THE LAST OF US is starting to worry me now... 

I saw it more like Ellie smiling about Joel finally trusting her and not just getting the gun 👀

I do think a neat aspect of Joel giving Ellie the gun back is that it is building this dynamic of Joel is trying to shield Ellie's innocence just as much as he is trying to treat her as "cargo". It lets that "you're just a package I'm delivering" facade slip a little bit and show that not only is he capable of empathy toward her, but even fatherly behavior. Withholding the gun from her is initially presented as control and mistrust, and now it is presented as trying to protect her from the trauma of enacting violence

4:20 The acting is subtle so I think many missed it, but the bit where Ellie is saying she's alright, you can clearly tell she is not. She tries to brush past it by speaking hurriedly to Joel, handing him the flashlight, etc. I read that as her feeling she did something wrong and not wanting to be reprimanded at that moment because she would have to admit that Joel was right about her not being ready to have a gun. With the incident, she has finally realized the weight of it and she doesn't want to admit to herself it affected her. In general, when something shocking happens, not everyone is ready to process it at that moment, especially when your adrenaline is super high.

Hard disagree on Joel giving the gun back. Here, the show is _better_ than the game. In this moment, Ellie stops pretending to be a tough grown-up and starts acting like his kid; and Joel stops thinking about her as cargo and is instead thinking "My girl got traumatized _under my watch."_ They're _both_ apologetic and dropping the façade. Whatever Joel told her about "rules" is irrelevant compared to the reality of the situation; the rules he gave her are themselves him trying to act "tough and grownup" the same way her cussing and arguments are back at him. But no, right now, Ellie _is_ safer having her own gun. As he said "I didn't hear that guy coming." He realizes he's not the rule-giving paragon of protection he's been presenting himself as. Her being calmed down after that incident and then re-armed in case Joel isn't enough is more important than his ego. He wants to know that if he dies, she'll be able to get out and leave him behind. And in realizing that it's come to that, all he can say is "I'm sorry." Another super-important moment right before that is when Ellie goes back to the other side of the wall. The façade shatters, she knows she isn't ready for this, and instead of deflecting it back on Joel or arguing or anything, she snaps into reality; _Joel needs her to be present and useful._ She tells him she's uninjured, what supplies she has, and sticks to him like glue at every step because she knows Joel being on 100% focus is the only thing keeping them alive. As a kid who's had to help my parents in hard situations, this moment struck a huge cord with me; when you know everything's fucked and even your parent has no idea what to do next: it's time to shut up and be as useful as possible and out-of-the-way as possible; apologies and therapy can come later. And Joel seeing that realizes "Oh shit, _I'm_ the one who fucked up, and she's blaming herself." The game follows what you suggested to a T and is more dramatic for it, but Ellie and Joel don't really address each other and argue some more until later on Joel just decides to let her have her way. I prefer the show version because the reality of the situation puts _everything_ into a new perspective and makes both of them completely disengage from their bullshit and realize this is a whole lot realer than they dared believe. All that bickering before was posture. This is real. Joel doesn't know the town, even Ellie knows now's the time to take things seriously. So Joel gives her the gun and teaches her how to use it properly, and takes the chance to play with her a little and let her know he's on her side. Ellie is much more of a child in this, and it's better for that. This was the moment where I realized this show is something special. The scenes after that where Ellie follows Joel through the city watching him closely and doing her best not to fuck up or get them discovered, that all hit me on a visceral level of "These are real people I want to see get out of this in one piece."

I don’t know if you’ve played the game or not, but a lot worse things are going to happy to Ellie… If they reveal her vulnerabilities this early, it will make it feel less impactful when it happens full force in the future. The writers have established her as a tough kid while showing glimpses of her vulnerabilities, and in my opinion that’s all they need to do this early on in the story. Also, there is a duality between Joel and Ellie’s character that flips when this happens. I think emphasizing Ellie’s vulnerabilities plays against this intent I do agree that they have Joel opening up too early. Not annoyed about the gun, etc. the game handles this better in my opinion.

