Let's Go To The Mall?!? | The Last Of Us Ep 1x7 Reaction & Review | Naughty Dog on HBO Max 

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12:51 funny you should ask😂 Craig Mazin and Neil Druckman confirmed on the podcast that the second level is cgi and the mall was scheduled for demolition, so they were given free reigns to do anything inside

I'm glad you two don't give spoilers except for where every scene is in Canada. I appreciate those little fun facts.

I love that shot of the bare bed in Ellie's room early on, because you just _know_ it was Riley's before she ran away. THEY WERE LITERALLY ROOMMATES!! 🤣🤣🤣

"Aww, they are just so cute. Oh shit, not again" Pretty much every episode

“…obviously a CD Walkman”. FeelsOld

Some people are saying that the writers are using the same tactfulness they did with Bill and Frank's death. Queer people have been tired of seeing themselves die onscreen for shock value, so it's a nice turn when a show goes out of its way to give queer characters a 'private ending', for lack of a better term - whether their ending is implied to be bittersweet or tragic. Plus it's more about what Riley says at the end than it is about how she died. Riley's words encouraged Ellie to go back and help Joel, even if they both believe he's about to die. "Whether it's two minutes or two days, we don't give that up." Btw I've loved this ship since the DLC came out years ago and omg, Bella and Storm did so great. They had me giggling and kicking my legs and shit; they were so ADORABLE. I was rooting for them and then reminding myself every ten minutes of where it was going. I'm so damaged rn.

Also I also appreciate your observations of the episode regarding this not being gore porn and that everything is purposeful. Balance is created with showing us just enough without degrading the emotional connection we make with each and every character. Loved their little love story!! I do hope Ellie finds that type of connection in her future.

I got a feeling they are saving the gore for Joel. They keep talking about how ruthless Joel was back in the day. Got a feeling that they made Joel a little more softer and likable, because Joel going to revert back to the personality of young Joel and going to have a full action set piece to shock everyone with how Ruthless Joel actually can be.

100% agree with what Nerdy said. Their story is so captivating they do not need the shock value to keep people's attention.

Showing restraint tends to be the sign of a confident story teller unless it's a genre where excess is the point. There are so many properties that just jump for shock value, even when they are strong enough they don't really need it, but a story that can show restraint, particularly in its depiction of violence or gore, can often then use those story telling tools to leave a much stronger impression as the audience hasn't grown desensitized to them. Another incredible semi-recent example of that was Arcane which had almost no gore and very little hard language even and yet it had some of the hardest to watch sequences in media the year it came out. That said, the way they ended this episode also leaves open the potential to revisit this event. I don't know the story of the games but I could see a scenario where they use either snippets of Ellies final moments with Riley, or even just brief audio of what must have happened given that Riley must have turned and Ellie didn't, spliced into a future scene where it's relevant and that could potentially be much more powerful than if they just showed us the full sequence here.

I thought of Robin, too, "Let's All Go to the Mall!"

I love watching couples react in general due to the obvious chemistry, but you too in particular are so wholesome

Ellie is the definition of "Rage against the dying of the light."

there are two big story arcs left (i.e. end of winter, spring), and they have plenty of time, especially as efficient as they have been with storytelling, to end it easily with season one.

My husband: Do you have any plans for today. Me: I'm going to watch Nerdy cry. 😅

"As much as TLOU is a Misery parade." TLOU2 - YESSS

I don't think they will leave the end for next season, there's enough time to do the arc with David and his "hungry" group on episode 8, then the hospital and ending in episode 9. I hope we see some giraffes on episode 9!

I am still wondering if we later find out that unfortunately, Riley was Ellie's first kill when she turned and Ellie didn't turn. More Tears are yet to be shed😭 Oh, and I was almost waiting for Ellie to tell Joel, "You're not getting rid of me that easy! I might be just cargo to you, but you're the closest thing to family I've got left!!!"

OK, after this season is over, I think the two of you should put your Musical Theatre training to good use by writing and performing an original musical theatre piece based on The Last of Us Season 1.

