The Last of Us: Episode 2 - Review

[@aidan4thewin964]

I liked how Ellie made the reference that she can’t swim since we prob aren’t gonna see Joel have to use wood pallets to get her places

[@nokturnallex2160]

Yea funny enough the show actually will probably improve on the sillier parts of the game. Even Tes death scene was done better than in the game. Like Jeremy said, when Tes dies in the game she's like "I'll hold them off" as you run up the stairs and only kills like one or two regular guys before dying. No big explosion, nothin. Anna Torv definitely brought more charisma to the role than Tes had in the game as well. They might do 1 silly Pallete scene but it's not going to be as frequent and annoying as in the game.

[@Alex_Logan22]

@@nokturnallex2160 The zombie kiss was sillier

[@MajorasThoughts]

@SmoothLegend dude talking about "the game is silly" like if that kiss wasn't the most absurd thing ever lmao. Still dope though 🔥

[@higglybiggly1174]

@@Alex_Logan22 wasn't a zombie kiss. Tess was already succumbing to the infection, as she was twitching. The tendrils were simply speeding it up and adding her to their network. That's why they didn't all rush her even though she was in plain view. They sensed she was already one of them.

[@mrknowhere6457]

@@MajorasThoughts why don't people realize it wasn't a kiss? Was it a bit weird, yeah, but it was supposed to be. It's not a kiss, it's how the Infected latch onto her brain. The grandma was doing the same in episode 1

[@jordanbouma9843]

That building in the finale of the episode was filmed in the Legislature Building in Edmonton, Alberta. Where I live. When I played the game with my brother back in 2014, he said "That building looks a lot like the Legislature Building." And in a weird prophetic turn of events, nearly a decade later, the Legislature became that exact building. And I ended up working as a grip on the show.

[@titusshaver5556]

I would absolutely love to see your stories, you get to see any of those infected extras up close??

[@Jack0834]

I have pictures of the hospital, I paint and I painted over the set after they were done. Cool stuff

[@nowahblanco9935]

life man.

[@Pdrock2001]

You mean the Capitol building in the game ??

[@dlbutters7164]

And my daddy works for Microsoft and Nintendo.

[@MoonWielder]

The dialogue with her looking for the map and asking where Ellie is supposed to go, leading up to Ellie realizing that Tess is infected, is almost spot on from the game.

[@benwasserman8223]

Yeah. Though apparently the cause of death was changed because Mazin pointed out to Druckmann “Why would FEDRA travel all the way out here for two smugglers if it’s that dangerous?” Which makes sense when you think about it.

[@zachinkins1839]

Wasn't the implication that FEDRA killed the Fireflies there?

[@kwasihill7233]

@@benwasserman8223 FEDRA was looking for fireflies

[@daninjadasinful1139]

@@zachinkins1839 It was but Joel said someone got infected then they turned on each other.

[@ironbran12]

​@Don't Read Profile Picture don't read my comment

[@theskycrusader7100]

That fungus kiss of death was absolutely GNARLY. the Fungus being an alarm to signal the other infected was such a cool change that i'm glad they made

[@ceougin20]

I wonder if there’s a clause in Pedro’s contract that states he doesn’t wear masks. I think during the burn pit scene in the pilot he was the only one NOT wearing a bandanna. 🤔

[@J-manli]

@@ceougin20 I don't think there's an actual paper with that precise wording, but I do think that he definitely voiced his preferences very early in production.

[@Loliston]

@@ceougin20 You know he is the one playing Mandalorian right? You know, the character that *never* takes off his mask... Not having the spores is kinda sad, but opened up other possibilities, like this hive mind characteristic that isn't present in the games I I'm pretty sure they got more tricks up their sleeves, the bloater for example probably won't have his ranged attack, at least not from the same kind we're familiar with

[@coladecker3792]

@@J-manli probably something to do with the mandolorian

[@mikea2410]

@@ceougin20 no the director him self said the spores didn'take sense and didn't want to do it so him and Neil came up with a new idea

[@Pete-vz5uj]

Near the end of the episode I was a bit surprised not to see Joel take the gear/supplies that was laying around.

[@johnphilipmacaraeg3454]

Still preffered collect bit and pieces for a Makeshift Grenade.. lols...

[@justsaiyansteve]

Joel has Crafting on his side. Lmao.

[@ryans413]

I can believe no one’s thrown a bottle or brick yet

[@darthcaedus9130]

They had a minute. Panic time

[@cameronroy2129]

Or tess not use a grenade ...

[@gl1tterbeam157]

As someone who hasn't played or seen any of the games this show is doing a really good job at worldbuilding and exposition for the viewer to understand what's going on. I'm hooked!

[@E-Chap]

As someone who has played the games they're following the story we know and love but still giving more world building and background that we haven't seen yet. It's a win win for both! Great show.

[@putinmahcochin1636]

Turns out all it takes for these things to be good is let the actual creators be involved. Who tf knew? Lol Seriously though, I like knowing that any changes done are at least "okay'd" by someone who had a hand in building it originally. So far everything done differently has been done well and in aid of the lore, story, and atmosphere.

