The Last of Us: Ellie and Riley - Therapist reaction 1x7 “Left Behind"

Therapist Dr. Courtney reacts to HBO Max's The Last of Us S1 Ep 7. Left Behind is set 3 weeks before Ellie meets Joel and follows the origin of her bite. Alongside her best friend Riley in an abandoned mall in Boston, the two are dealt with conflicting emotions and a new side to Ellie comes to light.
#thelastofus #reaction #therapy
00:00 - 02:45 - Joel asks Ellie to leave
02:45 - 04:34 - Ellie's past life
04:34 - 06:47 - Good, bad, and everyone in-between
06:47 - 09:27 - Meeting Riley
09:27 - 12:14 - How Riley mirrors Joel
12:14 - 14:17 - Hope and wonder lives in Ellie
14:17 - 15:41 - The carousel
15:41 - 17:47 - Fantasy vs reality in the media we consume
17:47 - 19:54 - Ellie pulls away
19:54 - 22:07 - Riley drops a bombshell on Ellie
22:07 - 23:50 - Why Riley chose the fireflies
23:50 - 26:02 - The masks come off
26:02 - 28:06 - Ellie's first kill
28:06 - 30:40 - Reactions to death
30:40 - 32:23 - How our reactions are rooted in our past
32:23 - 33:26 - In this together
33:26 - 34:44 - Final Thoughts
ABOUT THE HOST
Dr. Courtney Tracy, known as The Truth Doctor, discusses the world through a mental health lens using pop culture and the media as her medium.
The goal of this show is to provide psychological perspectives on topics, themes, characters, and, at times, real people as they are presented in mass media. The outcomes we hope for are increased understanding and compassion for the human condition and increased awareness of how the mind and body work.
Dr. Courtney is a licensed clinical social worker and a doctor of clinical psychology. She holds a LCSW license in the state of California and has specialized in substance use and co-occurring disorders throughout her career.
PLEASE NOTE: This show is not therapy, clinical advice, or medical advice. This show is intended to deliver psychoeducation and share personal experiences.
PLEASE READ: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room; for international crisis lines, please visit www.opencounseling.com/suicid...
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[@the.truth.doctor]

What did we think of Episode 7?! 😳 Also, last week's video is back up! If there is something missing from this episode that you'd like me to comment on let me know and I'll try and answer it in the comments or in next week's video. Thank you for being here! 👇

[@tlf2818]

It would be just spectulation, of course, but do you believe Joel and Ellie have already consciously estabilished a father-daughter relationship? Is it obvious to them what they mean to each other, or not yet?

[@andytaylor3443]

Episode 7 was excellent , in the game this was the dlc (downloadable content) after the main game . The way they tied it in was excellent and kept even us nerdy tlou gamers happy

[@Kayjee17]

I had several Walkmen over time that I bought as an adult, so I guess I'm dating myself, too.

[@JigInsane]

Hallways paths and choices. Bingo. The whole series, including games, are the options we have and the choices we make and what comes of them. Those are a lot of the discussions had with the community of fans. The second game make them far more divisive, and the rest of this season will continue with it. I'm excited to see the thoughts of the last two episodes. Love your analysis and insight of everything thusfar!!!! Hope you are doing wonderful and stay great!!

[@mateuszkrzastek]

It's never explicitly stated in the game or the show, but when Ellie shoots the guy in Kansas City, and then tells Joel that he wasn't her first, it seems pretty obvious to me that she ended up having to shoot Riley once she started turning. I love that they decided to leave it out of the show, but knowing that this was probably the case, makes the ending of Episode 5, where she finds out Sam is infected, and then how she cares for him, wants to cheer him up and tries to save him, so much more devastating to watch

[@user-jgjlqyn]

I just remembered that Ellie told Joel "I had a friend who knew everything about this game" in episode 3 when she found the Mortal Kombat game. The look on her face when she kills the infected right after that scene makes so much sense after watching this episode.

[@the.truth.doctor]

OMG YESSSSS

[@jubilantsleep]

“That was for Riley!!!” Also the type of infected she stabbed in the head was the same type that attacked her and Riley: a stalker. Stalkers are between runners and clickers and they actually can be stealthy and they literally hunt you from the shadows. Not as powerful as clickers but still a bit difficult to deal with in the game.

