The Last of Us: Episode 5 - Review

[@rikorobinson]

I think the reason they made Henry completely unaccustomed to committing violence is so that when his first act of violence is to kill his own brother, we DEFINITELY understand why his next move was to take his own life. I thought it was a smart move.

[@omanjackson17]

You don't really need that because at the end of day Henry killing his brother is the reason he shoot himself. I like him accustomed to killing because it made perfect sense when he got the gun he pointed to Joel first. Henry killed to defend his brother but now he had killed the person he wanted to defend. I found it poetic in the game.

[@rikorobinson]

@@omanjackson17 I respectfully disagree. I don't want a shot-for-shot retelling of a game I've played a million times. I'm glad it's different.

[@daityme2093]

@@rikorobinson Agreed

[@persgodiva]

Oh I hadn't thought of it that way ... man, that hits hard

[@omanjackson17]

@@rikorobinson I'm not asking for shot for shot. You can make changes and still hold that character traits. I like that Joel and Henry was two guys that would do anything for the people they loved and care about in the game. That why it was heartbreaking and shocking in the game when he had to shoot Sam. When his only goal was to protect his brother and he did everything for that goal but still fail it hurts. It made me think if Joel lose Ellie. He already failed one time in his mind but second time kill him.

[@catcharide56]

What I loved most was after Sam and Henry are buried Ellie just asks Joel which way is west. When Joel looks down at the graves you can tell he’s not just mourning the loss of two good people who died tragically, but also Ellie’s loss of innocence and increasing numbness to the cruelty of the world.

[@JLJ8039]

I thought the same. Joel had recently had that conversation with Sam about the children being ok and how it was easier to be a kid and not be responsiblefor someone. And then he sees how Ellie wrote sorry on the board.

[@unbanmekoil]

Ellie’s season 2 serial killer arc incoming

[@Babylauncher3000]

I wouldn't say Joel isn't mourning. He just doesn't do it with tears or pretty words. He does it with gestures of respect that dont benefit him. He knows fool well no volume of tears can undo the trauma of watching people you care about die in front of you. He showed respect by giving them a proper burial when everyone else in Kansas City would have left his corpse to rot or worse.

[@Babylauncher3000]

​​@@unbanmekoil As excited as I am to see Ellie slash a few throats in S2 we should taper expectations and expect an overall much smaller kill count. She probably won't be killing dozens and dozens of people like in the game. Joel in the show has killed 5 total people in half a season, where as in the game Joel and Tess killed more than twice that many when wiping out Robert's gang all the way back at Boston in the first hour of gameplay.

[@DUBS720]

@@Babylauncher3000 I thought it went without saying that it’s silly to compare kill counts from a video game when playing as the character, and a TV show adaptation? Apples vs oranges

[@haidenmartin5910]

I loved the idea to have ellie to try and use her blood to help sam. its just such a desperate move yet you can tell how confident she feels about it. shes completely willing to even sleep in the same room. so i think it just makes the scene all the more tragic.

[@underscore_5450]

Plus it's such a kid thing to do, which is great. With all the violence and death and surviving going on, it's easy to forget that Ellie is just a kid. She doesn't know how her immunity works or how the infection really works because why would she? I think it's such a great little detail.

[@AmariMarvelous]

@@underscore_5450 and great little touch Ellie did..figuratively and literally.

[@christyshultz6443]

U know it's a lie right? They can geta cure from her but is not her blood.. Joel will never let it happen.

[@haidenmartin5910]

@@christyshultz6443 I've played the game and you replied after the season finished tf was the point 💀 the ENTIRE point of her trying to use her blood was to show her child like ignorance and almost full proof belief that this thing would be so simple

[@christyshultz6443]

@@haidenmartin5910 I don't wach the show. It's encase you didn't know.

[@scubalubaduba3197]

I loved the moment in the end where Ellie tries to save Sam with her blood. It feels like something that a kid who just found out she's the only person in the world who is immune would do. She wants to save people. And it was heartbreaking that she couldn't. Also that Bloater was rad as hell. I'm still loving this show.

[@mannylugz5872]

It seems the "cure" for the cordyceps is not in her blood. Its probably in her brain or bone marrow. Also, as of this minute, not a single country in the world have ever developed a vaccine for any fungi infections. Only medications if you are already sick of it. Which means even if they found out what is making Elliie immune, scientists wont be able to easily replicate it and just inject it to everybody. They need to find out what's in her body, and then create a synthetic version of it, which they will then use to cure those already infected.

[@stianbye3599]

I feel like that also justifies the decision not to let Ellie die in the end. That the virus cure isn’t a 100% guaranteed if she dies.

[@blackticalmayhem8461]

@@stianbye3599 exactly 🤝

[@Flanel_]

SpiderElly starts to belive she is the special One to save her younger brother-> she has cold in her eyes at the end. That was brutal ending.

[@IronKhamees]

Spoiler alart from "the last of us part 2" the game, if you didn't play it don't read, When I finished that game i felt so sad for a week or something, and when ellie told to sam that she's afraid of being alone, i remembered the ending and it broke my heart once again,

[@jacotromp59581]

Joel's face when Ellie was in danger was the best acting of the show so far. Pedro sold the emotions perfectly

[@braydenshaffer9040]

Okay.

[@Dollsanity]

I totally agree. I haven’t seen many reactors/commenters talk about it. Pedro’s intensity and focus trying to “sniper” her to safety had me on the edge of my seat.

[@aligoudarzi3724]

Mf had shown his emotional range behind a mask in Mandalorian; We had no single idea how he'd do unmasked and boy did he do some outstanding emotional performance in the show; Dude's a walking gem.

[@unbanmekoil]

Also Ellie’s face after Henry’s death… 😔

[@mexicanadian0846]

Perfectly said. That was literally what I noticed during that scene. It was like an unspoken trust, fear and love between those two in that scene. Joel saying with his actions, "I got you covered girl, RUN!!!" Ellie saying with her actions and face, "I trust this man with my life" Beautiful story telling with no words, only actions.

[@jordanplanas176]

When Ellie witnessed Henry shoot himself and let out that little scream, it was heartbreaking. I feel like not enough people are talking about that part. It felt so genuine. Bella's acting was amazing there.

[@Rob801]

I noticed, and agree completely. And as others have said, this is one of the few times I really disagree with Jahns. I loved this episode (and I have played the game, recently).

[@LARSTAKA-666]

That broke me. Great acting.

[@im_Spade_]

OMG same 😭 that just combo'd straight into a few seconds of silence was absolutely devastating

[@thereisnocarolinHR]

@@Rob801 I know I really wasn’t expecting him to dislike it as we usually agree and this is one of my favorite episodes. Bella was amazing! And Kathleen was a lot creepier this episode.

[@MrEffinBest]

The whole scene was just so heartbreaking and believable. They really put the audience right into that incredibly traumatic moment. Really well done all around.

[@radamantoor6073]

I think the fact that Henry has never killed anyone in the show is brilliant and heartbreaking. Because that means the first life he ever took was that of his own brother, that shit’s fucked.

[@Nukefandango]

Yeeeeep

[@gwinnellheald8592]

@@a.block.of.tofu. he meant that he had by ratting. He never actively killed anyone himself. But gave others up to fedra, who would kill them

[@colonelliot8]

It's added more depth to his reasoning to kill himself so quickly. He betrayed everyone, to save his brother and ultimately ended up being the one who killed him. Tragic.

[@sentientmustache8360]

@@a.block.of.tofu. there’s a difference between dooming someone to die and killing them yourself

[@Babylauncher3000]

​@@a.block.of.tofu. Henry meant he killed him byproxy by turning him over to people he knew would execute him. In the video he says that storyline is overcooked but I'd argue it will mirror how Joel will feel when Marlene reveals the truth to him in the hospital and will motivate him to do the things that he does there.

[@DeandreHannah]

idk i feel like the balance of henry not actually hurting anyone and the only person he’s ever killed was sam was absolutely more heartbreaking. he couldn’t live with it at all and then ended up killing himself. that really put back the sense of dread for this show that we continue to experience together

[@GourSmith]

He killed himself because he lost his brother and didn’t want to live anymore … Not because he was some pure and holy saint. Stop the goofiness.

[@Alex_Logan22]

@@GourSmith He didn't say it was one or the other, but that the added backstory added to the drama of the cause. Think about it, what Henry did for Sam caused the resistance to win, which then led to the infected killing everyone, there's a ton of guilt there already so when the moment comes where he kills Sam, the weight of it is now tenfold.

[@GourSmith]

@@Alex_Logan22 He made a comparison. He said the show was more heartbreaking than the game. Therefore-there was literally no reason for you to respond.

[@tristin5668]

@@GourSmith you moved the goalposts lol. They said they found the show version more heartbreaking. Your original comment made it out as if they said Henry was some saint, which no one ever claimed he was.

[@GourSmith]

@@tristin5668 I didn’t watch the episode, so I have no idea what goofy was talking about

[@shinigami1357]

As someone who has never played the game, I can say I expected one of them to get bit during the hoard, but they way they died man.. it broke me. I was not expecting THAT outcome

[@EzeICE]

They died the same exact way in the game, but the show did a better job in fleshing out Henry and Sam's story a bit more. The choice of making Sam deaf was a brilliant choice in that in a post-apocalyptic world, he would definitely need to rely on Henry and was a terrifying situation that would be for him.

