The Last of Us | Episode 1 Review (SPOILERS)

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Beau & Teddy review the first episode of THE LAST OF US on HBO!
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[@elsamari0]

The actor who plays Marlene actually voiced Marlene in the game. Great pilot episode!

[@OnwardToMail]

I believe she's the only actor in the show to play the same character in both too. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker will also be in the show at some point but they'll both obliviously playing different characters.

[@roastpork5437]

also did the mocap acting so Marlene's literally moving the same way.

[@ronantiernan5710]

She was also Alyx Vance in Half Life 2 🥰

[@dday881]

She was one of the few game cast members that was also a actor not just a voice actor.

[@TheBookerDeWitt]

No wonder she sounded so familiar lol

[@InvertedFreeSolo]

The show has the fungus come in flour products, which is why they made a point to show the neighbor feeding the old lady undercooked biscuits and Joel and Sarah not eating pancakes and being on "atkins"

[@macealred4135]

And forgetting the birthday cake!

[@deadgum11]

It's pretty damn rare that I cry at anything film or TV related, but when Joel is holding Sarah I started getting watery eyes, heartbreaking scene, took me straight back to when I first played the game.

[@yungcris5211]

Same made me want to play the game again

[@Etticos.]

I’m glad you guys are covering this. Within that first half of the show I realized “ok this is gonna be a good one”. I am really excited for the show and now even more so knowing that you’ll be doing the reviews weekly.

[@Bryan-gr6kn]

The first 30 or so minutes broke me. Never played the game but had an idea about what happened to Sara and it still killed me. They handled their relationship so well.

[@agent481989]

If you watch the game intro you'll see how similar and emotionally impactful they both play out.

[@travisgordonusmc]

Did they deid?

[@Bryan-gr6kn]

@@agent481989 yeah I’m not a gamer but I’m really thinking about playing this game because of what everyone says about it.

[@MrSolobear333]

This is a game I've played multiple times... remastered aswell... amd that Sarah scene still got me .. they did a great job

[@blacklistedpirate4169]

its probably better that you never played the game because then you dont have something better to compare this show to

[@trevon444]

Bro that opening was hilarious 😂 you earned a subscription from me. Dude I’m crying

[@NYWunWuns]

Love when Marlene says she knows what Joel and Tess are capable of, then Ellie kind of to herself says, “What are they capable of?” Like holy shit who are these people?!

[@sergiomendoza4850]

Well she learns real quick when Joel mercilessly beats the absolute brakes off that one fedra agent. You can see it on Ellie’s face she’d never seen anything like that and was definitely now afraid of the people who are protecting her, at least enough to understand that Joel and Tess don’t fuck around.

[@NYWunWuns]

@@sergiomendoza4850 hell yeah hahaha. Great start to the show. Hope it stays this way.

[@Elessar0wind]

@@sergiomendoza4850 I wouldn't say she was afraid, to me, she looked like she actually liked it. Or at least, that someone would go so far to defend her.

[@johansmallberries9874]

I was actually surprised how funny and natural Bella Ramsey was in her line delivery. Sassy without being annoying.

[@jay2thaudy]

@@Elessar0wind that's called the Worldstar reaction

[@robjgolde3221]

I never played the game so I went into this blind. I had a very general idea of what the story was, but otherwise knew nothing. Being a dad with 2 daughters, that scene where where Joel is holding Sarah in his arms as she died absolutely crushed me. I thought their dynamic/relationship was played beautifully and the intensity of everything leading up to that moment had me on the edge of my seat and then just utter heartbreak.

[@commandZee]

Yay an animated video! I listen to you guys more on Apple Podcasts these days but I really appreciate the work you put into these animated episodes.

[@combatwombat2134]

A perfect (and I'd once thought unachievable) blend of more than enough for new viewers to grasp and (importantly) significant amounts of fan service and nods. I'm very impressed and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

[@labamboos]

Nerd Soup is appointment listening. So glad you guys are covering (hilarious opening btw). Loved the first episode of TLoU (series😂). My only gripe was the rush reveal of Ellie’s condition, but hoping they will take some more time with it in future eps. Can’t wait for the next one.

