrase, because it allows us to make an immediate comparison to other communities we’ve seen. Fedra ruled Boston with an iron fist. Kansas city was essentially run by angry anarchists-while Jackson is an actual, real community where people work together.
But Silver Lake is called a “fake town.'' Both because it's a resort, and because it's not a real community of people who have banded together for a common goal. They follow pastor David because they are afraid and want to be protected.
Doug but what are they afraid of?
Well, zombies [clip]. But also, I think they’re afraid of the truth. Despite what pastor Dave says, i think everyone knew they were hating human flesh-and pastor Dave allowed them to live the lie that they were eating deer meat.
Now the title of the episode is also reflected in the banner that hangs in the dining room-and that also hangs in the game. [4:28:07] we’re made to think that this banner is talking about God. but consider thT it's hanging up in the dining hall-and then we start to understand that it's actually referring to Pastor Dave, and how he will provide human meat for everyone to eat.
Now the passage he’s reading is from the book of revelations. So, if you’ve never read the book for revelations, it is the final book of the christian bible, and it details a prophecy about how the world will end and be reborn. And it is weird. Like the bible is going along for a long time, telling a story about prophets, messiah, disciples, then all of the sudden at the end it turns into Twin peaks directed by michael bay.
Revelations is filled with imagery and symbolism and references that are best understood to a culture that existed two thousand years ago. So its literal meaning is debated by theologians-but, one thing we all agree on is that it depicts the end of the world with some very bad things happening-and then the world is reborn as a paradise. I’m actually surprised that more post-apocalyptic stories don't lean into this more. Post apocalypse would be a perfect time for cult leaders like pastor Dave to take power by pointing to revelation and saying, see I told you so.
This particular passage from revelations is after the world has been destroyed, and after the beats have been cast back down into the pit, and when God is ruling over earth, IN the context of the show, Dave is trying to say that now his flock lives in this time. The world has been destroyed, emptied out, so God could fill it with Love again.

[@ScreenCrush]

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[@mariskelley8831]

One small detail that’s easily missed: When Sarah dies, Joel calls her “Babygirl”; when he’s reunited with Ellie in this episode & sees how traumatized she is, he calls her “Babygirl”. Their bond is complete.

[@tyrenmcelwee1404]

@@mariskelley8831And I would suppose Joel's desire to kill for Elle is more of a need at this point which is kind of like the fungus. We don't have to call it love.

[@aliengranpa]

As a hardcore walking dead fan I know that Rick's line was indeed badass...but he still would have been dead and eaten if it wasn't for Carol.

[@schools6555]

"It's not a Book, It's a WEAPON"!!

[@halasMr245]

I just love Doug but one question when are we going to get to see zombies again? Haven’t seen a zombie in 5 episodes 😂 😂

[@saedo9723]

David's view of the cordycep's love is exactly what he thinks love is. Violent and forceful.

[@ms.bubs4fun506]

*Good catch!

[@philly_sports1558]

David’s a creep. I’m glad they carried that over from the game

[@chrisv9000]

Just like Dennis Reynolds said, “For the good of the race…”

[@JetsetDruid]

Nice observation

[@philly_sports1558]

@@chrisv9000 There was an implication there

[@davinery1278]

Bella Ramsey has a great future in acting. That ending when she looks at Joel is so emotional.

[@godzillaeatsushi4979]

I cry

[@fernandopacheco1795]

I don't know why, but I cried in the final scene with the show but not with the game. Kudos to Bella

[@SettlingNomads]

That's what I kept thinking the whole time, she's shown so much range in this episode, I'm blown away.

[@Panasonicy0uth]

That roller coaster of emotions at the end was so visceral and raw. Some of the best acting I've seen in years, TBH.

[@Some_Guy6]

Lol, nope!!!!

[@soniaalvarado5372]

This was my favorite episode. I loved Ellie coming into her own and depending on her wits /courage to save Joel and relying on her skills/bravery to save herself. Joel makes an emotional breakthrough in this episode which is also important for his character and the story.

[@Johnnieroq]

This was one of the best parts of the game. Playing as Ellie and the boss fight.

[@elefantasmasmatico]

@@Johnnieroq absofukinlutely! I realized when the episode ended that i had the same excited tension while playing that, back in the ps3.