[@timheinrich3752]

IMO it hits even harder in the game. Not saying the show is bad (because for some reason every statement has to be qualified with that first), but I definitely preferred how to game handled it.

[@Thefirstbrady]

play the game right now. It's perfect.

[@MrPelao911]

When that happened to me in the game it broke me too, i had to stop playing for a couple of days after that lol

[@christyshultz6443]

People die

[@rutgerrichard5175]

Wow, I must say I felt completely the opposite way on this one. I was a bit sceptic about the changes made in the past (Ellie never meeting Bill, the spores, etc,...). But nearly if not all the changes that they made in this episode enhanced the story so much in my opinion. The fact that they made an actual story about Henry and Sam's backstory, where Henry's choice ties in so beautifully as mirror to the ending of the of the game (and even gives some foreshadowing for part II with the revenge theme), is just amazing. It's hard to believe we even watched the same thing...

[@chrisbrown8748]

100% agree! Every other review I watched loved this episode so I’m not sure what Jeremy was watching but this was a masterpiece.

[@MrMrPetarpetrovic]

Me too. I feel like Jeremy is too harsh on the show. The show is so noticeably deeper than the game in manner of plot and character depth.

[@caiusd.assassin1928]

@@MrMrPetarpetrovic woah now, it's getting hot in here.

[@rutgerrichard5175]

@@deathrattle5869 I still think they nail the “show don’t tell” writing style to be honest. And while adding backstory that actually tells a lot about the characters and ties in with the overarching themes of the games. But to each their own I guess…

[@Alex_Logan22]

He's too attached to the game to view it objectively, that's all. The show so far has been a great opportunity for Neil to essentially improve the story.

[@bookreader1997]

Man, I thought this episode was the best one yet. We finally get our first bloater, and they establish that big mamma jamma as a massive problem. We get a more compact Henry and Sam relationship that still sells them even with nowhere near as much time. And, huge bonus, we get to better explore a group that was basically just a faceless horde of psychopaths, showing us just how scary these people are while still making them just a bit more sympathetic than they ever were in the games. I thought this was the most flawless episode yet. I do see how Jeremy's getting where he's going though, and it's fair enough

[@Videogamelover58]

Facts

[@LEANNNTRAPPP]

I personally didn’t like this episode. But I’m glad that someone likes my least favorite episode. My favorite episode was 4 and most people say that the episode is boring. I respect your opinion man.

[@EstMaRRtin]

Same here..i dont know what the fuck jeremy watched

[@tommymc7535]

I liked it to but we can’t really ignore there’s a little inconsistency with the zombies Lmaoo. Why did they all come running randomly like that after the car crumbled into the basement lol… Guess they were all just chilling down there waiting for the right moment haha. I thought it would have been better if it switched to glimpses of a hoard following the gun fire and then having them finally arrive to save Joel and Ellie.

[@xenatommy]

@@EstMaRRtin i actually agree to what jeremy said, that doesn't mean the episode was bad, for me, it was the best one yet, but like he said, i feel the changes they made to this chapter, it was kinda better in the game. especially with karen character, i only feel like they gave her a backstory just to show the game fans easter eggs with the "tommy voice actor from the game"

[@Alexandxer_14]

I actually thought the changes made worked very well. For a TV show you need that emotional connection between the characters to understand why Henry kills himself after shooting Sam. Without the backstory showcasing what Henry sacrificed for his brother, the final scene wouldn’t have the same emotional impact it does.

[@D_Jilla]

True. I actually feel more bad for henry in the show.

[@underscore_5450]

Exactly. Plus it would by comparison make Henry look like a lesser character because Joel watched his own daughter bleed to death in his arms and didn't try to kill himself. But understanding that Henry has sacrificed so much and fucked up so much shit to keep his brother alive, it feels like his suicide is an inevitable consequence of Sam's death.

[@mcloco]

i mean i agree doing a lil backstory like they did with bill.....buuuuut i think it would have been delivered much more effectively if it was more inline with his character from the game i liked bills story in the show just as much in the game, can't say the same for henry

[@jakeus2575]

The camera showing a close up shot of Ellies face as she watches Henry pull the trigger was perfection. Bella Ramseys acting was incredible here' bravo!

[@dark18yt64]

i was searching for a comment like this, at first i had my doubts because she doesnt looke like Ellie, but every episode her acting is amazing

[@lishengshun2873]

@@dark18yt64 Even though she was amazing in GoT I wasn't really sold on her being cast as Ellie. But come the show and damn, she's one hell of an actress. She and Pedro are really knocking it out of the park so far for me.

[@rabd3721]

That yelp she lets out when he shoots himself... just the perfect reaction to the moment.

[@tatitorodriguez376]

Her welp at that moment destroyed me.

[@karma.2781]

@@dark18yt64 I was thinking the same thing

[@lovrocoki1205]

The acting by Henry, Sam, Joel and Ellie in this episode was phenomenal. Best episode so far,

[@matthewhartz9235]

Yeah no idea what Jeremy is talking about

[@user-ly2ll5od1r]

@@matthewhartz9235 I'll explain the logic for you. Kathleen = karen Karen = abby abby = bad bad = karen karen = kathleen kathleen = bad bad thanks for watching guys and don't forget to get jahnsmanized ta ta tata ta tata ta ta tata ta tata ta ta tata ta tatam the end.

[@blackfox1320]

Bella Ramsey is the achilles heel to this show, she just can't pull off Ellie. Pedro is phenomenal, and Lamar Johnson as Henry was amazing. He's got a really bright future.

[@Nick_315_Palumbo]

@@fontagra.6142 yeah I felt it was a bit rushed imo idk 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jonnycashh3876]

Tear jerking as fuck 😢

[@TheAwesomeDarkNinja]

I think Ellie saying her blood was medicine was heartbreaking. It's going to truly show how Ellie wants to be the savior.

[@christyshultz6443]

No she's a possible cure but her blood.

[@PatstarDeluxe]

This was Bella Ramsay's best episode so far. She finally felt like Ellie and that gasp at the end with Henry's death was gut-wrenching

[@Dom-bn1ru]

honestly this is the first episode where I like her character

[@madd5]

inbred Ellie

[@TheDrownGod1213]

agreed. Her gasp was very much felt. It was her best acting moment so far

[@Ebon_Sean]

The way she changed after that. Interacting with Sam let her be an innocent kid in this bleak world and when he died that part of her died with him.

[@unbanmekoil]

“MAGNIFICENT! MAGNIFICENT!!”

[@royalkuhnt8216]

The whole sniper sequence was really rewarding to me because I'd forgotten about that segment of the game up until that point. It gave me a nice nostalgic flashback.

[@DeRockMedia]

the second they were gettimg sniped ..im like oh shit are clickerd gonna pop up, that was a fun part in the game

[@diogobfonseca]

I'm a hardcore fan of the game and I'm blown away how they've been able to be so faithful to the source material and yet introduce new stuff that keep us on our toes. Bravo, Craig and Neil. Bravo.

[@sunnysied713]

The new stuff isn't very well written. If Druckmann and Mazin are going to change things, then the new writing should be as good or better. This is a weak adaptation. It's also very kid friendly and PG-13 for an HBO show.

[@druinsgm]

@@sunnysied713 pg13 ? The hell are you on about mate? Suicide, strong language, violence and gore. That sounds pg to you?

[@sunnysied713]

@@druinsgm Oh, it's very PG-13. Suicide happened off screen. Bloater decapitates a guy in the far background that was blurred and out of focus. Most of the violence is obscured by shakey camera and weird camera angles. The HBO Last of Show is soft served ice cream, especially in comparison to the videogame. It's definitely PG-13. Nobody can praise this show for its action, brutality or gritty realism. Also, Ellie and Sam are incredibly stupid. They both knew he was bit and they didn't tell a single adult. Ellie thought her blood could magically cure him. And she FAILED to stay up the entire night. This show has terrible writing.

[@everythingisawesome2903]

Bravo Vince.

[@diogobfonseca]

@@sunnysied713 Well, you can always find something to pick on no matter how good something is written. In the end, it's all about how annoying you are. 😁

[@makingmonsterart]

I think the changes to the story aren't just "over cooked." I think it's an interesting change, because now Sam and Henry and the tough choice that he had to make to save his brother, is a closer analogy and foreshadows the tough choices that Joel and Ellie may have to make down the road - a choice to save someone you love even though it makes you "the bad guy," rather than just being a "I tried to steal supplies from the wrong people."

[@srsieg1155]

No. Not at all.

[@Kingkong44872]

I agree with you. This was exactly what it was trying to show. He tells joel that he thinks he’s bad because he chose his brother over everyone else. Same thing joel is going to do in the end. I thought it was a pretty descent change.

[@ez6314]

It is overcooked!

[@REDANDSILVER741]

It’s overcooked because it didn’t have to be leukemia, it could’ve been any medication. They keep adding things that don’t really do anything for the story except take time away from what really is great like Joel and Ellie and Sam and Henry.

[@Alex_Logan22]

@@deathrattle5869 The game never foreshadowed it at all, so now its less of a curve ball. It was also subtle enough that those expecting the more traditional father sacrifice ending will still be expecting it.

[@DanielMendoza-qq5pv]

As a view from someone who hasn’t played the game, this episode was amazing. It really had you hoping they would all stay together

[@chrisbrown8748]

Totally agree. I’m kinda getting sick of him constantly bringing up that damn game. It makes me happy I never played it because I can just enjoy this show for what it is and not constantly compare storylines.

