the gay panic is ASTRONOMICAL💅 | Fans REACT to THE LAST OF US on HBO - Episode 7 (SPOILERS) 

I really can't praise Bella enough. All the subtle looks and the just natural chemistry she just seems to have with the people she works with is truly a gift

In her final scenes with Riley, Bella Ramsey proven beyond a shadow of a doubt she's more than up to the task of portraying TLOU part II Ellie -- she's gonna do great smashing every in-tact window left in post-apocalyptic America.

A note on how Marlene finds Ellie, I think they did a nice simple fix for giving a really plausible explanation for it all in this episode: the fact that Riley is posted in the mall by the Fireflies in the first place. It explains why Riley is so familiar with the place to show so much off to Ellie, and how the Fireflies would even find them after they got bit.

When they're on the carousel, the song playing in the background is "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure.

I enjoy a lot of reactors but I waited for you guys for this episode. Your insights are honest and revealing. Especially to an old Bill who lost his Frank many years ago. There’s so much about young love I’ve forgotten living as isolated as I do. I especially loved your recognizing the lesbian colors in the mall. What a fantastic touch.

I'm very curious how many of the newbie fans have picked up on the foreshadowing to Ellie being gay, with her very pointed "No" when Tess asks if she has a boyfriend, her purely showing amusement and no interest in Bill's gay porn, and naming Sally Ride as her favorite astronaut.

I’ll say it again, 80s means trouble but it also means love, falling in love and that can cause trouble

I think it's clear who was Ellie's first kill, it's the same with Bill and Frank, they didn't show the aftermath but we already know what happened. Killing clickers doesn't count because she was for sure referring to a human in ep4. It's either we get a few scenes later or Ellie's just gonna reveal to Joel what she had to do by confession, y'now, as part of their conversation at the end. But what really got me in this episode is the little too realistic representation of young queer love, gay panic, yearning, and all that. This is what happens if we let queer people play queer characters, we get accurate rep on screen. Also the part when the Left Behind theme intensifies as she held Joel's hand and he reciprocated, her desperation to prolong Joel's life. It reminded her of Riley's monologue " Whether it's two minutes or two days, we don't give that up, I don't want to give that up. " Also, I think one of the reason Joel was pushing her away is that it's war flashbacks all over again, it's like the same spot where Sarah got shot, and he doesn't want Ellie to see him die.

"Joel in one" got me good. ...got him good too!

Fun fact about the "lesbian flag shot" In the podcast episode for this episode of the show, they had this whole discussion about how that entire shot is basically CGI, so for all those people who are saying that people don't put that amount of attention to detail into certain shots can suck a big one

I’m usually “to each their own” when it comes to opinions on media, but anyone saying Bella isn’t Ellie after this episode is an absolute clown, the whole circus even. The way Bella screamed that last “NO” after they got bit was everything.

Bella Ramsey is just amazing

The way Ellie looks at Riley's face in the carousel like she's everything 😭

It's wild. I don't know the gay teen experience, but I somehow just knew in my core that Bella was absolutely nailing it here. I feel like Ellie saying it wasn't the first time she hurt anyone heavily implies that she had to kill Riley after these events. I don't think they really have to show or tell us the details.

Your level of joy during this episode is everything. The look in the carousel got me. It's the cutest crush look in the world.

Bella has truly mastered the longing gay stare

I didn't cry during the carousel scene until y'all cried during the carousel scene. Also I love that The Cure's Just Like Heaven scored that scene.