[@spuddawg02]

As soon as the credits rolled I said the exact same thing 😁 this was by FAR the best episode of any show I've seen in a long time

[@KazzKobb]

I do wish they'd kept the scene where Ellie and David fight off a swarm of infected together, at least in some form.

[@jonfreeman9682]

Ellie has completed her character arc and turned into savage beast mode. She doesn't need Ellie to protect her anymore. This was her first human kill who wasn't infected and she did it brutally with blood splatter.

[@rybread7818]

Oh man, that "Baby Girl" really got me. I have not played the games and hearing that was amazing. These small human moments the show has done so great (Ellie fixing her hair and shirt in the mall with Riley, Bill Playing the piano, and Joel saying "Baby Girl" for the first time in 20 years) have what separated it from other shows for me. So simple, yet so impactful....bravo.

[@adidas2684]

I really like seeing people's reactions who haven't played the game. I like seeing where you enjoy those same emotional beats that I, and many others, got from the game. I'm glad they kept true to the game so tightly that others can enjoy this story the same way, but through a different medium. The only nit pick I have had so far is in this last episode. As mentioned in the video, the difference of Ellie walking out of the restaurant and Joel finding her outside vs the game where he pulls her off of David as she's butchering him. I feel like that scene had a stronger emotional beat in the game. Those brief seconds of Ellie walking outside lets the viewer kind of reset emotionally. In the game, you go straight from her fear and rage at David to a fear of Joel (not knowing it's him initially) and then to her recognizing him and he calms Ellie down and calls her babygirl. It's just one strong emotional string that doesn't let up until the scene cuts to black. It's like a rollercoaster that doesn't stop the thrill until it's over vs the show that has a short lull before the next big dive. I guess in some ways that builds a new tension for a viewer since you don't know what's coming next, but for me, it felt like a reset that I didn't really want. But maybe that's just because I do have the game experience first. Kind of a burden of knowledge, in a way.

[@aliwantizu]

Yeah, I mean I actually got a little choked up when he said that, and kinda laughed at myself because Joel and Ellie had both just committed some VERY violent acts so I was like, how did THAT response make its way thru all that horror, lol!

[@ArturoStojanoff]

I honestly interpreted the conversation David had with Ellie in the cell not so much as a metaphor for the devil, but I saw it as a clear representation of grooming.

[@naturistfred]

That's what I thought too plus they happened to mention he was once a 2nd grade teacher.

[@JIMvc2]

Correct 👍🏻.

[@jmr1948]

No reason it can't be both.

[@VelocityRaptor32]

In a sense, satan grooms people to worship him so he can harm them as much as me wants. Just like David does.

[@TheIronDuke9]

That's exactly what the devil does - grooms

[@mda187]

I think it was kinda cool that Joel was more or less saved by fungus instead of being assaulted by it for once. The callback to the first episode opening was a nice touch.

[@Raycifer]

I liked the subtle prop choice for the dinning scene where David's food is served on a plate where as everyone else gets a bowl

[@arklytte]

And his portion was HUGE compared to the others.

[@MikeCaputo1984]

When David sits to eat next to Grace, his food portion is about 5x everyone else’s, and is the real venison. Another hint he’s not the selfless leader he claims to be.

[@Christopherfrost13]

Nah. That's the human meat. Everyone else ate the broth/soup, but he ate the real human meat.

[@onlyjuanhope]

@@Christopherfrost13 he's also the leader, so it makes sense that he eats more. "to stay strong" for the others

[@ToMPaSHKoV]

Ask me if I'm surprised the religious group is populated with murderers, rapists and cannibals.

[@Emmuzka]

Also, they all had the permission to eat only after the pastor had started. There they sat hungry, staring at the food in front of them, waiting for a permission like dogs.

[@nul4327]

@@Emmuzka um its normal to let the one you respect most or elderly or host eat first? you americans rlly have no culture

[@Durvington]

bella's acting was top notch. this episode was some of the best television with the story beats and execution that ive seen in a long time.

[@pablorosario5232]

How he murdered those cannibals while he is half dead, You got to wonder what a young Joel could do, he must’ve been like the terminator

[@tayduatrinhcoi]

Even better. He was The Contractor.

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

I'm sad to admit ,I loved seeing the brutality Joel was willing to do find Ellie .especially us knowing what was happening to her. They saved each other. I can't believe this season is over next week.

[@deirdremorris9234]

Wait what??? Are we going to have to wait for the rest??