As someone just hitting 40 I revel in being able to finally start calling everyone younger…kiddo. Lol

15:35 Isn't it after 2am? Everyone (or most everyone, anyway) is sleeping. The mall using power at this our isn't an issue. Besides, we were told when they were entering the mall that FEDRA didn't know that the mall was turned on when they reconnected the power, so even if they thought something was up, they wouldn't have known where to look.

The word is "tasteful without being gratuitous" for showing violence. Can't say the same for TLOU II though. JAJAJA They are using the last two episodes for the last two major arcs of the game. Season 1 completely covers Part I. They didn't know that they were getting renewed for season 2 until after the 2nd episodes aired so they did all they can with what they have, not planning for season 2. All the part II Easter eggs in the show were just Easter eggs for the fans, and not the groundwork they were trying to lay for season 2.

17:10 Back in Episode 5 before Joel and Ellie got to Bill and Frank's, where they stopped and Joel resupplied / Ellie sliced up and killed an infected, they found the same arcade game (but not working). Ellie was reminscing about this particular move, where "she swallows you whole and spits out your bone-sa!".

They're covering both story arcs in this season and it will cover the entirety of the first game! I think people forget that a lot of it involves gameplay segments. The game itself is 12-15 hours long depending on the playstyle, but a large chunk of it involves gameplay, so when you take most of the gameplay out, you're left with relevant actions sequences from gameplay segments, all the cutscenes and all the pivotal gameplay dialogues between the characters, all of which amount to about 5 hours or thereabouts (including Left Behind), so it'll likely be more than okay. The pacing has been incredible thus far for the most part. The penultimate episode will cover the whole David arc and episode 9 will cover all of the final chapter, which itself is pretty short when you remove the gameplay

You guys are right. It's the northland mall.

I've heard other people make the same comment about the ending/future of the show and that makes me, as a non game player, really excited about what is to come. I'm also kinda glad that we are getting tons of action as well as really good storytelling in this show. If it had been a total gore fest full of monsters then I probably wouldnt be as excited to see it come out each week

The confirmed this would be the entire game this season. Without spoiling much, episode 8 is the David episode and 9 the hospital episode. Also doubt Riley being 16 mattered much as far as the gore as we got Sarah at 14 and Sam at 9. Kind of surprised they spared us . but I wouldn't doubt that they finish that in another episode.. maybe one of the David scenes to help her channel some anger

If you show more of the story of the mall you lose the point of Rilley showing Ellie that you hold on to and fight for every minute with the ones you love… which is why she will not leave Joel

I 100% agree with you about how refreshing it is to see the very intentional restraint being shown. Its one of those things where if you trust your audience and are a good enough storyteller, you can imply terrible things happening without showing the terrible things. I wish more shows did this especially since I just finished season 1 of Outlander and jfc they didn't leave anything to your imagination 🙁

Its interesting what you say about the future. Without spoiling anything, I will just say the finale of the game, could be done in not much time. In my opinion, once your cut away the gameplay, the time it takes to tell that part of the story is very little. Part of what I loved about it was it does so much, with so little.

the second season wasn't greenlit until the ratings for the first episode came in also i've always been in love with the myriad of thoughts that lived rentfree in my head for years after how the first game ended, and i feel like people new to the IP would miss out on that if this season didn't end the same way

Came for the Canadian mall content. Was not disappointed.

remember also the ellie allready told joel the guy she shot was not the first time she had hurt someone like that....

The *Robin Sparkles* reference just bought you a sub my friend

It's so funny it took me until i saw the food court as well to finally go that is northland mall.

What a ride! Heartwarming and heartbreaking.

It’s so funny that you were able to decipher the mall and that they CGI’d the second floor. They discussed doing all of that in the official podcast.

Your niche reference was legen-wait4it-daryyy. « Let’s go to the … » 🕺🏻😅

Beast Titan is Zeke Yeager brother of Eren outside d' wall beyond the sea. Dia Fritz is d' smiling titan that ate Eren's mom.