[@MoldyMojoMonkey]

I've played the game multiple times and I think this episode (and the whole show) is absolutely great. Not everyone can handle the process of adaptation. If some of these people had their way, we would be getting 'gamey' action sections every 10 minutes and the show would feel cheap as hell.

[@Snowy265]

@@chrisbrown8748 I get what you mean. For me as a person who has played the games I've enjoyed all the differences that they have made. They have expanded the world more and given more back story to the characters. It would be pointless watching it if they didnt make changes, the basic plot is the same but it's the changes they make which makes it more interesting for me.

[@davidk7425]

Wait till you read the book.

[@TyTimeIsAwesome]

@@chrisbrown8748 There's nothing wrong with comparing it to the game when that's mainly why the show exists at all. I've never played the game myself, but I find it interesting when they discussed what changes were made and why they think it's better or weaker.

[@WhelmedButReady]

For me, this was far and away the best episode so far. It was tense, compelling and devastating. I was waiting for the show to rev up the grimness of this world like the game is. With the way they changed the Bill & Frank storyline, I was scared that they'd turn alotta things rosey.

[@jamesbuchananbarnesss]

Henry got that person killed only because he wanted to protect his brother, when his brother was gone there was nothing left to keep him alive. I actually really like the way they changed things here ngl

[@ez6314]

What are you talking about? Henry lost Sam the same way in the game.

[@jamesbuchananbarnesss]

@@ez6314 I'm talking about the backstory and Jeremy's complaints

[@Drifter1989]

@@ez6314 He’s referring to how Henry sacrificed everything by making himself an enemy of the people to save his brother but since he brother is now dead, he doesn’t see the purpose of going on now.

[@donny6033]

Didn’t make me feel anymore gutted for him than in the game if anything it drooled on too long

[@stefenleung]

1) "that person" (Michael) is actually a friend of Henry. 2) if your brother need a heart for operation, go kill someone and take his heart isn't exactly "protect" your brother.

[@ryandewerff]

Couldn’t disagree more with your take on the episode. In the game, I felt as though Sam and Henry were pretty one dimensional. The decision to make Sam deaf and a cancer survivor was incredibly smart to me. Yes it makes Sam more reliant on Henry, but more importantly it shows that Sam has “Endured and Survived” many hardships in his incredibly short life. This makes his eventual infection far more devastating. Not only that, but Henry is much warmer towards Sam in the show than he is in the game. You get a sense that not only would Sam die without Henry, but *Henry* would die without *Sam.* His brother is the one thing he lives for, he risks everything for him. He sold out someone he admired and respected for his brother. Those things are what make Henry such a compelling character in the show, and make his suicide not only make more sense, but leaps and bounds more meaningful than it was it the game. All the departures from the game made for better characters in my opinion, and the events of this episode will be weighing heavy on Ellie and especially Joel in the last episode of this show.

[@ajiththomas2465]

Also, in the game, Henry and Sam were outsiders while the whole scenario involving them involved killing a lot of nameless NPCs. That obviously can't really translate well into a live action television adaptation, so changing it where Henry and Sam grew up in the QZ and have a different upbringing and skillset ad a result of that, along with humanizing the other NPC characters into human living characters, make the changes justified. Do you get what I mean?

[@tylerdurden7965]

nah, im with jermey on this one. we didnt need so much screen time of karen and her gang, more time spent with henry and sam would of been appreciated. Sam and Henry were some of my favorite characters in the game and i thought the changes made in this episode were mostly pointless and unnecessary.

[@hollyriver22171]

As someone who’s never played the game, based on what I’ve heard about the og characters I really like the changes made for the show

[@michaelnewton1754]

I personally agreed with his assessment of Kathleen and the militia mostly being a misuse of screen time... And the "leukemia medication" was a hell of a stretch. A magical cancer cure from 2003?.. Make it something more believable, like Sam being allergic to some antibiotic, and needing a lesser known kind that is horded by Fedra. But the direct Sam & Henry changes were improvements IMO.

[@grantlawrence4600]

@@michaelnewton1754 I assume it was to help with symptoms. Possibly pain. I agree though... Very goofy overall.

[@Alfie871]

Henry saying "What did i do" is just heartbreaking inn both the game and series.

[@epheusikay]

The "overcooked" plot made the Henry death scene more impactful- he did so many horrible things to save his brother but his brother still died in the end.

[@leospaceman2976]

Feel like JJ has been waiting for this moment to point how he prefers the game and the show is subpar

[@TheEmotionalPotatoe]

@@leospaceman2976 true i feel like not every scene should be scene as 'oh this was better in the game , oh this was better in the series' both of them can exist as a medium to enjoy the story , and it should be judged as a whole rather than nitpicking on few aspects of the show. Sure the show started off with a bang but I dont think it has gotten worse in any way , the initial reaction to the show being amazing was because no one expected to be this good and now everyone is expecting it to be a masterpiece and elevate the game in every aspect which is not entirely possible.

[@jumpshot199]

Damn this is the first time ive disagreed heavily with you on something. Thought the episode was phenomenal, i thought they struck a perfect balance of showing Sam being Henrys top priority while also not being a violent person or a killer. The thing i liked is i felt that even though he is Sam protector, he is in fact, a kid or young man himself. Hes not a hardened adult like Joel, hes an older brother given an impossible to comprehend task. I wasnt crazy about Kathleen when she started, but i liked how it solidified that there are no good people in the world. Henry technically betrayed his people for his little brother and depending on what side on the line ur on is how u feel on how right or wrong it is. I thought they improved on almost everything from the game in the Sam and Henry plotline. Respect ur opinion though!

[@iamjro]

I totally agree with everything you said! The, “how are you still alive?” is because after betraying his group, they were kept in hiding being helped by the doctor. With no more lifeline, they were forced out. This helped to tie in why they needed their help getting out and the distress Sam would ultimately face. I do agree with Jermy on the casting of Kathleen. Nothing about her said leader. But I loved the overall message they delivered and the irony at the end. And I thought it was the complete opposite with the level of sadness compared to the game. Deviating from the game actually made me more sympathetic to the characters and sadder when Sam had to kill Henry. I’m definitely not getting “cracks” in the show he’s speaking of. For me, it’s been the best adaptation so far. Maybe removing some of the game bias and rewatching with an open mind because I feel like Jermy’s doing a disservice if he can’t see past the game.

[@MatiZ815]

It's the one thing I don't like about Jeremy's reviews. He seems to be married to his expectations and has a strong personal bias to some things even if it is quite subtle. He's not exactly open minded. In the case of this show, he seems to be too attached to how things were in the game.

[@alrizo1115]

I like how Henry and Sam was portrayed. The Irony of every scene that led to the death of both. I just don't feel the Kathleen and the resistance screentime. She's just like an emotional Woman and you'll still wonder how she ended up as a leader. That thing requires a backstory. The show should've just focused more on Henry and Sam.

[@alrizo1115]

Another thing is, why did Joel and the gang had a normal park walk in the middle of the street if they're trying to escape? That looked unrealistic.

[@Brendy733]

@@MatiZ815he comes off as a grumpy old boomer sometimes.

[@hollyriver22171]

Interesting about Kathleen because I agree it’s hard to buy her as a leader but I wonder if that was intentional because I mean, she’s not a good leader. It’s feasible she just got the role briefly because of her brother and wasn’t as good as him. Her main guy is constantly questioning her choices, and ultimately her unrelenting desire for revenge gets everyone in her movement killed😂 Also I loved this episode, though I’ve never played the game.

[@VoloxTV]

She's not a good leader, which is why she is hard to buy as such. This is intentional, she dies 11 days into her rule due to the consequences of her own negligence.

[@DeRockMedia]

fyi she wasnt in the game... i liked how she was a heavier set cuz in a post apocalypse, food is so scarce that u know she eats good. back in the old old days, it was a sign of royalty

[@Thefirstbrady]

It's box checking and we all know it. $20 says theres a troon in Jackson. It's the only base Niel hasn't covered yet.

[@hollyriver22171]

@@Thefirstbrady sorry I don’t understand your comment 😅

[@filmgirlLisa]

I agree. I completely buy her as leader who is not really one. The people follow her because she has blood revenge but even in killing the (presumably only) doctor in her group she has shown early on that she was terrible at it.

[@endubless]

We all know why they put Henry’s reason for betraying Kathleen’s brother in there. They’re foreshadowing the decision joel will have to make later on. Kathleen even touches on it at the end when she says “what if he was supposed to die” “don’t fight fate” “kids die all the time” “the world doesn’t revolve around him” I’m paraphrasing here but if you played the game you know all this plays a part in what joel will ultimately do in the end.

[@giogiolachance4313]

nice catch

[@juliandavis9711]

I wonder if people who don’t acknowledge that intentionally miss it because it goes against Joel’s choice

[@topbackpodcast2615]

in the game, what made Sam and Henry’s death so impactful was the fact that it wasn’t “fate” it was just by chance and circumstance. In the show, as much as I love how they portrayed Henry and Sam in this version, there was toooo much foreshadowing of them dying. Of course those of us who played the game know how it’s going to end. But what made Henry and Sam’s death so heartbreaking in the game was the fact that Henry was so optimistic of both Sam and him surviving together. In this version the audience was constantly being reminded that they were going to be hunted down so there was always a chance they would die one way or another. With that being said, I love the stronger bond between Sam and Henry in this version. Sam as a younger deaf character in particular was such a sweet soul compared to the original game who was more like a pouty pre-teen

[@keyofb9513]

I thought it was the best episode yet. The change in the show was even more heartbreaking than the game, with Sam showing Ellie the bite with the "are you still you inside when you become them?" And then her attempting to save him with her blood and promise to stay up with him all night... That shit broke me.

