The Last of Us Therapy: Grief + Trauma - Therapist Reaction 1X1 "When You're Lost in the Darkness"

Therapist Dr. Courtney reacts to HBO Max's The Last of Us S1 Ep 1. Twenty years after a fungal outbreak ravages the planet, survivors Joel and Tess are tasked with a mission that could change everything.
#thelastofus #reaction #therapy
00:00 - 00:38 - Intro
00:38 - 02:08 - Parentification
02:08 - 03:22 - Joel doesn't put himself first
03:22 - 04:55 - Asking questions to reduce fear
04:55 - 05:36 - On the run
05:36 - 07:57 - Grieving a murdered child
07:57 - 08:54 - Joel has to numb himself in order to survive
08:54 - 09:58 - Mental Status Exam
09:58 - 11:25 - Flashbacks from Trauma
11:25 - 13:20 - Joel points his gun at Ellie
13:20 - 14:27 - Ellie brining up memories of Sarah
14:27 - 15:36 - Joel connects Ellie with Sarah
15:36 - 16:18 - See you next Thursday!
ABOUT THE HOST
Dr. Courtney Tracy, known as The Truth Doctor, discusses the world through a mental health lens using pop culture and the media as her medium.
The goal of this show is to provide psychological perspectives on topics, themes, characters, and, at times, real people as they are presented in mass media. The outcomes we hope for are increased understanding and compassion for the human condition and increased awareness of how the mind and body work.
Dr. Courtney is a licensed clinical social worker and a doctor of clinical psychology. She holds a LCSW license in the state of California and has specialized in substance use and co-occurring disorders throughout her career.
PLEASE NOTE: This show is not therapy, clinical advice, or medical advice. This show is intended to deliver psychoeducation and share personal experiences.
PLEASE READ: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room; for international crisis lines, please visit www.opencounseling.com/suicid...
Want to learn more about the host? Check out our website: thetruthdoctor.com/
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[@the.truth.doctor]

What a first episode. So heartbreaking and intense. 😢FYI for copyright purposes we have to cut out a lot of our scenes/commentary. If there is something missing from this episode that you'd like me to comment on let me know and I'll try and answer it in the comments or in next week's video. Thank you for being here! 👇

[@lemurkirsche7891]

A tip for the copyright szenes, if there is a szene worth talking about, you can also gladly show just a still frame, discripe the szene shortly, and then talk about the subject, that would be very interesting, instead of completely missing out on a whole point from you. I really enjoy those videos, they help me a lot, because I am really bad in seeing emotions in myself and others.

[@danielcoronado4010]

Do Cyberpunk please!

[@tanelviil9149]

Just some info: The person NIEL CUCKMAN ( sorry druckmann ) did not write the story of TLOU for the first game. ( the story that this TV show will be based on ) But NEIL CUCKMANN wrote the story for the second game and the second game was universally hated by gamers and TLOU fans.... only far leftist twitter users loved TLOU part 2 game. The second game was put full with LGBT nonsense, FEMINISM, ANTI MALE HATE and of course bad writing. Why am I telling you this???? Because many fans are afraid that NIEL will use this show to bring the story more in lign with his PART 2 game story that people hated so much ( in short he will ruin this show ) making it WOKE.... i hope you know what WOKE means. But i tell you all this, so you know when the show starts to become more and more LEFTISt with FEMINISM and LGBT stuff in it and when characters are written dumber .... like JOEL was in part 2 game , then you know why it is happening and from where it comes from. _______________________________ Just so you know n PART 1 game JOEL ( and his BROTHER ) was a cold calculated man. He has survived for over 20 years in a hard post apocalyptic world , where people steal, rape and kill while also having constantly the infected trying to turn humans into infected. JOEL did not trust anyone, did not say his name to strangers did not even help strangers when he saw them in danger. He killed any one when he even thought that this person poses a threat or just to prevent possible retaliation leter. IN PART 2 Joel ( and his BROTHER) was written to be a moron, who trusted strangers, told themn their names etc. And i will not spoil what happened but yeah PART 2 was not a post apocalyptic world any more, it was a leftist wett dream of a good story, that any normal person saw as garbage. That's why PART 2 game went on discount only after 3 months it came out. No new game ( if it is good ) goes on discount so soon. So if this SHOW turns to something like that, then you know why .

[@davidedwards1705]

Welcome to TLoU Family. Naughty Dog hits us all hard in the feels.