[@bradenkerr9062]

@@deirdremorris9234 yep, it’ll finish the events of the first game and we’ll have to wait for the next two seasons that’ll cover the second game.

[@deirdremorris9234]

@@bradenkerr9062 Oh snap. I never played the game. My adult son has. Been watching the show w the big kids...not sure they know that info. Sigh....

[@MattSwift1988]

@@bradenkerr9062 wait, have they confirmed 2 more seasons?!? I'm really hoping season 2 is adapted from the flashbacks of the second game as opposed to being a direct adaptation of events, so if we already know it's 3 seasons, I'm cautiously optimistic.

[@MattSwift1988]

My wife looked at me sideways when I cheered for Joel showing no mercy. We've heard about the "bad things" he's done to survive, but it's different seeing what he's willing to do for Ellie.

[@eyespy3001]

There’s also the death-and-rebirth symbolism of Joel’s recovery. When he was stabbed and fell sick due to infection, his past apathetic life died. When he awoke after receiving care from Ellie, he was reborn with fatherly purpose- to protect Ellie, whom he now viewed as his “baby girl.”

[@RaraAvis23]

There’s a loose argument to be made that Joel has some Christ-like imagery. Lay dead for (three?) days before rising again, was stabbed in the side, is the salvation for Ellie… It’s loose, but if David is the devil, and Joel is a loose foil for him, then it’s a mild possibility.

[@KimberlyArwen]

​@@RaraAvis23Good point! He is the salvation for Ellie who symbolizes hope for humanity!

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

They actually fleshed out James much more than the game. If he hadn't been brutally murderd , i believe he would have gone against David at one point. It was implied throughout the whole episode that James was beginning to have his doubts about David. For people that didn't play the game this was some sort of red herring I suppose, and makes his death all the more jarring.

[@Aurich88]

The vibe I was pulling off him was that he was just losing patience with David's religiosity because he was more interested in survival and revenge. Not like he had any moral objection to their operation or anything.

[@pandanganmatiyn1487]

For as much as i loved ellie's action this episode not being the damsel in distress, i just really hoped he did not kill james. i was beginning to like that man.

[@chrisfox961]

it could be that David slowly broke down James by using the "need for cannibalism" to first bring him under his control and then the continued use of cannibalism to shame him into following him.

[@Mike-mu7tk]

The reason they fleshed him out was to give Troy Baker well earned screen time for being and absolute f-ing chad.

[@ProudPapaJD]

Ugh, don’t say “fleshed him out” when talking about this episode! 😂😂😂

[@ComeWhatMay11]

That "baby girl" & embrace at the end!!! ❤️😭😱🙌🏽

[@Bemfactor98]

Also like to point out the juxtaposition of Ellie escaping from the dangerous hot fiery hell of the burning restaurant and David/satan's grasp, directly into the cleansing pure, cold whiteness of the outside winter, and into the safety of her father figure's arms

[@joshfreeman3264]

Also joel puts his best coat around her, much like the father in the prodigal son

[@amymitman173]

i also thought that when James says to David "maybe that's God's will" that it was a parallel to Katherine saying to Henry "have you ever thought that maybe [Sam] was supposed to die?" Interesting similarities from similar leader-of-group characters.

[@Copper6siege]

How on earth do you analyze these episodes to this insane level of detail so fast?! This is crazy

[@Xandeco92]

His team receive the episode earlier than us to do the easter eggs videos. the team probably finished the show already and have next week episoded scheduled.

[@jasondourden1317]

​@@Xandeco92 Haha! Never even crossed my mind. I sort of feel like you're a genius or I'm stupid than usual. 😄

[@magnusred2945]

Channels like this saw the whole season before we saw episode 1

[@EntropiaOrganizada]

From what I learned, HBO delivers the episodes on Wednesdays to certain reviewers with an embargo until Sundays.

[@jeebsy718]

​@@EntropiaOrganizada Chris stuckman talked about it this week and you're right, they get a link to watch on Wednesdays.

[@kirilian1]

Just want to say, your breakdowns are fantastic and inspire me to think deeper about storytelling. Thank you!

[@endoftheworld29]

The way he said "Its okay baby girl" when he hugged her is the exact same thing he said to Sarah in episode one when he hugged her when she bled to death.

[@jarodhunting5978]

Always watch your recaps immediately after finishing a new episode. Thank you, and keep up the great work!