[@jackmarston927]

I thought the scene of Ellie and Sam in the motel was absolutely heartbreaking. I got the feeling she knew her blood wasn't going to help him but she at least wanted to give him comfort in his last moments. She was also clearly conflicted about whether to tell Joel and Henry.

[@thelytz9806]

If she knew that the blood thing wouldn’t work, do you really think she’d risk falling asleep in the same room as him? Not a chance

[@eugenio027]

@@thelytz9806 i think she was hoping it did

[@DeRockMedia]

maybe she accidentally fell asleep, that happens nomatter how hard u stay awake at times, especially being exhausted from everythijg happening

[@filmgirlLisa]

@@thelytz9806 I agree. I think that's what leader told her in the first ep that if she told anyone that her blood could heal they would kill her. And I think she truly believed all it took was rubbing it on a wound.

[@reesaflood675]

This was an amazing episode that had me crying 😢 so much. I wish that the differences between the game and the episode didn’t distract Jeremy so much that he missed the great performances from Lamar Johnson who played Henry and Keivonn Woodard as Sam. Their story was heartbreaking 💔. This episode wrecked me 😭😭

[@ampinghard111]

Exactly, his cynicism is coming off as arrogance… he’s also speaking about FEDRA as if they were just some random group…. Then is so sure that Henry snitching on the FREAKING LEADER OF THE REBELLION, would have led to Henry just being killed so they don’t have to give up the meds as if for 1, it’s the last vial in the world and 2, as if leukemia is this common disease that they were 100% going to be needed by them. They’re FEDRA they have all the meds in the city, and killing a snitch that gets you your biggest fish as if you need that 1 bottle of medication is the DUMBEST thing ever… They just like our Justice system, rely on “collaborators” to bring down criminals, the thing that would make the most sense and is likely what happened, is instead of killing Henry and Sam and giving the rebellion more martyrs, they could leak out the fact that Henry snitched. The fact that he couldn’t draw that connection and went straight for “this is stupid they would’ve kept the medication for themselves because leukemia is so freaking common”, tells me this guy is arrogant and not very empathetic. I played the game 15 times since 2013, it saved my life. I was 22 and had just gone through a traumatic experience, I was always extremely empathetic for a male, and this traumatic turned off all feelings and emotions. I’d rather be depressed than feel nothing, and after 6 months of feeling neither sadness or joy, I was ready to end it all.. but I played TLOU and it jump started my emotions again… I appreciate these changes they’ve made, every single change they made added to the emotions and feelings I felt in episode 5… I was even more gutted than in the game, Sam just came off as so much sweeter and kinder, and Henry’s youth as well as the remorse he felt for saving his brother and killing Kathleen’s… the way he spoke about Kathleen’s brother so glowingly and the pain in his voice for getting him killed… henry and Sam were much more impactful as characters in the show… but if you’re incapable of empathy then you won’t appreciate the acting of Lamar Johnson. I know this is long as hell but I had to defend the brilliance of this episode as someone who loves this story dearly.

[@iamjro]

I couldn’t have said this better. This episode was emotional but probably my favorite so far

[@nhenry76]

Well said! I'm happy I've never played the game at this point bc between episodes 3 and 5 I'm a mess. 😭💔 Great acting and writing

[@DanR723]

@@nhenry76 cool to hear from and see peoples response who do not know the story that people who have played the game love. I would say to anyone after the show if you have the chance to play the game you should.

[@sarkastikleader4708]

Even though I knew how it was going to end it still hurt like hell. Especially when Ellie wrote "I'm sorry". Man I couldn't hold the tears back after that.

[@Reptar556]

To be fair, Henry not having to ever kill and what not is the benefit of living in a QZ. They may have messed up stuff going on but you trade that for food and shelter.

[@davikins]

I really can’t disagree more with you. This episode was perfect. Henry having never killed anyone and then was forced to kill his brother was heartbreaking.

[@sunnysied713]

How does Henry survive for twenty years with a young, deaf brother if he has no survival skills? In the game, Henry is a capable survivor. In the show, Henry is helpless and dependent on everyone (FEDRA, the doctor, and Joel). In the game, Henry doesn't treat Sam like a 'normal' child because they live in a zombie apocalypse. They can only take the things that they need. In the show, Henry treats Sam like a regular kid and lets him play with toys. Henry and Sam are trying to escape town so they need to be sneaky and inconspicuous. What does Henry do? He paints an orange superhero mask on his brother's face. They would stick out like a sore thumb. Henry and Sam were poorly adapted for the show.

[@Crazy09starkillor]

@@sunnysied713 they are both setup differently with different circumstances, the backstory they get in the show makes perfect sense why Henry wasn't the hardened survivor he was in the game, paired with Sam being much younger, deaf and having leukimia makes sense as to why Henry will be dependent to FEDRA It's executed really well, it's just that it's different to the game, that is all

[@DiamondDead]

it makes no sense that a person who NEVER EVEN KILLED A STRANGER TO SURVIVE IN A HOSTILE POST-APOCALYPTIC WORLD would kill his little brother (let alone this quickly) as the first person he ever shoots/kills. It doesnt make a lick of sense and is just not believable. People nowadays just are way too easily impressed by high production values to cover up weak writing.

[@sunnysied713]

@@Crazy09starkillor Henry and Sam have completely different characters and backgrounds. Like I said, the adaptation is terrible and unbelievable. Sam is now deaf and a leukemia survivor. It's the zombie apocalypse and they are able to still diagnose and treat blood cancer. Ellie is interacting with Sam (without using a writing board) and Sam can't read lips. Henry wants to escape town, but he paints an orange mask that makes his brother even more vulnerable to detection. Henry and Sam have huge writing and adaptation problems (just like Bill and Frank). Episode 5 had many other writing problems. It was mediocre television.

[@brunobernardicoutinho1741]

I must be getting cynical, because I kind of don't understand how people liked this episode, though I respect your opinion. I was loving the series so far, and episodes 1-4 were really good, but this one was just a giant facepalm for me. And I started to see some reviews to see if it was just me and the first one I click is this dude saying 22 seconds in that it is the best episode of the series so far. I honestly don't get it. Maybe he didn't play the game, I guess that would make some sense. But this episode is just soooo bad. In my view, they took a show that was thriving in it's nuanced approach to the relationship between characters and just transformed it in what I would expect to see at any run-of-the-mill zombie series. Sam and Henry were by far the best sidecharachters in the game, but here Henry is now just a useless turd and Sam is mute because they probably thought it would be sadder, but what it does do, is that it makes him nos as relatable as in the game. Sam's relationship with Ellie, so beautifully constructed in the game, is just so so so forced here. Also, Kathleen has his main target on sight. Twice. And just doesn't shoot him because of .... I don't know. Seems like he was, in the end, her 7th priority. Probably why they talked for like 5 minutes when he was clearly just behind a car. Also, why TF did Ellise thought that her blood was medicine? This was so freacking stupid. When she did it I was like "Ah, she is probably doing it to make him feel better and then she's gonna try to kill him quietly or whatever"... But no.... Nothing that smart. She thought she had magic medicine blood. It was so dumb. Also, no one ever bothered to explain the revolt against Fedra. It just sort of happened, and that is that. Also that whole bunch of shooting in the end with plot armor ex-machina just to throw some action in there. I mean, come on. Ovverall, this episode is what I would have expected from some random attempt at a zombie series, or some half-assed resident evil remake. It is not the quality I expected from Last of Us as a franchise, both because of the videogame and because of what the series was shapping up to be. don't get it why people liked it. Honetly, at this point , seems like everyone has decided they'll like anything they put out. My dudes, episode 1 was great. Episodes 2 3 and 4 were good. Episode 5 was dumb, shallow, badly written, and every change from the original videogame story was for the worse. I hope they improve next episode.

[@KayinAngel]

Sam being hearing impaired wasn't just a random change though. His hearing loss was likely caused by the lukemia that went probably untreated until Henry took action for the meds. Every change to the game's story has been an improvement. I'm surprised that anyone would think otherwise. Also, every change has been in service to the main theme of the story being told.

[@silashurd3597]

This episode to me wasn’t great, it was AMAZING! The finale was epic! There were clickers, bad guys, shooting, peril, a fricking bloater! It was all there to make an epic sequence. Sam and Henry to me was definitely more warming than in the game because we actually saw these two doing stuff together before meeting Joel and Ellie. Also I knew they were gonna try to make Kathleen “sympathetic” but nah, screw her. She got what she deserved getting mauled by that clicker! And the ending, the ending!😢 We all knew it was gonna happen but still, it still hurt. And the fact that Joel and Ellie actually took the time to bury the two was emotional because at least the two cared to do such a thing.

[@percymacdonald6657]

If Kathleen had chosen to forgive she and her platoon would still be alive.

[@stringtheory8090]

Absolutely

[@Sirhc7000]

I feel like a lot of people miss that ellie and joel buried them in the game too. There’s a little conversation they have when you go to their plots. EDIT: I’m wrong. Someone corrected my memory in the comments.