[@atp8108]

@@tanelviil9149 Dude just let it go. The game came out almost three years ago and you’re still angry about it? Let other people have the chance to enjoy things even if you don’t agree. There are plenty of people who love part 2 just as much as part 1. Also not liking a story bc it features LGBT characters is not a valid source of criticism. LGBT people exist in real life and deserve to be represented in stories as well.

[@lockekappa500]

I love the two contrasting scenes of Joel's demeanor when holding a dead child in his arms. (Sarah, and then the child with the sneakers) All it took was 5mins for them to show how cold and empty Joel has become in these 20 years. I really like where this is headed.

[@jubilantsleep]

Get the tissues ready

[@purpleclaws202]

Did no one play the game...? I saw it coming

[@Z-FishInMyBreakfast]

@@purpleclaws202 bro??

[@K8_Preciado]

12:55 actually Joel was never gonna hurt Ellie cus if you pause and look closer he doesn’t have his finger on the trigger. So he was just pointing the gun at Ellie to show he was the one with “power”. And me personally I thought the reason he paused was to question why both Marlene and the other woman where so quick to defend Ellie.

[@blinkachu5275]

Saddest detail: Joel's watch broke the moment he and Sarah got shot His watch is a constant reminder of the exact moment he lost his daughter

[@mfpperera]

An apocalypse is certainly a great field to analyze how humans act and react psychologically. Can't wait to see the rest of the series!

[@TheHiddenNarrative]

Your quote was so accurate, of Sarah's death being tied with a larger societal issue and how Joel's grief and pain can't be resolved until there's a solution to the pandemic itself. That actually ties in so well psychologically when its revealed later in the episode that Ellie can serve as a possible cure for both the larger broken world around them, and to also heal Joel's broken heart as well.

[@AhmazinSKM]

It’s incredible that you said Joel has now bonded Ellie to Sarah. When I played the game, experiencing Sarah’s death, I found that I had real anxiety whenever Ellie was being attacked. I was desperate to get to her. And I distinctly remember thinking, I can’t let Ellie die, like Sarah. Ellie was my Sarah and I was going to protect her at all costs.

[@Quzga]

My aunt died years ago, she was in her 40s and died from a stroke. I remember my grandma at the funeral, I've never seen someone cry so hard in my life, people had to hold her up so she wouldn't just fall to the ground. i still remember the way she sounded. These days she just sits still at the kitchen table smoking cigarettes, she has never been herself and lost any joy she got out of life. Feels like she is just waiting to die.

[@DoubleBlack2.0]

This is so incredibly sad. I’m so sorry for her. I’m a mother myself and cannot IMAGINE living through a loss like that. It’s one of my biggest fears, for sure.

[@Quzga]

@@DoubleBlack2.0 i have one good update at least. She has started going to a workout center and met other people and seem happier. She can't walk properly after breaking a hip and ever since then she never went outside and didn't want to go to physical therapy until past few months. Apparently my grandpa had to convince her big time to go and after she came back she was surprised how fun it was and kept going. But yeah.. I can't even comprehend how it would feel to lose your own child, especially out of the blue.

[@DoubleBlack2.0]

@@Quzga I can’t either. 💔 Thanks for the update, tho. I’m glad she’s taking steps towards healing. ❤️‍🩹

[@Quzga]

@@DoubleBlack2.0 thanks for caring! Means a lot

[@DoubleBlack2.0]

@@Quzga 🤗

[@ashleyvampireheart]

The mental status exam and serial sevens threw me. As someone with anxiety and dyscalculia, that sounds like a nightmare!

[@MichaelDavis2754]

I love the fact they give you more time with Sarah makes her death more impactful

[@hannahgallagher2676]

I’m so glad you are doing videos on this show. My brother played the game and made me watch most of the game play, so it’s cool hearing about the psychology going on in the show

[@wtimmins]

I never played the game but suspected how the first arc would go. Hit me HARD. I'm often emotional in shows, that's not new, but this is the first time I actually had to pause watching a show and spend time collecting myself before watching the rest. Wow. Kudos to the show runners and actors.

[@Kayjee17]

The game was that way too. Right after Sara died and Joel fell apart, there were bits and pieces of radio transmissions giving a bit of info about what happened and the rise of the Fireflies on the audio along with speed-up spore growth and some credits on the screen. It played long enough for the player to pull themselves together enough to continue the game, with the option to pause if you still weren't ready. The anticipation of that scene had me on edge the whole beginning until it happened... and I still cried. Sara was a good kid who didn't deserve to die - but no kid does, do they?