I personally liked that the gun issue was resolved without additional conflict. When she picked it up in the last episode and you suggested how it could play out over the next two episodes my first reaction was: God I hope not. They brought it up so often in that episode that it seemed to me like the most cliche way they could take it. Not sure how much conflict there should be between them since I haven't played the game, but I like how it played out including acting and all. Ellie was visibly traumatized by what she has done, but the interaction with Joel after that left her empowered. Which was kind of a positive outcome under the circumstances.

I’ve really enjoyed the show so far but the main concern I’ve had is that I don’t know if the show will have enough time to truely sell Joel and Ellie’s relationship. You spend so much time with them growing together in the game that and that experience really sells Joel’s conflict in the conclusion. Whether you agree with Joel or not, the game really earns the climax and ending in a way that I fear may be difficult to achieve with the limited time that the show has available.

There’s nothing to be concerned over, every episode has been a banger

Ellie is not as vulnerable about the gun thing in this episode because she has done it before she says it in this very episode ....and ellie was never a pure character in last of us games she has a dark streak in her

Just watched the episode 3 analysis and checked if the video for episode 4 was out already! I don't agree with your concerns, but I think it will depend on the next episode. I think the fact that Eli didn't have a moment of feeling the weight of the gun makes sense. Not only was it not the first time she hurt someone, she also grew up in a world very desensitized to violence. She learned how to hold a gun in school. And in that moment I think she could also not afford to feel any way about it, she just had to move on. That said, I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the rest of the series!

I really hope that this show won't go out with a whimper, especially since it started out so strong.

I'm not sure why you talk about "a moment to feel Ellie's pain", starting at 4:02, when she mentions very clearly later, "This isn't my first". And we might even guess she has been in many similar self-defense situations before. Emphasis on her emotional pain in this situation, would undermine this revelation. (haven't played the game, so idk). I'm also wondering what effect "cordyceps" is having, perhaps effecting her brain in spite of her immunity to most effects, I was wondering this in the last episode with the immobile infected in the basement. BTW I'm putting the fungus in quotation marks because irl I take cordyceps supplement every morning, and have thought about growing some (ant bodies aren't strictly necessary). Cordyceps is real and poses no threat to humans!

As I’ve come to expect, your thoughts are insightful and thought provoking. You’re helping me articulate my sense of the show. I agree that I was underwhelmed. This was definitely a travel and setup episode. I also wanted more of something. But that’s cool. I like that you point out the ebb of tension between our heroes, as well as the parallels between disparate factions, just trying to survive. So let’s stipulate that this transitional episode was underwhelming but necessary. I believe the authors are making a novel not a short story, an album not hit singles, a series not a collection of individual films. I bet the rules come up again, the walls arise, there will be tension in the relationship. I bet the tables will turn. I want to know more about Kathleen’s Prophetic hold on the imagination of the Hunters, and how Sam and Henry are surviving. How will Joel get Ellie to Wyoming? I want to find out, and that’s good storytelling.

I understand the way you are analysing it, but in the context of the story, Ellie is a child that has grown up in a harsh post apocalyptic world, not in our safe "feeling" world. In the podcast of the show, they talk about how she is rooted in violence and for all intents and purposes likes it too, and I think as the story goes on, it's about Joels barriers breaking down first in order to show her that her own barriers can break down too.

I'm working my way through your analysis now. Hopefully later on you realize that this show is not about action. It's completely about the characters. It's a character study with action thrown in from time to time. Not vice versa. And that's what makes this series a masterpiece.

I think the fact that Joel and Ellie are already bonding a good bit could make their conflicts in the future more impactful actually. The audience (especially people who don't know the games) are finally getting invested in Joel and Ellie as a duo now when they were mostly at odds in earlier episodes. I think moments like Joel saying "you aren't my daughter" to Ellie later on will be a little harder to watch now. With these little bonding moments that clearly remind Joel of joking around with Sarah, we'll get the subtext that he's beginning to see her as a daughter figure and is trying to deflect from the pain of having someone to lose again. We're basically halfway through the season after all, we need to establish how important that bond is to the central story. I've seen the criticism that the big laugh at the end felt a little misplaced, and while I love that moment and think its super cute, I think a release of tension with humor would have felt less out of place if this episode was a bit more tense and action-packed. Ellie bringing a genuine moment of levity to Joel would feel more earned. I also think its important to view show Joel and Ellie through the lens of the show's writing rather than the games. Show Joel and Sarah were a little goofier and joked around more. Show Joel has a bit more of that childlike venerability that Pedro brings to the role. He was very much a classic Dad pre-outbreak. I don't think Ellie bringing that side out of him in quieter moments is too far fetched. Especially if we have moments where he catches himself and puts his guard back up later on.