[@joshh390]

I feel like the world building is so boring… it feels like late season walking dead. People with attitudes and personal problems…. It’s hardly about the world it’s a character drama and the characters have come off very annoying to me

[@logistaur]

@Josh H well yes because its 20 year after the infection, people are sick of this shit lol

[@joshh390]

@@logistaur yeah and in fallout it goes hundreds of years in the future and has a much more dreadful but still uplifting tone. Last of us is not uplifting, not dreadful… just boring.

[@anthonylesley982]

Seeing Anna torv again makes me want mindhunter Season 3 even more

[@soruyo210]

No wonder she seemed so familiar

[@emerystones1102]

Starting a fringe rewatch as we speak

[@800Ms-k6n]

I think once Fincher is finished with his new movie on Netflix, Mindhunter might be back for season 3 because Netflix once say that they won't make another Mindhunter season until Fincher is available

[@mithex8414]

Mindhunter is fucking amazing

[@steinchentv9533]

Holy shit i was wondering where I've seen her before

[@Vballnut2117]

I noticed in this episode at the beginning Joel opens a door that creaks exactly the way clickers sound, thought that was pretty genius foreshadowing

[@grizzlygrimgaming1530]

I noticed too!!

[@Alex_Logan22]

They straight up used a clicker sound, I thought there was one.

[@PopcornAndPolaroids]

I thought that too! Perfect sound editing.

[@thephilosopher7173]

Another subtle detail is when he actually fights the clicker, it knocks the gun away as he tries to shoot. A detail from the game that meant you were probably gonna die lol.

[@kendolandon]

I kind of like how the cold opens are giving us the backstory of the initial outbreak, starting from the 60s then to Jakarta being where patient zero was, i kinda hope they continue it with the one in the finale being how Joel and Sarah's neighbour got it so it comes full circle. Its just like supplementary material, like the comics/books in the Watchmen graphic novel.

[@Frostwolf_103]

The factory workers have finished loading up the shipment and then they turned to attack the other workers which the truck driver got away, the shipment would no doubt arrive at U.S.A in few days as if nothing happened.

[@guyjperson]

She gets it from flour. Sometimes you get Hulk blood, sometimes you get deadly world killing fungus

[@SolidSnake240]

Man the decision to use tendrils as a vector for infection paid off. My skin started to itch every time they showed those damn things lol.

[@justsaiyansteve]

Its way creepyer than spores.

[@connorgolden4]

I agree. They’re disturbing good lord!

[@jackjohn4156]

But spores are more realistic if we are going to be honest here

[@nathanthom8176]

@@justsaiyansteve there will be spores though as they have mentioned them (Ellie specifically asks about the rumoured bloater and how it spews spores). The tendrils are a representation of the fungus spreading through the body, spores only ever happen to late stage bodies so you won't see them in relation to runners, stalkers or clickers. Most of the time we don't see spores in the game and most of the infection was spread through bites.

[@ryhanon7]

They're both realistic. One isn't any more realistic than another. Different fungus operate in different ways.

[@kensredemption]

I know Anna Torv is getting a lot of love because of Fringe, but she was also Nariko in Heavenly Sword - a PS3 game as well. Y’all gotta give her even more love for being a PS veteran for this long. lol

[@JTGallant]

I did NOT know that and now I love her even more. Thank you for that.

[@kensredemption]

@@JTGallantAnytime. 👍🏽

[@camerondrugan8947]

I really like how the intro scenes, like the talk show or autopsy, feel like those little world notes you find hunting around the levels of the games. Like the notes, those scenes give you that background flavor of uncovering "what happened here".

[@shawng2470]

I was CERTAIN that she was going to get her fingers bitten off during the autopsy. The tension was so well done!

[@Tommygun23455]

Tess death was changed up drastically from the game, it was morbidly and disturbingly beautiful , a small minor change but it was improved upon and she went out with a BANG then in the game where she held off government forces. How she got bit was also off-screen but we can assume it’s by a clicker, in the game, we briefly saw a stalker bit her when we bashed open the door

[@TheListenerCanon]

If they do that by the later seasons...(SPOILERS for Pt. II) I really hope they change Joel's death to be less bullshit. Yes, I'm still salty about it but not as much as I was back in 2020/2021.

[@Loliston]

@@TheListenerCanon what's even bullshit about it? It's one of the most realistic deaths

[@pancakes_35]

@@Loliston It felt rushed and not as impactful as it could have in the moment, similar to Tess. A video game about an apocalypse doesn’t need to always be realistic, it needs to have more emotion and impact especially with really important characters like Joel

[@TheListenerCanon]

@@pancakes_35 And killing Joel shouldn't be that easy. It's far from realistic. He trust a bunch of strangers and din't even put up a fight. That's not the Joel I knew. Tess's death was realistic. Sam and Henry's death was realistic. And Sarah's death was realistic. Joel's death was rushed and didn't give me any impact. Maybe I don't think he deserve's hero's death anymore but he definitely doesn't deserve a loser zero's death as if he's some weak ass character. Yes, I did that to rhyme.

