The Last of Us: Ellie’s Got A Gun - Therapist reaction 1x4 “Please Hold to My Hand”

Therapist Dr. Courtney reacts to HBO Max's The Last of Us S1 Ep 4. After abandoning their truck in Kansas City, Joel and Ellie attempt to escape without drawing the attention of a vindictive rebel leader.
#thelastofus #reaction #therapy
00:00 - 00:24 - Intro
00:24 - 01:50 - Ellie's relationship with violence
01:50 - 03:22 - Humor in the face of danger
03:22 - 06:09 - Where Joel's mindset might be
06:09 - 10:35 - A bond begins to form
10:35 - 12:01 - A familiar crash
12:01 - 15:57 - Bryan's death
15:57 - 18:28 - Meeting and understanding Kathleen
18:28 - 21:05 - Joel talking to Ellie about what happened
21:05 - 23:02 - A moment of joy followed by fear
23:02 - 24:29 - Final thoughts + Outro
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...
Want to learn more about the host? Check out our website: thetruthdoctor.com/
(142k) Follow Dr. Tracy on Instagram: / the.truth.doctor
(1.8m) Follow Dr. Tracy on TikTok: / the.truth.doctor
(20k) Follow Truth Doctor Show on Instagram: / truthdoctorshow

[@the.truth.doctor]

I love how much Ellie and Joel are beginning to bond in this episode! 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! 👇

[@misery441]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the fact that Joel was trying to protect Ellie's innocence by not giving her a gun. I think that, since he used to be a father, he simply doesn't like the idea of a child killing people in self defense. A child shouldn't have to do that, because grown ups are supposed to be there to protect them. It's interesting because their bond isn't that strong yet, but he's been assuming the role of a protective father from the first moment he refused to give her a gun. Is that trauma? Or just Joel's personal values taking over?

[@blackcrowvol2281]

Yes that is Henry & Sam.

[@JigInsane]

Soooo some things happened differently in the game. But what I would suggest, if you want to go into the next episode completely blind and with possible reactions, do not watch the next portion of the game with Henry & Sam. There is a lot of potentially interesting things for them to translate to the show. I have no idea the angle or how they are going to portray everything that takes place. But going in without any idea would be an interesting take to share.

[@gabrielp9646]

@The Truth Doctor - This is so weird... You almost NEVER address the scenes and dialogue that I always find more psychologically interesting, during the episodes :S Like here: 6:34. Right after that bonding moment, Ellie asks Joel if they´re going to be ok, a couple of times (looking for safety and reaffirmation). When he says yes, she finally turns around and sleeps. But maybe those moments are just not that interesting... Im not a psychologist, I don´t really know 😅😅

[@aWywardWyvern]

LOVED the reaction, I do wish I could have seen you respond to the moment in the woods when they are about to fall asleep and Ellie asks Joel if people are going to find them. It’s this little easy to miss moment of vulnerability from her. And he assures her they’ll be okay and stays awake once she starts sleeping to watch out for people sneaking up on them. It was a fast moment but her basically asking for reassurance from him really hit me.

[@jonathanross149]

Joel not letting Ellie have a gun is to protect her from the emotional scars of killing.

[@the.truth.doctor]

Absolutely ❤️

[@kevinsullivan2153]

That, but I think it's way more complicated. Joel grew up at a time when kids didn't get guns unsupervised. Joel doesn't trust Ellie in a fight. Joel sees himself as a protector; Ellie using a gun means that he has failed. And I'm sure that Joel has seen many cases of friendly fire, panic fire, accidental discharge in the days since the outbreak. Giving her the gun back shows that he's working through this, but he still sees her as "someone to be protected" not "a partner in protecting each other" as he and Tess were.

[@nimz8521]

A possible parallel; when you see Sam's revolver, the cylinders are empty. He may have one bullet or no bullets. Henry may be protecting Sam in a similar fashion.