[@llofdarkwater9152]

David seems to get the biggest portion of the meal, too. Everybody else had half or less of a bowl, his bowl was quite full... yes?

[@deirdremorris9234]

Yes he did!

[@llofdarkwater9152]

@Deirdre Morris - Glad that wasn't just me seeing that!

[@deirdremorris9234]

@@llofdarkwater9152 As beat down as his 'followers' were I could tell he was no good from the get go. We were just a couple min into the show and I said, "This guys eating people." My son laughed and said Mom NOT everyones a cannibal come on! Lol.. sometimes old people just Know....

[@naturistfred]

I noticed that too, I figured since he was the leader he gets the big piece of the "meat".

[@llofdarkwater9152]

@Fred Morris - Yes, that's a rather tender subject. Another slice, anyone?

[@Lunchforthelads]

I think that they made Ellie walk out of the diner on her own instead of joel coming in and pulling her away to further examplify and prove that Ellie no longer NEEDS Joel to live

[@paintedexpressionssogriffi1322]

Also David said the doors were all locked, so it wouldn't make sense for Joel to just come in unless he broke through a window.

[@LittleBobbyTV]

“The Gang Goes Cannibal” cut killed me. Great job with this one, Ryan!

[@RaraAvis23]

One of the best episodes of both TLOU *and* of Screencrush. I really appreciated Ryan calling out the zombie kiss as assault, and making the distinction between that and actual love.

[@kidalex77]

My favorite tiny detail is that, while everybody has a small amount of people food, David has a heaping helping of long pig...

[@naturistfred]

Hahaha! Long pig is something I heard from another show and I had no idea what it was.

[@TrippleBPlays]

@@naturistfred The first time I heard Long Pig was in Supernatural I think

[@naturistfred]

@@TrippleBPlays I heard it from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

[@gahchelsea]

10:23 OMG so creepy to find out David’s preoutbreak job was a Teacher with his creepy behavior towards Ellie in the game. I was so surprised by his…line of dialogue at the end. Way more of a confirmation of his sick mind than we ever had in the game.

[@mrdavman13]

In the game someone does call Ellie David’s new “pet”

[@ScreenCrush]

What did you think of the episode?

[@Tre_SlimeLilDude]

10/10

[@fredricotraversiere8868]

it Beyond Awesome 😀😎👍🤘❤

[@OzzyRaeHorvath]

Absolutely incredible, thanks for the break down uploads so quick man, I can’t imagine how hard you and your team works. Us fans really appreciate it.

[@dougiefresh2789]

i'm still right about the horrible choice for ellie. Weird that a game character can have more depth

[@natalieblack9578]

I think you gave David a little too much credit! Don't think he allowed his evil nature to come out with the aftermath of the fungus, most likely he saw an opportunity for exponential power and control. Buuuut...he was a teacher, and is a pedophile rapist..not good. Loved the episode!

[@anthonysweet2273]

Did anyone else hear the clicker clicking just when Ellie noticed the deer. I thought it was Going to trigger a big fight like it does in the game but it didn’t. Not sure if anyone else heard it too

[@BlueXDShadow]

Yeah I thought it was a clicker too.

[@itskareemelsayed]

Yeah it was in the closed captions too

[@arklytte]

That was a very well done misdirect. Male deer will actually make that sort of noise when they're foraging in the winter...they're knocking branches with their antlers to try and dislodge acorns or pine cones. They'll also use their antlers to dig through fallen limbs or brush to get at grass underneath. But yeah, they totally made it sound like Clickers to freak us out. The sound design on this episode (the whole series, really) was awesomesauce!! Source: I'm a hunter, and have seen it many, many times.

[@DarrylRadcliffe]

I heard that...

[@cottonmouth6369]

@@arklytte yes I heard it as deer antlers but now people are pointing it out, it does sound like a clicker misdirect

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Kudos to Troy baker he was excellent in this Episode.

[@paintedexpressionssogriffi1322]

It was cool listening to him and some lines sounded a lot like Joel from the game!

[@joeynoell6634]

David said he used to be a math teacher, of kids Ellies age, then goes on to say later on, that he has always had a violent heart. There is so much that he says that leads me to believe, he used to be one of those teachers who would SA his students. Even the part where he says he likes it when they fight back. So much of this character skeeves me out, and he got what he deserved 10 fold.

[@shannonhall9094]

I think this is my favorite commentary of yours for this show. Just brilliant, and the movie clips had me rolling.