[@Loliston]

@@pancakes_35 I respectfully disagree, Abby wanted him dead, the opportunity presented itself and she took it, then and there And I'm sorry, if there's something that scene didn't lack was impact, it wasn't rushed it was just determined, she even made it last longer than it needed to, just so it could get even worse with Ellie screaming for her to stop His death was brutal and deeply impactful, for better and for worse

[@MrDe4dGuy34]

Tess’s last “kiss” is such a haunting moment for me. The scene prior to it with her pleading with Joel to leave with Ellie had that pause towards the end where Joel just stared at Tess in turmoil. It felt like Tess wanted him to say something more to her, perhaps that he did actually love her back, but Joel is such a closed off person he couldn’t say anything and just fled. Tess’s final moments were shared with a zombie “kissing” her with its tendrils without receiving closure from Joel about he felt about her. It was tragic, but at least she blew those zombies up before they could catch Ellie and Joel.

[@KodaVoss]

When that kiss started, I was thinking "ewh" and why would she let that happen, it took me a second to realize that she was trying to start the lighter without getting them all to attack her and prevent her from hopefully getting it to light. Anyway, creepy scene... BUT in the game when she dies, we realize how much we liked her... and I think the adaptation in the show has the same effect... Ellie at the end just kind of taking a pause from losing Tess... I remember taking that same pause when playing.

[@mbank3832]

One thing I just didn’t get is….. why the zombie still know how to kiss. Like it even tilted it’s head a little to avoid hitting Tess’s nose, not like a mindless touch

[@SitraSan]

@@mbank3832 The infected likely knew naturally how to most easily access the inside of the mouth/brain, one thing I've always liked about TLOU infected is that they seem to have the same natural instinctual motions a human would while they're alive and what would kill a living human kills them unlike "zombies". So it's likely the natural human instinct within the Stalker that lead into her mouth like that

[@mjfalcon007]

@@SitraSan Oh was that a stalker and not a runner! I thought it looked different, great pick up.

[@mjfalcon007]

@@KodaVoss This is awesome! I didn’t think of that! That love story gives this scene much more weight now even though it was an awesome but disturbing scene. Thank you

[@jstuartp]

I'm surprised that nobody talks about the tape for healing Tess's ankle ... Just like the game, even the sound of it, and Joel giving Ellie a scrap for the wound... Fantastic

[@danrib4048]

Except the tapes were never used in healing kits, it was cloths and alcohol

[@FreddyD177]

The beginning where the scientist examine the infected body and is telling them to bomb the city fckin scared me and it made me remember that feeling I would get while watching Chernobyl he gets the audience scared by having the actors give a sense of hopelessness I hope each episode has something like this at the beginning of each intro

[@pegasusactua2985]

"We'll be dead in five years" That line from Chernobyl hit so hard and when that scientist was telling them to bomb the city in this episode that had the same impact for me. Craig Mazin sure knows how to make dialogue that hits you hard.

[@MN-vz8qm]

This scene was bad. Well acted and all, but completely unbelievable. A scientist would just need to see a body and hear a story to advice bombing a city? ... Maybe have a little bit more evidence before going nuts, no?

[@ryans413]

Well it’s mentioned in the game briefly when Ellie asks what happened to the city. So it was kinda cool they connected that part with a new scene

[@Ahasnake]

@@MN-vz8qm She's literally the expert on mycology, she knows what to do and you don't

[@davidmurrell5143]

@@MN-vz8qm She knows that one infected, infected 4 others, she saw that even after the host died the fungus wasn't dead, and she knew that hours before 14 others, probably infected, escaped into the city. Oh and she knows there is no cure for the infection. At that point it is just maths, each infected can infect others, who can infect more etc it is an exponential growth pattern. Bombing the city is not going nuts, it is the best plan to stop the infection.

[@800Ms-k6n]

As an Indonesian myself and as a long time fan of Christine Hakim (the actress who played the doctor in the opening scene), I was absolutely surprised to see her in this series. Didn't expect her to be here but hey I'm glad that the creators got the right phenomenal Indonesian actress to play the character. She's a legend in my country so I'm proud for her to be in this, she really commands her screen time perfectly

[@JTGallant]

This is dope to see. My only experience with Indonesian cinema are The Raid films/Headshot/The Night Comes For Us, so when I saw this episode start in Jakarta, I was wondering what Indonesian perspective was on it/what actors may possibly be recognized. You're absolutely right, Christine killed it. Her scene at the end of that intro in particular was haunting.

[@thomasjuniardi3559]

She's my favorite actress since "Tjoet Nja' Dhien" (yes, I'm that old), once again HBO casting are remarkable finding the best actor/actress from around the globe for a small role but made big impact for the storytelling. We know now why government/military action dealing with the infection are so brutal, because the people that supposed to be optimistic like a scientist are feeling hopeless. Christine are the master of conveying desperation and hopelessness with her acting, there's no hope for humanity...until they had Ellie 😬

[@nicoberard5533]

I loved the line “guess ill just throw fuckin sandwichs at em”

[@Arthurvacca]

Anna Torv as Tess is completely underrated. What a fantastic performance!

[@MystikAzn4vr]

100%. I rarely feel like I miss a character but Tess was fkin awesome.