[@biggismalls8660]

Really happy you guys are covering this! I had my hopes up since you guys covered the trailer. I need something to help with the withdrawal waiting for the next season of HotD.

[@monstermash1571]

Whats up Fellas! It's been a minute! This could be some great fuel for the Channel! Wishing the Nerd Squad an awesome 2023! Best of luck with everything guys!!

[@Egrojbaratheon1988]

Nice to see yall back with another one!!!! My playlist was missing a piece since house of dragons and now I have it again lol

[@cloebird123414]

Planes falling out of the sky and hitting me is a reoccurring nightmare/dream that I have every couple of months or so for years now 😂 watching that shit last night had me tense!

[@eriktatos]

My fav addition/difference compared to the Original story

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

See a Psychiatrist, Chloe.

[@cloebird123414]

@@MADGUNSMONSTER oh don’t worry, I’ve got a team of mental healthcare providers 🤣 still crazy though

[@alexpozniak4106]

Glad to have Teddy back.

[@theirvingvlogs]

😂😂😂

[@Jonsnowcone]

Knew nothing about the game or what the show was about. And wow. Amazing tone/tension setting in the prologue that wheeled you into the characters followed by excellent world building after the time jump. All of this layered with solid acting/story writing. Can't wait to watch the rest of the series.

[@jamilafever8110]

Just the review I've been waiting for. Thanks guys! Great as always and I'm excited to watch along with y'all. So far I love the show!

[@Seetj]

they made the spores coming out of the infected mouth look real good. Very happy with how good the episode turned out

[@combatwombat2134]

They aren't spores, unfortunately. The director said that they were changing it from spores to tendrils so they didn't have the cast in gas masks all the time - a change I wasn't super on board with but it's (for now) not as pervasive as I'd feared. 😅

[@MrSolobear333]

Yer they got rid of the spores... it kind of bothers me .... the spores are a big thing and shows Ellie can breath em in.... but so far I love it

[@sergiomendoza4850]

The spores change is by far the biggest L in terms of shit they had to change from the game. Even tho I kinda understand why I still don’t like it, the main reason being is that the spores for one just make sense. Like the infected would obviously have some sort of airborne means of infecting people, it’s fungus like idk it just makes sense within the world itself. Also the fact that the special infected like bloaters and shamblers literally throw the spores at you to fuck you up lol so how they plan to handle that in the future idk. Obviously we’ll be getting bloaters eventually this season but taking the idea of the airborne aspect out of the show is definitely whack because it lowers the stakes quite a bit for those who are familiar with the games and the full extent of how dangerous the infected are.

[@WisdomThumbs]

@@sergiomendoza4850 if the spores worked like the game, there would be nobody left. Every scuffed knuckle and unwashed armpit would mean certain infection. Decontamination would be a logistical train wreck, with spores accumulating within clothes, especially in socks. It works for game levels. But this issue has been pointed out for years. The show replacing it with tendrils is inspired. Now the characters have to be extremely careful or they’ll *touch* the hivemind.

[@combatwombat2134]

@@WisdomThumbs it not working logically is, unfortunately, kinda irrelevant. That could apply to any sort of show or film or game where something seems like it wouldn't apply in real life but they do it because of X reason. In this case, that reason is that fungal microbiology is typically spore based in its transfer. It making sense doesn't really matter, it's science-fiction after all. Otherwise you could argue for changing Star Wars because the physics don't work or a werewolf bit of media because rupturing the human body like that obviously doesn't work either. I get your point here - it doesn't work scientifically - but I don't think it's a necessarily suitable argument for it being a good byproduct of the change. Mind, that's just me. I still thoroughly enjoyed it with the change. :)

[@TheRubberMatch]

I used to look forward to your GOT reviews just as much as the episodes themselves. Now you guys are back in my life with TLOU. Good time to be alive

[@rikorobinson]

Thandiwe Newton's daughter looks so much like her, it was distracting. I didn't even know that was her daughter until after the episode, but I kept thinking, "That little girl looks just like Thandiwe Newton..." 😅😅😅

[@eriktatos]

Haha baby clone …she should be in the Westworld reboot

[@rikorobinson]

@@eriktatos Wait, are they rebooting it???

[@Bee-ju7nt]

Thank you guys for another review!