[@dulcealvarez6071]

and after she confronted the infected in a control situation like she couldn't in the mall, next episode she started taking out the no pun intended book and shared it with Joel

[@jensenwahlquist]

I just can’t help but think how special it is that the pun book was something from Riley and ellie decided to share it with Joel as a means to bond with him and get him to open up, because it was something she and Riley bonded over

[@hamish8790]

u making me cry

[@Stark-Raving]

Joel reacting to being injured being the same way Bill reacted when injured really shows just how much Joel cares about Ellie, even if he doesn't want to show it.

[@daviddune7259]

Yea we know how much he cares .. we don’t need to see men kissing to know that.

[@LoungingPotato]

@@daviddune7259 God forbid in a show where you see people shoot each other in the head, being lit on fire, and the bones of an infant--that you see two men kissing. And people like you call *us* the snowflakes?

[@Maya_Ruinz]

Yup, great call out, all of the pieces coming together, the symbolism of all episodes coming to sharp focus toward the last few episodes, this is such good writing.

[@yuledevorak8244]

​@@daviddune7259 Does seeing to men kissing make you feel some kind of way? Does it make your tingle tingle?

[@lalaland12]

​​@@daviddune7259 oh nooooo people on tv were kissing 😱😱😱😱😱

[@KatrinGuenther]

I know Ellie is our focus here but Rileys reaction to them both being bitten broke my heart. While Ellie rages, she just sits there. You can feel the utter devastation with every shallow breath she takes. Only a few hours before she told Ellie she could trust her with her life and now they are both dying.

[@jeffmcfayden9256]

The look Ellie gives Joel at the start is similar to the look Joel gave Tess when she told Joel to go. This show is all about parallels.

[@the.truth.doctor]

Phew, yes it is!

[@Skullzrapper]

Ellie's story is really a story of survivors guilt. I think that really sells her need to want to save everyone. Save Joel, save Sam, save Tess, and save the world with a vaccine. Love your observations as always! Have a lovely weekend!

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you! You too!

[@Z0mb3hHunt3r]

She says it outright in pt1s ending, Riley was the first, they waited to lose their minds together, then Tess and Sam.....Ellie's still waiting for her death, which is why she wanted to go out "as the cure" since it was something she has some control over. (Thoughts, Dr.?)

[@hessu275]

I love how complex Ellie is a character, she's easy to relate to. Bella is really doing something amazing with performance. And I love how supporting character actors can shine in this show and that's definitely what happend with Storm

[@jubilantsleep]

The fact that you could read her facial expression through the wolf mask. Bella is such a great actress

[@TreyHarris]

24:49 The sympathetic laugh was also used in Ep. 3 with the strawberries-Bill lets out a giggle and he and Frank both laugh. I’d be curious to see the shooting scripts to know whether one or both were scripted. Nick Offerman, Murray Bartlett, Bella Ramsey and Storm Reid are all such focused, present actors, and Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann (the writers of Eps 3 and 7 respectively) are so good at uncovering these little psychological details, that I couldn’t guess. One thing that Craig Mazin mentioned on the podcast about the kiss was that, culturally with respect to LGBTQ issues, in this story we’re still effectively frozen in 2003. So Ellie is facing a degree of fear that goes beyond what straight people experience when they first express their feelings to someone. As he put it: if you’re straight and they say “I’m sorry, we’re just friends”, then you’re going to feel hurt, but you can believe you may actually continue to be friends. But if you’re gay, and you don’t know the sexual orientation of the person you express your feelings to- _especially_ 20 years ago, but in many places, even now - they may say, “get away from me, I don’t want you to ever talk to me again” and they may start the rumor mill and you may end up ostracized or even physically harmed. So that’s the sort of mental space Ellie was coming from, it’s why she apologized, and it’s why it was such a huge relief when Riley answered “for what?”

[@the.truth.doctor]

Absolutely. Thank you for this.

[@lisaleyendekker8305]

Remember in a past episode when Joel asked Ellie about "how it wasn't her first time" shooting someone, and Ellie didn't want to talk about it? Her first time shooting someone was with Riley because she turned and Ellie didn't. We didn't see it in this episode and it's not explicitly shown in the game either, so it's just an inference. Ellie also told Tess in the second episode that it was just her in the mall when she got bit. Like Joel is about Sarah, she wasn't ready to talk about Riley and her loss she experienced.