[@MrTelboy]

2 episodes in and they are nailing it so far. The production team have done an amazing job of creating the world and Pedro and Bella are great as Joel and Ellie, the rest of the cast too. Its so good to see a game I love so much be translated so well. Cant wait for more.

[@WhelmedButReady]

Interesting story about Jeremy's question on if he could've figured out the clickers without Joel mouthing it to Ellie. That small part in the episode was added in post production when an executive said to Neil and Craig (show runners) that she didn't understand how they worked. So they went back and added it in for audience members who wouldn't pick up on the context clues. This was explained on episode 2 of TLOU podcast

[@kennethgdula712]

You and Stuckmann, back to back. Gotta love it!

[@bighand1530]

Same

[@lgmxgrmx2088]

Just about to say that.

[@leocheung811]

Same!!! Got here right after Stuckmann's video :)

[@bensonstrumpet_tips]

Was thinking the same thing !! :)

[@bighand1530]

@@leocheung811 Haven’t seen his review yet

[@EvolutionSquare]

I think there is a possibility every episode will start with a flashback of some sort, to cover the initial events. The preview of episode 3 seems to show how Bill and Frank met, so perhaps that is the flashback at the start of that episode. I would personally really like it, to give us more insight into how things went down, because I really like the two we've gotten so far.

[@AidanS99]

That preview made me think that we might get a full on Bill and Frank episode.

[@nickchilds3155]

I liked the episode but the courthouse scene I think a lot of it was better executed in the game especially with troys “it is over Tess!” Line, but I liked how much Bella Ramsey was fighting like she didn’t wanna leave Tess behind.

[@animeshdwivedi9966]

Yes i guess it was because of the fact that we travel with tess a lot and in thise travels she talks a lot so it's more screentime basically.....I was hoping they would give us a glimpse of those dark things that joel and tess had to do to survive to deepen the lore a little bit but i guess tbey wanna play it real safe...like the "be innovative... but only a tad bit"

[@razvanzamfir1545]

@@animeshdwivedi9966 those might still come. I have a feeling that once we get to see Tommy (or maybe a little before), we'll get a bit of backstory on the trio during the outbreak

[@solidsnake7167]

@@razvanzamfir1545 Anna toro is credited in 5 episodes apparently, so it seems as if they’ll be flashbacks and added color

[@y2jjerichoy2js]

Only 2 episodes in and I’m already convinced this show is the greatest Video Game adaption ever . Loved how they introduced the clickers !

[@josemv25]

It all falls apart after this

[@skyman246vids4]

@@josemv25hater

[@baron6588]

@@josemv25I will remember your comment for future reference, wether it does or not, I will be here to judge you.

[@josemv25]

@@skyman246vids4 hater? I loved the first two episodes

[@josemv25]

@@baron6588 there are more important things to worry about

[@booms3545]

Concerning the opening in Indonesia, I believe there will be a new opening each episode as a way of world building. In The Last of Us podcast, Mazin said that one thing he learned when creating Chernobyl is that these tragedies don't really just "happen". There were warnings, which we see with the talk show and the sequence in Indonesia. Mazin wanted to show how this all started and how people reacted to learning of the fungal apocalypse around the world. The other reason behind these openings is more of a stylistic choice. Mazin is a fan of Vince Gilligan's work, specifically how Vince is able to create openings that either "reorient" or "disorient" people. Mazin chooses to disorient. I highly recommend listening to the official podcast, as it gives a lot of good insight as to their thought process and reasoning, especially about the changes they made to the game.

[@zepher_blackstoc2366]

Got to love the new addition to the infection. The fungus can communicate with other infected, making it hard to out run them or fight them off.

[@KillerTacos54]

I love how right out of the gate, they addressed your biggest criticism with episode 1 about how Joel and Tess didn't take any time to discuss Ellie's bite. But in fact they ended up spending more time on that in this episode than they did in the game. Really really great stuff!

[@SSJ2Phenom]

The dialogue where they're on top of the museum roof and looking at the Capitol building and Joel says, "Well, is that everything you hoped for" and Ellie said, "Jury's still out.", was IDENTICAL to the game. Honestly, so far this is easily the best video game adaptation of all time. It's even beyond that, though. It's simply superb television. Outstanding in every way. Hopefully this will set the standard for both video game adaptations and apocalyptic television. So so good.

[@FrazzyNZ]

Love the new tweaks to the dynamic of the infected. I understand the reasoning for showrunner not to include spores/face masks. However, i love the addition of how the vein like vines are a way to set off infected in the area. Plus the part when Joel checks a vine to see if the infection was still alive in the museum before entering it

[@thegamingking2823]

Huge props to Neil Druckmann, he directed this episode and he did a really good job I felt

[@Fmakegeo6]

Actually the directing was the weakest point of this episode. Dialogue pacing was a bit bad, scene jumps were not as good as the first episode etc. Attention to details of characters and scenes were much better in episode 1. I was slightly disappointed

[@thedondon911911]

@@Fmakegeo6 this episode was way better directed than ep 1, that cinematography was amateurish and the pacing was too fast

[@thegamingking2823]