[@etfcg09]

Also that they kept the camera on ellie to see her reaction, and not just cut to black like in the game.

[@itsethanbradberry]

@@Sirhc7000 it's been a while but I don't remember them going to their plots in part 1, it immediately cuts to black and they are already almost to the electrical facility where Tommy is, but along the way they come across another small child sized grave, which reminds Ellie of Sam and Henry, and when she starts saying something about it(I think about the robot doll), Joel tells her not to bring it up, reinforcing how he treats past tragedies by choosing to ignore them, which is light forshadowing to the scene a few minutes later where he is offered a picture of him and Sarah from Tommy, but turns it down and says he doesn't want it, choosing again to continue to ignore and bottle up his emotions of a past tragedy.

[@mangaas]

I actually liked this episode the most next to the first one. The action was good, they explored a lot, and they even faked me out a bit with the "my blood is medicine" line at the end and blood smearing on the wound. Part of me was thinking "are they gonna change it from the game?" Nope.

[@keiongarraway3264]

The reason why the change worked is because Henry was still doing monstrous things to survive even though they weren't directly violent he had a lot of blood on his hands. Showing the different brutal ways people survive in the apocalypse.

[@walmanthegreat]

Or they could have kept it the same

[@keiongarraway3264]

@@walmanthegreat oR thEY cOuLd hAve kEpT it tHE saMe 😗

[@Levsmister]

@@keiongarraway3264 wow look at this an idiot badass

[@walmanthegreat]

@@keiongarraway3264 nothing wrong with the original game

[@keiongarraway3264]

@@walmanthegreat Neil created both I'm sure he agrees

[@SoldierSpiderx]

I love the detail of Joel having things that belonged to everyone that's no longer with them. Franks shirt, Brians knife, the old mans sniper rifle and now Henrys backpack and I love it when ellie tried to calm sam down by showing her healed wound, i can see hope in sam's eye. it felt like the kid passed out in sleep with his hope in his heart but u know ...

[@sds187]

Damn did you really just copy off the top comments from Chris stuckmanns review?

[@dylanrodriguezleyva5631]

Ain’t no way you stole this comment from another video 😂

[@cajunbatman]

@@sds187 word for word

[@PiBoVi]

@@cajunbatman bar for bar

[@gustavoortiz6589]

I keep seeing this similar comment be pasted 😂

[@UserInterface00]

Henry popping Sam was a very intense scene even though I was already prepared and knew what was coming.’it just hits different when it’s live action.

[@firstlast9846]

Yeah my stomach was doing somersaults in that scene.. although I felt the game did it better.. in the game I genuinely didn’t know whether Henry was gonna kill himself or Joel - and then he immediately shoots himself adding to the shock.. in the show he’s in shock - then pauses with the gun against his temple long enough for you to know he’s about to off himself.. small gripe really - but yeah the game did it better imho.

[@joshsmith8715]

Yeah, just how sudden he did it, he didn’t think about it being Sam he just saw the monster and shot instinctively. And THEN it hits him what he did and that just hit me hard

[@tvushington6994]

The way Joel looked at Henry telling him to put the gun down.. knowing what a lose he’s experienced and having him being the reason behind it.. felt every emotion possible at this moment…

[@gideonetim2644]

Best thing for me was watching Sam and Ellie play together and laugh, I also liked that they kept the bit where Sam is afraid he will be a prisoner in his own body if infected. The show hasn't lost its juice in my opinion, still an amazing work of TV art.

[@ascendingarscente]

Though Henry and Sam didn’t get nearly as much screen time as the game, the scenes of them bonding made their deaths twice as heartbreaking. I like that they made Ellie almost an older sister figure to Sam, which explains the changes to him as a character.

[@lildballin86]

Respectfully disagree this has been the best episode so far. I think the change at the end of Sam showing Ellie the bite, her attempt to heal him with her blood also Henry mentioned he never shot and killed anyone with a gun before. So the ending scene made this even more heartbreaking and devastating. Kathleen alludes to something that may be spoiler to the game so I will not go further.

[@MrEffinBest]

Oof, this episode hit me hard. Being a father of a 5yo and 7yo myself that motel room scene with Sam and Ellie just ripped me apart. That hug she give him after he shows her the bite... man. Just shattered me. And they cast such a super cute kid as Sam too. I loved the episode but I don't think I could watch it again.

[@SoshiMECH]

Speaking as someone that has never played the game, I didn't think it was overcooked at all and now having heard the alternative storyline in the game I think it was an excellent change that made the drama and characters more compelling and I think it made sense to make Henry more likable to differentiate him from Joel. I also think he didn't need to be tough because Fedra had eliminated the zombie threat in that city and he had the protection of Fedra until recently. On this occasion you sound like one of those people that complains if an adaption isn't an exact duplicate. Also I think it was explained pretty well that Kathleen became the leader after her brother was killed and she was driven by his death and I think she got support as a leader because of her bothers death. Fedra had only fallen potentially days before and it wasn't clear how long she had been a leader for but it might not have been that long. Sympathy would have only supported her actions for a limited time and I think eventually she would have been taken down from within.

[@walmanthegreat]

Please play the game before saying one is better , just missing a lot of context

[@juliandavis9711]

He definitely does sound like one of those people. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I think it clouds peoples judgment when they want everything exactly the same

[@SoshiMECH]

​@@walmanthegreat I'm offering the opinion of someone that hasn't played the game so therefore I can judge the show on its own merits. The description of this story in the game as described in this review sound less interesting to me and makes the motivations of the characters less clear and less compelling. Kathleen and her followers' motivation wouldn't have been clear at all. Eliminate Kathleen and they would have been just a hoard of two dimensional bad guys, The only minor issue I had with the story in the show was Sam being both deaf and having leukemia, which seemed a bit excessive, but I didn't dislike either elements as they both made the story interesting.

[@walmanthegreat]

@@SoshiMECH the problem is it was a brief the description of what happens in the game . And I understand it’s your opinion of the show itself but let not discredit the SOURCE MATERIAL for which this show exists in the first place . And there is no need for Kathleen and the game did fine with out the extra characters . If I never played the games I too would probably not have a problem with anything or see how the story could be better

[@claudegrenier3180]

Uhhhh gawd people that get hard for the "source material" are soooo annoying 🙄 if u luv your source material so much, why dont you marry IT??!? Lol seriously, just calm the f&@# up

[@js1879]

This episode was fantastic. Kathleen's character was created to add to the overall theme of if you choose revenge over love and forgiveness, then your story will not end well. Adding to the theme of Part 2. Plus, her whole line about "was he worth it, was he worth saving over everybody else?!" Or something along those lines, foreshadowing things to come. The game has to keep1things moving along without ever really needing to dive too deeply. This show is doing things right, imo.

[@Tybolt1]

He's right in that she's not a believable leader, I didn't buy it either...didn't make any sense for a pudgy penguin to have all that power, nothing believable about it especially being that emotional/vengeful and pudgy.

[@nickjorden5732]

@@Tybolt1 yeah I don’t buy how someone in her situation has that body shape and movement lives. Nothing against the actor herself or people with similar body shapes but this is a zombie apocalypse…the strong and physically capable survive. She looked like she struggled to walk in boots lol

[@Tybolt1]

@@nickjorden5732 yeah it didn't make sense, there would be a power vacuum after her brother died anyway, and only the most smart/savage warlord types (def not her) would rise to the top..the episode was awesome tho regardless, sometimes have to manually suspend belief to allow entertainment to work.

[@lishengshun2873]

@@Tybolt1 Suspending disbelief is the basis of pretty much all entertainment media, but this one was really on the nose. I honestly don't know what they were thinking with her casting, and I'm not talking about her physical appearance. You can be a leader if you have a great mind but they never showed us that. And to do the things she says she did you need to be some kind of a psychopath, and yet she has the energy of a baby panda. They could've literally cast any female from "The Handmaid's Tale" show in her place and it would've worked.

[@Tybolt1]

@@lishengshun2873 agreed, she plays the soft dorky wife of the loser friend in all her other roles... maybe they wanted to score some"woke" body positive points this episode by casting her..."pudgies can be badass resistance leaders too!!!" XD ... (shrugs)

[@KareamTV]

Kathleen wasn’t much a leader that we expect of this world because her brother was actually the leader and she was thrown into the position after his death. People are driven to help her because people loved her brother as well. I feel like the reason Henry isn’t hardened is because he lived in a QZ and seem much younger than the video game version. Maybe 18 so feel like he spent most of life kinda sheltered. They aged down these brothers so that explains why they are scared and it feeds perfectly into the story and their duality against Joel and Ellie.

[@davidhowman4212]

Exactly. The whole point of the character is that she's not actually a good leader but she's the one who had to step up when her brother was defeated. There's a whole scene specifically designed to hammer that home, and Perry's loyalty to her wasn't "telling the audience what to feel about her" but rather him propping her up in a moment where she needed the support.

[@AwesomeTingle]

Hard disagree. That scene presented Kathleen's brother as almost a pacifist, and Perry said that the whole revolution actually happened because of her, not him. We're supposed to believe this woman with the demeanor of a pre-school teacher started a violent revolution? BS

[@SkilledApple]

This episode ripped my heart out.