[@theguywhomakesthetrees2057]

It's also he didn't really trust her to use it properly. Guns are very dangerous in the hands of someone without training even if they wanna help

[@jensenwahlquist]

The creators pointed out on the official podcast that the smile Ellie gives him when he shows her the gun hold means it can’t be taken from her is the kind of smile that every parent has seen from their child when they discover something new and I thought that was such a sweet detail

[@fabricioguanipa7530]

I watch the episode, and then reactions from at least 10 different creators, yours are by far the most interesting and insightful and help me discover new things about the story and the characters

[@the.truth.doctor]

Wow thank you so much, there are SO many great reactions to this series. I’m just happy people want to see mine too!

[@zardify_]

Same... I watched so many reactions of the first 3 episodes I needed to tone it down LOL. Pretty sure it's unhealthy if you find yourself watching the same episode for a week over and over again, when the next one drops.

[@darkestphotog]

I think Ellie wants to be useful and be able to take care of herself. Ever since she appeared, she was seen as a threat and later as "the load." She wants to fully know what is going on and be treated like an adult and equal.

[@animeman84]

The guy with the beard who was with Kathleen was the voice actor for Tommy in the video game version of The Last of Us

[@darknewt]

Maybe I'm weird but during Byran's death scene I also cried but it had nothing to do with Bryan but instead the look on Ellies face of trying to process what she had just done and fear.

[@cyruscuddy4934]

Not weird at all. What I love about this scene was even though Bryan, and his group, were going to kill Joel, they still showed that he wasn't pure evil. Bryan was human. He had a mom, real emotions, and trying to survive in a brutal, unforgiving world.

[@JSandwich13]

I cried like a baby during the Bryan scene. I had to take a break for a minute to pull myself together after watching it. I'm a very emotional person. In the game, it's so different. You don't think too much about it. But the show really humanises the people attacking Joel and Ellie. I'm autistic so I often don't understand what is being conveyed through body language or looks characters give each other. So I really enjoy hearing others thoughts and reactions

[@mcp866]

If you watch the behind the scenes clip that plays after the credits for this episode, the directors specifically mention that they tried to humanize the enemy during this part of the show in a way that the game didn't.

[@therren9981]

I think you're the first person I've seen react to this episode who clocked that almost immediately after we learn Joel can't hear well out of his right side, he turns in his sleep which puts his right side out, effectively making it very hard for him to hear the two sneak up on them. That plus him having not slept the previous night even though he said he would meant Joel was not able to wake up in time to protect Ellie and now both of them are at gunpoint.

[@karky5170]

I loved the episode and bonding moments and I also really love your insights into these characters! I think another reason Joel didn't hear them coming, besides sleeping on his good ear, might've been that he was too exhausted. When they were camping in the woods the plan was to sleep and then push through to their goal but since Joel stayed up on guard (probably) the whole night, he didn't get much rest.

[@the.truth.doctor]

Good point!

[@LiaraGaming]

My interpretation of Joel's disassociation isn't that he views the emotions as weakness, it's that I imagine losing Sarah was horrible and he just doesn't want to feel those things again.

[@annelisewhite9607]

I’ve absolutely been loving your thoughts on this series. It’s actually incredibly refreshing and validating because this is how I watch movies/tv: with empathy and intellect. And I’m sure many people, myself included, can relate to different aspects of the characters in this show, especially when it comes to mental health. So thank you for reminding us that we are multi-dimensional, too ❤

[@the.truth.doctor]

Wow that is my number one goal! “Reminding us that we are all multi-dimensional” Thank you for putting that in such perfect words. ❤️

[@annelisewhite9607]

@@the.truth.doctor 🥹♥️♥️

[@TimSedai]

I love the likelihood that the writers/actors/directors created the bonding scenes because it "felt right" and yet you can make logical, scientifically backed reasons for everything also. Masters of various crafts lol

[@unq161]

Not necessarily, we know that both Niel and Craig understand the fundamentals of what made the story impactful; the relationship between Joel and Ellie. So from that we can infer that these bonding scenes are intentional. I saw that show watchers saw this as a filler episode, but as a fan of the games, this episode is important in showing the growing bonds between these two. Craig said in an interview that he tried many times to write a movie script for this story and never could because it would feel too rushed. So these episodes that feel "slow" or "filler" are why they chose TV adaptations. I love the added fact, like you said, that from these scenes you can extrapolate logical and scientific reasons as to how their relationship grows.