[@synaesthesia2010]

this is more heartbreaking than Bill and Frank's story. they lived a live together before deciding for themselves to end it together. here, Ellie discovers love for the first time and it gets cruelly taken away from her

[@NyikoDoris]

I feel so terrible for both Ellie who had to go on with her survivors guilt, and also Riley, who died thinking she doomed her best friend and first love. Like she’s probably thinking “I could’ve saved her if I just stayed away or if I just let her leave, and I didn’t. Instead I brought her here to die.” She doesn’t know that Ellie turned out to be immune so her last thoughts are probably her parents and the fact that this person that she probably loves the most in the world, she’s doomed to death Also, Riley actually had to kill her dad after he got infected and killed her mother

[@xxxmochibaby]

Yes 😢 this makes it so tragic

[@Sol3UK]

Bella's acting in this episode was phenominal, if she's not nominated for an award for this, i'll be a tad miffed

[@mmmaryj]

When they held hands, my heart melted. A truly beautiful relationship/friendship established between Joel and Ellie as they continue to choose one another.

[@giorgonade]

I feel like what hurts Ellie the most is that she feels guilty about surviving. Her and Riley were supposed to "be all poetic and loose their minds together". They were both supposed to die. Yet Ellie survived due to being immune and Riley died, very likely by being put down by Ellie given that she said it wasnt the first time she killed someone in episode 4.

[@thewayithappens469]

Dr. Courtney i’m just going to take and moment and say thank you and i appreciate you for taking time and doing these videos.I truly love getting to watch every single one of your reaction videos and they really do put a smile on my face. Thank You!

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you for including them in your life and spending your time watching them. Happy you're here!

[@tlf2818]

I love the scene where they are dancing on top of the glass case. It makes us uneasy, it might break, but it doesn't; somehow they felt safe dancing on top of it. And that was the place where they, literally and figuratively take their masks off and admit their true feelings towards one another. But then, they are immediately attacked and bitten, and Ellie destroys the false safety she briefly allowed herself to feel. Writers showed us in one quick scene that a feeling of security and youthful gleefulness has no place in that world. Also, I just want praise all actors, but in this instance Bella Ramsey in particular. I've always liked her in the show, but I didn't think she was brilliant. And that was because she demonstrated an absurd amount of skill to "hide" as much as Ellie did. Now that we see Ellie totally taken by emotions, we also can see Ramsey's actual level of talent. And she's amazing.

[@The_Story_Of_Us]

There’s this beautifully tragic parallel yet also contrast between Ellie and Riley and Joel and Sarah, the difference which changes how they develop. One might think that they share this traumatic loss of someone they love and so they should react the same way, give this person they loved were their world. However, what makes them different is that Sarah was taken horrifically and in seconds. This made Joel terrified of that feeling and so he distances himself from connection so he never has to feel it again. Ellie got to know that both she and Riley were doomed and Riley told her that they were gonna make those last hours together count, make them worth fighting for and living despite the inevitable. And so Ellie tries to live that, she’s the opposite to Joel, she CRAVES that connection again, she’s terrified of NOT having that, like she told Sam, she’s scared of ending up alone. That’s why they’re so important to one another, it’s not just about filling some void, it’s about healing, it’s about ways in which they can help each other be less afraid, less haunted by trauma.

[@the.truth.doctor]

MAGICAL ANALYSIS

[@miroh8]

Seeing Ellie experience that child-like wonder is so lovely and heartbreaking at the same time. In the game, Ellie is also very curious about the old world and asks Joel lots of questions about it, so I'm glad they kept that aspect of her character.

[@ccasserole5267]

The detail of Ellie breaking the glass case she shared her first kiss with Riley atop is so freaking heartbreaking. It just reiterates how much it meant for her to open herself to family/love for the first time (especially since she grew up as an orphan), only to have it thrown in her face in the worst way possible. Especially given she's just a kid, it makes sense that she feels she can only process that grief by destroying the very thing that made her hope for more in life.

[@Blackbohnstergaming]

I´m so impressed on how you were able to tell in 15:15, that Ellie loves Riley. So its really true. About 10 years ago, my mother called me out on having a crush on a girl and when I ask her how she knew, she told me that it was the "way I was looking at her". Its interesting to know what you can really tell that someone loves someone by just looking at their face. Really cool.

[@wtimmins]

When they kissed, I cried. I knew it was a tragedy, but it really came home. Man.

[@xaviermm5506]

Last episode was Joel's episode and this one was Ellie's. We all knew how good of an actor Pedro is, but man, Bella ??? Holy sht! if she doesn't get an award for her performance in this episode, the world is cruel. I literally got the biggest chills after seeing her rage and desperation when she realized she got bit, i felt all the emotions like i was the one who got bit. The things you said in the interview are so true!