I usually can watch good spirited criticisms, but this episode brings out some funny takes to me. I really enjoyed it and how I at least interpreted things made lots of sense plot wise, character arc wise, and emotionally. Getting to pair it with 5 after was perfect, they’re a great mini two parter

I felt the same way about the gun. I felt like the game did that better. In the game Joel is initially pissed at ellie for shooting and killing the guy and as you said it gives it conflict and interesting character moments that was missing from this episode.

I'd love to see a video on Attack The Block. Great film.

A detail a friend of mine pointed out is how much they are hiding violence. They dont show any explicit violence. Joel shoots someone, but the guy is too far. Ellie shoots someone? We dont see. Most of the kills and brutality are happening out of the screen. Which could be a way to "protect" the viewers from the harsh reality as a metaphor to Ellie's innocence, which, if this train of thought is correct, should mean that the show would be getting more and more violent as the show goes on. I dont mind the show not being so explicit, but I do remember the game being quite violent at times, and I feel like its missing this bit. Also, i didnt like Kathleen (or however you spell it) at all. Annoying lady.

I'm really enjoying your thought process about how you approach each episode. Your opinions, and your humility about those opinions. I appreciate the time and efforts your putting into all of these. As long as you continue to make them, I'll keep watching them.

Ellie is 14. She is physically an adult. Just a short one (at 5'1") 😉. We have a tendency to delay adulthood in our mature societies. I have been very unhappy with many reactors characterizing her as a "child" based on the current culture not what the culture of the world would be like after 20 years post initial infection. A much better role model would be Katniss in the Hunger Games around 16 in the books.

I figured this show would get nitpicked like crazy after ep 3 lol..this episode was to establish KC mostly and had some nice bonding moments with Ellie and Joel ..yes its setup for ep 5 which pays off

I actually felt like this episode felt like having too hold your breath and sneak around, between Joel and Ellie's perspective and from Henry and Sam. I also liked how they expanded on the bandit group because it can bring up s lot of contemplation on governing and revolts and power and how much nuance there is when you're trying to change things and if there can really be one person or several people who can really be able to say what's best for an entire group. And how quickly corruption happens especially if you let past wounds cloud all judgement. I feel like having a soft spoken but intense and heavy handed person like Kathleen was really interesting. For one thing we don't usually see those characteristics combined and for another thing it makes her character very eerie.

I feel like they are setting up the conflict to be that Eli will open up to other people, while Joel only feels comfortable opening up to her. The mismatch of openness expectation seems to be the issue they’re building up for now. Later, they’ll hit the point where the relationship breaks down and feel like a tragedy instead of a back pedal.

I agree 100% with everything you said, especially the negative sides. I think you have outlined the weak spots quite nicely. All except one part, for me, that is, which is Ellie's smiling after Joel showing her the grip. For me it was a good moment because for me she was smiling over the fact that Joel's helping her and they are connecting in a way, while she is finding a softer side of him much more than her simply smiling over having a gun. And this brings for me that beautiful contrast with that first scene where she is playing it cool with the gun and the mirror and that is why I really liked this part. Still, I think you're quite right that this scene should have arrived after a fight between them. These rules set up at the end of the third episode should have been overcome much harder than they are currently.

This is fast becoming one of my favorite channels. I really love the Song of Ice and fire content as well, hope to see more in the future. But I am loving the Last of Us breakdowns! Thanks for your hard work!

what you suggested should have happen, Joel being pissed at ellie for having a gun and her saying: will how about a thank you you have said my life, is axactly how it happens in the game... it was the superior version in this instance

I love that you've stuck doing this series!