@@Fmakegeo6 that’s fair for your opinion, but to me I’m impressed since he’s never directed something live action and he’ll only get better from here

[@joshh390]

@@thedondon911911 that’s a joke….. cinematography in this episode was so much worse. God this show is so overrated

[@feral_orc]

Neil Druckmann is a horrible person, so no props to him

[@brianegendorf2023]

I liked that they took a moment to show what was going on in another part of the world just prior to the outbreak. It gives the show a little more weight. The actress that played the doctor really sold it. And like you said, I like that there are locales in the show that you can recognize from the game. I didn't quite remember the "hive mind" aspect of the infected from the game, but watching it action on the TV show is terrifying. In the game, most of the time if the infected became aware of you, it was just the ones within a few rooms cause they were just social enough to communicate. Now it looks like they are saying, half a city can suddenly be aware of you cause of the hive mind! Holy crap! That can get really bad really fast.

[@nerzenjaeger]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this channel. Always stayed on track over all these years.

[@thats-mister-dusk890]

Thank you for pointing out Anna Trov and her time on Fringe such an amazing show, deserves to come back for another season.

[@JustinSmith-ux1th]

I thought one detail was pretty brilliant that I think most people are going to overlook. Is when Tris Joel and Ellie Go into the building and then the entire floor Caves in so they can't go that way anymore. So therefore to push on forward like they do in the game. I like that little nod.

[@primarybufferpanel9939]

Fringe was underrated! It was so great seeing her turn up in Mindhunter. A Fincher film with her and Cate Blanchett playing sisters would be awesome.

[@KeepUpTheFPS]

As someone who played only the intro of the game but i also know how it ends, I was really interested to see whats in the middle, so far, love the show. but even as someone who hasnt played it, some scenes give a really big videogame cutscene vibe. (like when they got stuck by debris and she says im going to go around and unlock the door. that is such a video game setup XD

[@AT-yg4nk]

Damn. This show is beyond incredible!! I can’t believe how well they portray the world and how accurate everything is. THIS is how you do a proper videogame adaptation!!!! So far both episodes are incredibly well done.

[@sons714native4]

I knew the fate of Tess, but man that reveal still left me teary eyed. 🥺

[@AdiusOmega]

Isn't it incredible how emotional something can be even though you fully expect it. That's the power of acting for ya.

[@coleviney4740]

I'm hyped you got your review out so early on this one usually you take your time on these but knowing you put it out on the same day means you really like this show

[@sarmadhabibkhan3036]

I need them to continue doing these flashbacks to normal civilization prior to, or during, the outbreak. Because I really feel like The Chernobyl director can get HELLA CREATIVE with the world building here. Plus the perspective of everyone else vs the perspective of Joel and Ellie will make *what comes in the end* all the more emphatic.

[@LavenousForever]

Joel explaining that the clickers are blind was a reshoot because people weren’t getting that they couldn’t see. They talked about it on the podcast HBO makes with the guy who played Joel in the game. I wasn’t sure if they meant test audiences didn’t get it or if it was post production people seeing it… but either way, they also thought people would be able to figure it out and apparently they didn’t so they reshot him telling Ellie

[@thezippergunboogie]

1. I appreciate you giving Anna Torv props. Like you, she’ll always be Agent Dunham for me and I’ll always have a deep appreciation and fondness for Fringe. She was great in Mindhunter, too and hope to see her in even more things. 2. The point you made about “nostalgia being a byproduct” and “not using nostalgia for the game to sell the show, which you respect” is exactly the point I just couldn’t find the words to properly express. Thank you!

[@maximiliandort3489]

i really, really wanted somebody to throw a bottle in the Museum.

[@eminator25]

in the companion podcast, neil and craig mention how the bit where joel mouths “they can’t see but they can hear” was actually a reshoot. apparently one of their producers who hadn’t played the game said she was still kind of confused about the mechanics of the clickers after watching that scene. so they added that bit in so first time viewers could understand better.

[@tambulee]

that clicking sound still makes my heart rate go up. I was screaming at them to use their ability to sense how close the clickers were. 🤣

[@himynameisfin]

They're on Grounded difficulty

[@R_Aceves]

I was yelling at them to throw a molotov 🤣

[@TheRibottoStudios]

"It does give me that Chernobyl flare." Makes sense since this is produced by the same people who made Chernobyl which I think will go down as one of THE best biopics in history. That show was absolutely incredible....Which is funny because going IN we all know what happens, so the show should've been boring as tar, but it wasn't. Because of good quality storytelling, that transferred over here. If you've played the game, you know what's coming, but there are people out there who still cry no matter what at Sarah's death, and the debates will FLY across tumblr and Twitter and Reddit when THAT scene happens. Believe you me. And here, when the doc was like "nuke EVERYONE." that doesn't come across as over the top, because remember in the first episode, another doctor outright said "we lose" if a fungi infection ever found its way into humanity. Her fear was warranted and justified. And keep in mind that "we lose" bit also also the fact that there's no cure or vaccine FOR fungi infections. There just ISN'T. Because fungi behave differently from normal viruses. Keep that in mind.