This is the recap I’ve been searching for!! I had to subscribe immediately. I’m convinced the people who did not like this ep have never experienced yearning for their best friend before lol

I had so many nights exactly like the one they had wondering if the cute boy I was with wanted to kiss another boy 😭

This is one of the reactions I've been waiting for...the excitement, insight, and depth. It's my private theory that the reason we're not shown Ellie dealing with a newly-turned Riley is that they didn't want someone doing something derogatory with edited footage or memes. And...it's not like they need to pack any more pain into the story. It's best left to fancanon, where people get the ending they feel justified with. The implication is that Riley died by Ellie's hand. Neil D. said on the podcast words to the effect that the last twenty years of progress regarding gay rights didn't happen so the society is very much operating still on 2003s (and likely earlier) sexuality mores. So if Ellie makes the leap of faith to the wrong person...the repercussions could be dangerous to fatal, considering how far society has fallen apart in the QZs.

Between the heartwarming cute moments showcasing Ellie and Riley finally being able to act like kids again for once, if only for a little while...... only to rip it all away again for the seventh time in a row (damn you, show), this never ending River of tragedy that follows Ellie is emblematic of not just the shows central theme but why Ellie continues to fight, to carry on. It showcases her and Riley on opposite sides of an ideological, real and tribalistic conflict before they lay down their arms and come together to just be close for a little while because they're each others purpose in this moment; a fascinating parallel to the Bill and Frank love story and why it matters greatly when Ellie continues to lose and lose. And now that she does have someone who looks after her, who she can depend on, who matters to them, she’ll be damned if she loses that type of connection again. For Riley’s sake and everyone else who died, Ellie will finish this journey……even if it kills her.

Bella and storm did so good

Ellie fixing her hair in the VS window reflection made me tear up knowing what was coming...

The excitement and agony of being in love with your best friend and not knowing how they feel about you…Bella is just absolute perfection in embodying it. The DLC was my favorite part of the game, but this episode just elevated everything that I love about it to another level.

Another great episode. Bella Ramsey gave her best performance so far, the subtle looks she gives conveys so much.

I cannot express how wholesome it is watching your reactions. Just the sheer joy of being represented so truthfully in media like this.. I can’t help but tear up. I LOVE TLOU and this show is just extending that so much. My god if they can pull off the same as they’ve done here with all the nuance and intricacy and heartbreak Part 2 brings this will be easily one of the greatest shows ever made.

Today I've just felt miserable at home with headache and diarrhea so this really cheered me up. I think you're the only ones reacting who also pick up on all the gay stuff and it is so wholesome to watch. We all need more queer TLOU content. Thank you❤

Another fantastic episode with a lot of character depth for Ellie. Riley chose Mileena in Mortal Kombat II and Ellie played Baraka (last game). Both were Lovers in the game. Baraka skewered Mileena with his blades as finisher. That was the metaphorical endgame. That's how Ellie killed Runner-Riley. I think it's clear she stabbed her. That's why Ellie asked Joel in episode 2 what it was like for him to kill an infected, knowing that they once were human. I think she needed a comparison to her own feelings because she couldn't classify them. That's why she tortured and stabbed the stalker in episode 3. She first wanted to see if he felt something and then the anger broke through in her because an infected bit her friend and killed him. Ellie kills Riley and because Riley didn't get in touch with Marlene the next day, she showed up at the mall and took Ellie with her. At least that's what I think. There are hardly any other options. Mortal Kombat was supposed to be the game in the game, but Naughty Dog didn't get permission. So they invented a game. Now HBO has rights to both games and that's how it became possible. The escalator can also be seen metaphorically. No matter how much Ellie runs against it (sometimes everything stays the same, sometimes there are highs), it still goes further and further downhill for her. Here it is shown no matter Fedra or Fireflys, for both you are just a number. They tell you what you want to hear and what benefits them, to achieve the respective goals. And there are always only 2 options to choose from. And both are manipulated into thinking there are not more. There is only one clearly good or one clearly bad choice. The officer at the beginning is not nice, he is manipulative. This can be seen in Riley who is allowed to supervise the sewage work. The Fireflys are no different. Everyone comes in quickly, they made you feel you belong to a family and you are important to them. In fact, Riley is parked alone in the mall with bombs. Lives that are stuck. Eat or die. The series in general is all about the number 2. Bill and Frank, Ellie and Joel, Ellie and Riley, Sam and Henry, Joel and Tommy, Kathleen and Daniel, two choices, Mortal Kombat 2, joke book volume 2, red or green. I actually thought Ashley Johnson would have her cameo here. Obviously, this was not the case, but it comes later in another memory. Most likely in the season finale. Next episode Troy Baker will get his cameo.