EXTRA POINTS!! 1) Use the code TREE for 40% off World Anvil with the link worldanvil.com/?c=mltt Or else try it out for free!! 2) As I say, I think episode 5 should hopefully work out a lot of my concerns but it's hard not to feel like this entire episode is setup, rather than an episode in its own right. 3) Ellie's puns are fun. Something from the game introduced in a nice way here. As much as I DO want more conflict between them, it's very important and satisfying to see Joel laugh. I especially like his defiant sip of coffee. Really nice acting touch from Pedro Pascal. 4) As much as I say some of the threat petered-out this episode, I can't help feeling thrilled to see what happens with the bloater. A lot of people were disappointed not to see it earlier in the show. I strongly disagree. This is the EXACT right place to bring it in. 5) I've really gone out on a limb super early in my takes here, I know that. I'm still mostly optimistic the story will go well. There's a lot that needs to happen in the "winter scenes" of the story. Provided none of that is softened, the season will do fine overall. With that context, ep4 may simply become solid setup for ep5, rather than a slight lull.

Hi man I really like the way you talk and your thinking Prozess even more… just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your work. Keep it up mate I’ll will be listening 👍

I felt like in the last episode when we see her steal the gun after Joel strongly tells her no guns was setting up for the whole conflict going forward. The recap sort of emphasized the gun thing, at least, so I figured that was where we were going in this episode.

Yeah, agree with a lot of what you said here. But the biggest problem imo: Joel is warming up to Ellie way too fast. Where in the game Ellie was the softie who needed to toughen up and Joel was the hard ass who needed to rediscover his soft inner side, in the show it feels like they are both softies while Ellie is already more hardened than expected given her age/lack of experience. I do think that getting rid of the Bill segments was a big reason for this unexplained jump in Joel's openness/softness. Because in that segment, there was a ton of time to show Joel being controlling and untrusting and callous, while Ellie is getting angry and frustrated and acting out etc. But by the end, they've been through enough hardship together to develop at least a little bit of a team dynamic and a trust/reliance on each other in high pressure situations. After all, even if you don't like someone, you still need to find a way to cooperate with them when the alternative is death. The show would have benefitted greatly from doing one of two things: 1) Add another episode in between 3 and 4 which shows Joel and Ellie being forced to deal with high pressure life threatening situations and grudgingly form a team dynamic. 2) Change the end of the Bill and Frank segment so that Frank did not ever get sick, and make it seem like the have their happily ever after. But then, cut to Ellie and Joel showing up to find the place in crisis (ex. taken over by raiders / infected / etc). And they find Bill alone, a totally changed man. Then, next episode go on a life threatening mission that acts as a means of forcing Joel and Ellie to bond, while we also slowly uncover the mystery of what happened to Bill and Frank in the time we missed. If it's not clear, I think option 2 would have been the best, both integrating Bill and Frank better into the actual story (right now they are mostly superfluous characters) while also having better opportunities for drama and emotional impact, considering how the audience was made to care about them in episode 3. Could be any number of explanations for how Bill ended up alone, but they could've easily done the whole: Frank got killed in the crisis, and that hurt Bill so bad that now he refuses to ever love again type thing with his last remaining goal being to reclaim his sanctuary, get his revenge, and go back to being alone (not realizing that his isolationist mentality, refusing to invite anyone else but Frank into his sanctuary, is the entire reason it was ultimately vulnerable enough to be destroyed). So then, Bill's very bitter, aggressive, loner, "I just wanna be left alone" attitude could be on display and actually function for the narrative as is needed to do. And allowing the perfect chance for Joel and Ellie to actually bond through problem solving like they were meant to do. This episode does confirm for me that the writers are not being careful in examining the purpose behind each of the elements in the original story, so when they change it up, they are not finding other ways to fulfill the same purposes. So now, it feels like Joel and Ellie are suddenly way closer than they should be simply because the writers threw out a section they thought they didn't need without understanding what that section contributed to the story and the pacing of Joel/Ellie's relationship progression.

Game and future show SPOILERS I think they are making Joel and Ellie closer but I think we will still get lots of Joel and Ellie conflict. Even in the games Joel tells Henry they are looking for the fireflies and eludes to the 4 of them finding them together using Tommy’s info, then after what happens with sam and Henry, Joel then decides he just wants to drop her with Tommy and leave because he was reminded of how badly it will hurt if something happened to her. I think same will be in the show after next episode I expect to see him grow colder once again towards her until we get the Ranch scene from the game.