[@Enterprisek143]

The survivors guilt. "We were going to go crazy and die together, I'm still waiting my turn." -a paraphrase from Ellie in the game.

[@zivarocks44]

the creators of the game and show have literally said the same thing you did about Ellie and her sentimental attachment to her stuff + Riley vs Ellie's reaction to death. I love watching your reactions, it always gives the episodes a deeper meaning for me.

[@cowheaddoe2544]

I love that the merry-go-round song describes Ellie's current situation "Just Like Heaven" while the band's name The Cure describes her purpose.

[@lkcullen1918]

and 80s means danger ;)

[@Tensolin01]

I love the line where Riley says option 2 “we keep going.” I always think back on that when she’s in a tough spot. Because Ellie never stops going. Just not in the way they discussed. Very sad.

[@nonagrey3422]

That first kiss is so important. Mine was disastrous. Being gay is so damn hard growing up as a kid. You want to show your emotions to the girl you think you're in love with but it's so scary. In some places being labeled as lesbian or gay or whatever can be devastating to a child. So to see Ellie immediately apologize for the kiss really made me cry very hard. The courage it took for her to do that is really hard to understand if you haven't been in that situation. And then the elation when she realizes Riley was ok with it. That smile melted my heart. Like I said it backfired on me when I was 13 and I had to see a therapist for it. So I appreciate how they did this. Amazing job by the writers and amazing job by the actresses! I loved it.

[@jaysundae]

Bella Ramsey with yet another incredible performance in this episode! Storm Reid was great as Riley as well. This flashback offers great insight into Ellie's psyche: A) It shows you why she's scared of ending up alone; she'd been alone for most of her life and then she also lost Riley, and she likely lost more people she cared about along the way. B) Ellie had to watch Riley turn while she remained unscathed, and she had to shoot Riley after she turned (was heavily implied in ep 4), that must've truly messed with her mind. And that's where her survivor's guilt originated from, and Tess, Henry and especially Sam's death surely added to that guilt. C) It adds to Ellie's motivation to fight for Joel. As Riley says, "We fight. Whether it's two minutes or two days, we fight for every second we get to spend with each other. We don't give that up." She can't lose yet another person she truly cares about, especially when that person was also turning into a father figure for her, and she'd never had a parental figure her whole life

[@the.truth.doctor]

This is amazing. Thank you so much. C) is really quite perfect of an analysis.

[@jaysundae]

@@the.truth.doctor Thank you so much for all the effort you put into your videos and all of your insights, I look forward to your videos and your analysis of each episode the most every week!

[@miroh8]

This episode and part of the game really means a lot to me, because I first played it 9 years ago when I was an awkward 14 year old tomboy lesbian, much like Ellie. It was my first time seeing my experiences represented in a video game, and such a beautiful example of lesbian representation.

[@darthcarrots2581]

This episode did a great job subtly showing how alike Joel and Ellie are. Taking the romantic tension out of the equation, Ellie and Riley are like Joel and Tommy. They did everything together, and then Marlene recruited one for the Fireflies and they chose to leave Boston and the one person they had left. Ellie in this flashback also thinks that the Fireflies are following a pipe dream and are acting terrorists similar to that disdain that Joel harbors for them. They took Tommy away from him, and here they took Riley away from Ellie. Just another layer of how much of Joel could be in Ellie and vice versa. Somehow despite everything, the Joel and Ellie have found the one person who truly CAN understand them in each other. And it could serve as a warning: Ellie could turn into a very similar type of person as Joel if the world isn’t careful.

[@Wickedleme]

Fun things to point out. the color of the mall lighting up is close to the lesbian flag showing elle's preference. Also the arcade is the bi colors mirroring Rileys. The fact that elle most likely had to end runner riley is rough and she told Joel that she had shot someone before but didn't talk about it and began to cry. the reason we don't see it happen is because it's a memory that Elle doesn't want to relive to us as the audience don't see it. Also the fact that A-ha's song plays in the start was a warning to the audience. it was an 80's song which was marked danger in the show's code. this episode shows Elle's last day as a child. also this explains her trying to save same. it was the very last straw to make her numb

[@joshgreiner2599]

I know a lot of people are weirded out by Ellie's fascination with guns, but I think that to her, they're a symbol of control. Ellie has had very little agency in the was her life has gone, and it would be terrifying to be wholly reliant on others in that kind of world, especially as a physically smaller and weaker person. A gun (and her knife to a lesser degree) can be a symbol, letting her feel like she has some control over her life, even if in reality it's not the answer to many of the possible problems she might face.