The Naughty Dog paws on Cpt. Kwong's keychain.... Lol🤣🤣

Not gonna miss this before it gets taken down this time. Let's go!

bella is SO SO good. and storm was a perfect riley!

every week I'm waiting for your reaction! It's like the closest it can get when it comes to "my" niche: fan of both games, spoilers heavy and queer! what i love about you is the fact that you get excited for the little things most people will ignore (little easter eggs, futures references) and you understand some stuff more deeply than other (a friend crush as a queer person, every gay look etc :p)! anyway, always a pleasure to watch your videos, thank you so much and i can't wait for the last two!

Yeah Ellie's in good hands for Part 2. They just need to find an equally good, or probably even better, Abby, since the whole story kind of requires her to be able to garner empathy from the audience after starting as the biggest villain in recent TV history. This episode was so good for me it's even made me reconsider that final conversation with Joel. Like up to this point I've thought the "well I'm still waiting for my turn" line's been about survivor's guilt or whatever, but now I'm wondering if through this whole journey she's just been waiting to see Riley again.

I have a feeling we'll get more of the other side of the story in ep 9 or something with Marlene! Since we still need to see the flashback with Ellie's mom and stuff so I think we might see her relationship with Ellie and her mom from her perspective! At least I hope we do! It would be a great time to expand on Marlene's role and backstory a bit more

Another amazing TLOU reaction! I love y’all’s commentary. As a cinephile, I really appreciate that y’all notice the little details and spotlight the cinematography (this doesn’t happen often with most TLOU reactors). I can’t wait for next weeks epi, but I also am not in a rush, since there’s only 2 episodes left.

Finally, a TLOU reaction video worth my time. I appreciate you doing this.. keep it up and keep it real. You fellas are awesome!

That moment with The Cure music, omg my heart explode.

Watching you both react to this makes me so happy that stories like this are being told.

watching you guys has been a ritual for me, thank you so much for doing this...I LOVE IT

Wow, nice catch about the lesbian flag. I just realized this now, what a beautiful detail. Cheers from Brazil ❤

The tune the carousel plays is The Cure, Just Like Heaven, by the way.

It's probably just assumed her first kill was Riley. In Episode 3, when Ellie was cutting and stabbing the stalker in the basement, that was probably her re-living that night.

the universal victoria's secret moment was so fucking funny

Your observation of how the lighting in the mall invokes the lesbian and bi pride flags is very astute, it's a really nice touch on part of the creators of this series. Reminded me of one of my favourite youtubers, Kyle Kallgren and his video essay on bi lighting & its cultural history & context (which also neatly doubled as his coming out video).

joel in one is crazy 😭😭😭

I honestly would love to see your reactions/thoughts to the “behind the episodes” that they play after the credits.

The Principle guy you said you saw before, he's the actor that played Pax in The Expanse, maybe that is where you recognize him from?

What a performance from both actors, Bella is so good it's ridiculous.. loved the carousel music its a a version of feels like heaven by the Cure..so subtle and perfect for that moment with Riley. Loving the reaction and review awesome vid .. role in the David episode.. yay

"just like heaven" what a great choice for the carousel.

"40 or 50" actually isn't that bad a guess. Merle Dandridge is 46 in this show (though she was 37 when she first played Marlene in the game).

Part of me really hopes Ellie will use the "throw up your hands" pun at David next episode...

I assume the way Marlene found Ellie is that after Riley turned Ellie had to kill her but then she didn't want to leave. Maybe Marlene showed up since Riley was meant to leave the next day.