I agree with some of what you said about this ep feeling a bit more like setup. We get to the end and it feels like we end abruptly on a cliffhanger. Having two 75+ min episodes and then one that was barely 45 min makes the pacing a tad weird imo. But I honestly found it a bit refreshing that there wasn't a huge blowup over Ellie having a gun. I was sorta expecting it, cuz that's the beat that 90% of these stories will have. I do not know what the game is like, so I'm speaking blind here, but to me it makes sense given the 'harsh' or 'gritty' post-apocalyptic setting. She saved his life, she has some proficiency with a gun, so Joel now respects her enough to keep it. I'm glad we didn't get a profuse apology where Joel now acknowledges that she can have a gun, and I'm glad we didn't get a huge clash.

You should checkout the podcast that goes with the show. The directors share so much insight into why they made decisions that they did and some of the points that you address in your video. Overall great work keep it up!

Interesting that you comment on the potential conflict of "oi, you're not meant to have a gun" and having Ellie push back, and showing the vulnerability and anxiety around using a gun when he gives one back to her. Both of these things happen in the game - she picks up Joel's gun after he's disarmed and being drowned, and shoots the guy pinning him down. Joel scolds her for getting involved and it goes something like "But you're glad I did, right?" Joel: "I'm glad I didn't get my head blown off by a goddamn kid" Ellie: "You know what? No. How about 'thanks Ellie, I know that couldn't have been easy for you, but it was him or me, thanks for saving my ass' - you got ANYTHING like that for me, Joel?" Joel: *Crickets* Then when he does give her a gun it's a rifle, so she can offer cover fire from a safe distance. She seems anxious and he asks if she's fired a rifle before, she says yeah but it was a BB gun, she was shooting rats, and she's clearly not confident that she can do this now, but he reassures her it's basically the same as the BB it just kicks more and he gives her some tips and they carry on. Thing is though, I think this goes back to something I mentioned on the episode 3 vid, and I think we see it coming to fruition in episode 6 - Joel doesn't necessarily want to be in control all of the time, but he feels like a useless piece of shit if he can't protect his people, and he thinks that the more control he has over the situation, the more he can protect Ellie. He tells her to do what he says and keep her shit to herself, not because he actually wants her to be quiet and obedient but because he wants to feel like he can control her actions to make himself feel more secure and to keep her safer. When it comes down to it though, he just doesn't actually care enough about enforcing His Rules Because He Says So, he cares about her first and foremost, and yes he's cross about the gun, he's disappointed, but he knows how much the situation she's put herself in is going to hurt her, he's not going to compound that by stomping his feet with some alpha male bullshit when the dad instinct is to make sure she's okay and teach her to use the gun safely.

I felt the lack of threat contrasted the constant fear the characters have, it sort of made me unsure of what to excpect in the future, and builds more tension. Like, there is suddenly safety in dsnger, as there csn be sudden danger when the characters are seemingly safe, anf I as a viewer is constantly on my toes.

It's hard to not compare this show to season 1 of The Walking Dead. This episode meets or exceeds any of those early TWD episodes in my opinion. And when TWD premiered, it generated just as much buzz. This episode wasn't the best so far, but definitely provides need exposition and sets us up for what's to come. I think the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger is indicative of that.

I think they’re going to retcon a lot of TLOU 2 in a kind of “right the ship” way since everyone universally hated most of the 2nd game’s storyline. I definitely know I am probably wrong but I do feel like something about what happens in the end will be different enough to alter a lot of what happened in the 2nd game. I could see Neil taking fan feedback and wanting a different outcome to redeem the story of 2. Wishful thinking. Once again, no idea if I am right or not, I’m not saying I am correct just in case somebody hates my theory

Disagree completely, as someone who has played the game multiple times and holds it in the highest regard, not only are they staying faithful to the world but the characters to a broad extent as well. Every episode has been gold and I believe an improvement over what we get in the game, which is still stellar!

Love the analysis of the show helps put the episodes in more perspective

The problem is, rhe video game original story is great, but it’s only great when paired with the visceral n thrilling gameplay .. when u take that away if just becomes ok, if feels like nothing ever really happens in the show because when u eliminate the gameplay aspect that serves the story, it loses something important n just doesn’t feel as impactful anymore

yeah it did kind of feel like a passage from the former to the next episode

Sometimes I wonder if you guys make these videos just for views. No matter what a show does it can’t please all people or even most for that matter. This is probably the best video game adaptation ever. But it’s they didn’t focus on Ellie enough or Joel isn’t the same as in the game. Enjoy it for what it is.