[@ameliacraiig4193]

It goes without saying how brilliant the older, more seasoned actors are in this show, but so far I'm really impressed with Bella Ramsey. What a precocious young actor with a diverse amount of range!

[@hockey_two]

Being from Edmonton, Alberta, it's cool seeing some of the sets on site in our downtown and our legislature building. I enjoyed seeing it be filmed here! Looking forward to the rest of the season.

[@Zelinity]

so demolished Boston was actually filmed in Edmonton?

[@ceougin20]

That must’ve been so fucking cool! I’d like to end up in a place that gets used for film locations like that. Except maybe Atlanta.

[@vvsparis]

@@Zelinity Calgary as well, they had closed off large parts of downtown Calgary in 2021 to shoot some of the Boston scenes

[@hockey_two]

@@Zelinity yup, that’s our provincial building and while I worked downtown they had the vines on the building. All the license plates were all set to Boston, Massachusetts.

[@hockey_two]

@@vvsparis that and Canmore for the mountain scenes. It’s been a cool thing to see and I hope more movies/tv series continue to film here (like the film the Revenant).

[@centurionvyg163]

Cordyceps zombies are the most terrifying zombie type that I have ever seen and we have seen so many different zombies throughout the years. Fungi coming out of people's mouth it is so creepy and horrifying.

[@TheLazarusOperation]

The ONLY downside to this episode was realizing that the rest (barring the finale maybe) will only be an hour long instead of 1.5 like the premiere

[@albertomontesinos]

It really felt like a 25 min episode, it's that good

[@cyberklashnikov3062]

@@albertomontesinos I think episode 3 is 80 mins

[@isessogroup]

The tenseness of this episode. The angst was constant… i love for people to try to scare me… this was butter over toast… 🔥

[@EmileVinesh]

The set design and sound design was just incredible! They made the Clickers really terrifying and dangerous. Loved that! Interesting changes they made for the show regarding the infected; how they're all connected through the Cordyceps on the floor as well.

[@LotanLevant]

Glad we got more of Tess. Hopefully some Joel flashbacks show some of their relationship.

[@Spawn_2003]

Really liked how the infected were connected, like the roots of a tree, amazing detail.

[@SoldierSpiderx]

They are doing a really good job with this show. This is what you get when the writers and production team are fans off the material they are working on Amazon should take notes and Im really enjoying how they're adding new backstory to the virus, that intro was just so cool while making you feel uneasy.

[@SKY_KINGDOM.07]

The fact that Indonesia is one of the largest flour exporting countries in the world today makes the sequence of events in the series closer to reality. Since Joel and his daughter did not eat any meals containing flour in the first episode (cakes... pancakes... cookies) and also that Joel was on a diet, it indicates that they were less likely to be infected with the fungus than the rest of the people of the area or city in Texas. During the game this sequence of events is not made clear, so I find it a great idea to include it in the series.

[@pyroAdapt]

I really love the attention to detail that the writers put into every piece of dialog in every subtle bodything the characters do whenever Tess asks Ellie if she's going to have a dad or a mom or a boyfriend come looking for sir Ali kinda awkwardly answers but says nooo ..... That is not something Ellie would just openly talk about if ever so I applaud the writers for not making her say something like "because I'm lesbian"

[@Pr0jectATLAS]

It’s crazy that Tess didn’t stop moving on her own, since Tess was becoming one of them the fungus started controlling her the moment they locked eyes which is why Tess was frozen but only moving her eyes. She couldn’t move anymore & when the infected started kissing her they were just bonding even more and at that point Tess was becoming one of them

[@looots1320]

I thought it was because of fear

[@jamieragan3610]

I think realistically she stopped moving because moving would cause her to be swarmed by the infected and she wouldn't be able to strike the lighter and send the place up in flames

[@1ts_aznboi65]

Well honestly that wasn't supposed to happen in the game she had spared time to take out fedra before she died instead she got kiss to death

[@averya9802]

Uhhhh If this were the case I highly doubt she would have striked the lighter at all...

[@Snake19644]

Fear is more effective than any fungus.

[@JesseVueFitness]

Rooftop scene was spot on! The portrait of Joel and Ellie before Tess tells them to hurry up was legit identical

[@cable7152]

Another phenomenal episode, I love how they build suspense that feels like the game, the sound design and musical score is top notch. I admit though I was screaming at Tess to just pick up a grenade, pull the pin, and wait, because all she would have to do is drop that shit if she was knocked down or something.

[@philbeaty248]

Wow! I look forward to Sunday night now. This show has not let me down. Even though I have played the games, my husband didn't sit and watched me. And he even loves the show. I even love how they changed from the troops to the infected on the last part. When the infected went in and gave Tess, I guess you would call it a narly kiss. That was awesome. Looking forward to next Sunday!

[@silashurd3597]

I like how Bella’s Ellie shows more character in this episode. The scene where she briefly role plays as a hotel manager was something I could imagine video game Ellie doing. Also the museum battle was great and intensifying!

[@thecockneyterritory4869]

She did do that in the game

[@kvol1668]

The surround sound for this episode was awesome. Great sense of the space and distance that was covered.