[@Sunluvr1]

It is my favorite as well .

[@itsporkroll3401]

So, yes, thank you ScreenCrush editor for the Backstreet Boys clip from I Want It That Way, the exact moment of the dramatic key change from A major to B major. Usually in pop songs you'll have a half step key change, this one was a whole step.

[@OfficialTaylormade1]

Loving how each episode showcases a different supporting character, while also furthering the bond between Joel and Ellie

[@SailorCrafty]

I was excitedly telling my husband about how happy I was that it had the same feelings as the game. That baby girl broke me both times. And my favorite thing in the game is how now Joel is all happy and upbeat, and Ellie is struggling to process everything that happened and is more listless. They switch emotional roles at that point and it's just an amazing juxtaposition. They have a lot to cover in the last episode though and I'm a bit worried about pacing, but the whole show has been rushed anyway so I'm prepared mentally I guess.

[@KushWick]

8:28 I like how in a moment she went from demanding to asking you can hear her voice change from when she snuck up on then to sound older and gritty to when she heard they had meds. Her acting is top par 👏 👌 💯

[@CherylKhan80]

This episode was a roller-coaster for me. I loved it. Just give Bella an award already. She is so talented!

[@vngas7]

I love the way you analyze and describe the episodes, respect!

[@DarkJediJoker]

I noticed a couple things in the dining scene. 1) David's portion of "food" is actually significantly larger than others. And 2) James and Hannah hesitate before eating

[@kaieppy]

Loving this show and I’m a fan of the game. Just wish they showed Clickers/runners a lot more than they do.

[@jasondourden1317]

Hopefully more infected in season 2?

[@MrMarkhoppusrules]

I like that they’re focusing on the characters and their backstories bc we already get to see the action when we play the game

[@Falconhoof]

Not been a lot of zombie action to be fair but this was always going to be a character drama, much like the game. If you saw clickers every episode they would lose their impact I think

[@Shoelessjoe78]

​​@@Falconhoof I agree but still... Not enough infected. I do understand the difference between the mediums. But it's been a little light for a game that is very heavy on the action. And I love the dialogue etc... But I wanted more infected. The gym... Sigh.

[@TasteMyRainb0w]

That's the one thing that's lacking. Episodes with infected.

[@Wholesomewebs]

Love how “unbound” played after Ellie and Joel walk off at the end. Signifying her freedom from David.

[@alexchopov]

David's face at the end must look alot like Pedro Pascal's face at the end of his character in Game of Thrones

[@ZemiEmperor]

My humble insight: The Cordyceps did indeed provide, but in a different way. That is, penicillium is a type of fungus which this time saved Joel's life.

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Great video as always Ryan ,and doug we appreciate your hard work ,and dedication so much 👏🏾👏🏾.

[@amoramanzano]

There is also a reference in Silence of the Lambs in episode 7, when Ellie is training in the FEDRA high school the shots are very much alike the initial shots of Clarice training with the FBI. Another young woman who will come face to face with a monster.

[@Osmashi]

When Ellie snaps David’s finger it reminded me of when Daisy poisoned John in The Hateful Eight and she tells him… “When you get to hell John, tell em Daisy sent ya.”

[@Gzilla313]

When it's implied the little girl is eating her father all I could think of was The Simpson's Nightmare Cafeteria from Treehouse of Horrors V. "There's a little Uter in all of us."

[@josephk.8728]

The one playing David was absolutely fantastic. However, I made him right off the bat the first time I played the game. I knew he was using a façade. Knew he wasn't as benevolent as he wanted to be. Props to Nolan North in the game. And I think this may be my favorite episode of the series. I loved that James had a more fleshed-out role. I also enjoyed how much they lifted straight from the game. And it is gonna be bittersweet that this is ending next week. I have enjoyed this journey.

[@JustinLe]

I think it's fair to say that if a bad guy states a high level theme (like cordyceps is love), it means that the writers (and the story) disagree with it

[@rmarkley79]

Joel used the same threat when he interrogated the two men he tied up in this episode as the older couple in the cabin in ep.6. That scene was played with a bit more humor though. Really enjoyed this episode, can't believe we only have one left!

[@drakehintz2866]

David says the cordyceps "love" because he loves in the same way - by force. To him it truly is love and it resonates with his violent heart

[@edwardstompor294]

Do you get content/shows earlier than the rest of us? No pun intended, just amazing that you can get videos with such detail and all the clips up so quickly.