[@BitNova_]

What an incredible episode. The adaptation is fantastic! The atmosphere, the character introductions, the stakes. Pedro was spot on for Joel. I can't wait to see more!

[@PranavanathanYoganathan]

I love that Marlene was the same actress from the game as well.

[@Ivmeister_]

Didn’t think I’d hear from you guys until the new HOTD series. Glad you guys are covering this as well!

[@BKHD8]

I knew as soon as I saw the boy that he was infected but when they scanned him I still held out hope that he wasn’t. That really hit me harder than expected. His face lighting up when she told him he was getting toys😢 knowing what was coming. Especially after we saw all he had to walk through just to get there. I wouldn’t be able to do that without balling my eyes out. The innocence of kids being taken away by being forced to live in a shitty world always gets me in TV and movies.

[@trojen96]

Starting the new year with an amazing cold open🔥

[@cannonballbrad9522]

I can’t wait to see the scene at the college with the giraffe. Also other aspects of the game. Maybe a moment crafting a bomb or bandaging themself in a fight kind of moments will be awesome.

[@cocojumbo412]

Man if I had to work a double on the day of the apocalypse I would be glad the world ended

[@tommymaxey2665]

Man watching this was like seeing a 1 for 1 copy of it and I love it. Can't wait to see how they handle the clickers next episode. Also missed opertunity for them to use a PS2 as a DVD in the beginning.

[@TheLazarusOperation]

Once I learned it would be 2003 instead of 2013, one of my first thoughts was what about the PS3 and Uncharted references

[@Petorasaur]

In my opinion, it was even better than a 1 to 1 retelling. The added story points are so beneficial to the narrative. For example, the opening scene where the scientist tells the studio audience how fungi are a potential threat. Another example is the backstory of Joel’s watch. My favorite addition is the fact that Joel probably saved his family from infection because of his Atkins diet. It’s suggested that the infection spread due to contaminated flour out of Jakarta, India. Not being able to eat pancakes and not picking up a birthday cakes made the story possible from the jump. It’s awesome world building and narrative construction.

[@Formallyknownashandle]

The intro with the golf club is hilarious 😂

[@diceflawless9115]

Anybody else notice the sound effect when the soilders saw them? Straight from the game when you're caught by something

[@chrisandrews6185]

LOL it took me roughly a minute to get the golf club reference. Bravo!

[@HoonaticRacing]

During the Austin escape scene, there was a goof in the game that was carried over to the show. While driving they come to an intersection for “I-183”. There is no Interstate 183 in Austin (or anywhere). There is a US highway 183, but that would have a black and white road sign, not the red and blue interstate sign.

[@diceflawless9115]

It's a fake location set. They actually filmed somewhere overseas

[@HoonaticRacing]

@@diceflawless9115 you missed the point. They CGI'd the wrong sign in the game and used the same wrong sign in the show

[@trainspotter360]

I have a daughter who's thirteen and I watched this on the bus home from work and I had to hide my face because I was tearing up and that isn't something that ever happens to me.

[@DammitBobby]

I love your sports references so much.

[@christianwillems6959]

Holy cow...I didn't get that the boy from the beginning was infected. I didn't make the connection to the body. Just assumed red meant "not infected". I realized it in the end when Joel's light turned green...fast thinker ;D

[@whimzi4832]

Was this suppose to give me home videos vibes cause I love it lol

[@annieadderall]

The opening had me in tears 🤣

[@soumz7122]

4:28 Seeing young Beau and Aaron was hilarious. Thanks for that :)

[@OrcistCleaver]

That opening has me howling man what a goof up. Good ep

[@winstonudeh7859]

Amazing first episode!

[@trutherror]

I love the game, it's such a great story... it really does have everything I want from a post-apocalyptic story, everything, all the feels. So I have played the game and my husband has not. We sat down to watch last night and he right off the bat asks me about Sarah. He is like if feel like the story is going to follow her and I just said she is very important to the story. I was able to watch the show enjoy the story and just get lost. I freaking love it and have such high hopes! Also had to come here right away this morning for a review and coffee!

[@RayneSaltair]

LOL I have an airport around my house too, and have always had the same thought about it crashing on the house.