[@imkool51391]

Why

[@sentientmustache8360]

Then threw it to the ground, stomped on it, shot it and finally burned it

[@jackwells4109]

@@Bob-ys2fbwhat an awesome comment. Thank you! You can go ahead and stop watching now, we will enjoy it without you. Best of luck!

[@skyhunter2816]

@@Bob-ys2fb wow what a shit take.

[@RacinZilla003]

Did it rip your head off, though?

[@bigjimmy4382]

Best episode so far, especially if you're a hardcore fan of the game. I know a lot of people like the plot deviations for the trade-off of even further emotional story telling but some of us are also here for that action and we got served a great portion this episode. Thank You Neil Druckmann for not forgetting about us.

[@synaesthesia2010]

this show just keeps delivering, not just on the action or great storytelling, but on the emotional gut punches too

[@JordanNMovies]

Thought this was the best episode of the series. It utilizes "show, don't tell" effectively. Especially when Ellie left that note on Sam's spot "I'm Sorry" 💔 this episode affects everyone different I guess

[@kabbyhearts]

Dang Jerem. I gots to say. I absolutely loved this episode. A real tragedy took place in this episode on multiple levels. The older brother having to kill the younger brother was heartbreaking. Then him having to kill himself. The girl trying to heal the little boy who is now practically her little brother. And joal having to witness it all through the eyes of these young people. Knowing of his own tragedies. I will agree, "Karen" made a horrible leader. Like only those that followed her believed she was a true leader and didn't one doubt her. I could care less about her story. But I guess that's bc we didn't care about her brother since there wasn't much time spent with him...at all. Other than. That this episode is #2 for me as #1 is absolutely the two gay guys love story. 😢

[@bradensorensen966]

How is he still alive? It’s shown IN THE SHOW, Jeremy! He was an informant. He relied on the protection provided by others. That’s why he enlists Joel. He wasn’t trying to survive until the coup, which was ten days prior and for those ten days he was holed up in an attic getting aid from and old man who was getting them supplies. He totally used other people, that’s why he didn’t have to use his own muscle.

[@joshuaglass1827]

I was bummed we didnt get the really intense sewer scene but that battle at the end was so cool. The wideshot of them pouring out was nuts.

[@Incog2k6]

Sam being portrayed by such an adorable actor made his fate so much sadder in the TV show. Hell, Henry and Sam were better characters IMO compared to their game counterparts. I sincerely hope that Keivonn Woodard will get more acting opportunities in the future. What a talented, young man! Also, seeing the Bloater gave me PTSD. Whenever I face them in the games, I immediately get the urge to run away. The translation to live-action was phenomenal. I hope that we'll see more of it on the show. Funny how it killed Perry aka Jeffrey Pierce aka Uncle Tommy in the games, hehe...

[@axelking987]

With 5 episodes in am really liking the things they changed and added. With the game i felt like right when i card for a character they were never seen again but with the show they give you time to actually care for the characters like almost right from the beginning. The add of Kathleen was perfect her only care for vengeance was nice

[@ajiththomas2465]

Agreed. While I will agree with the idea that Kathleen sounds more like a middle school teacher than a hardened revolutionary leader, I will commend the show for the thematic implications behind Kathleen's story and how it parallels and foreshadows the path that Joel will take with Ellie, in regards to vengeance and forgiveness. I also like the changes they did with Henry and Sam. In the game, Henry and Sam were outsiders (and weren't as warm to each other as they are in the show) while the whole scenario involving them involved killing a lot of nameless NPCs. That obviously can't really translate well into a live action television adaptation, so changing it where Henry and Sam grew up in the QZ and have a different upbringing and skillset ad a result of that, along with humanizing the other NPC characters into human living characters, make the changes justified. Do you get what I mean?

[@axelking987]

Completely understand and I agree with her sounding like a high school teacher lol

[@joshuaalex5074]

To be fair to the show… they have been living a protected environment, so it’s possible that they survived…. He was an informant

[@caiocarvalho8844]

Totally agree. Maybe if he lived long enough he would become a killer or something, but it had been only two weeks. It makes sense to portray different takes on different people even in the apocalypse

[@Z50nemesis]

Indeed, i feel like he is overthinking things

[@justinneumeyer4467]

I don’t think the new story beats are over cooked at all for the characters Henry and Sam. You mention him in an apocalypse many arguments come down to just food and shelter, but I think you’d agree if every conflict came down to such this show wouldn’t be as praised. I really enjoyed the complexities of the story being unveiled as the episode goes on making story decisions that didn’t make any sense understandable. Learning as to why Henry is being hunted so persistently by the rebels, why Kathleen doesn’t seem like a leader but is put I. that situation. The episode just made sense as things went on and the complexities welcome. I think you should rewatch the episode not looking it through the lens of, “this is different from the game and this isn’t” but more focus on the story trying to be told. Been tryna look at this show as such like that since episode 3 and it big deviation from the game and I’ve been enjoying the show a lot more.

[@ajiththomas2465]

Also, in the game, Henry and Sam were outsiders while the whole scenario involving them involved killing a lot of nameless NPCs. That obviously can't really translate well into a live action television adaptation, so changing it where Henry and Sam grew up in the QZ and have a different upbringing and skillset ad a result of that, along with humanizing the other NPC characters into human living characters, make the changes justified. Do you get what I mean?

[@blackeyeole]

I agree , and who's to say how a ruthless bad in the soul man/women should look like? I get that you can have darth vader sounds like Donald duck, but there are people that looks harmless and there are monsters .

[@ArmandoMPR]

Episode four and five are a two-episode arc. And so far it was the most important storytelling for the show. The themes of what we are willing to do for that special someone and how we react when that special someone is taken from us are all explorations we’ll see up-close with our main characters.

[@caiocarvalho8844]

For me it was the best episode so far. The way they are portraing side-characters is more intetesting to me. Not everyone is a killing ruthless machine even in the apocalypse. Elly trying to save the boy with her blood was such a nice touch from the series. Love it.

[@sebastianbarron5063]

I get the complaint of the leukemia thing, but I actually think it works for the overall story, Henry having to do terrible things to save Sam ties into the theme of “what are you willing to do to save family” which will also come into play in the finale when Joel has to choose between saving the world or Ellie, it ties everything together in a great way

[@delaneyoconnor9033]

Wow for once I disagree with you. This episode was phenomenal. This platform gives them the chance to flesh out the characters further and they took full advantage. It also furthers the idea that who the heroes and villains are all depends on who you’re following. It foreshadows to the second season with Abby and Ellie. Love it

[@filmgirlLisa]

Yes!! I loved the perspective switching. The villain completely depends on who you ask. It makes Joel killing the kid in the last episode even sadder.

[@pierce2024]

The backstory wasn't nearly as complicated as you're making it out to be. This episode was just Joel and Ellie getting caught in the middle of the downfall of the KC QZ while not ignoring development for side characters. My fav so far

[@topbackpodcast2615]

It was definitely a lot more complicated then it had to be. If there is any body in the world that actually cared about Kathleen’s character then they are either trolling or weird because she is single handedly the worst thing about the show so far. I almost fell asleep every time she was on screen. And that’s not a knock on the actress, that’s a knock on Druckmann for adding such a useless character in the story.

[@ddogvtae9142]

@@topbackpodcast2615 no one is going to watch your podcast chill out

[@topbackpodcast2615]

@@ddogvtae9142 lmao

[@brandonrust4114]

There’s so many problems that I have with the notion of Sam and Henry’s story being overcooked that I don’t even know where to begin lol. I could not disagree more with their story being perceived as “cracks in the armor” or “overcooked” or not as good as the game. Kathleen’s story gives the “hunters” much more context and the changes they make specifically to Sam’s character from the game provide more symbolism and dial up the protective brother dynamic Sam and Henry have and the innocence Sam represented in the game. This episode takes those ideas and doubles down on them. First off, I understand you not caring about Kathleen’s group. You played the game and the PLAYERS know these people are nobody. They’re people who stand in between points A and B, and Because it’s a video game and we have to have someone to be in combat with, these are faceless henchmen you just gotta deal with. There’s no motive other than because they can. In a television show, they can’t do that. That’s not interesting. They have to give context first as to HOW a rebellion in an situation like this can even overthrow an organization like FEDRA. Then they have to show what kind of person is capable of inspiring such change to bring that rebellion about. Someone like Kathleen, who on the exterior has this innate sweetness, who was wronged in a major way and made her capable of horrible things is as good a candidate as anyone to lead a movement like that. She’s a lady who thinks and utilizes people who are at her side. She doesn’t have to be a badass. Secondly, they have to establish WHY Henry and Sam are even on the run to begin with, and they have to provide context as to why Kathleen is so relentless in her pursuit. You said it yourself, that in the game, Sam and Henry are just guys you come across who came into town for supplies. That’s such a generic and boring cliche. The fact they’re on the run and are being hunted because they turned in Kathleen’s brother BEFORE FEDRA fell is just objectively more interesting than “we want their stuff.” Next, with Sam being younger than in the game AND being deaf, it really dials up how much Sam really has to RELY on Henry. I mean REALLY rely on him. Henry has to literally guide his brother. I don’t see how hard it is to understand how they’re still alive. They lived in the QZ before FEDRA fell, who as we see in the beginning of the episode had fallen just 10 days prior. Henry tells Joel that he knows the city and knows lookout and hiding spots. PLUS they had the help of the doctor man hiding them in the attic. I don’t see how it’s overcooked or convoluted or a stretch at all that they could survive for 10 days, especially with assistance. Or to show that Henry made a difficult choice to protect Sam. The symbolism is so much more interesting in a story about love. It shows that to Henry, yes, his brother is more important than Kathleen’s brother. Which is a decision that love and protective instinct makes, not rationality. And the show is ABOUT love and the beauty but also horror it can bring about. Also Henry’s knowledge of the city and Joel’s hardened ability to kill provides even more context as to why they could make a formidable team up. In the game, since we play through the perspective of Joel, a team up and where the story takes them as far as getting separated in the sewers means that Henry has to be formidable and able to kill by himself. The show doesn’t have to do that. What the show did was take simple ideas of innocence, love, protective instincts and doubles down on it, as well as turns a faceless and contextless enemy in the game into someone with real motives and drive. That’s just… objectively more interesting than the game.