[@gabevillarrealedits]

My wife was so excited when she recognized the hotel/Clicker scene. She doesn’t play video games but she’s seen me play The Last of Us so many times over the years. Guess she actually was paying attention 😂

[@Frostwolf_103]

Yeah, that particular hotel from Pittsburgh QZ arc does certainly remind me of the entrance.

[@ceougin20]

The first lines of dialogue between Joel and Ellie in the Hotel: PERFECTION. Same J&E from the game, just different flavor. I’m REALLY gonna love what they’ve got next. Can’t wait to see Bill and Meet Frank.

[@dobrepytanie828]

- You’re a weird kid - YOU’RE a weird kid

[@jackjohn4156]

“Meet Frank”… Okay This is getting some checkboxes across

[@ceougin20]

@@jackjohn4156 spoilers. .. . . . . . .we’ve met all the other characters before. We HAVEN’T met Frank yet. At least while he’s been breathing.

[@jackjohn4156]

@@ceougin20 And why should we care? That’s called fluff

[@ceougin20]

@@jackjohn4156 He was referenced in Boston as well as Bill’s town. I’m just curious to know him. Can’t blame me for being a little excited to meet a dude who’s dead when we see him.

[@rednax99]

When they heard the clicker sound in the distance on the bridge, I could relate to their terrified reactions, because they used the same sound from the game, and I know how terrifying it is to encounter them

[@xman011101]

My only gripe from her death is they didn’t take her back back, the food and supplies 😭

[@sydney4525]

The show so far is doing a good job of explaining on how the infected work. Watching it with my dad and both having never played the game immediately caught onto the fact that the version of infected in this episode use sound to hunt which probably meant they can’t see.

[@Tadicuslegion78]

I am so happy they tried to keep the clickers as practical as possible

[@silverfilmsofficial]

I'm honestly blown away with the changes, I would have never guessed they added this much but it's nice

[@Dj-gb1wp]

“Do they pull out spores in the air?” “No…” “Is it true their head split open?” “…” Nailed it

[@TychoCelchu]

I get that they were trying to build tension, but it was kinda dumb that she kept trying to light the lighter when there were a load of grenades on the floor. Just use one of those.

[@phillyjackson45]

Episode 2 was short but sweet. Hats off to Neil. Very tense and loved how they were able to make the Clickers more unsettling than they already were. Can’t wait for episode 3 which seems to be the best of the season I’m hearing with Bill and Frank

[@rockys201]

Keep your hopes in check because Neil Druckmann is that much of an SJW weasel that he'll screw this series up

[@munehboi]

I though the suspense scenes were average

[@jackjohn4156]

Yeah “seems” as in a checkbox. Let’s not care about themes of the game and care about self insertion… So cool. I hope i can find this comment after a week

[@happybluedog]

Enjoyed it greatly but there were some common sense things that I just scratched my head. The point of their journey is to get a battery for a truck. In the building they come across a bunch of dead people with dropped weapons, Ellie is asking for a gun both episodes, it doesn't occur to her to pick up that shotgun? The come across a working truck and not even try it. Come to a building loaded with supplies and not check for food/ammo/useful gear? That's not just a game thing, any r/l person surrounded by enemies and low on ammo would at lease pick up a clip. Overall a great adaptation and I am really enjoying it, it's just things like that pull me out of the experience that I just do not understand the writer's decisions. Excellent review JJ as always, ty.

[@Blue-dn4ku]

Those clickers were on point! 👏 👏 👏

[@hmat3255]

The episode was a bit too short, yet it worked though. I like the newly added intro with the Indonesian actors, they were phenomenal. Also Anna Torv shines in this episode.

[@EdwardGutierrez90]

Very good episode👍🏼👍🏼 I LOVED the intro to this episode, the lady just saying to bomb ourselves without even thinking twice about it was just like “woah…”

[@jeffrym9625]

I had the same reaction when it click it was Anna Torv from Fringe, such a good show and was happy to see her here and since they haven't continue with a third season of Mindhunter

[@BetweenTheLyons]

I really appreciate that many of us had the same thought, I would have grabbed a few grenades as well, for the road.

[@waterwaveybaby]

I wasn’t fully on board during episode 1, I liked it but I didn’t really see what sets this apart from other zombie shows (I haven’t played the games) but this episode was truly incredible, I love how they’re fully leaning into the fungi element and using pre existing scientific concepts to explain the zombie behaviour, just makes it that tad more believable

[@darrenmcguigan8466]

Love this man's enthusiasm

[@bighand1530]

Same

[@Saiyan1229]

I really hope they show more of the beginning of the outbreak. It was so interesting to see

[@Philosophical24]

Phenomenal episode, and even better review! Keep it up Jeremy 👌🏼🙌🏼

[@AnayaImari]

I was waiting for the whole Tess movement. That’s one of my favorite scenes in the video game. But Tess didn’t give off those “bad ass” vibes like in the game and honestly that disappointed me a lot. The whole throw up in my mouth thing was so cringe as well lol.

[@KoongYe]

I think not having the GASP when Joel sees Tess' infection like in the game was a missed opportunity. That was the part in the game that made me feel Joel's care for her.