[@cephalonwolffe6642]

I love that even though Joel did his best to bury them he has such good, strong paternal instincts that they can't help but come out around Ellie. It shows the best part of him. The part that wanted to be the best father he could for his daughter has survived all of the heartache he's been through. It's beautiful really. Like part of his daughter still lives on.

[@Glo419]

Oh my goodness, that scene with Brian really affected me as well. I'm a mom, sure my kids are adults now but still. It doesn't matter how old they get, they're still your babies.....Joel obviously had to harden himself over the years to be able to do the thing he needed to do but Jesus, that was rough. It's like, every group we come across, thinks that they are in the right and they need to do whatever it takes to either stay in power or defend themselves by any means necessary. I personally, am all about using humor as a defense mechanism, every time, I've always done it. Awwww when Joel asked Ellie if she was alright....I'm so glad they're getting closer & finally connecting.

[@frozenharold]

I feel like Joel not hearing them was not only due to his poor hearing in one ear. He hadn't slept in quite awhile, and that laughter as they went to sleep may have let his body be able to fall into a deep sleep for the first time since they left the QZ.

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

I look forward to these every week now! I've been so excited about the last of us, being a fan of the game and a fan of the lead actors, but nobody in my life is watching it so reactions are how I'm kind of getting that shared experience with others right now. Yours are so great in particular because you really give so much insight to how these characters are written. I've even gone back and watched all your Wednesday and Arcane stuff, it's fantastic! I'm so glad I found this channel

[@the.truth.doctor]

This is such a nice comment, thank you so much!

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

@@the.truth.doctor You're welcome, keep up the great work! Sidenote I think you're the only other person who also caught that Joel turned in his sleep haha, the moment the camera cut to him facing the other way I just shouted "oh NO!" Haha. Haven't seen any other reactors mention it!

[@Tayter144]

Maybe you talked about it more somewhere else and I just missed it but I would have loved to hear your thoughts on Joel actually letting himself break and laughing at Ellies joke at the end. I think this is a big breakthrough and even leads to him being more comfortable with her by sleeping on his side with his bad ear up.

[@georgeosorio5815]

This is one of the best reactions to the show. Without knowing much you have been nailing time after time your analysis about the characters and the motivation for their actions (some even without key info that will be revealed later on) One thing of importance is that the first time they "slept" Joel ended up staying up and guarding the area so he was already tired. The second time he lowered his guard, facing Ellie and falling asleep all exhausted which got them caught (will definitely haunt him later on)

[@martinmillar7137]

Bella smashed this ep.. her expressions made me cry.. a few times.

[@John-996]

The Scene were Joel says he Has been on both sides is one of my favorite moments in the game glad They added it. Hope to see more of the ruthless Joel in the upcoming episodes.

[@MichaelDavis2754]

"why are these pages stuck together" that whole interaction was so funny 🤣

[@zoecove9836]

Another great reaction. I especially loved what you said in the beginning, about Ellie being used to seeing guns & she’s been raised in an environment where violence & survival are the basis for her life experience at the moment but that she isn’t skilled & hasn’t been trained. As someone from NZ (and now Australia) but with friends who were teachers in the US, I really feel like many children in today’s US are almost in parallel with Ellie. No, it’s not a post-apocalyptic world BUT they live in fear of mass shootings (or any shootings given the prevalent gun culture there), have to experience lockdowns and all-to-realistic school shooter drills and, in many States, can see people with big-ass, military style weapons on them at the supermarket etc. I can’t imagine how it must feel seeing someone with one of those lined up at McDonalds (for example) and knowing that person could kill everyone inside in just a few minutes. It’s hardly like the US are the gold standard for training & developing gun skills, especially gun safety. There’s a lot of parallels. Anyway, just my opinion. I did love the relationship development in this episode though, and showing that circumstances can turn people (sometimes) into the monsters. Bryan reacting that way after being shot, after seemingly being pleased with throttling Joel, showed the thought-of-violence vs actual violence dichotomy too. It also wasn’t the thought of killing someone, but the pleasure in having power over someone in a powerless world maybe. Kathleen definitely isn’t thinking ahead, or being a good leader IMO. Not only did she kill a doctor (a rare commodity in that world I would think) but she’s putting them at risk, considering how big that growth under the ground must be. I’m hoping Henry & Sam are good , and they’re saying shhh to keep them from being found out by anyone coming. Clearly they know how to avoid capture (so hopefully Ellie shouting Joel won’t put them all in danger).