It's cool you recognized the mall they shot this episode! And yes, it was confirmed on podcast the 2nd floor was largely CGI, despite the incredible challenge this created for the VFX team! 🤔😲🤯

we already JUST watched a child die this exact way and I’m glad we didn’t have to do it literally again

I ADORE you two and love these reaction videos. Keep 'em coming.

We appreciate your effort and hard work on this channel. God bless you.

Love the choice of music for the carrousel ride, music box version of Just like Heaven by The Cure, just perfect...

Just another day for the FIREFLIEEEEEEES (erwin’s voice)

Talking about showing a child's death, I wouldn't be surprised if episode 9 starts with a brief flashback of Marlene finding Ellie in the mall after Riley's death.

Everybody come and play ♪ Throw every last care away ♫

I suspected Canadian mall from the A&W in the food court. Those aren't all that common in the States anymore. Certainly not like in Canada.

5:19 I’m pretty sure iTunes doesn’t even exist anymore 😅 after Apple Music started up, iTunes shut down their songs for sale. Think it’s all streaming now

Hint for the mall... The second floor is all digital

Just looked it up, Northland Village Mall, yes

Hello fellow Calgarians, this is my second favourite episode, after the first. I am a big fan of the show and the game, and look forward to the next episode. Anyways, keep sending reviews.

everybody come and play, throw every last care away, let's go to the mall, today!

It IS Northland Mall. The second floor was CGI. The Northland Wiki page confirms this. Also, Nope, whole game this season, there's no way they would leave the final act for season 2.

I'm not sure if not showing Riley turn was about child gore, so much as just a tasteful and impactful choice. We know what happened and it ends in that sad moment of acceptance together. Somehow that allows the event that happened off screen to hit in a different and almost more impactful way than if they showed it. We know what happened and you fill out the details in your head, which can let it differently than if you saw it play out

There's no way that shit works after 20 years. I barely trust escalators now, there's no way I would trust it after 20 years without maintenance.

Excellent point about what they choose to show or not show in regards to graphic things. We don't need to see literally everything. They're respectful and intelligent in their approach. They are not going the Walking Dead shock gore factor and I appreciate it. After this point in the game, the "big" story sections only feel big when you play them because they were heavy stealth and grind missions and they were tough so I died like 254546766 times. It's really, in story points, really about right for two episodes, especially if the last is a longish one.

5:00 always had an Iphone never had an issue with them.

PRAX!!! You two will understand soon!

8:30 dead people can't become zombies in this, you have to be alive

Hey hey hey, they say pick you pr battles, so you still get to pick _some_ of the battles /j 😂😂😂

spoiler for non TLoU gamer: Dawn of the Wolf is the movie that had posters sprinkled throughout game - for progression: What about going through the tunnel to get to fireflies - think that will be in and they cut out infected action?

Great reaction vid 👍 ......I like all the episodes so far even when they deviated from the game but still connected it to the story Riley was ellie actual first kill killing a human when they both got bit , which i remember Ellie telling Joel that " it's not my first time"

the way she say no no no its heartbreaking..

😮😮😮 Northland Mall is closed for redevelopment and has was used in filming the last of us

The mall was northland mall calgary

Everybody come and play Throw every last care away Let's go to the mall Today

Y'all have some good reactions keep it up

Northland mall had an escalator up to fabricland at that one end! (ps. did you guys go to Churchill? lol)

"it's the last of us, nothing bad happens" did we watch the same show? ;)

those pun books would probably sell like hot pancakes now if there was such one.

I only realized when I watched your reaction but I think the jingle playing during the carousel scene is Slow Disco by St. Vincent. I think I noticed because I watch reactions at 1.5 speed. Am I crazy?

that power point was good. pun intended.

DRM music everywhere now. I wish there were drm books and textbooks

Your wife is really stoned hearted bro 🤣

Second floor is CGI. They talked about it on the Podcast.