[@dchalla9965]

🎶Cut my life into pieces. This is my last resort.🎤🎵

[@ippokratismargiouklas2791]

This series is amazing I don't care what all the video game fans say. I haven't cried in years and yet the end of this episode got me tearing up a bit

[@The_Infamous_Boogyman]

When Joel called Ellie "baby girl", I almost lost it. Reminded me too much of losing my daughter, but man, so good.

[@AprilDoner]

I’m so very sorry for your loss

[@The_Infamous_Boogyman]

@@AprilDoner thank u that's very kind

[@r2witco]

Awesome breakdown, thanks again! One thing I noticed was that the group met in a steakhouse. While most of us recognize that it’s a restaurant, but in morman tradition, a stake house is a place of worship. After living in SLC at one point, this little thing stuck out at me and I thought it might be an Easter egg.

[@txcoldiie]

I love how fast you post a sound analysis! Thanks!

[@kellylingro3288]

I think the "cordyceps loves" thing is absolutely fruity loops but if they found a way to expand on that interpretation I might be able to see where they're coming from.

[@OphelieH27]

I don't know if I understood the scene but, when Ellie is hunting in the forest, I thought we heard clicking sounds? Was I going nuts? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[@catgurl7947]

Completely agree with you that Fungus does not love at all. It just reacts to stimulus and just wants to spread everywhere that it can.

[@CoryAndor]

i mean the person who claims the fungus loves is a psycopath. i think unreliable narrator firmly applies

[@elvdma91]

Imo it was more emotional when Joel stopped Ellie from hacking David further. It just shows that Joel couldn’t imagine what Ellie had go through for her to get to that point and tries to calm her down and instinctively says “baby girl”. That’s the first time we see how big of a father figure he is.

[@UninspiredArtemis]

The part I think I disagree with the most is the assumption that David was “just a normal guy” before the outbreak because he was a math teacher to kids Ellie’s age. To me, that information paired with his admittance to “always having a violent heart” means that he had been this evil and most likely even preyed on children long before the world fell apart; the outbreak was just his realization that he could use it to his benefit.

[@cthomas025]

This was the episode that I've been waiting for since the show started, and man, it did not disappoint.

[@danielrose3004]

How did you miss that Joel calls Ellie baby girl at the end of the episode. The only person he calls baby girl before that is Sarah.

[@arcosprey4811]

And with the juxtaposition of the watch... perfection.

[@onlyjuanhope]

keep in mind how much he covers lol so chill out. I'm sure he'll do a short later

[@briank5357]

…he literally talked about that at the end of the video lol

[@BlackHatCinephile]

24:31

[@cthomas025]

How did you miss that he mentions that at the end of the video?

[@randaltd]

I think it’s pretty clever that they refer to it as a “resort” because for the people that go there, this is also their “last resort” because they have nowhere else to go. Also parallels with how Terminus was advertised on the broadcast as a “sanctuary” in The Walking Dead (with a similar twisted fate for those who arrive)

[@KurlyGrl]

Yeah. Terminus = Terminate.

[@staceywalker8699]

I think you missed that David being a predator likes the fact that cordyceps takes its victim without any consent. It just consumes and then controls.

[@pickle.786]

Anytime someone says they are the good guys ... well, you remember how Lost went.

[@saracen2131]

Y’all always so fast with these, I just finished the episode 5 min ago lol

[@NekoHibaCosplay]

This episode was absolutely stunning My only regret is that Nolan North couldn't be there to play David, like he did in the game, side by side with his homie Troy Baker That would have been AWESOME

[@skylarhillman1455]

Atheist here. Not surprised in times of struggle David, who was a math teacher, would use religion to amass power.

[@ClassyGameRacer]

I like how Ryan pointed out the resemblance of Ellie to Hannibal Lector of the final scene.

[@Jesus21x]

Really happy Troy Baker played a pretty big role this episode!

[@apexgaming7457]

"me and you are the same" is the best in daredevil with punisher saying "your just one bad day away from being me"

[@mr559]

Although it's quite a cool artistic take about the cordyceps loving, scientifically they don't know what love is because they have no consciousness. They're just doing whatever is programmed in their DNA. Amazing work by Bella. The little details with the whimpering brings so much emotion to showcase Ellie's fear and desperation trying to fight off David. My first time seeing Troy's live action performance and he did amazing.