[@JozyMozy]

Here we are again, one of the highlights of my week. Even things I've seen and realized- the captain looking at the picture of his family in his convo with Ellie, the way Ellie is sentimental over the things she keeps with her- you just expand upon and enrich the entire experience. I only made it 9 minutes in this time before I had to pause and gush. Your work is, in my mind, an essential companion to the source material. Also yes, I was around for the Walkman, and seeing Ellie jog with it reminded me of trying to transition to CD players and getting annoyed at how easily they would skip at the slightest jolt 😠 Edit: the tinfoil hallway theory lmfao. LOVE IT.

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you so much for this kind comment!

[@GraymTrain]

The callback to episode 3 with Ellie stabbing that infected in anger - hella smart. These analysis' and reacts have been top tier. Can't wait to see your next two!

[@babzz26]

bella ramsey is amazing in their portrayel of ellie. def. deserve an award for this epidode alone

[@kensredemption]

As a fan of the game, I’m pleased to see how well this show has been adapted and received and I’m ecstatic about the conversations that this show and the source material has sparked across the world. It’s an unprecedented phenomenon and I’m so glad I’m alive for it.

[@irrelevant_noob]

Would've liked to see the super-soaker battle too, but eh... can't have everything. ^^

[@kensredemption]

@@irrelevant_noob True, but I also noticed that in the last episode that Marlene omitted the line about Ellie possibly being rpd by raiders so for TV audiences they tried to make it more palatable. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@JoelMatton]

The reason there's so many hallway scenes is because in the video game, hallways are a way of keeping the character "trapped" in the place you're supposed to be lol. Unlike open world video games where you can move around freely, The Last of Us is a game where you move from one level to the next, so you're usually in a hallway or a room or some other limited space.

[@nicole_1747]

Haha thats what I was thinking. Same with all the scenes of characters searching around empty rooms for stuff.

[@jonathanross149]

Yes, it's more about lack of choices. Less to program.

[@TukaihaHithlec]

Something you probably realized but maybe not, is what happens after with Riley, knowing that they’re going to wait it out together but Ellie won’t turn. When Joel apologizes for Ellie having to shoot Bryan, she says it wasn’t her first time, but she doesn’t want to talk about it. Ellie probably had to kill Riley with her own gun.

[@tannerwilliams4500]

I love the use of music in this episode. Take on me, Etta James, The Cure, even the Mortal Kombat theme. Just adds the nostalgia wave this episode brings.

[@LadyNinjaGaming]

You pointed out that exact same emotion I recalled when she stabbed the infected under the rubble. At first it looked like she was scared, but there was a slight look of anger and disgust and now we got to see why. I mentioned that on another reaction explaining that SHE had to kill Riley cause she didnt turn since they both waited. I love the story telling in this show, its more deeper somehow, whereas the game you get a lot of action in tween, so theres that other rush of emotion, adrenaline...well the first time playing it lol.

[@alilwildwithcat167]

I love that they kept it ambiguous. I like this theory cause it makes me think maybe she was sitting with Riley's body for a few days and when Marlene showed up cause R hadnt contacted her. Which I like better than my original idea Marlene showing up before R turned, for no reason. and was the one who killed R. I just don't think the way she was acting at the beginning of the series would've been possible if she had to kill her best friend/love interest beforehand. Like I don't think her reaction to paralyzing Bryan (K.C.)- who was a stranger hurting her new friend- would be the same as it was if she had recently killed someone else so close. But it could explain her fascination of guns- having a hard time killing R not only mentally but physically as well would make wanting a gunake sense.

[@bara8928]

Damn, Ellie´s screams really get to me, no matter if its in rage as in this episode or the terrified strangled shriek in ep.5, the emotion is so tangible.

[@arthurcamargo8416]

"That song" ends with "I opened up my eyes. And found myself alone, alone, alone above a raging sea that stole the only girl I loved and drowned her deep inside of me." (Also, I applaud your saying that you would like her "heaven" to last forever..") A fitting choice for the episode. It is also the same song, only slower, for the carousel. You make some absolutely great observations, especially with the relationship with Joel and Ellie. Thank you!

