The Last of Us EP4: Building a Bond - Therapist Reacts! 

I think Bella Ramsey did a fantastic job portraying Ellie for the live-action adaptation. I actually find her funny moments pretty funny.😊😊😊

Joel and Ellie's relationship is truly the heart and soul of the entire stories. Although they started off as strangers, they slowly developed into a Father/Daughter relationship. Despite the harrowing circumstances, I enjoy watching their bond grow, and shows that you don't need to share blood or DNA to consider someone your kin.

Joel/Pedro's giggle at the end of the episode was reminiscent of Bill/Nick's chuckle during the strawberry patch scene last episode. Which I wonder if that was purposeful to signify the breaking down of walls and vulnerability proceeding a test.

Georgia, there's a funny old joke where a son asks his father where he (the boy) comes from. The father has been dreading this moment, but! he IS prepared! He pulls out charts and a board to tape pictures to, and struggles through to the end. The boy sits for a moment, absorbing. Then says, "That's...uh...interesting Dad. But my friend Tommy said he and his family came from Ireland."

Bad puns makes companions of us all I think Joel is the only one treating her as a person even though he says she is cargo. The fireflys, and even Tess, treated her as a thing that can save people. He is the one saying it shouldn't be like this. I also loved that Hotel sipped his coffee loudly after her comments on it.

Bella Ramsey is so good as Ellie. People cant get off the fact they dont look spot on to the characters from the game.. and I get it in a way... But the actual ACTING far surpasses looking perfectly like the characters in my eyes. They were chosen for a reason and nobody knows the world better than Druckmann himself. This episode is a shining example of them being Joel and Ellie at their best. Was so fun to watch. And had so many subtle moments like giggles and facial cues that really helped sell it all even more. The show has been awesome so far.

I absolutely enjoy seeing the parental bonding Joel is developing for Ellie. The scene where Ellie's joke actually makes Joel laugh actually made me laugh out loud as I watched the episode. I could see the bond forming between the two. Joel despite his druthers is becoming paternal. Something he probably never wanted to feel again since the death of Sarah. It was a evident in episode 3 when he didn't want her to see the mass grave. Yes, he continually pushes back against her & strives to stay in his shell but honestly, as a dad how can a man's sense of protectiveness not be brought out by a child's dependence on him? All the more so when that child is a girl. It's innate. The young actress playing Ellie is wonderful in this role. I'm not a gamer so I'm not "in" on many of the subtleties of their dynamic in the game but watching this show it's heartwarming to see how each helps the other grow & develop what I hope eventually will be a family bond.

This is the important episode where it shows the difference in mindset of those who were alive before the apocalypse and those who were born into it. The adults are focused on survival but the kids are just living. The adults dream of going back to the way it was but the kids have no concept of anything else. It was all fairy tales to them. Ellie is living and it takes the edge off of Joel because it reminds him of when he was living life as well. It’s what leads of his ultimate choice that there is no point in surviving if you aren’t living.

Joel being annoyed and dumbfounded at Ellie’s puns was hilarious.

What I'm getting out of this is the script is solidly written and we're getting real superb performances by Pedro and Bella. 👍

love how they added the Joke book which only happend in the game if you took to long exploring ellie would get her joke book out.

The moment when He gave her the gun and showed her how to hold it was honestly really cute.

The point of a pun isn't to be clever, it's to make the other person HATE YOU. Honestly, even with knowing that horrors are occurring in Kansas City, this felt like a breather of an episode. I loved the description that was given in the after-show podcast - even if she didn't have the tendency for violence, Ellie is still at a tenuous age where she's torn between the instinct of "fuck off" and "hey, aren't you gonna look after me?" - and that's such a common feeling for teenagers anyway, let alone in the apocalypse. I think it's lovely to see Joel recognizing that, even if he hadn't *quite* gotten to that age with Sarah yet - she was definitely still in the "My dad is my hero" phase, even when she was slinging jokes.