[@jaleesamg]

Definitely the first time I cried during a game. It was so well done! I notice in the show, so far a lot of these characters have the exact same lines as in the the game and they're using the same camera angles etc. It's so cool!

[@jrodthegreat1]

I never thought I would feel like that playing a game! this exactly the same feeling felt when Sara died in the game

[@BobTheWulf]

I've been having panic attacks and unending anxiety for several days because I found out I have some health issues. I just wanted to say thank you for making these videos because they help me take my mind off of my problems and give me a moment of relief ❤️

[@shakirasmylie6178]

She's so sweet and loving person and a best therapist ever 🙂😊

[@samhunt6300]

It's common among good therapists.

[@ViNuS_viv]

Probably one of the best if not the best show that is based on a video game. I've played it many years back. No worries, I won't spoil anything, but it will get far more interesting with a lot of things you might want to comment on. Keep it up! 😄

[@Fulcrum00]

Last of us is my favorite game ever so I’m definitely intrigued by this. So far the pilot is pretty faithful to the game. Excited to see more episodes 😄

[@randomanimefrancais1.042]

I love the way you cut up/edit your videos which adds and helps to find. It's such an interesting video and discussion especially grief, dance and trauma ... Thank you

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you! This series is going to be super interesting.

[@randomanimefrancais1.042]

@@the.truth.doctor I think so too... I honestly never played the video game nor do I truly know the synopsis or the story nor the universe, but from what I've heard here and there and seen here, plus with your inishf5s it looks such a humane, epic, touching story... I can't wait to see it! And I'll surely follow the story with your reactions and insights :)

[@JigInsane]

When you mentioned ppl that's played the game during the car scene. Lol. Correct, plenty moments I was expecting but they altered slightly or completely to the point I'm actually surprised when something is actually one to one with the game. Which is exciting for me.

[@jonathanstrauss1164]

Didn't know that I needed The Truth Doctor to react to The Last of Us show... yet here we are, and I do indeed need this in my life. 😊

[@ayeron6576]

i couldn’t do 100-7 over and over in my head now let alone if i was actually mentally unwell 😭😭

[@fabricioguanipa7530]

I watched the first episode on Monday, since day I've seen like 20 reaction videos, but yours is definitely so much richer and informative. Can't wait to see more

[@JigInsane]

I liked the commentary. Of course, I'll always avoid stating any possible spoilers from the game or explaining things from the game to allow the show to progress the way it's meant to and change things up for this medium. I hope others do the same. Some of the parallels are interesting. Also, as I've said in comments on previous videos, this game/story has a lot going on that I'm interested to see how it's perceived and done. Look forward to more from you and can hopefully make the live on Saturday pertaining to Wednesday. Hope you have a wonderful day and stay great!!!!

[@Arcadian-Nova]

in the show joel is 36, so he would have become a father around my age somewhere mid 20's which is still quite young imo, but in the game he was younger, and it was heavily suggested that it was very early 20's if not late teens. he was very still sort of a kid himself when raising sarah, and we don't know when his wife left (or how, but it was a painfull memory so either she died, or it was a very messy break up/divorce) he probably had been a single father for quite a while. so especially in the game but also in the show, he knew his baby girl for A BIG part of his life if not almost half of it, she was always there. she was also the Heart of the Miller family.

[@opticmidnight2629]

Joel was in his 30s in the game and 20 years later he's in his 50s so the show and game are rather close.

[@alexanderderosier7691]

There are two things I love about this show. The realistic-ish type apocalypse style story and the humanly betrayed characters. All the characters are innately human. There’s no clear cut good/bad guys. (Except David) Even the infected. We know the fungus grows around the brain and the body is hijacked and fed upon by the fungus which tells me to a point, a person is still in there. The characters all make decisions based on their own current immediate needs, emotional states, and personal goals leaving their depictions vulnerable to moral ambiguity. I absolutely love this about the series and adding your insight makes it even better. I hope you continue with season 2 when it’s available.

[@matthealey187]

Great video. You seem a lot more scientific about the psychology and explain it in a much less opinionated way than Jordan Peterson. This video gave me a fantastic instinct into not only how these characters are feeling but exactly why so really appreciate that.

[@the.truth.doctor]

Wow, thanks!