I thought it can't get much more ominous than Kathleen. She's a great villain. She didn't seem to humanize the hunters to me, she just personified pure evil, using her leadership position to deploy every single resource of the community she's supposed to shepard for the purpose of revenge. Also, such a Karen 😂

I will watch all of these videos 😂 after watching this episode I didn’t leave with the same feeling I had after episodes 2 and 3. I felt like it was a bit more hit and miss, focused on fan service and ‘’messy?” I haven’t fully formed my thoughts on it. Still enjoyable though and I’m still amped for next week’s episode!!

This was obviously the first of two-part episode. Watch the second part before judging it.

I didn't mind this episode as much as the last one... at least they're doing something a bit different with the bloater under the floor, and by expanding the hunters' characters (although the actress was really not giving 'resistance leader' lol). But yeah, the dynamic between Ellie and Joel just isn't hitting as hard in the show. Game Joel is cold and shut off and hard edged while Ellie is much more innocent and curious and upbeat, so they have that odd couple dynamic that gives them a much greater distance to cross to emotionally bond and learn from one another. The show seems to have opted to make Ellie harder and more mature (as with that mention of it not being the first person she's killed), and Joel gentler and more open (discussing his relationship with Tommy). It's a really weird choice to rewrite a story for television in a way that actively *reduces* the dramatic conflict between your two leads.

So I see what you mean about Joel setting rules last episode and then throwing them out pretty immediately. I think it's a commentary on how significant the trauma is that they are going through together and how charmed he is by Ellie that those rules are so quickly being overturned. I don't think it's inconsistency, it's Joel saying something he didn't mean right after Tess, Bob, and Frank dying. Great video!

We forget these episodes spans over months

The one thing I must strongly disagree with is what you said about episode 4 being the worst episode so far. I would consider it the best so far, and by a good amount. It was the first time Ellie felt like Ellie in any meaningful way. The first time her character was truly interesting, even in a non-canon fanatic sense. It was the first time their eventual bond seemed possible for the show-runners to execute well. This episode was everything we wasn't getting from the show that fans of the games have been craving but have not gotten since the town escape scene in episode 1. So yeah, I cannot disagree enough about this episode being the "worst," it was all but perfect. That siaid, e4 could retroactively be terrible for the story if they end up moving forward as if Joel and Ellie are already bonded. I did not take it that way at all, though, and here is why. Ellie just saved Joel's life so he did not make a fuss about the broken rule. It went down different in the game, but how they handled it in the show was more realistic. Then he struggled with knowing a child just went through something traumatic so he tried to help. That does not mean he suddenly likes her now. He was just being human. He gives her the gun back only after she admits it was not her first time. He had thought he was protecting her (and himself) from the start by not giving her a gun, but she just saved his life *and* it was not even her first time. So he reasonably accepted she can handle a firearm and the consequences attached to it, which means one more gun keeping them safe. Next, we have the gun-shaking moment, which served two realistic purposes: practical (showing her why the grip he taught her is important) and being human (trying to alleviate the weight of what just happened for her). While I can agree he was noticeably more tolerant of her, and more willing to open up moving forward, there was nothing that made me think, "Wait, where did this come from?" He still seemed closed-off, just not absolutely anymore. Finally, at the end of the episode, she made a joke he did not see coming and actually found it hilarious so they broke into uncontrolled laughter. Yes, another move in the right direction in forming a meaningful bond, but at the end of the day, he just laughed at a joke and called her stupid for it. A lot of little moves like this happening all in a row can reasonably form the seeds of a lasting friendship, but that does not mean we are looking at a mature tree. To me this episode did not cement their lasting bond. It was just the type of moments we have been lacking in the journey so thoroughly up to this point. I feel the contrast of them having any rapport at all is why it felt rushed to you. I can see them still having plenty of tension in the future from what little was presented in e4. All of that said, though, if this really is the "new normal" moment in the show, then I agree the episode was, objectively, the worst so far. Otherwise, it might actually be the episode that gets the show back on track with the games.