[@ViNuS_viv]

The series takes a different stroll on the plot but keeps the depth of the characters and that's the most beautiful part. Getting comments like yours on one of the most intense video games-series is really nice. Keep it up m. Truth Doctor. 😃

[@Arbiter567]

You are such a wonderful human, Courtney. Rewriting my brain, discovering my true self after years of addiction and apathy over mental illness, and it’s very endearing to see someone with as much empathy, intelligence and compassion as you. Keep up the good fight!

[@malosii522]

Absolutely love your take on each episode so far. I like to watch the episodes and then come and watch your take on them because the breaking down of what is going on inside their minds based off of past experiences helps me understand the scene in so much more depth. Phenomenal job Dr. Courtney! Please keep them coming!

[@azinoodhomi4419]

So I legit just started binge watching these reactions. Very insightful. Thanks Doc.

[@wrustria]

i loveeee your reactions to this!! Ive played the games like 20 times and i love hearing new insights into these characters that i know in and out haha

[@johanstenfelt1206]

Wonderful analysis, like always.

[@Darknight127]

Your analysis are amazing as always just a testament to well written show

[@kieranireland2598]

Really enjoying these reactions as it gives a lot of insight into things I might not have even considered at the time etc. I'm not much of a story mode gamer I just enjoy hopping online to play with friends but this is 1 game I've played and consider it to be possibly in my top 3 games I've played, so i'm really excited for the rest of this show and having this reaction to follow and learn a bit from about a "universe" I love is really cool!

[@rodvincetolosa9386]

Your probably one of the best reactors around because you actually impart knowledge in these videos. So thank you!

[@mlsorrows]

Just subscribed after watching this video I look forward to viewing others, including outside of TLOU. Also, didn't know how much I needes to hear that someone was glad I'm present, a very kind way to end videos.

[@ernieojeda]

I love your review and insight. Makes me watch this show in a different way

[@InfamousDominion]

Thank you for sharing your emotions

[@jthomann71]

One reason Joel didn't hear Henry and Sam at the end, aside from his hearing loss, was the fact that he hadn't slept in days. He was supposed to sleep the night before in the forest so that he could be awake the next day AND night of their trip but when Ellie asked him if anyone would find them in the woods at night it spooked him and as you saw he stayed up all night sta ding guard over her while she slept. He's scared to death of other people and rightfully so.

[@CanadianChick811]

I'm always amazed at the mental health content you find in these episodes. I was watching this wondering if you'd review it.

[@Y2Jared]

Your videos are so great as it showcases that the show is actually really good and that intelligent, long form discussions can be had about it. As a big fan of the game, I look forward to your future videos. As you can tell by now, you will have no shortage of topics and subject matter to discuss in more detail.

[@medicenv2359]

Ni a mis clases llego tan temprano xddd

[@the.truth.doctor]

Hahahaha 😂

[@medicenv2359]

@@the.truth.doctor OMG, I love your reactions, I study English and with your videos I practice my English while I enjoy your reactions

[@the.truth.doctor]

That’s so cool! 😍

[@joepike1972]

I can see moments in the episode where your "professionalism" is really pulled on to the breaking point. Thank you for covering this series in the way that you are.

[@joeokabayashi8669]

Great commentary on a great episode.

[@thebeardedgamerbryan]

Great breakdown. This episode & the next episode are really one long episode as it covers a set period in the game. I like how they divided it up because it allowed some character development in this episode before the crazy violent episode that is about to take place.

[@LaraA55]

@The Truth Doctor Show I really love how you analyse the characters, putting more things into context from what you see in this show. This tells me that the writing is so good for this show. I also love how you use neuropsychology to highlight what is behind an emotion...truly fascinating to me. I enjoyed this episode because it revealed a slow peeling of the layers of the complex characters as well as introducing a background for new characters with depth. It was filled with human connection, personal moments, action, fast pace and comic relief which all complemented one another. It is pleasing to watch Joel slowly breaking down his walls with Ellie, not seeing her as cargo but also possibly seeing her as someone special, needing to be protected for the future of humanity. His act of teaching her how to handle a gun is his way of showing care and bonding with her as he finds it so hard to express how he feels. The little moments made me smile and is much needed for a dark show.