Joel in one I am DEAD

Of all the reactions to this show, yours is my favorite of people who know the games. You pick up on so many small details that I missed on my first viewing. I love being able to re-watch this and see it through your eyes. And I adore how excited you two get for all the little things. I never would have noticed the lesbian flag colors in the mall lighting, but now I can't not see it. 27:20 I'm surprised you didn't geek out over The Cure Just Like Heaven playing on the carousel. 39:00 Okay, I'm feeling very triggered by Ellie's "goodbye" to Riley. Her armor is up and it's so much easier to walk away rather than wait for someone else to leave, and I see way too much of myself in that moment. Kudos to Ellie for having the courage to go back.

I’m so happy you guys came across my recommended 😊 I have to go back and watch all of your reactions now! I love watching people who have played the game and who haven’t, and the different reactions. I definitely felt the giggling and kicking feet in this episode! I love Bella Ramsey so much. I’m so excited to see her in season 2 ❤

That was a very Ellie reaction to an escalator.

I think it is amazing how all these actors in the series are doing a great job and I thing we shouldn't forget the directors, even the best actor can not shine without a good director. Everyone who worked on the show did an amazing job (the small error in post production with the team at the Bridge shot excluded, but sometimes something like that happens)

i played the DLC when i was going through a break up back in 2016. it was actually quite healing

I always love you reactions I can't wait for ur reaction of episode 8 it's so good 💖 💓

7:03 I GASPED

i love your reactions keep it up and have fun with it

In MK II, Baraka and Mileena are lovers that both Ellie and Riley chose to fight as at the arcade. Whether the creators knew it or not, their gameplay did showcase a grim foreshadowing.

One more gay episode and I couldn't be happier. Great reaction yeeeey

Your reactions always make me laugh I love them sm. i can’t wait for ep8. It’s gonna ruin us emotionally

I originally thought they might show us a bit more as well--to Riley's death and Marlene finding them--but in retrospect the thematic point of the flashback is Riley's final words not to give up on the time they have left together, and Ellie's decision not to give up on Joel. In light of that I think it was more meaningful (and tasteful) to leave it where they did. I do think Riley was Ellie's first kill though, and that it may still come up later.

Great reaction, you two! I love your cat, Brittany! 😊

Y'all have never looked more Canadian. As an Alaskan, I approve of the flannel. Also, that was 100% Dina in the last episode. I am now even more stoked for season 2. But also super not stoked. Because the game crushed me. I played Part 1 five times and cried throughout it each time. I played Part 2 once. Because it destroyed me emotionally. I turned off my PS4 and sat in my living room staring at my blank TV screen for fifteen minutes trying to decide whether to cook dinner for my wife and kids before they got home from her parents' house, or go drown myself in the bathtub.

RILELLIE I WILL AVENGE YOOOOU😭

Even I’ve never played the game and I knew, when she said to Joel, she’s killed before, she was talking about Riley. They didn’t need to show more of that scene, as clearly Ellie didn’t turn, Riley did and she had to kill Riley. I imagine, that Marlene came looking for Riley, found Ellie and took her with.

Your reactions to this one were adorable ❤

ALL HAIL THE BAGGED MILK!!!! Bring it to the finale

As much as I am sure plenty of fellas who’ve been crushing on Ellie since they were kids may want to believe it, I don’t think they’ve ever given any indication that Ellie is even a little bi. Every romantic interest she has ever expressed has been ladies. It would certainly be dope to have more bi-representation but Ellie is not it.

I’ll be gone, in a day or two. 😭😭😭

loved this episode about 2 gals just being really good pals 💅

The Savage starlight that ellie was reading at the start of the episode was the same one that they read with Sam

I cant think of anyone who has made note that Riley says she will be assigned to Sewage Detail and that this reference seems to be a call back to episode one in which Joel is told there is a Sewer Detail available for work the next day.