[@GoonHandz]

wow. what a great reaction. I love the fact that riley knew how much all these things would mean to ellie. riley’s got game. edit: i think people are undervaluing ellie’s motivations in this story. she has some agency. she never tries to stay warm and fed in jackson, she wants to go on. why? this episode is so important to answering those questions. joel is the protagonist in this story, but so is ellie.

[@virlinehonore9767]

This episode made me so sad even tho ik what would happen. Storm did such an incredible job as Riley and I can’t imagine anyone else playing her

[@Sina-dv1eg]

Ellie's "don't go" hits me so close to home. My girlfriend has abandonment issues stemming from her mom. I'm a university student, and a month ago, we were kind of talking about the possibility to study abroad for a semester. I told her that I didn't really want to, but we got to joking about going somewhere weird like Svalbard. And she said that she'd support and love me through any decision, and that she'd make sure to call me all the time. Then, several minutes later, when we weren't even talking about it anymore, she just hugged me really tight and said "don't go". And that's when I could really finally understand just how much her mother had hurt her, and I told her that I definitely won't go.

[@tomfehr]

Continue to be floored by these reactions. So remarkably insightful and intelligent. As someone that's obsessed over TLOU and Joel/Ellie for a long time i'm amazed at how well she KNOWS these characters

[@bridgethaines7127]

I think some of why we enjoy these kinds of shows is seeing things we take for granted in a new light through the eyes of people who have lost those things, or been deprived of them. Like even between Ellie and Sam realizing they still had gaps in the run of the comic book they both loved, which had to have been scrounged from deserted homes and businesses in Boston and KC. Where we can literally read them online now. Not getting the pun about screenshots because they've never used a computer. Not being able to call an ambulance when your guardian gets stabbed. It lets us appreciate things in a way we might never do otherwise.

[@mjeid4835]

So it was crazy i watched a tiktok a few hours before this episode came out. It was the documentary about the daytona 500 where dale earnhardt died. They were interviewing michael waltrip and after some build up he was talking about how exciting it was to win his first daytona 500 or first race ever i cant remember. The most important part of this interview however was where he talked about how he found out dale earnhardt had died, It was while he was celebrating at victory road just after the race had concluded. The thing i remember most was what he said about the highest highs and the lowest lows. He said most people experience the highest highs and the lowest lows at some point in their life, but very few experience these within a couple seconds of eachother. Skip to a few hours later and i see this episode. Ellie is one of those few people that are forever changed by experiencing both her highest highs and lowest lows all at the same time. Its how we work through these instances that really shape who we are in the future. I feel like its what allowed ellie the perseverance she needed to stay with joel and try and save him. It was almost poetic i saw that tiktok before the show. Great analysis and reaction once again.

[@the.truth.doctor]

I love this. Thank you for sharing!

[@chefwindu]

A reason that draws me to these post-apocalyptic stores. It helps me appreciate the most mundane parts my life. Whereas characters in shows like this can't worry about what am I going to have for dinner next weekend. It helps keeping grounded in the here and now.

[@Ixzion]

Yep, it's not The Last of Us unless you're emotionally hurt once per episode. Love your reactions! Keep on keeping on, doc!

[@bqpceagle2005]

I think you’re spot on for the hallway thing. Since it’s started as a game it’s a pretty linear story. There are some points or path where you can take alternate paths to be more safe. So for the player and in this case the chars have multiple paths they can take.

[@Kayjee17]

This show is just putting us all through the emotional wringer almost every episode, isn't it? The fact that the first response after Ellie and Riley kiss, and there is an unknown noise, is to stop everything and say "No" and assume it's bad news, tells us more about the state of our minds as we watch this show than anything else does. Whether it paints the showrunners as sadists and us as masochists, or if it means we have come to love these characters so much that we instantly worry about them in a dangerous world, I have yet to figure out - maybe a combination of both. I wonder if Riley is the person Ellie had to kill that she mentioned after she shot Brian? It would make sense, along with her questions to Joel about whether he thinks about the person the infected was when he kills them, because I'm sure Ellie would have still counted Riley as a person, even if she was infected and attacking when she killed her. How absolutely tragic to share your first kiss with someone who you have to kill later on... and how to you deal with those feelings afterwards?