[@Erawk]

Oh man, I totally am having "anxiously awaiting the next episode" feels too. I am excited to watch this show, like I was when I played the game.

[@mister-pinkman]

The way you described Tess dying in the game was a very surface level observation, that is one of the most well acted scenes in the whole game. You can tell Joel did not want to leave her behind but had to put his emotions to the side. The way he says “I can fight” and Tess shoves him and says “just go” you can tell they had a thing at one point or another.

[@Alex_Logan22]

Yea he completely overlooked it, wasn’t much different from the show.

[@SolidSnake240]

Yea i was scratching my head like "i dont think he remembers that scene too well" lol

[@Reydriel]

To be fair, the new Remake improves this scene a ton with the upgraded facial animations. I don't think a lot of og fans know this, so I highly suggest you look it up if you haven't already

[@votdfak]

This dude hated TLOU2 too, brilliant POV game, what's meaningless for someone it's everything for other person. So, he really likes to hate on Naughty Dog.

[@jackjohn4156]

@@votdfak Wow you don’t understand the difference between hate and criticism, cool and you liked TLOU2? Wow you need actual help

[@BULLETSCARER]

As someone who's played the game nonstop, I love the series and the changes happening in it. Like, they are cutting some stuff out from the game to the show, and some changes like how the infected work. I also like how its the infected who get Tess makes sense. I thought it was weird how Tess and the infected was kinda making out lol. Ik they weren't making out, but that's what it looked like lol. The clickers were great. Like, I loved that.

[@munehboi]

Kinda prefer Tess' last stand in the game tbh.

[@SirAwesomeVille]

After I saw the first episode I watched some gameplay, and during the 2nd episode I commented to my brother (who's a big fan of the game) that Tess is a total badass in the game. His response was: "Oh, I don't even remember her." Then the look of terror in his eyes when he realized he spoiled the episode LOL

[@1804Mak]

Looool damn

[@JumbletonPeatrice]

I was skeptical about the changes they made to the infected and how spores were done away at first, but after seeing episode 2, I was absolutely blown away with how much more terrifying they just made it. The hive mind concept was absolutely brilliant and within reality in nature. And don’t get me started on the clickers. I don’t know how, but they are somehow even more horrific and scary than in the game. The sounds they make, the way they shamble around, the consequences of getting caught by them are scarier than the clickers themselves and I cannot commend Neil and Greg enough for not just getting them right, but getting them better.

[@92brunod]

You didn't play the game, did you? In the game if a clicker got close to you, you're dead. How can you say they were more dangerous here when Joel is shown to just fight it back and hold it?

[@jackjohn4156]

@@92brunod Most of them didnot actually play the games, believe me.

[@jackjohn4156]

Did you actually commend Neil? Yeah you didn’t play the games lol

[@ARottenMuffin]

I don't know if I misremembered it, but I'm almost certain there's an importantl line that was left out for Tess that she says in the game, where she tells Joel or says along the lines of 'You know I can't have kids' or something, which I thought was strange to leave out but I guess they killed her off in the second episode so we don't get much time to develop her character but I thought it added good backstory to why she was more insistent on helping Ellie and sets up how Joel never moved on. Also I gotta say I was disappointed they didn't have the underground metro area, I really wanted to see how they would've done that from the game but no dice.

[@splitfinger7719]

Two episodes in a row the opening scene slowly build a terrifying suspense. I hope they keep this up because it’s been fantastic so far

[@jamiewillis7093]

One thing I liked was that the museum or the hotel was a choice for them obviously in the game you go through the hotel to get to the museum but I liked that it took us to the hotel and they were like “nope gunna have to go the museum way” it stream lined it while also taking us to both locations even if just temporary for the hotel

[@kalebhawkeyekj1933]

Coming from someone who's never played the game, episode 1 and 2 are two of the best episodes to TV I've ever seen

[@ceougin20]

Glad you’re enjoying it! All I can say now is… hold on to your butt.

[@ullho]

Oh yes, this show is going to have some amazing moments up ahead. Make sure you have tissues in the future episodes.

[@YouTubecanbitemyhairybanger]

Just wait until season 2 opens up with Joel getting murdered by a trans... No really. Then they make it the hero for the rest of the show

[@vincentgalipeau6389]

Are you serious? That's pathetic.

[@ygjjjgui]

@@KZbincanbitemyhairybanger dude that's a massive spoiler. He just said he hasn't played the game. Piss off

[@tbxvividos]

THANK YOU for calling out "Fringe"! One of the best, and most under appreciated, shows of all time! Part of me cries every time a reviewer only cites Anna Torv as being a side character in "Mindhunter" when she was literally the LEAD CHARACTER of "Fringe"!

[@why12983476why]

Mind blown, the tension in this show continues to amaze me and almost makes me feel like I'm holding a controller sometimes. It feels like the characters are at danger of dying any second which is crazy cause I played the game and know what happens lol.

[@JonesyBoi215]

Stepping on the glass shards in the museum!!! *chefs kiss*

[@benwasserman8223]

And people thought Bella Ramsey’s casting or the use of tendrils over spores would tank this adaptation. Those folk have egg and fungi on their face XD