I think 2 long episodes are enough for the end of the first game. The final big thing does not need more that one episode imo. In fact idk if it even needs a full episode. I actually feel the first big thing needs more time than the final

🎶"Let's go to the maaaaaallllll"🎶

I heard that Neil was interviewed about this story. He says Ellie has had such an awful series of events in her life up to this point. She is very distrustful of people and getting close to them. The Ellie/Riley story has had other situations before this where the two girls get closer. But in this episode, Riley tells Ellie that she is going away. So this feeds into Ellie distrust. However, Ellie makes one last pitch at Riley, asking here to not to leave her and they can both try to make a life together. Riley, goes against everythings she has wanted and says she will stay with Ellie and even breaks her Fireflies pendent. Then Ellie kisses Riley because something has gone right for her, only to have the writers kill that happiness by getting them both infected shortly afterwards. They both stay together, but omly Riley changes. And I think this is the person that Ellie mentioned she killed before but didn't want to discuss it with Joel earlier in the season. And it feeds into the Joel/Ellie arc from last week's show and why Ellie has such a attack first attitude, because she is afraid she will end up alone because every one she cares about ends up leaving and/or dying.

WE CANT HAVE NICE THINGS IN HERE !!!

Feel like this episode shows that Ellie is an angry drunk. Don’t feed her liquor.

They are definitely doing the entire first game in season 1. I believe both Neil druckmann and Craig Mazin have confirmed this

4:16 Hmm, where have I seen that guy before? 🤔 Oh well, I'm sure it's not important! 🤷

The last scene is so very best on me.

They most definitely knew they were getting a season 2, lol! They literally announced & confirmed season 2 by like week 2 of the show being out, the viewership numbers have been climbing through the roof each week, Season 2 was confirmed & announced by Nei Drukman, HBO & Craig Mazin themselves. I think Season 2 & 3 will be based on The Last of Us part 2 i can see them splitting that to 2 since it's a way longer game. :)

Nerdy, when you said, they could have ruined me more....all I could say is stay tuned.....I think they will next week. Weren’t they making a lot of noise?? I mean, even if Riley had been in there before, ya never knew if there were infected somewhere in the nook & crannies, which we find out later, there are. I was like, omg guys, why are you making so much noise? I mean, the carousel, the music when they danced, which was super cute btw, the breaking of glass all over the place. Why weren’t they quiet, they must have known the infected are attracted to sound right? but that creepy doll store….yikes! I didn't realize it was an American Doll store til later lol you woke up mushroom guy! So heartbreaking when Riley told Ellie that she was leaving. Storm Reid is an incredible actress. We know Bella already is from thrones but i’ve never heard of Storm. It broke my heart when they sat & cried together. Right now, Ellie thinks she’s going to die too but a bit later when Riley turns. Talk about some serious survivor guilt. What a strong 14 yr old she is. So glad they cut to Joel/Ellie, he was crying! Why oh why doesn’t she pour booze over the needle at least?? He's totally gonna get infected. Sorry I always write a lot, I get caught up lol

Loved this episode

The mall is a set they built.

I got the robin sparkles reference. That's all I'm here to say.

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I don't think the sky windows of the mall is transparent, in 20 years without being cleaned, it would be covered up with dust and dirts that the lights wouldn't be able to get outside.

Thanks, Nerdy! Thanks, Clarus! 🏬 #NerdyNightly #TheLastOfUs #TLOU #TheLastOfUsHBO

Baby Abby 😂💀

There's only two story beats left and they don't take that much time. In fact I was a bit underwhelmed by the second part in the game. For me it was incredibly short and abrupt. I was expecting more to happen regarding the Fireflies and culmination of Ellie getting to her destination. Instead I felt railroaded into a resolution and it felt rushed. Perhaps because I had taken my time and had a lot of skills and weapons/items at my disposal and breezed through. I even missed a bunch of soldiers because they just ran past me to an earlier section. Actually the same thing happened in the story with David. I barely fought anyone in the snow storm portion. I guess it just depends on how you get to those checkpoints. TLDR; I think 2 episodes is plenty of time to finish off the last two main story arcs.

Love the reaction videos

ROBIN SPARKLES!! “Let’s go to the mall. Today!”

Clarus in a hat and Nerdy with his locks flowing. I was discombobulated then I took a hit and I'm good now.

No faith in the Chuck Taylor’s? Blasphemy. 😂

That antiskip never really worked though