I love the moment where they were getting shot at and ellie was panicking and joel smelled her focus to him as he gave her instructions to follow and ensured her she would be safe. It was so amazing. The acting from both of them was phenomenal.

love what you explained about when it's appropriate to talk to kids about sexuality (when they ask) and considering how you'd answer their questions in advance! making sure it's not a taboo subject (especially in relation to queer identities) is vital i think, it teaches kids it's nothing to be ashamed of. i think some ppl hear "sex education" and assume it entails, like, showing kids adult videos or something, when really it's like what you said: making sure their questions are answered in neutral but non-evasive language, and making sure they know what they need to know to make informed choices later on. (also, this is kind of a tangent, but one thing i thought about in episode 3, especially in reaction to some fans saying things like "nothing important happened this episode" or similar complaints, is how meaningful it can be for a young queer kid to see examples of older queer adults. ellie being a young person learning about who she feels certain things for -- having this example of bill and frank, who found love together for almost two decades -- i feel like that would've meant something to her. i wonder how many examples of that she's seen, two people of the same gender together. all of which to say, i think even besides telling a wonderful story, episode 3 did have a big character impact on ellie and joel going forward, in this way and more.)

You could definitely tell this episode was about the transition from “cargo” to “family”.

13:38 Sara in the first episode kitchen scene also says "you're losing it" to Joel when his shirt was inside out so its a clear mirroring of his relationship with Sara.

I like the moment where he actually shows her the proper way to hold a gun. I'm still sad we lost the bit of gruffness that Joel had in the game because she didn't do as told, but the bonding moment of him giving her genuine practical knowledge to keep her safe was a really good addition.

Joel just lost the 3 of the 4 people (and his brother is non responsive) who had been the closest to him over the past 20 years in less than a week. The mourning aspect has to be taken into account as well.

7:39 You can also see Joel fidget when she asks the question, showing his discomfort.

So glad they added Bill’s magazine part and Hank William’s song also the jokes too. Such a nostalgic feeling as a fan. I’m enjoying your videos too.

Your cosplays are greatly. Seeing Joel and Ellie growing closer is the best. Great work on the analysis as always. Have a wonderful day.

Loving your attire; a great homage to Ellie. And of course, devouring your anlaysis.

I'm absolutely loving your reviews and takes on the Last of Us.

The magazine scene had me rolling! My mother explained to my little sibling (age 5 at the time) once due to a similar "touching what you shouldnt" situation & told him it was sticky pee. He was extremely disgusted & hopped in the shower screaming lol

I like your little Ellie cosplay :)

Definitely loved the connection between Ellie and Joel growing in this episode. The show is definitely keeping us who have played the game on our toes as it’s not a 1:1 adaptation. I started laughing at when you addressed the scene about the adult magazine as I’m waiting for my 1st grade and Kindergarten aged nephews to ask me “uncomfortable” questions in the future. It’s gonna happen and I hope this keeps me prepared rather than coming up with something they could misinterpret. Love the cosplay too!

I like how she tells the "volume too" the way she told what a pirates favorite letter is in the game

Great cosplay, Georgia! You even went as far as shaving part of your right eyebrow! Now, that's commitment! ❤

Joel hearing first jokes: 🤐🤨🤔😐🙄 Joel hearing the last joke: 😁😄🙃🤣

Lovely analysis as always. :) This episode was quite light-weight compared to the previous ones, especially the Bill and Frank one which made me cry my eyeballs out for the whole week, but the bonding and mirroring of events from the game in this episode was quite wonderful to see regardless. You could clearly see that Joel is a caring person internally and he gradually began to break down those walls that made him emotion-less. The laughs at the episode's end was a really nice touch.

I love the Ellie drip you have on its awesome

The pages are stuck together for the same reason babies don't fall part - Genetic glue lol

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey have such WONDERFUL chemistry. It's so fun.

10:08 I'm curious to read more from you about what you said about Ellie being old enough for Joel to refrain from "imparting knowledge"... I learned that in "group dynamic" (I don't know about trios who then lose someone from death and become a dyad...😬), the early stage is often characterized where someone or some people in the group will act in a more "directive" manner, up until the group reaches a maturity... Also, when someone is recognized/regarded as an "expert", both that person and the rest of the group will often switch to a "teacher/learner" mode. Considering Joel and Ellie's relationship is still very fresh and mostly "task-oriented", I'm not surprised that Joel did not ask her "how do you feel", *especially since Joel is probably VERY comfortable with the idea of this dyad remaining purely focused on the task.* 😅😥 Sorry for digressing and rambling. I'm seizing the opportunity to think about old classes. 😅 I admit that *dyads* were not in the scope of my classes. Also, sorry for my broken English.