[@CodingToFreedom]

I can't believe I never made the connection with the car crashes. I have played the game and watched the show so many times and that never occurred to me. Love these videos!

[@maryanjustynski8788]

Thank you 🙏

[@spicymccrash899]

When Joel is talking about Tommy being in the Army. It hit me. You should do a reaction to American Sniper or Band of Brothers. It would be interesting to see a therapist’s view on either one. Both based on a true story.

[@mojdoj]

Great reaction! Thanks for sharing your insight with us. However, the title is actually “Please Hold TO My Hand.” It’s a line from the Hank Williams song, “Alone and Forsaken.”

[@a.a677]

When you mentioned vengeance... let's just say that is a very prominent theme in the future

[@martinmillar7137]

Honestly..the gunfire sounds in this ep nearly floored me.. bloody impactful sound design.. oof.. lots to unpack but the gunfight will be with me for ages.

[@manbearpig7359]

Thank you for your humanity and empathy and focusing in on Brian's scene and death. Most people and reactors had the "eff him, he deserved it, whiny little bitch " response, while completing missing the point of this interaction. I was hoping you got it, and you did. ❤

[@johnbowersox738]

The number and levels of interpersonal complex responses in this show are amazing. If they planned even a third of the relationships and interactions the shows creators are geniuses.

[@liamkampff1]

That person that Ellie shoots broke my HEART. :( they did a great job showing how awful the whole situation is.

[@Lord_Fruity]

I’ve been looking forward to your reactions because you get those characters so well, and on a much deeper level. Also I just want to drop Craig Mazins comment on Ellie "and you can see how quickly ellie just wipes those tears away, and pretends nothing happened at all, because she's just. like. him." Hit me like a ton of bricks 🧱

[@the.truth.doctor]

Oh that’s so true, great observation!

[@kkjhn41]

You are absolutely correct about Ellie and power. Power is the thing she wants most. She has been powerless all her life, put in a FEDRA orphanage/military school where she is raised to be a future soldier, where the normal expressions and experiences of being a child has been denied to her. Even information about herself, her family and history are beyond her power to know. When she gets her knife back form Marlene, she opens it and displays it, not for defense, Marlene isn't threatening her. It's to establish whatever sense of power, of being on equal footing she can. When Joel beats a man to death in front of her, her reaction is to the display of power that Joel has. He took control, even though he was confronted by an armed soldier. As Craig Mazin the writer of the episode said it activated her. You could say that her interaction with the infected trapped under rubble was about her exerting power. She first showed him the knife and made him follow it with his eyes. She cut him, and when he didn't react to that she got angry and killed him. Like Joel she has a propensity to violence and even cruelty. People at the QZ were afraid of Joel not just because he has killed a lot of people (remember when the soldier he sold drugs to was saying that the FEDRA factory only made two things, bullets and pills and Joel said, "the more you shoot people the harder it is to sleep, I guess". The soldier said, " oh YOU guess?" meaning Joel of all people would know that because of all the killing he's done. As soon as he said it and saw the look on Joels face he realized that he'd just pushed a dangerous button and quickly changed the subject. Tess wanted him to hurt Robert, not kill him but to hurt him because she knew the kind of pain, he was capable of inflicting on someone. The conversation he had with Ellie on the stairs about the ambush was very important. When she asked how he knew about the ambush, he admitted that he, Tess and Tommy had been on the other side of that situation. He quickly tried to justify it by saying it was a long time ago and was about survival. But Ellie wasn't buying that and asked the pertinent question, did he kill innocent people? By innocent she was thinking of people like themselves that day, people who weren't looking to hurt anyone or had done anyone harm, who weren't on a particular side of any dispute. People who were just going about living their lives. His inability or unwillingness to answer spoke volumes. Yes. He, Tess and Tommy ambushed innocent people. They robbed them and murdered them. Not in self- defense or because they were forced to for survival. Because they could, because the people had things they wanted, and they could blame their actions on the world. Tess told Ellie that she and Joel weren't good people, that their only interest was in what's in it for them. But she didn't tell her how far they would go to get what they wanted. This is the "shit we've done" she was talking about when she was infected and begging Joel to "set things right" by taking Ellie to Bill and Frank. But some things can't be set right. Eventually the consequences of what you've done catch up to you in different ways. Joel revealed a lot about himself when he was talking about Tommy. He mocked him for the choices he made and for wanting to be a hero. But he can't see his own flaws, his need to be the protector of everyone whether they need it or not. Tommy survived the combat of Desert Storm. Tommy is the one who saved Joel from the soldier about to shoot him. Tommy survived 20 years in this new world, often without Joel. We will see that Tommy has created a far better life for himself in Wyoming than Joel has for himself. Truth is, Tommy needed to det away from Joel to do it. Truth is that the person Joel has become is like a wrecking ball in the lives of others. He is now not only Ellie's protector but her mentor. Her surrogate father for better and for worse. Just remember what Neil Druckman said, that this is a story about love. Not just the kind of love that Bill and Frank experienced. Also, how dangerous love can be, especially the love of a parent for a child.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