[@Kayjee17]

I really enjoyed your comments about Joel. You added some ideas about his mental health and reactions that I've never thought of before, and it's giving me more understanding of how he reacted later in the game and how he might react in the show. I'm sure I'm going to like your commentary on this show very much, and I'm waiting for a look at Ellie through your eyes.

[@madisoncrum9212]

Been waiting for this!

[@BrowardHeron]

Amazing analysis! Can’t wait for the next one!

[@Zinnshady]

I love hearing these kinds of takes from an actual medical professional, its a very refreshing style of reaction.

[@sofiasendinocamargos1789]

Nice to see you back with another series!! Waiting till next thrusday

[@BrittnyShrub]

Wow that was so fun! Thank you for the analysis of the episode and your ending well wishes. So uplifting.

[@atp8108]

Thank you for this reaction! I’ve played and loved the games and was really impressed with the first episode. Looking forward to more to come!

[@ArethaVGuedes]

It was mind blowing when I was playing the game for the first time, all the sequence in the car and ending with Sara. Watching still is breathtaking

[@gregwillett2710]

Your academic lense on this bring to the NEXT level. I'm here for this.

[@JigInsane]

I'm excited to watch this. I've played the games and am really interested in what those who haven't think. There is a lot to this game/show. There are differences. But it's a ride and I'm really intrigued to see your lens and thoughts on this. About to watch!!

[@MariaIsabel_Fufuria]

This is my first time discovering your channel and I can't wait to hear more of your analysis. I feltnso validated somehow when you mentioned Prolonged Grief disorder, PTSD and many others. As a gamer, I looove "TLOU ", as my regular self, I hold this story near and dear because I can relate to it so much, metaphorically speaking.

[@nicholes6000]

I love this! Your channel really encompasses two of my favorite things which are mental health and storytelling. I love movies and shows and books and looking deeper into every aspect of them and I am also going into the mental health profession so these videos are so interesting to me!

[@tezster0]

I love the balance you strike providing insight into the human psyche, mental trauma and entertainment in your videos.

[@ArethaVGuedes]

I was waiting for this

[@3..2..1..]

A lot of things are making even more sense now that you are explaining it.❤

[@clashofclaws1332]

i love your videos. You helped me so much! ❣️☺️

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy this new series! 😀

[@clashofclaws1332]

@@the.truth.doctor oh I enjoyed both games and looking forward to every other episode☺️

[@redheadedgeek337]

I love your content. and this is one of my all time fav games. Loved the show and love this video you made!!

[@toukie]

There is one thing he says to the Fedra officer that never really hit me until further into the show. "The more you kill people, the harder it is to sleep, I guess" and sarcastically, the Fedra guy says "Oh, you guess?" And yet, we see Joel self-medicate. You hear Ellie tell him "You mumble in your sleep... The more you kill people, the harder it is to sleep...

[@ToxicXNature]

whoa i didn't even know the last of us got a tv show, this is cool

[@the.truth.doctor]

It's so good already!!

[@notthatricky7328]

I didn’t know that counting back from 7 was used that way as a test,I’ve seen it used in a scene of an anime called Tokyo ghoul but in a way different scenario,that’s cool to find out about that thanks,that would be an interesting series to see you react to and dissect

[@CarolinayAna93]

Im giving this show a chance because of you. And its giving me fear the walking dead vibes. I like it so far. Keep up with the videos. They are great

[@siarafae2217]

you are so incredibly perceptive and eloquent

[@chuckmanion1128]

"I bet anyone who's played the game thought that was going to be the moment." This would suggest you've played the game? I may have missed it, but I didn't hear you say one way or the other. If you have, I'm curious on your opinion on how it compares. So far I think there are things that they did both better and worse.

[@RunningTogether]

Great analysis as always. Looking forward to the rest of this series and your insights. 🙂 Your comments about parentification and the relationship between Sarah and Joel made me think of the very interesting psychology of the relationship in the Netflix show Ginny and Georgia. That would be another great show for you to analyze and react to when this show is done, though even if you don’t, you should check it out as it’s quite good. Tons of psychological issues in a mother-daughter relationship with lots of additional trauma, complex family dynamics, etc.

[@gallarinas]

can't wait for you to do s2 lolz

[@m_t_m_t]

I’m curious to get your take on how therapy is portrayed on the show _Ted Lasso._ We love watching your videos, they’re informative and entertaining!