I understand your concerns about Ellie and Sam and the guns, but in this world, 20 years after the fall of civilization, don't social norms get put on the back burner out of sheer need to survive? Ellie and Sam didn't have a traditional childhood, being exposed to guns and being forced to use them became part of norm life for them. Ellie even mentioned being taught to use a gun in Fedra school. To me, their causal handling of guns just seemed practical for this show.

Joel in the show has not ever been Mr. Conflict so far, He could explode at any time I suppose and since Ellie is the only person directly with him in her direction is plausible. But so far he has been like the master of emotional bottling. Henry and Sam could also be a catalyst for him to blow but I don't see it. Kathleen and Perry are annoyingly two dimensional that annoyed me more than anything. They seem like just a motivation to show a Bloater. I just hope they don't waste too much time in Kansas City even though I'm glad they got closer west than Pittsburgh even though I find it interesting how they made through 6 states so easily but they gotta move the story along.

Why can’t people just… enjoy a show for what it is without chopping it up into tiny little pieces

Thank you for this

I actually really liked that we didn't get more time to process what Ellie was going through because *Ellie* didn't get that time to process it. I felt that, personally. It's definitely shaping the type of person she's becoming, I think. But that's just my personal opinion and I respect yours!

their conflict over should Ellie have a gun has been raging since episode 1 I think we've done all the conflicting we needed to on it and Joel just accepted she shot a guy, shot someone else so I can't keep a gun out of her hand the whole trip all things considered and allowed her to have one. My issue is Ellie already knew how to shoot a gun from Fredra school, she also knows how to patrol, and take people out but the show removed these qualities from her so that daddy Joel can teach her what she already should know. What Joel taught her in game were pro moves and also continued her already underway education but the show acts like she spent 14 years in Fedra school just running laps and scrubbing floors we'll see next episode but if that's true the TV Fedra school shouldn't have done that.

Right?! Entertain me! Dont underwhelm me show!

Give me a heart my little thought tree..

I literally stopped swooning over this show after the second episode. I think it's a great show and I don't mind them focusing on the drama..........but there is so little horror and action that you almost forget it's a zombie show. There's just not enough action for me. It still beats the hell out of the last four seasons of TWD but it isn't the big deal people make it out to be.

Ellie being more vulnerable would make no sense, your skipping over the fact that she’s been trained by Fedra for years at this point so it’s reasonable to assume she’s already harder than a normal child would be.

I love the episode. I do agree that her happiness at receiving the gun was jarring though. I had the same thought

Haven't seen the video yet. I just wrote something similar in the searchbar and I've got to say I'm worried the show follows the "Stranger Things" style and humour. Also they ruined the ambush scene jsaoñsjdnasjd

aI always enjoy your videos and your thoughts, but I feel like you're unfamiliar with the source material? Ellie was born into the post-apocalypse, she only knows trauma that goes unspoken. Look at her switchblade, if you will, or the way she previously handled the e3 clicker encounter. This is not a modern child, and am I sorry for it. You and Joel are both struggling with an illusion of Ellie because of her age; the things she's seen and had to do before ever meeting Joel shaped her in a way he can't understand (for a number of reasons). This is not today, with today's issues and today's time to slow down and embrace the trauma and deal with it. Her hesitation was in picking the gun. Her hesitation was in her approach. Her hesitation was in a non-killing-blow. Joel observed her after, took a moment to decide "do we have time" and reached the conclusion that Ellie will hold for now, because no, they didn't have time. If they had paused any longer they would have been at an ever greater risk of being found. And yes, Ellie is happy for the gun -- because it means if Joel abandons her, like everyone else, she has a chance.

I love the show so far!

yea I definitely agree that it wasn't bad, but it was the "worst" one so far. I'm not sure if its the character, the actress, or the writing but there's something about Ellie I don't like

I dipped. Totally bored (with the show).

I like where they’re taking the show and how they’re making it their own finally. But, I’m sorry, I like Pedro and Bella but neither of them have convinced me yet that they were the right choices to play these characters. I’m finding Bella’s portrayal of Ellie … kind of annoying so far. Which wasn’t the case for even a single moment in the game. I’m not liking how she’s portraying the character at all.