The most poignant interview, for me, was the one with: Underneath/behind the racist, bigot or other tribal hate, is LOVE

[@jaxonstars1018]

What I enjoy the most about this series is re experiencing moments and characters of the story that I totally forgot about from playing the game. I’m excited to see the story with Henry again and I wonder if they will change anything or not. I kind of hope not because I remember the story with them being so impactful!! Either way this show has proven to be really smart in its story telling decisions when it differs from the game so I’m confident it will be incredible no matter what.

[@huguenot9487]

Bryan scene is under estimated. It',s a verte well done scene 😊

[@John-996]

I really like How they call out their names its something They do in the Last of us 2 and when you are playing the game it really hits hard when you kill someone.

[@nicholasletts5849]

I love your input on all these episodes so far. I watch a lot of reaction videos and its so amazing seeing someone actually analyze their actions and give context to why it makes sense. I cant tell you how many reactions ive watched on this episeode alone where people were saying, "oh i would kill that kid, no hesatation." and im just sitting here like.....No you wouldnt...l0l Keep it up, I love it ^.^

[@TheTK087]

Huge fan of the last of us, your content is cool!

[@herbertsonlee7666]

There was a book I read ,"on killing"

[@Stark-Raving]

Seeing the same actress that played goofy Rose from "Two and a Half Men" playing this ruthless opposition leader was definitely an interesting sight.

[@julieharden2433]

I love your reviews. I wish you would have reviewed WandaVision and explaining how your body and mind react to extreme grief, how your mind protects you. But, if you haven't seen any Marvel movies, Wanda's grief won't make sense. It's a bit of a commitment. That show would have been a perfect fit for you.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

It would be interesting to see Courtney's take on it. But until then, the two others therapy reactors will have to do

[@dhampson545]

Some people who grow up in institutions eat quickly as well, to avoid food getting stolen.

[@Debrutsideno]

When you talk about them humanizing Brian. They did that in the game as well. NPCs would talk and shout to each other. Using names and other dialogue to make them feel more real and like they had lives outside of what we see in the little piece of the game they exist in. I’m glad we don’t have to wait long for episode 5. It’s on tonight (Friday) because the Super Bowl is Sunday.

[@BrocksOnix956]

When Joel was reassuring her that she wouldn't be shot, he was also subconsciously reassuring himself. I think anyway.

[@jeffholy872]

14:00 "I want you to see that I'm a human!" says that while literally being probably the most human reactor I've watched

[@Ladymoonlightsong]

Wonderful video. I'm tired of reaction videos made by children who pretend to have emotions they don't really have. A professional psychological analysis of this wonderful series is what I needed. Thank you very much really.

[@calderquirke8211]

Hey Dr. Courtney! I was wondering if you could check out the movie The Fallout starring Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler if you have time? I think there’s a lot in the movie to dissect and discuss.

[@davidedwards1705]

For me this is the episode that Joel earned his title many fans call him by: Papa Joel.