[@necrophiliacin_lace628]

You nailed it how the bond he connect from Ellie to Sarah does play out in the series.

[@JaeMinJung.]

Doc could you talk about the scene where Joel still wears his watch despite being broken? I think it reminds him of the last happy memories he has of his daughter and also the terrible memories since the watch was broken when they got shot and he is actually looking at the actual time of death of his daughter on his wrist.

[@martinmillar7137]

Plane crash was pretty sick tbh 😆 the sound design around it was great..i literally 3hat myself.

[@MrDempmeister]

Thank you for deciding to react to this show. I’ve played the games, and the first one I’ve done several play throughs of. So this series will be a treat for me and your comments will be icing on the cake. Now for my first of many questions is how the human psyche in general would deal with a post apocalyptic world where a sort of zombies basically has taken over the world? I know it’s a bid question that can’t be answered in a comment. But it would be cool if you could add that perspective into the analysis in some way. The reason for me asking this is what I’ve seen and heard in several discussions about the storyline in the games. I’ve found that people tend to judge thr characters based on current moral boundaries, rarher than those that would exist in a world of chaos where we basically is in constant survival mode.

[@isaiahhenderson9538]

I love ya reactions ❤

[@josephkim1454]

Oh shiz no way lool, awesome!

[@the.truth.doctor]

:) I hope you like it!!

[@honie_bee]

I want to note that in the scene where Joel points the gun at Ellie, there is the easily missable detail of his trigger discipline. I don't think Joel ever intended to shoot Ellie after she surprised him. While he is pointing the gun at her, his finger if away from the trigger and resting along the barrel. Just an interesting detail that gets missed but I think is also telling of his empathy. While repressed, there are hints of it throughout.

[@belb7083]

thank you thank you for reacting to this, it's my favorite game ever love from argentinaa

[@234i9]

6:35 Thanks to this study, I learned that parents of murdered children want revenge on the murderer. Couldve never figured that one out if not for academia...

[@reallife_daria4816]

I’m not saying spoilers but hearing her say that the grief can’t be resolved til he gets to the initial cause of Sara’s death which is the virus made me cry cause people who played the game knows that the trip to take Ellie is for the cure right. That’s it. I can’t……. This game will always be my favorite it explores so much mental avenues and feelings leading to the consequences for the characters.

[@qtindavis433]

i love that you say, surviving through the human condition!!!

[@soulstealer82]

i'm loving your videos, in the area here in california i'm in its hard to find a good psychologist and/or therapist that takes my medical insurance, i've gone through 3 therapists already because they just didn't listen to me and acted like they didn't want to be there lol

[@lilbitx496]

"You're watch is broken" killed me inside

[@efremvercaigne7265]

Let's go!

[@a.a677]

You're gonna be on a RIDE with this one

[@MolnarG007]

Love the reation, and that hese shows are used by you to point other many intresting things. If you have time for more than 1 episode a week (Last of us) recommend another, award winning Netflix serie: *The Queen's Gambit* The orphan who is the main characater, her special personality, and intrest toward chess is a fascinating subject, and some of those 60s 70s outfits are just gorgeous. What else we need? Oh yeah, your analysis!

[@Quartercheeseburger]

This was so good. Thank you for explaining this because the last of us is like one of the most favourite things I have and this means a lot to me

[@CrownlessKing88]

I love that you’ve clearly played the game or have watched someone play the game. And your profession is so respectable and “adult”. I hope we can somewhat destigmatize video game playing and enjoyment as childish or a waste of time because of people like you 😊. P.S. love your reactions and insight!

[@ruggedascent]

Interesting that you seemed to read Joel's reaction to the officer being a threat to Ellie as a choice. I read it strictly at a PTSD response. I'm not quite sold on the fact that Joel is fixed on protecting Ellie yet. Regardless, I really enjoyed your breakdown. Looking forward to seeing more of your content!

[@the.truth.doctor]

I’m right there with you. This was unconscious. His brain linked them based on traumatic response activation. He still has to decide.

[@onylra6265]

This is strong reaction content. Good for you. Normally I don't have much time for psycho babble, but I think you could probably whither me.

[@Glo419]

I am not a gamer but all my adult kids are lol and they know about this one. So I have no idea what the story is going to be like. Are you a gamer? The psychology throughout this whole series is going to be fascinating! Looking forward to Sunday!

[@craigvancil4410]

I would love for you to react to Severance. It's an amazing psychological sci fi thriller/mystery that deals with grief, family, work, and identity.