[@REDDEVIL9269]

That part of the game was insane the boss fight with David was a nightmare

[@BlackCanvasAudio]

Clickers or not, this was a FANTASTIC EPISODE!!! By far my most favorite episode they've done. Violent Joel is my favorite Joel!!!

[@jeffreycarman2185]

I legit lost sleep over this episode, it was an emotional and terrifying ride.

[@metallichick90]

Same! The acting was top notch, and I felt from the very beginning that David was leaning in that direction, but seeing how far it played out and being in Ellie's shoes took a huge emotional toll on me that I was not prepared for (I haven't played the game so Idk, maybe I would have been prepared if I had) I finally got to sleep but waking up the next morning it was still the first thing on my mind

[@codyburtrum2604]

Who needed clues to know they were cannibals? I never played the game. I just figured that if they were all starving to death and they had someone in the group who was killed (not died of an illness) one thing would naturally lead to another. I figured they were eating that poor girl's dad from the beginning. The other scenes confirmed that he wasn't the only one.

[@deirdremorris9234]

Yeah I pretty much thought they were eating her dad.

[@tomascinnsealeach9979]

I copped the cannibalism as soon as that guy brought out the chunks of meat, my first thought was "oh there isn't gonna be much to bury in spring 😳"

[@bryankia]

Respect / Fear Doug or suffer his hungry wrath. I really appreciate these recaps. I never played the game and it would be a shame if I did not have you two fine folks breaking down all the tasty bits.

[@groadoswaggins]

Tasty bits of venison right? :-| |-: RIGHT?

[@februaryschild0216]

I don't miss the zombies. I could watch TWD or play the game for that. Since they've fleshed out the characters, I really care Ellie & Joel. It turns out that people are way more scary than the infected. Since David was always violent, did he stalk his students or even eat people before the fall?

[@thestraydog]

I'm not too sure about eating people back before, but he mentioned having students around Ellie's age right? And then when he attempts to assault her during the attack, he says that he enjoys the fighting the most. THAT makes me think that unfortunately... It's not the first time he's taken advantage of someone like her... Which gave me cold chills

[@datbugs]

bla bla bla

[@John_shepard]

He was a ped in his former life. His words with Ellie came off as a groomer.

[@pinheadlarry2921]

i don’t think he ate people but i do wonder if he always desired to. He definitely was a pedo before the fall though.

[@cuddlesdotgif8395]

^ This. We have already established the tv versions of the infected as 10xs more OP than the game. We don’t *have* to fight infected off in order to be engaged/move the plot forward because tv is passive media, where we are ‘viewing’ content, vs active media, like a video game where we must ‘do’ something. More importantly - we simply *can’t* justify 60 minutes of near-escapes with a show whose sense of ‘reality in cause-and-effect’ is so grounded. There are no health packs to take, clips only hold so many bullets, and nearly every time we have encountered active infected, someone has been lost. That’s the point. As far as I’m concerned, critics of the ‘lack of infected’ or ‘lack of action’ can go watch Michael Bay ‘splosions instead - HBO doesn’t need their viewer numbers and that hot take is tepid at best.

[@capomundial86]

i dont think Joel enjoys violence at all, i think that all his pain gets pushed into rage and since those emotions are so powerful inside of him, he becomes something else in those moments. But you can see that when the rage subsides and he's left to ponder on his actions, even though he's mostly justified, he wishes he wouldn't have to do that and it weighs on him. Also i think his rage gets so loose because he knows what happens when he doesn't act, he lost his daughter that way and he's not letting that happen again, even if it means breaking his own soul and mind to accomplish it. That's what's so great about the character, it symbolizes what people who have gone through trauma and survived would do to not be there again and even more, what they would do to protect those they love from going through that.

[@sandylopez8202]

I can’t be the only one who saw a clip of the Backstreet Boys right? Great video Doug and Ryan

[@itsporkroll3401]

It's the big dramatic key changes in the song I Want It That Way from A major to B minor.

[@Endgame_01]

I remember my first time playing the game and being in awe of Joel's baddassery when he tortured the cannibals for information. Troy Baker's Joel was much more brutal just like Nolan North's David was creepier than the show version

[@Sawyer0205]

I think that pastor dave was always like that, even before the outbreak, it is also making the point that people like that thrives when everyone else is looking the other way

[@trombone316]

All these connections you guys made to the Bible make the David character so much more interesting

[@fridayblues216]

I did not think the guy was good for a second. For one, he is a preacher who clearly controls his flock through fear..