[@Scott_Forsell]

Not only was I alive long enough to remember a Walkman, I am old enough to remember when they first came to be and how new and freaking awesome and new and innovative it was. It became a nearly must have for those periods in your day when you are stuck and bored. You're on the bus headed downtown to your job. You're walking to work. You're walking home. A personal, portable music machine that played music you wanted to hear when you wanted to hear it on demand was a [bleeping] godsent miracle of technology. Owning a Walkman made my life appreciably better. It made the process of going to and coming from work less coldly alienating. Less anxiety provoking. I spent about a tenth of my income on AA batteries and that was money well spent.

[@savmiller8327]

It's so heartbreaking to think about what happened between that mall scene and episode 1 with Ellie being immune but unable to save Riley (just like she later can't save Sam). That is a formative event that follows Ellie throughout the games and TV show. We see how desperate she is to become the cure because it would give survival meaning. And that directly parallels Joels feelings about being unable to save Sarah and being given another chance with Ellie.

[@Cenyon]

Thank you for another great breakdown of this incredible show. At this point I don't know if there's a single episode that didn't make me teary eyed. I don't really have the vocabulary to express what I thought about this episode, but I will say that I think Ellie is emotionally very brave. Especially considering how much she's been through.

[@mikevelazquez4190]

I'm wondering if the use of 80s music in the mall was a subconscious way to foreshadow the danger that's about to come. Just calling back to the radio codes with Frank and Bill.

[@cool10234]

I am in awe by your reactions , you are just so insightful it’s unbelievable . Like you always gives such great reactions and analysis on the subtleties & it’s just so on point . Thank you so much, truly think your content is amazing !

[@nickgoodlock263]

The guy that shot Sarah wasn't Fedra, he was just a soldier. Fedra wasn't a thing at that point.

[@agitatedmongoose]

Yeah I remember when Walkmans really took off around 1981 or 82. They were out for a couple years at that point. But at Christmas time 82 i think (maybe 81) every kid got one. I was 14. That and rugby pants and the rubiks cube were under every kid's tree in our age group that Christmas. And Bob and Doug Mckenzie's Christmas album (at least in Canada). Lol.

[@kensredemption]

24:12 Everything from here on is gold. GOLD. 😂

[@tobydion3009]

I look forward to these videos as much as the shows. It's almost like experiencing the episode again with new eyes, thanks to the knowledge and experience you have.

[@leob3447]

Like others have said, I watch a bunch of reactions but yours are definitely one of the few that I can't wait to click on. As someone who has had mental health struggles in the past and am now a bit of a student of the field, I really appreciate your insightful takes. I really enjoyed this episode - it relayed the story of the additional add on to the Last of Us game very well. It really does give so much more insight into not only Ellie, but the continuing bond between her and Joel. I could especially relate to your frustration with the infected showed up - it was not only about the story development, but at the show's creators as well - STOP doing this to us! Lol

[@ronin7403]

I’ve been waiting for a reactor to notice that carousel song, and you noticed it just as quick as I did on my first watch. That’s worth subbing for! (Besides your great insights, of course).

[@DarkLlyzzard]

I am definitely a part of the Walkman generation!!!😁 I am totally loving these videos because they are giving me a better insight into why I love this show and why I love the game!!! Thank you for sharing your expertise in such an awesome way!!! 😍

[@buckaroo34]

It is amazing how much effort they put in the show like and how much Ellie has developed. The differences are so much clearer and different in how the development was used in the game. Appreciate your content keep it up!

[@mollysegarden]

I absolutely love the correlation, you made between choices and hallways it’s brilliant.

[@matt8097]

Been keeping an eye out for this. Love your reaction.

[@redheadedgeek337]

i look forward to your videos every week! Personally I think the scenes that make us so emotional (except the last 10 minutes or so) is because we see Ellies innocence, we she her as a kid who has not had all the hardship, pain and lose that we know is coming. We know that after this she meets marlene. then Joel and Tess. and all the events before this episode. This makes us even relflex on our own innocence and childhood memories, maybe even hope. Hope everyone have an awesome friday and a great weekend!

[@tomfehr]

excellent catch on the captain looking at the photo! didn't even realize that

[@joeokabayashi8669]

Loving your analysis and commentary.

[@dizzisliving2355]

I've been waiting so impatiently for this episode reaction from you!

[@wakkyfodder]

Thanks doc! Loathe to wait out most of the week for your breakdowns but they are always so worth it!

[@raeofsunshine4]

Have you watched any of the behind the scenes that are at the end of the episodes? It's so interesting what you said about Ellie and Riley's reactions to the bites is basically exactly what Craig Mazin said as well. That this is an Ellie who has not experienced loss but Riley, who has lost her parents, has. I also found it very cool that Neil Druckmann describes the metaphor of this episode to be "what is it like to skip school in the post apocalypse?"