When she talked about having to hurt someone she most certainly talked about Riley I think. I like how they never explain who it was, makes it more interesting for the viewer (sorry for the rubbish English haha)

That eyes game devasting me

The fact that my midly homophobic mom watched this episode and, in the scene with the Carrousel, said “Yknow I think these girls have a thing going on” lmao

[future season spoilers] I don't think it needs to be explained how another Firefly found Riley and Ellie in the mall and brought Ellie to Marlene, esp bc here Riley was specifically stationed by them to stay there and keep a stash of pipebombs for the rebellion. So likely Riley turned and Ellie had to stab her (which is foreshadowed by how Ellie's character kills Mileena (Riley's character) in their final Mortal Combat game). And then likely a Firefly came to talk to Riley or check on the weapons a few days later, found the aftermath, and saw Ellie still hadn't turned. The highlight of this episode for me was just all the amazing nuanced character interactions: Joel being conscious and telling Ellie to leave him but he was crying bc he didn't want to be alone, all of Bella's mannerisms when Ellie was trying to hide her feelings around Riley, and Storm Reid was the PERFECT person to play Riley! Also, that speech by the FEDRA officer to Ellie really does make me wonder if that'll be a similar scene between Abby and Isaac in the future- I hope so bc it'll really bring up how similar Abby is to Ellie, and how Abby got brainwashed into the WLF after losing her sense of purpose within the Fireflies.

Did you catch which song was playing while they were riding the merry-go-round? It was Just like heaven by The Cure. Seemed like a perfect song choice for that moment.

The detail that she is sowing Joel with a dirty needle is IMO a good reason for her to probably, eventually ask David in the next episode for antibiotic or something else to kill the infection in Joels wound. But I was also thinking, don't they have more alcohol in the bag xD Even though that is not clean alcohol and probably would make it worse.

Of course Marlene didn't want to send Ellie to Atlanta. She has other plans.

The comment about the bisexual lighting of the arcade, I as just like "Wait, weren't arcade just like that? That blues/purple/pink neon lighting was really common wasn't it? Were arcades always jsut bisexual lighting? Or are they just lit bisexually in my memory" Though I have to admit I'm horrible at picking up on things like that...

The Carroussel jingle is, Just like Heaven by The Cure❣️

I now realizing that Riley with push they in "option" 2, save Ellie's life.

It would be so much fun if someone made a TLOU/Star Wars mashup since Pedro is in both francises, borrow elements from throughout both series creating a TLOU/Star Wars mashup parody that passes the Bechdel test. Just sayin.😸💫🌿🌌☮️

Did anyone else catch the carousel song was a calliope/ lullaby version of * edit * Just Like Heaven by The Cure?

The silence for the kiss

No, i didn't skip the intro, it was great :)

*skips the intro* "You probably just skipped the intro!" ...busted. :o

Bella makes Ellie really perfect with her little adds

The appropriate reaction to Pearl Jam

Hey, we still have the giraffe scene before the final major event 😂

I googled the thing about the gay flag in the lights because I didn't see it or the bi flag and thought maybe there would be something about it mentioned online because of the meaning of Ellie and Riley's relationship. There wasn't anything. I didn't notice the flags in the lights myself, but I'm straight, so I'll take your word for it. I did look up "gay panic" too because you mentioned it so many times in your reaction and, yup, Ellie's reaction to all things Riley were the text book definition of it. Love your reactions to the show, btw. Endure and survive is my fave. Your reactions to the World War Z like attack of the infected at the end was priceless. Looking forward to the next one. Take care, ladies.

I love how u can tell every little thing that hints at this being a date…i didnt get that lol

Even the show runners on the show runner's podcast mentioned Dina

“Seen him before”… Prax! Plant guy!

If you ever decide to play the DLC again, I can highly recommend using the Infected against the human NPCs. I had a much easier time leading one to the other and letting them take each other out. This made some of the fights (not all) a heck of a lot more manageable.

you're the first person to call it a merry go round. I thought i was crazy for calling it that. they all said carousel