[@juansebastianlp]

You are the best! The review you do to everything, is the best of the best

[@mr559]

Am I the only one that was anticipating for James and Joel to fight in the basement? Would have been cool to see Padro and Troy interact.

[@atticradio]

The "baby girl" line gets me in the game because he says it as his daughter dies and then says it when he accepts Ellie as his surrogate "daughter" in the game this happens in the last scenes in the hospital but they did it in this episode when Joel finds Ellie outside. A lot of plot-holes in this episode like where are all the other people when the dining hall is burning? It is also established that the resort is 2 miles away ("4 mile round trip") yet David gets Ellie back and in the cage too quickly considering his men are still looking for Joel at this point. Felt rushed and hastilly edited in my opinion. The "we are very much alike" esque line made me eye roll as much as the scream fake out in the previous episode too.

[@wheelsupin5]

a small detail I noticed was in the show when one of the canibals found the body of their friend they called out "Timothy!" Timothy is also the name of a song by The Buoys that is about canibalism

[@senselessbabbledotcom]

Nice catch! --- My mom loved that song and named one of her sons Timothy. She always claimed that Timothy was the name of their horse (or donkey), but nah, we all know what that song was about!

[@EdertheJust]

It was so sad at the end of the show when they said there is only 1 more episode.

[@booms1000]

good episode !

[@gahchelsea]

Another thing I noticed with this episode is how David lies to Ellie saying they did this out of desperation, eating someone, he makes it seem like they only have resorted to this recently or due to this harsh winter. But Joel finds the dressed bodies, and in the game he even finds a note page going back all the way through the summer and spring, detailing THOUSANDS of pounds of human meat gained. In the game, David never tries to minimize the cannibalism to the extent he did in the show and imho it’s an interesting choice they made.

[@KurlyGrl]

I'm not a gamer. And wow!! That is a really interesting tidbit. So, they have been cannibals all along. I wonder why? And how so many people followed along? I am sure food is scarce in the apocalypse all the time, but the fact that they resorted to cannibalism all along is really warped. Wow!

[@gahchelsea]

@@KurlyGrl right? So messed up, but it highlights how twisted David really is. That note page also has little jotted down notes next to certain “hauls” of meat saying “we need to do better” and “now that’s what I’m talking about!” In reference to how little or much meat they procured from killing survivors. They went to that university to look for food but they immediately shoot at Joel and Ellie because that’s how they react to ALL humans they meet, immediately killing them and taking them home to eat. In the game when David and Ellie meet, they are overrun by infected and have to fight together, the whole time he knew she was the little girl with the “crazy man” and he still pretends to be her friend and you develop this bond playing thinking he’s okay, before he reveals himself in that shack around the fire.

[@KurlyGrl]

@@gahchelsea Now that you describe it, it would have been nice to have a bit of that shown in the episode!!

[@jeffreycarman2185]

24:25 you didn’t mention the heavy-handed symbolism of l Ellie emerging from the dark hellish burning building into a the serenity of stark-white snowy exterior.

[@gahchelsea]

As great as it is to get some extra background and info in all these scenes we know and love, you’re definitely right, they could use a bit more infected combat. I get cutting out a lot of it because that doesn’t translate to a live action show, but they could do some of it. Specifically that instance David and Ellie fighting infected. It’s getting a bit disappointing how little we get to see infected in the show.

[@pattip2639]

This ia a great video! Your details and ability to bring in clips from other tv shows and movies is masterful. The insights you give are unique and founded on facts. Really an unbelievably great video!

[@phillipholden6475]

Honestly, when David reveres the fungus, it reminded me of the Rippers from Days Gone

[@xangola]

When Joel is hugging Ellie and saying, "It's ok, baby girl", we also can see the (broken) watch his daughter gave him.

[@ptldomofficial5074]

The Philly reference was dope

[@GorilleToutNue]

Ryan, do you have the show before us. How can u be so fast to do the breakdown

[@SceneComparisons]

I was thinking the same

[@ChrisMcCarroll]

Timey Wimey Time Travel

[@garyhall2770]

I'm sure he gets the show the day before on the condition he doesn't release a video until after the episode airs. By doing these videos he is cheap advertising for the show. It's a win win for both.