If you haven't already, just go play or watch the game, it's better for almost every scene

I have not watched the show, but it seems interesting

Hmm... Interesting points you bring forward. I don't know if you have played the game but if not I really think you should or at least watch a playthrough. Again, there is a bit of a difference between the game and series so you might want to look into that. Just a thought.

Since episode 4, I’ve kinda started enjoying each episode less and less. Doesn’t helped that I started part 1 and finished it recently (3rd playthrough) and I really feel the show is inferior to the game so far specifically as Joel and Ellie’s relationship goes. The game just really nailed them together and the show is just missing something. Like they feel like they both hate eat other then poof they dad and child in the most recent episode. I’m still gonna watch obviously but I feel like they wasted time not focusing on Joel and Ellie as much. Like who really cares about Kathleen?? No one. Seriously. Doesn’t even feel like Joel and Ellie got as close with Sam and Henry as they did in the game. I get they condescend stuff. But it’s just got some weird choices imo. I’d probably like it more if I never played the games.:: or not. Idk if I’d believe Joel and Ellie’s relationship

After episode 6, this video has a couple bruises on it :p

Honestly, I was really positive about the show on the first couple of episodes... But then I realized something. This Joel, on the show, is a lot more Part 2 Joel, and a lot less Part 1 Joel. Which is a problem when we're explicitly exploring Part 1 on the show. What do I mean by this? Well, it's no secret that Neil Druckman, for some reason, really hates Joel, and it seems he isn't the only one in Sony that does. He replaced the morally gray ending of the first, for a "Joel was wrong" take of Part 2. And I may be reading to much into it, but in a poem in GoW: Ragnarok, which is about TLoU, they describe Joel as a "cruel surrogate father". I don't know about you, but I NEVER thought of Joel as cruel. Okay, but what does this have to do with the show? Well, comparing the two, I'm seeing a lot of little moments that Joel used to have, which have been striped, removed or severely reduced. Little moments that gave him humanity in a nuanced way. As good as the show is by itself, I just find the original game handled the interactions between Joel and Ellie that much better. I'm worried Niel tries to finally bury what we remember Joel was, and replaces it with what he thinks Joel is.

It wasn't her first time. Why would they emphasize her emotions if they are not there? I think you are using our world to judge theirs, and that is like comparing apples to oranges.

Dude u got no idea about disturbing shit. There's a whole episode with cannibals coming up AND a whole second season. You guys haven't seen shit trust me

I would call ep.4 the filler episode

The last two episodes should have been one episode.

Ellie's becoming dark. It happens frequently to kids in violent environments. Surprised you, a child therapist, are unfamiliar. Maybe you should relocate to Palestine or an urban, inner city for a while.

You're wrong

I don't really agree with any of this. Have a nice day!

this take is for the impatient viewers

Ellie soon to become girl boss 😂

such a good show. so many cute moments

I'm honestly not going to watch the show because of the fact I hated the game the game seems stupid and pointless and then when you get to the point where everybody is literally believing you can cure this crap really gets on my nerves to-the-point this game should have never come out because it shows how brain-dead most of the population is everyone literally keeps thinking you can cure fungus there was a little argument about this and it's just showing the stupidity that keeps going on and why you're so many problems around the world because if people can believe this stupid crap don't believe anyting like when the government tells them don't worry everything's okay we'll up the prices lower your pay that sounds great right and everyone does not as their heads like yes now the ones with the brains are like this is bull this needs to be fixed we need to start actually going against the government to get this stuff fixed

Engagementing

This ain't it, chief.

I think episode 3 left me with far more concerns.

❤😮😢🎉😂

A good show doesn't give five minutes away with a girl taking off the bullets of her weapon in front of a mirror. Seriously, if you think The Last of Us is a good show, you got really low standards.

Attack the block is such an underrated movie🤯💯🤌

I didnt like ellie AT ALL

I cannot understand for the life of me why people haven’t abandoned this series after episode two. Ellie is by far one of the most insufferable, annoying character I have been exposed to in quite a while, and that’s saying something given the crap that is put out these days. She has all the hallmarks of today’s crappy woke writing. One of the rainbow folk, genius-level intellect, doesn’t act like a normal kid, rude, know-it-all, always right, boring, and “the girl who’s the key to everything,” so she literally isn’t allowed to die.

Love

Could just be her psychopath side showing? ( A la Last of us part II)