This episode introduced me to you and I'm glad it did. I love listening to your perspective.

It's awesome to see Joel become a father again.

People don’t do that with cargo Ugh my heart

Then it dawned on me. 🤣 Love that one. And your commentary

I love your videos on these episodes. Some things I have thought in some way or another but you put them in easy to understand terms. The writing is so grounded (Last of Us game pun intented) and natural.

thank you Georgia! your thoughts on trust and parenthood inspired me. I was rased in the "I'm the boss and you're the kid" way, which does make me fall into those rails with my infant as well, takes some effort to overcome that. buuut I guess it'll be worth it. :o)

Nice job George 👏, this show so far gives me good vibes I have heard people rumbling about this being a bad show, well from what I've seen/heard about this show it appears to be a good adaptations.

The eyebrow commitment!

Really enjoying your work in these videos. Your commentary and choice of scenes are very heartfelt. I am enjoying the dynamic of the show and the bonds of these characters as they grow. Not sure how much you are into Star Wars but I there are some great things in the Andor series I would love to see your take on.

I have suffered all my life with chronic diarrhea and now they make fun of it in the show. How am I meant to cope?

i’ve been so excited for you to analyze the show once it comes out and feel so blessed that it’s by episode!!! totally enjoying the changes from the game. i was nervous as a diehard fan but i’m such a huge fan of the show’s iteration now too

I think it is equal parts hilarious and fantastic that u added the scar to your eyebrow

Love your video breakdowns ⚡️💯⚡️

Another great reaction 👏🏻 I love your way of explaining the psychology & giving examples of how to apply it in daily life & interactions. Thank you 💐

they don't even really know each other yet and yet they still have a more loving and respectful relationship than me my dad have ever had :( bit jealous ngl

I’m just fuckin’ with ya

I'm always happy when I see a new upload from you about something I watched or play! 🙌

Just found your channel. Really enjoy it.

I wish you'd talked about the... *ahem* 'interaction' between Ellie and Bryan. That seemed like a really important scene for her development...

This was the highlight of this episode.

All of us playing the game along with Joel during the puns sections "NO!"

The diarrhea is hereditary joke. Had my wife and I both laughing out loud. Seriously thought their relation they gave built in just 3ep is amazing and believable.

Oh boy... You are definitely going to love this series because this relationship gets way way deeper. We may have seen a breach but it's still surface level compared to what is to come.

Wait, did you actually cut into your eyebrow just for this video? Haha that's dedication for sure

Those puns are practically dad jokes, if he laughs he's a dad again.🤔

Let’s be honest. Puns are bad enough on their own

Damn. You skipped the part where Ellie shoots. Must've been hard

I won’t say how the game ends, and with it how this will likely end. But I will say this… Having beaten this game multiple times. I cannot stress how excited I am to see how the show does this.

Disappointed you glossed over the part where Ellie is playing with the gun in the mirror and when she saves Joel by shooting Bryan. I’d like to know a therapists perspective on that kind of violence, plus it’s probably one of the more important parts of the episode.

You have the full episodes of your patreon??

I wish I could get CEU's by watching your channel lol

Where did you get the t-shirt? I've been looking for a distressed one like that.

awesome

I love this show

I have played both games so I know how it will end

not having a code = not worth it to Joel

My wife and I took in a young girl when she was 18. she was a refugee escaping abuse. She's lived with us for years. How do I explain my fatherly bond? I kinda hate feeling like her dad. Is it weird?

Going to sleep with no watch alternating? Okay.

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Boy are you gonna have a ball for the season finale.

They are so cute

😉

Cool outfit.

should we be warning the ppl that were mad about episode 3 that henry and sam are black? just don’t want anyone to be surprised and through a tantrum again.

Not gonna do the second half of House of the Dragon?

I love when these reactions finally come out!! You’re soo fun to watch haha 🙏🏼 I made a ‘last of us’ theme song remix if you’d like to take a listen queen🫶🏼❤️‍🔥

Out of topic , are you Courtney Miller sister ?

I think this is a movie a written script so for a so called professional therapist to analyze it is just silly and a waist of time what's next your gonna analyze Sanford and son and talk about the problems with there father son relationship its a tv show get a life people

I doubted that anyone could capture the spirit of Ashley Johnson's performance but she's really got it.