[@lunaros4209]

6:28 You called it.

[@John-996]

They really did a great job of Capturing what made the game great. Hope they Go into Joel's Days as a Hunter, in Either the TV Show or a game.

[@XtraTori]

This series feels likely to be the best one of the year.

[@incantrix1337]

One thing I haven't seen anyone bring up, is how when they talk about the infection coming from the city, Sarah says "but you'd have to go many times, right?" because she was in the city earlier that day.

[@jenny_lee_87]

Just subscribed 💜 hi from Puerto Rico 🫂

[@crystalpistey-lyhne3406]

I💜This Show !🫨🤯🫣🫨🥹👹🥰🎛🖥💙

[@martinmillar7137]

Absolutely ignored this for a few weeks so i could binge lol sorry... heeeeeeere i go 😆 thanks for doing this tho..i patched cause am binging you..rather than the show... can't wait to see wit ye have yo say.

[@Skullzrapper]

Love your commentary! Psychology is usually the lens I try to watch shows in which is why I love character studies the most, but I like how you compared Joel telling Sara she was going to be ok with Ellie asking if they were going to be ok. I think that's why there was a long pause and he went from listening intensely to sitting back with a more casual demeanor when he answered her. He caught himself feeling something and then went back to numbing himself.

[@maxmichalik4938]

Given your specialization I somehow expected more emphasis on how both FEDRA security and Joel cope with their situation through self-medication.

[@madhatter3854]

I love that you pay a lot of attention to the details which can say a lot about a character's psychology. Looking forward to see your following reactions 😄

[@LegitLord2000]

Yayyyyyyyy. I didn’t even know u were reacting to this until I saw the short 😂 Damn mobile KZbin hiding 90% of my subs

[@happyhedgehog6450]

My watch guy charges me £5 for a new battery and fix. That is $5.98 at the time of my posting this. So $20 isn't actually cheap for a quick spring fix.

[@gr1mreap3rz15]

this was rlly cool! small notes i think might interest you from the podcast they released alongside this episode: • they mentioned that when joel realises ellie is scared ("so we're gonna be ok?"), he leans towards her slightly. they said this is intended to show that whilst he's trying to close himself off from people, he's still someone's dad, and he can't ignore the instinct to comfort her entirely, even if he doesn't act on it fully. • apparently they specifically asked pedro pascal to find the "scared kid" part of joel, and then he'd understand the character he was playing. they said that last scene (joel having a flashback to sarah and beating the guard to death) was the scene where he said he got it and understood who joel was. • during the opening sequence, when joel kills the runner attacking sarah, she cries and is visibly afraid despite knowing him and knowing he was protecting her. during the last scene, when joel looks back at ellie after killing the guy (apparently out of fear at the realisation that he'd killed someone in front of a child), she's leaning towards him, and looks intrigued. she isn't scared of him at all. just think that's interesting! i'm rlly glad this show is getting so much attention! tlou is one of my favourite games ever and so far the show has been a perfect adaptation imo.

[@JampClear]

TE AMO!

[@Commander-vf1lk]