[@thehumblewolf]

How where you able to get footage from the show?? I’m trying to make my own video review and my usual method for b roll is not working on hbomax 😭

[@FatalJapan]

Craig mazin was the soldier who shot sarah and the radio guy was the original voice actor for Tommy in the game. Can't wait to see troy baker and Ashley Johnson playing other characters. I think Ashley is going to play anna (ellies mother)

[@JosueRodriguez-ls5wy]

I really liked what they did with Tommy in regards to what tf he was doing before shit hit the fan

[@aronmeza]

Great review. I really enjoyed the episode. Never played the videogame. The points you've mentioned, wow. They got my attention too.

[@sarahmcgrath595]

Incredible episode! And incredible roast of Billy Zane 💀

[@Stephen-yw9sn]

Did anyone see the clicker right at the end on top of the building to the left. It leans over and lets out a terrifying scream just before the credits roll.

[@krusnik94]

That bait and switch at the beginning. Yall killing me

[@anvy1231]

I’m going to be honest. I did not like the cast selection so much, and going in I was very skeptical. But damn.. watched this with my dad who watched it the night before and him flashing the light at my face to see me holding tears 😂 “He said” don’t feel guilty, you have a daughter and anyone who has a daughter that age would be crying. They nailed the same emotion as in the game and the girl who played Sara 👏👏👏👏 first episode - 10/10

[@Gnz43]

Lmfao the baby pics

[@MnMn-dc9pe]

Oh that golf stick 😵‍💫

[@TheCaesarion]

I am glad to watch Nerd Soup again since Game of Thrones.

[@LaughtersHouse]

All I knew about this before watching was game adaption, father, daughter, zombies, apocalypse. Excellent for someone who hasn't played the game. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@sneedmando186]

1:13 I totally feel bro, I didn’t know John wick was a thing until the previews for 2 hit. I like every aspect of that film individually in other films, love Keanu, shooting, spy films, action, but never even heard about it. More media slips by me the older I get

[@chibi_rabbit]

I wonder if Pedro played the game to really embody the character. Solid review 👌

[@mbank3832]

it's amazing even though we know the story already from the game, you still want to sit through to see what happened

[@lthomas6022]

I am not familiar with the game and I loved this pilot episode. I will be watching. The set up was very good so that you could tell what was going to happen as far as the infection. The people ticking and the food trucks shutting down quick were nice indicators in addition to the 1960s tv piece. I could tell Ellie was immune as soon as they did the check. They have some very good actors on cast as well. I'm excited about this series.

[@Petorasaur]

One of the things that’s easy to miss is that Joel being on Atkins probably saved him, Sarah, and Tommy from the infection. It’s heavily hinted, if not entirely confirmed based on leaked audio, that the infection was spread due to a contaminated batch of flour. Jakarta, India has one of the world’s largest flour processing plants and is mentioned on the radio early in episode 1. Joel not being able to eat pancakes and not getting a cake for his birthday very likely saved his family from being infected. Such an awesome little story plot that totally improves on the initial story points from the first game.

[@Vitunit]

The old lady is also seen eating biscuits which could be how she got infected. The fact that Sarah didn't eat the cookies too because they were raisin and not chocolate chip is probably another Easter egg.

[@jenn2839]

I guess at some point, early on, this wouldn't be a factor anymore since the overwhelming majority of people will be infected by other infected. Not baked goods

[@fromenemies2lovers360]

THE MUSIC seals the deal

[@Nocc2991]

Loved it!

[@imheretosayyo3064]

That opening is the funniest fucking thing

[@Noct_Snow]

Never change teddy

[@matthewwithum8372]

Really impressive pilot episode.

[@maytalacedo20]

I can't believe it's been 5 months since the show came by and ended it that's just crazy.

[@raulrolon7]

I just know the giraffe scene is gonna hit like crack in the 80’s.

[@anvy1231]

Oh man if they nail that right, I will need to watch it alone so nobody sees a 250lb man break down like a used Jeep Cherokee

[@TheMercedesSwapShop]

Best intro ever lol

[@trickser24]

Can't wait to see how they handle the second game lol

[@356z]

I never played the games. I only had a few stuff spoiled. I knew the daughter would die and I knew ellie was immune. Other than that, I think this was a good first episode. I'm sold. And now I'm tempted to pick up the game

[@RebelFudge]

I thought it was really good. I’m really happy at how long the episode was too

[@Sjarambula]

The joy in knowing you guys are going to be reviewing The Last of Us...