[@the.truth.doctor]

I didn't know they had behind the scenes! I'll have to check them out after the season is over! Thanks :)

[@raeofsunshine4]

@@the.truth.doctor Awesome! Yeah, after the preview for the next week there’s a short video.

[@martinmillar7137]

Putting that dlc in between joels injury is absolutely genius.... woooow... next episode is gonna be mental.. i cannot wait for thursday... two ellie eps back to back and.... wooof.... like i say...cant wait

[@neils123]

I definitely had a walkman back when I was younger... But I really wanted to thank you for doing all these reactions. I watch a lot of different reactors, but you've quickly become my favorite because your insight adds so much value to the format. Honestly, watching Arcane and Wednesday and now The Last of Us with you, it's changed the way I watch television. I find I pay a lot more attention to the deeper subtext of things. Thank you for that. Meanwhile, with only 2 episodes left of this, I have to recommend the show Yellowjackets. It stars Melanie Lynskey, who played Kathleen, among some other great actresses (Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis), and it's ALL about trauma. Season 2 will be starting soon, so it's a great time to catch up, and I really think you'd enjoy it.

[@ciarkat]

This episode gave me so much anxiety, i had to take a couple breaks while watching it, you did really well!

[@kevinjohnanand]

I literally cannot wait for the final two episodes and your reaction to them.

[@elliemiller]

Thank you so much. Your Last of Us videos have just been fantastic. I look forward to them every week. Your insights and analysis make the show feel richer.

[@j4r3d29]

I’m soooo glad I found your channel!!!! You rock

[@sarahe1491]

Your videos on the last of us are so good. I love hearing it analyzed in this way.

[@mediacritique1065]

I’m constantly refreshing my KZbin on Thursdays waiting for these!!!!

[@bear2099]

This episode definitely tapped into my 80s/90s childhood nostalgia, from Walkman’s to the mall and arcades!

[@chadbailey7038]

Yay 🙌🏾 I’ve been waiting for this upload! Woo hoo

[@andrewhussey4538]

Been keeping an eye all day on my feed for this lol, really nice to get your perspective on a show of this sort, and of this emotional gravity, saw you mention the possibility of a Patreon with full reactions of episodes in another post and would be totally on board for that.

[@datdudeinred]

Love the small details like the naughty dog paws logo on the keychain 😂👏

[@tlagreca1]

I really enjoy listening to your take on this show and everything these characters are feeling and going through. It has been a real pleasure.😊

[@thomashiggins9320]

I enjoyed this reaction, and your analysis of the emotional themes that have permeated the series, thus far, really testifies to the masterful character development the writers of both the game and the show have presented.

[@miroh8]

This story is packed full of parallels, it's cool that you're catching a lot of them

[@weirdversions]

I was waiting for your video on it 😊😊

[@TheSaltyAdmiral]

Nice catch with the picture! When I was watching it I interpreted it as he was simply looking away in a contemplating way... but he was of course looking at the picture.

[@pepe-silvia]

Can't wait for the episode 8 reaction. There is A LOT to unpack there

[@jonathanross149]

Again loving the reaction and the analysis. Great and painful to see some of Ellie's back story.

[@juanitopower07]

Man, I wish this had much more views! I'll share where possible, I love your take on all the videos so far , suscribed.

[@kerrilynnfernandez873]

Perfect timing! Opened up KZbin and you posted! I love your videos so much 😍

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you so much for being here! ❤

[@coolin4now]

Thank you for recognizing that song! So many reactors incorrectly just assumed it was A-ha. No idea why every time I hear this version I'm all into my feelings now. Love your content!

[@ladyvexx7034]

Yep, I actually did have a Walkman when I was younger.

[@Joeindimension]

Brilliant breakdown.

[@TheGregott]

i love your explenations sooooo. thanks

[@honeymelon_b]

i really just think about how riley had spent the last 3 weeks of her life planning a date for ellie. and was practically begging for a reason to stay. and now ellie is the only one that gets to move on after her girlfriend turns into a monster and she never does. the survivors guilt is probably so difficult, especially because ellie had to kill riley with riley’s gun when she turned. that’s why she told joel that it wasn’t her first time hurting someone. that situation is probably so lonely. in my head i would’ve wondered what the point of a second chance was if i couldn’t spend it with the person i loved most.