[@Alex_Logan22]

Yea Jeremy really dropped the ball with that, hurting his credibility.

[@3xk890]

This, 100%...Jeremy should stop comparing the live action vs the game...its stupid.

[@michaelarostegui7018]

I agree with Brandon all around. I will disagree with the comments here. I absolutely disagree with Jeremy , to be clear, but he’s consistent with his reviews and I am a little surprised his take. I also disagree in not comparing the game. I’ve been doing it the whole time and I guess what I care about most is if they capture the spirit of the game. I’d say they have and that’s why I think I also disagree with Jeremy here. But yes this episode was awesome, I felt satisfied

[@JmastaWoods]

My favorite episodes so far! It captured perfectly the spirit of the game, which is all that matters to me. At this point I don’t want to see a rehash of the game I want to see the characters and a convincing backstory.

[@janr6107]

yea i feel the same. Jeremy seems like he wants the show to be exactly like the game, that he criticizes it needlessly when deviates. its funny though as he knows a show thats exactly like the game would not work. his criticism of this show has been so off based, its kinda disappointing.

[@stranger990]

For someone who hasn't played the game at All, I adored this episode! Just like all the rest. Never been more invested in characters and didn't see anything wrong with these ones! But I understand if you're a huge fan of the game I'm sure it's completely different.

[@aidenguo5580]

I feel like Katherine’s “non-apocalypse leader” vibe was symbolic of how any normal person can become a monster in a world like this.

[@hanyu_dada]

she was no normal person, she was a big karen

[@astronaut98]

Hate to break it to you, but no "normal" person would be selected in the apocalypse as a leader. Especially a large, organised force. If it was just 5-6 people, then sure, I guess.

[@kluneberg8952]

symbolic waste of time

[@aidenguo5580]

@@astronaut98 Well thank god that this is a TV show and not an actual representation of reality ;)

[@tboneforreal]

Obviously people have never read Moby Dick with Captain Ahab and how a leader's obsessive quest for revenge can cause them to make irrational and destructive decisions.

[@daverowe03]

The way i see it, Kathleen didn't look like a leader because she wasn't a leader. She was the sister of a leader. She just fell into the role because the people loved her brother so much.

[@ArronRobertin]

I thought this episode was really good. I'm not bothered that they made Sam deaf, I'm not even bothered that they left out the part (in the game) where all four characters had to get past the clickers and armed guys and the truck. I'm just glad they finally introduced the bloater infected and in an epic way too... The main points for me: 1. Joel finally showing that he cares for Ellie (during the sniper scenes) 2. Where Ellie wrote to Sam that she's scared of ending up alone. 3. The emotional moments when Henry shot Sam and just as he shot himself. 4. The very last scene where Joel patted the grave and Ellie wrote "I'm sorry" on Sam's writing pad. Overall, I'll give this episode 4.5/5

[@dylantortosa7678]

What absolutely shook me, was what Ellie wrote to Sam. That she's afraid to be alone. Having played TLOU2 this absolutely destroys my heart

[@sugs0377]

She says it in the game too. It's wasn't added retroactively

[@dylantortosa7678]

@@sugs0377 I'm looking at what eventually happens to her and recollected that she eventually got what she feared the most.

[@SE-gs6gd]

You guys don't put spoilers in the comments without warning people

[@cinemacrema2349]

shit brother keep the game spoilers to yourself, you know there is a reason why Jeremy doesn't give them away in the reviews, a ton of ppl watching the show are not gamers like myself... pls just don't from now on!

[@DrDiabolical000]

Man what an episode. Basically an alternate scenario where our characters were not the main characters.

[@bjt0056]

I realized this episode that I had to take that point of view too and it automatically made enjoy the show more than initially.

[@spacemanspliff7983]

Why would you not focus on the main characters of the story you're telling. That seems like poor writing

[@caiocarvalho8844]

@@spacemanspliff7983 It's called creative choice

[@Dom-bn1ru]

@@spacemanspliff7983 great character development for our two main characters... we get to see Ellie's worst fear (ended up being alone) as well as Joel's worst fear (failing to protect someone he cares about, yet again). Also, it makes us root even more for Joel and Ellie as we dont want them to end up like Sam and Henry.

[@OfMaceAndMen]

@@Dom-bn1ru yeah that was my takeaway too, it was incredibly obvious. its pretty tragic to see youtube comments from people who have absolutely 0 media literacy talking as if they do.

[@daylite34]

I personally liked the addition of the rebel group. I think it drove home the theme of the episode. That forgiveness and empathy is sometimes the way to go. Michael told Kathleen to forgive Henry, but she didn’t because she said forgiveness is pointless. But if she had, she wouldn’t have gotten her whole team killed on this pointless revenge mission. Maybe because I personally believe that even in the apocalypse, being completely brutal often comes back to bite you in the ass, and showing compassion sometimes benefits you

[@Parenegade]

Couldn't disagree more. One of the reasons Henry in the show is so much more hardened is because he wasn't living in a QZ with Fedra his whole life. And adding backstory to the characters imo actually ELEVATED the material.

[@imkool51391]

He isn't hardened at all. What are you talking about. Henry literally never killed a single person, he said it himself. The games Henry would kill this guy 10 times over

[@firstlast9846]

Nah the game’s version was much more hardened - he actively leaves Joel and Ellie to die and when pressed about it at gunpoint by Joel he says, “I’d do it again” plus I feel not making this group “The Hunters” and delving into Joel’s past was a misstep.. His past as a hunter was never really covered in the games either

[@KaneK1234]

You’re honestly just lying through your teeth.

[@andreicmello]

I think the point they are trying to make to create a backstory with Sam's leukemia is to humanize the human group lead by Kathleen. In the game, they're just an obstacle. In the show, they have motives, reasons to be doing what they are doing. The backstory of Henry selling out Kathleen's brother for Sam's treatment just adds more to the background of everything.

[@MrJagermeister]

I mean, the whole theme of “what are you willing to do to protect a loved one” is pretty strong in this show, especially with children. I think it was also important to show Ellie actually trying to heal someone with her immunity because that will give her more doubt going forward about herself and what she can accomplish. So with a trail of dead kids going forward, and as Kathleen asks, (paraphrasing) do you really think that one person is more important than the rest of the world, it sets up a dynamic that wasn’t there in the game and I think is mostly for the better.

[@mlucas7105]

Was anyone else sort of disappointed to not see the hotel basement generator part happen? I know it didn't necessarily fit in with the rest of the story but it could have been pretty crazy and very scary moment.

[@bluntmcbeefcake]

I just got done watching this episode and thought it was the best episode so far in the series. It was gripping action-packed exposed new infected and ended on a very Bittersweet note it was perfect. The acting was superb. Every part was played to perfection

[@yohanalexander2850]

I think this ep is the best one yet. Some details might be a little convoluted but we got the situation clear, I understood every character's motivation. The drama. The action. The heartbreaking ending. I don't play the game but this is peak TV. Craig Mazin is "The Machine!"

[@jadondavid8272]

I actually thought Kathleen was a highlight. I like the idea that in a post-apocalyptic scenario, the most unassuming people will be capable of the worst. She would have been a soccer mom had the world not gone to shit, but due to circumstance, she became a monster. I personally love that.

[@katkat6678]

Yeah I thought Kathleen was terrifying

[@buzadashark2682]

I think this is the first episode of the show that felt like it was perfect for the show. It mixed enough of the game for it to be shoutouts, changed enough about the characters to make it translate to the show better. They showed some infected, Joel got to actually be Joel for a second, Ellie played her part perfectly…I was thinking about not watching the show anymore until this gem dropped. Bravo!

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

This Episode was amazing! ♥ Best one so far in my opinion. The story with Henry & Sam was very moving and the infected attack was very intense.

[@Sci-Fi_Freak_YT]

This episode was so good that I was still shocked by what happened to Sam and Henry despite knowing what would happen having played the game.

[@joey159213]

One of the things about video game adaptations. The gamers are overly critical of it. They want line for line scene for scene. Objectivity is not even in the thought process.