I’d like to share my personal perspective/opinion on this. Some points to clarify given this situation/case. I’m focusing some aspects in regards to psychology. However, it’s simply trying to understand the current situation vs the bigger picture. At least, I’m trying & it’s ok if you can point out some mistakes. Apologies in advance if my English seems wrong. First of all, every movie has their own version of what zombies are. For example, World War Z vs Walking Dead. How do you know you aren’t infected when you just met a stranger especially when covered in blood? How do they spread the infection? Is the virus only limited to physical contact like bite, scratches or blood? Or is it an airborne virus? No one knows which explains why the soldier is wearing a gas mask to protect himself from any toxic/disease that you may inhale. Chances are that it can incubate in a host without you knowing. You know… delayed reaction & you’re the carrier to spread unto others. There are no vaccines to cure the infection & no detection equipment yet to verify if you’re an infected or not. Especially during the start of the outbreak when no one knows about it in the first place. Why will the soldier shoot civilians without question? For various reasons. In this case, after evaluating the situation. 1. Is the soldier thinking for his safety or for other’s safety? Will you take that chance of leaving them be only to risk spreading to millions? Like save 2 lives only to risk millions. Again, how do you know? Are you a Scientist or Medical Doctor? Not exactly specialized in knowing how they work & certainly not his field of expertise. He said “Sorry” meaning he means it. Why say that after he shot them? Even the tone of his voice is the guilt. Living with that kind of choice is tough. He didn’t ask for this but he made his choice for the greater good aside from just containment orders. For all we know, that soldier might be 18yrs. old minimum. Can’t see clearly but it’s a possibility. That could’ve been a son or father or husband of somebody. 2. Not everyone is truthful. Civilians could be lying just for their own sake & again risk millions of lives. The selfishness of people doing whatever it takes to survive. For example, COVID-19 I heard people avoiding to be detected cuz they know they’re showing symptoms that their positive. Get on a ship or whatever transportation you can find & end up spreading the infection. Coughing, touching, etc. Feel bad knowing that kids end up getting from those kind of people. However, it’s understandable when it comes to your instinct of fear making decisions. Allowing fear to dictate our choices is not always something you realize right away. Imagine you can’t see your family and friends just cuz somebody on board unchecked is on the same boat or airplane with you. Thinking how you got it is sometimes really someone near you that got you into that situation in the first place. Lastly, Quarantine means: (N) - a state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that may have been exposed to infectious disease are placed. (V) - place (a person or animal) in quarantine in order to prevent the spread of an infectious disease. - remain apart from others for a period of time in order to prevent the transmission of an infectious disease to which one may have been exposed. My point, it doesn’t mean checking/verifying who’s infected. That’s why the military will not risk anyone escaping the area without first understanding how the virus works. Basically, it’s a different term for prison but it sure acts like one regardless.

[@AngeloBarovierSD]

You are uniquely the reactor I would most recommend to watch the Canadian cop series FLASHPOINT. It doesn't have the caché of your other reactions, so I'd be happy to list key episodes. Personally - and with full acknowledgement of my bias, having been involved tangentially with the show - I find it explores trauma and emotional distress in multiple layers. It may provide good fodder for exploring the topics which you are keen on discussing. (This thought came to me because there is an award-winning episode in which the main guest character typifies a parentified child.) Anyway, thought I'd mention it. Love your work ever since I discovered you via the ARCANE reactions. Cheers!

[@shelleygoll6754]

Love your episodes, started watching you since Wednesday. Even though you are speaking of the psychologies developed through shows, you have indirectly helped me with understanding my struggles. Thank you

[@MichaelDavis2754]

Fun fact Marlene is played by her VA from the game

[@elreydelmundo1343]

I tried to do the -7 exam as you were talking about it. I literally went to 93 and then got stuck for like 30 seconds. I think my brain failed, I might be a zombie lol.

[@TomTomson81]

Joel Uhr broke again the moment he and his daughter were shot and rolled down the hill. The time on the clock thus marks the time of Sarah's death.

[@Berg126]

Just hope you remember to enjoy the show too!!!

[@martinmillar7137]

Watched this all way through.. no spoilers but man.... thanks.. probably thee greatest reaction ever..reaction..i hate that phrase tbh... well maybe not..i dunno..i watch so called reactions to validate my own reaction... kinda mad eh? I dunno.. but this truly was one of the best series reactions ever... thanks..i guess thanks is perfecto xx thanks..

[@willabethfan]

I’d like to get your perspective about the relationship between Joel and Tess as the series continues.

[@carlomeroni5394]

Im watching this reaction really late, but i still hope youre gonna read that! People who has lost a close person to them tend to keep some type of object that remind em of who passed away, for exemple joel's watch. Whats really sad about it? The watch broke when he threw himself to the ground to protect sara, so the watch shows the exact same time his daughter died. Im wondering what he kept thinking while seeing it everyday during through the 20 years gap. (Sorry english isnt my first lenguage so im not really fluent)

[@jmcman6104]

You could’ve fooled me this is very well explained :)

[@OhyeahMrKrabz]

So many youtube channels about a therapist reacting to shows

[@StrawberryThighDDemon]

I played both Last of Us Part 1 and 2, plus the DLC, which is Ellie and Riley's story. The series follows a similar outline to the game. So, prepare for more heartbreak. It's gonna get crazy. I'm hoping the show gets the science more accurate than the game. Because Ellie is indeed infected with the fungus. Just a different variation of the fungus that happens to benefit her.

[@johanstenfelt1206]

Hm, interesting start, I hope this Show does well. I wonder how it does adapting the Game so far? I’ve heard it’s done well, It will be interesting to see you react to this with you analysis.