[@JampClear]

Te Amo! But América is a continent, thanks for the video

[@yuvalpick7568]

Hi I love your videos so much learning about psychology has never been more intersting!💗 Could you PLEASE play 'Life is strange'? It's a beautiful game that deals with the butterfly effect phychopathic beahviors etc. it kinda reminds me of Arcane which i love. and has SO much to digest as a thearpist!!!! You often get choices that impact the game and show the complexity of the human life, and im super intrigued of your thought process behind every decision. I would ADORE seeing you play and reacte to it. xoxo

[@BlahBlah-tc3kn]

!! First !! Also Vox Machina would be a great show for you to give a shot definitely some things you can talk about for characters!

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you for being here so early! And awesome I'll add that to my list. ☺

[@irrelevant_noob]

0:32 huh, didn't Marlene say Ellie was raised in a FEDRA facility?! Pretty sure they already taught her how to shoot a gun... ( PS 19:50 we'll see in a later episode what she meant )

[@shakirasmylie6178]

I know Joel is protecting Ellie is part of his job and protecting his brother too

[@Lord_Legolas_Greenleaf]

For me a pivotal moment is when Joel - talking about hurting someone - he always keeps his eyes upon her when either speaks, but turns away, head down. Then he tells El: "If you ah..." I would presume he was going to say that if she needs to talk he'll be there; leaving that door open... Then he says he's sorry, she wipes tears from her eyes before they can drop. He feels more pain because he feels he's a failure, again; he's failed to protect her from any harm. You can see it in his face, his eyes; his head drops. El is looking to the ground. The bond is there, probably unbreakable for Joel, maybe for El. "It wasn't my first time." Then he teacher her how to properly hold a gun.

[@Kayjee17]

The scene with Brian bothered me a lot. There was the desperation in his voice as he tried to save himself, the last childlike gasp of calling for his mother (which I still have flashbacks to the scene in Saving Private Ryan), and the look on Ellie's face as she registers what's happening causing her to remember things she wants to forget. I can't watch the footage you were alluding to because that movie messed me up, but I did get teary eyed right along with Ellie. I believe that as you raise a child all the things you do to care for them become instinctive reactions, and even if you lose them those reactions are still hard wired in your brain. Joel has pushed his emotions down for 20 years now, but being in close contact with a child - especially one similar to his daughter in age - in both dangerous situations and more relaxed situations like driving in the truck or sharing jokes, is bringing back all those parental instincts. He's consciously fighting it by calling her cargo, but then he opens up and tells her about Tommy and stands guard all night after he tells her she'll be safe and checks on her after she shoots Brian and turns towards her in his sleep... all the little things that happen when he's not consciously thinking about holding her at arms length. I don't think Joel is done fighting his growing bond with Ellie, but he's needed to fill that hole so badly that I don't think he'll succeed whenever it finally does occur to him. I can see that Ellie likes the fact that Joel is protecting her, and I think that's something that has been in very short supply in her life. She has learned to be charming to the people she wants to learn from and to be tough to the people who are a threat, but this is a whole new thing and she seems to be trying different ways to connect with him. The joke book seems to be something that means a lot to Ellie, so by sharing it with him she seems to be trying to give him something special - and that laughter just before they fell asleep meant a lot to both of them.

[@thedugout5192]

Ellie forces Joel to realize to let go of the grief when she snapped at him in the woods in the beginning of episode 3.

[@yarad2308]

with byran's death, it's maybe because i played the game but i absolutly didn't feel anything for him, i was like "no don't trust him, he is lying, he is going to hurt you" but watching that scene again now, i actually got emotional, i actually listen to his words and just saw a kid

[@theaces3697]

maybe i am just messed up but i didnt feel bad for Byran, he was happily going to kill Joel but then started begging when he lost, i also would imagine "if" they had taken him back to his mum they group would of still killed Joel and Ellie

[@user-lf6cf2ro4i]

@The Truth Doctor Show, Hope you don’t mind but here are two Recommendations for a reaction due to the subject matter’s focus on bullying/revenge which are two Korean tv shows one is Weak Hero Class 1 (one season 8 episodes) and The Glory, 16 episodes but are being released by Netflix in two parts so the first eight are available while the other eight will be available in March.