[@changingmind2522]

As a southerner, I don’t feel he “nailed the southern accent,” more so that he didn’t really have one at all. Which I prefer him not having one rather than a bad southern accent, so I’m fine with it.

[@MrSolobear333]

I feel the Ellie reveal at the end felt proper rushed but apart from that I loved this.. I was very sceptical and am presently surprised.

[@mommajenjm]

Totally invested,totally on board ...never seen the games ...love this show already !! Am a HUGE TWD fanatic tho too :-)

[@matthewhartz9235]

I wonder how they are gonna do the Joel ... injury... Cause it's kinda video game-y how quickly he recovers. Or are they gonna pull a stranger things?

[@joshberkin5567]

ok the intro was pretty funny

[@dexterriley]

Guys please dive into the mayor of kingstown

[@brentloy131]

I could write a couple pages of worth on why the scene with Sarah walking over to the neighbors house is a masterclass in horror. Instead heres a couple of sentences on it.

[@bshaddo]

I think Pedro Pascal should be able to pull off taking like a guy from the place he grew up.

[@dustinmiron4298]

Ahh, fresh soup!

[@Playami]

marlene is the actual marlene from the game

[@maytalacedo2942]

It's still impressive by episode 1 even 6 months later it's still good.

[@qjames0077]

Only thing I didn't dig too much was the reveal of the bite. It almost seemed like they threw in that bit as an afterthought

[@MrSolobear333]

Yes it felt rushed ... but hopefully it will be more acknowledged in the second episode.. but yer did feel rushed

[@RubenK1992]

As someone who has lived in Belgium his entire life, I officially declare that pancakes are fucking awesome.

[@pantaloney]

LOL Teddy. This fuckin' guy cracks me up.

[@indridcold2229]

Jakarta is in Indonesia

[@bluewhitespartan5258]

It is

[@MourningCoffeeMusic]

As someone who hasn’t played the games, I have a feeling this show will be better than The Walking Dead. Already a more interesting premise. I only hope they don’t drag things out like TWD did.

[@DataTitianda]

My friend never played the game and she was rooting for Sarah, and she told me she almost cried when Sarah died. After that she visited me and asked me to play the game while she’s watching hahahaha she got goosebumps, now we are playing the game together

[@FatCatProductions]

The issue is tv banter is always written to be dramatic and exposition dumpy where as video game banter is written how people actually talk. It sounds more like a real conversation instead of “wow I can’t believe that person got drunk that we both just saw before the commercial break”

[@TheEnecca]

And then the video game will give you a page of text to read with all the exposition

[@FatCatProductions]

@@TheEnecca or my favorite ”gwent, you play?” But in a million different iterations

[@Elizabitchk17]

Well I can see why the fireflies are rebelling, fedra hanging people in public for nonviolent offenses is likely to piss people off

[@vincentmontgomery839]

Genuinely funny guys

[@AgentChachi]

I don’t think that moment of learning Ellie’s situation is done yet. It’ll carry on, as I don’t think it’s fully revealed, for the viewer who hasn’t played the game.

[@trev9168]

Hell of a first episode. Not sure if I love the pacing yet but overall it was good. Ramsey proved me right and is so far so good as Ellie and Pedro as joel has been good as well.

[@rppuffnstuff]

Ever played the game I totally want to but just watching the show so far is absolutely captivating! I got sucked right in .

[@datpurp9564]

damn im conflicted on whether to watch the show or play the game 😂 its been sitting in my library for years, just been to lazy to start it

[@CaptainMarvel-ew7rn]

I was very worried about this show. But I did say I’d eat my words if it was actually good. And whada ya know. It was pretty dang good. Not perfect but good. But it shouldn’t be that hard, all they have to do is follow the game and not go off the rails. The hard part is already done.

[@JustSaiyan317]

so the fungi that the doctors are talking about in the opening scene that will take over an ants brain and kill it is actually a real thing and it's crazy as fuck lol

[@eriktatos]

Omg younger maise as Elie would’ve been perfect