[@chanerooo]

Both Henry saying to Joel why he did what he did and Ellie trying to cure Sam because she's the medicine got me thinking... "This will kick back hard a little bit down the line"

[@craigt2192]

My favourite episode yet! Wasn’t expecting this review, each to their own though 🙌

[@MichaelSAMyatt]

I know you mentioned you didn’t care about the subplot with Michael and Kathy but I saw it more as foreshadowing of what is yet to come. Kathy says in her monologue talking about how Henry sold out her brother, Michael told her to forgive him. She wasn’t willing to let go and even at the cost of her entire team dying to the hands of runners, clickers etc… she wanted her justice. She wanted at all costs Henry dead. Sound familiar? (Spoilers) Ellie, Abby, and Joel. And what ended up happening, Kathy’s fate, was that she re-created a faction she had been imprisoned to (worse in many cases) and she ended up being too far gone. Sort of like what’s to come in Ellie’s journey and Abby’s journey. This vicious cycle of what love lost can bring out of people. And how as much as we want there to be a good person in this story, there isn’t. Everyone is a monster or villain to someone in this world because of what they did to survive. And I’m glad they didn’t steer away from Henry and Sam’s ending. It needed to happen for Joel’s story to progress for what’s to come. Really sets the stakes. I really liked this episode.

[@KingJTT131]

Yup. Craig even eluded to this in the Last of Is podcast. He said if kathlyn’s story of vengeance at all costs sounds familiar there is a reason to that.

[@maddiemitchell7549]

That's what I was thinking!!

[@IamXhedo]

That wasn't a clicker in the car. It was a stalker. It had half a fungus face, and as you said, it didn't follow sound. They stalk their prey. Also, I loved this episode, even Kathleen's story. To me, they are doing a great job showing all the different ways in which love can be twisted.

[@CincinnatusPublish]

It was clicking, so I'm assuming they start clicking before they're fully blind and still in stalker mode.

[@IamXhedo]

@Hello There yeah, from what I remember, their sound is described as a croak. Something between a runner and a clicker

[@RetroIsaac]

If you watch like that, behind the scenes, bit at the end of the episode, they call her a clicker.

[@IamXhedo]

@@RetroIsaac I actually just watched that

[@IamXhedo]

@@deathrattle5869 well, except behavior

[@karlabravo8351]

I like that they are fleshing out the side characters and creating new ones. The show has managed to surprise newcomers and people like me that has played the game hundreds of times. Also if some people jump from the show to the game they'll also get surprised. It's a win win.

[@KeyCaster]

i feel like jeremy just didn’t get the purpose of kathleen as a character. with her situation with henry, it shows that people will do shitty things to protect the ones THEY love. henry protected his brother by killing kathleen’s brother, when’s sams life isn’t any more important that her brothers was- it’s about perspective.

[@halphpint7400]

Way off on this one..easily the best episode of the season imo…had fantastic characters moments, morale quandaries, action. Kathleen story was lean, but they needed some kind of setup for Henry and Sam. She’s only the leader because her brother was killed. Actors who played Sam and Henry did a fantastic job, got the audience invested in them in under and hour. Overall episode was amazing.

[@geebee380]

Yeah he goes hard on this episode and soft on episode 3. How convenient

[@Java9393]

@@geebee380 ep3 was great. What is convinient?

[@halphpint7400]

@@Java9393 I liked episode 3 a lot as well, was a great self contained love story. This episode had a little bit of everything though..no idea how Jeremy thought it was over cooked…

[@LesProductionsLuu]

SPOILERS FROM THE GAME. The thing i liked that they added was Ellie trying to save Sam by putting her blood on his bite mark. In the game, i wasn’t sure if Ellie truly wanted to sacrifice herself to make a vaccine. It didn’t feel like Joel knew either. I feel like that scene added more to that. That she does feel bad about being the only one immune. She does want to help others. And Joel reading her message saying Im sorry at the end shows that he starting to know what her motives are

[@Alex_Logan22]

Yea her desire wasn't made clear till the ending and further more in part 2. I wonder if she will regain that desire now in part 3.

[@benlewis5312]

I thought that was cute but I hated the fact that she fell asleep right next to someone she knew was bitten. I get her logic in thinking she could possibly cure him, but take some basic precautions mate. I’d expect even a young kid to think that through

[@Alex_Logan22]

@@benlewis5312 A small 8 year old wouldn't be able to tear her apart, and she was immune. She was holding him off for a long time during Henry's crisis.

[@josephbroadway4722]

I liked the unspoken conversation throughout ep 4 and 5 about the rats being bad or not. Showing that they were hurting innocents to survive just like Joel. Karen also wasn't a good leader. Her brother would've wanted to make the change permanent and make the world better, but Karen just took his movement and made another FEDRA, killing people, no trial, etc. The tragedies there were enlightening and cool. I agree it didn't feel right on the surface though (never played the game btw)

[@NotActuallyElias]

no piece of media has ever made me feel as much emotion as this episode made me feel i was genuinely sobbing for about 10 minutes after the episode ended, i had to go take a walk to get my mind off of things

[@donny6033]

Watch Dragged across concrete kid and come back to me

[@NotActuallyElias]

@@donny6033 you don't have to call me "kid" lol i have some personal reasons as to why this episode made me so emotional, i wasn't insinuating that this is the BEST piece of media-- i have just never had anything make me feel such emotion before thanks for the suggestion though i'll check it out

[@donny6033]

@@NotActuallyElias fair enough Check it out soon as you can and tell me what you think there’s one scene in particular that will make you feel strong emotions

[@eziomorte3380]

Then you really need to watch some classic movies, play some games with far better story than TLOU and read some books if this episode was the best thing ever. It was good but if you are 20 plus you really need to expand your horizons.

[@ohcrap2222]

@Donny Dragged Across Concrete is what you bring up? Are you talking about the bank scene?

[@Graffitisticks]

From what I remember from the game which is vague but, Sam and Henry just kinda pop up and tag along, also had nothing to do with hunters other than just hide like Joel and Elie. The episode gave a way better connection to all involved. (Spoilers ahead). Sam and Henry having a connection Kathleen and the hunters, seeing the hunters perspective and motive on fedra, feeling less like enemy NPCs, Sam and Henry tracking down Joel and Elie from the loud gun fire rather than just randomly being in the same apartment in a huge city, the clear motive of why Joel and Ellie act the way they do in the ending due to Sam and Henry death, Henry having to make a difficult decision to keep his brother alive, disregarding humanity to keep his loved one alive (Clearer foreshadow for Joel in the end), and that decision leading to why Sam is in danger. I can go on it all just trickles down so well and give clear motivation for both Joel and Ellie, Joel having to do whatever necessary to keep their loved one alive (like Bill and now Henry), and Ellie feeling guilty not using her gift that could of saved people like Sam, Tess, and Riley. Also REALLY liked how Sam shows Ellie his bite cause he's super scared and too afraid to show Henry and how Ellie tries desperately to save him and will carry that guilt till the end of the season.

[@gemodemplay415]

Episode 5 may honestly be the best episode so far.

[@scottlanin]

5 was the best episode so far. Amazing story, acting, and sets.

[@BlazerManiacNumber96]

I like that Joel had infinite ammo as soon as the plot decided he needed to. That’s a VERY video-gamey trope lol

[@Soap010]

It still makes sense tho. He gets it from the snipers perch. Safe to assume they had ammo from fedra

[@johnbd9765]

Jeremy if FEDRA was seen not to uphold the deals it made the opportunities for deals would dry up real quick. You have to consider these dynamics in an iterated, ongoing environment, not a one-off thought experiment. Prisoner's dilemma works the same way - one-off, defect is always the right answer. However, if you're going to keep making prisoner's dilemma choices with a partner, then defect becomes a bad option because your partner will always defect if they expect you to always defect - thus, cooperating as a default then punishing defection becomes the new equilibrium.

[@keepitreal5317]

I thought the deafness and leukemia was awesome. It made the death so much more impactful. I think many are remembering the game too fondly regarding Henry and sam having played the game 4 times over henry and sams relatuonship was not explored in the game it was blip in ellies story tying back to her friend at the mall, which is why sams death hurt her more. Also Kathleen although soft spoken was the one willing to take action while her brother was not, as stated in the show snd countless times she made a decision to kill people who betrayed her. Another thing is that by saying Henry was a collaborator and only sold out people for his brother tied in to Joel's choice at the end. Not to mention him not killing anyone meant his first kill was his own brother. Not only the trauma from killing someone but it also being somebody you swore to protect. I loved when the Dr stated "he is scared when you are scared" only for him to be fake confident for him. This episode was gut wrenching. Unless you played the game and knew the outcome the way they wrote it was great.

[@aaronreale67]

Henry doesn't have to be hardcore cause he's a collaborator. Lived pretty well.

[@xanderluu3876]

spoiler alert, okay so i think the reason for the change in henry and sam is because of the ending of the story, Joel will kill all the doctors just to safe ellie from essentially being an offer for the rest of humanity( potentially) the questions kathleen asks henry are: is the life of sam really worth more than someone elses ? and its essentially the same for the ending of joels en ellies story just on an even bigger scale. for me its an great addition to henry and sams story and its even more important to the story overall

[@introbe1]

I think the writers had to do something like Kathleen's story to make it make sense that the raiders were wasting so many resources going after Joel and Henry and company. In a world with limited resources, no one would waste that much ammo and men just to get a couple of guys and a couple of kids.

[@omanjackson17]

It make them incredibly dumb with their decisions. I don't see Walking Dead villain leaders do dumb decision like this. In the Last of Us universe they dealing faster infected that react to sound.

[@introbe1]

@@omanjackson17 If you think it's dumb decisions in the show, then you must think it was really dumb decisions in the game. Joel and company are being chased through Pittsburgh for no reason other than unknowingly trespassing.