[@AFortifiedBatcave]

So I'mma just put this out there: the list of shows you should react to for your insight, advice and genuine emotional reactions to moments that deserve the responses you show, like Bryan's meltdown after getting shot by Ellie. I won't list off a thousand shows, but there's about a thousand it'd be worth your time and our for you to enjoy start to finish.

[@chronicallykat4920]

I am not able to continue the show. It's hitting too close to my reality in a lot of trauma. I couldn't do the games but that was disability not content. I didn't know the content was this hard. I appreciate the accurate psychology in writing but I am pretty sure your videos won't be safe either. I want to comment in case someone struggling with it needs permission to not finish the story. Mental health comes first and after the episode for this week I have to stop. I will be back for whatever you do next as I really enjoy your content. I just am choosing to not stab myself in the PTSD and trauma spots for good story. Thank you for unpacking stuff as it did help me figure out why I should stop. Sometimes my brain goes "We must persevere despite the fact this is doing harm." It hasn't been correct since I escaped abuse but I don't always spot it

[@K8_Preciado]

19:59 She’s not referring to that. And there’s nothing else I can say without spoilers 🤐

[@monahands]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what recent events in the US is she speaking of?

[@virlinehonore9767]

Yea ur right, it’s Henry and Sam

[@Sol3UK]

If you listen to the HBO Max Podcasts that accompany the episodes, you may gain some more insight into the Characters motivations.

[@cmdrDiscoCat]

You'll know what were the circumstances where Ellie first shot someone. In time.

[@KevinDooley420]

I've seen people rate this episode low compared to the rest, but I just love the bonding! They're gonna be friends! Aaaah!

[@the.truth.doctor]

I can see why after the impressive “Long, Long time” episode people may think it’s lackluster. I personally love the subtleties in this one. ❤️

[@kiddarts8812]

They started doing it before it came out, so they never saw it…they (specifically homophobes) spammed hated because of the last episode

[@ducktape160]

The pages are stuck together for the same reason babies don't fall part - Genetic glue lol

[@josieau]

Since watching “The Last of Us” I have finally found a situation in which I don’t mind being anaphylactically allergic to mould. I’d die within metres of an infected person - I only have to inhale spores, and I’m going down. I’d much prefer that, than living as one of those. •shudders•.

[@couldntthinkofacoolname9608]

Joel is very much someone who says "I don't care, I'm not going to care." Then proceeds to care deeply. When he says "No, you're cargo" he's not telling Ellie, he's telling himself

[@stretch493]

this episode has the most stuff directly from the game, right down to the lines, while still having some deviations like Kathleen, who was never In the game...

[@Cg23sailor]

CAMEO ALERT: Kathleen's bearded veteran right-hand man... Perry. Is the real Tommy, Joel's Brother.

[@mikehygh4510]

You should react to the fosters

[@elreydelmundo1343]

I've never related to a character more than when Ellie was shoving the Chef Boyardee ravioli in her mouth.

[@Pandaemoni]

21:49 I think you can "define innocent" as the kind of people who, if you yell, "Please! Help me!", actually stop to try to help you. Joel's been on both sides of that sort of ambush, meaning that at times he robbed and murdered people after taking advantage of their compassion.

[@kokogaming8719]

I can see how the Bryan scene would affect you as a mother, but how I saw it more when I watched it was as if he was trying everything he could to emotionally involve them with him so they wouldn't kill him. Even after how they ambushed them to take everything from with with the intention of killing them if necessary. For me they shouldn't be pulling those tricks without being prepared to get what they're trying to deal out so to say. if that makes sense

[@thewayithappens469]

just a reminder in case nobody knows the new episode is airing tomorrow February 10th because of the superbowl on Sunday!

[@theaces3697]

next episode will be so much more brutal and sad than it was in the games :/

[@JigInsane]

Soooo some things happened differently in the game. But what I would suggest, if you want to go into the next episode completely blind and with possible reactions, do not watch the next portion of the game with Henry & Sam. There is a lot of potentially interesting things for them to translate to the show. I have no idea the angle or how they are going to portray everything that takes place. But going in without any idea would be an interesting take to share.