Off Topic The Last Of Us (the game, the show, whatever)

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Anybody else watching the show?

I loved the first game, have mixed opinions about the second, and am LOVING the show so far.

 

[JBS]

I have not seen it... but always looking for new stuff to watch... I'll check it out...

Watch The Last of Us | HBO Max

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www.hbo.com

 

[gymgal]

I watched the first episode. I'm undecided so i will watch 1-2 more episodes. If it turns into a walking dead type of show, I'm out. BBoth of my sons absolutely loved the first game and said it was the best storyline ever in a game.

 

[moogacat]

I really want to get started, but my husband has been dragging his feet. Zombie apocalypse plus Pedro Pascal? Score! I may just start it without him and shame him.

 

[GymDadWA]

Loving it, I did not play the games but am familiar with the story and why you might not like the second one as much.
The imagery of the cities in the show is more awe inspiring than walking dead or cinematic zombie movies, enjoying the slow burn.

 

[JBS]

The first one was great... haven't watched the second one. I've been waiting for the Mandalorian... so this is perfect as he's in this too!

 

[gymgal]

I mainly liked the second episode and will continue to watch. I fast forwarded through the main monster scene though - just not interested in that. I think I will continue to watch via recorded programs so I can fast forward those scenes. win/win.

 

[JBS]

I watched the 2nd one too... thought it was great!

I didn't realize it was a game... we only have an Xbox and a Switch. My days of having every single game system are now over.

 

[moogacat]

I didn't realize it was a game... we only have an Xbox and a Switch. My days of having every single game system are now over.

Lol-- The fact we only have an Xbox and my husband can't play the game is why he's been silently boycotting. He's mad he can't play the game.

We finally watched the first two episodes, and wow, it's incredible so far. Great acting, and creepy as heck, especially after all we've experienced the last few years with Covid. Our daughter is hooked too. I hope it can keep up this quality through the whole season.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

I watched the 2nd one too... thought it was great!

I didn't realize it was a game... we only have an Xbox and a Switch. My days of having every single game system are now over.

I think there was a PC release, but I'm not positive

 

[moogacat]

Last night's episode left me a blubbering mess. When my kid asked me if I was crying, my response was "I'm not an inhuman monster-- of course I'm crying!" It was a beautiful piece of TV. If you haven't watched it yet, highly recommend it.

 

[gymgal]

At first I really thought that plot was going a totally different, more barbaric direction and am so glad it didn't. Loved the episode.

 

[pt coach]

I haven't watched any of the series yet, but my daughter called from college to say that the most recent episode was the best thing she has ever watched on t.v.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

OH MY CTHULHU that was NOT how I expected them to handle that section and those characters, but it was perfectly executed!

Very different from the game.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

After a rewatch of all 3 episodes so far:

The first two episodes are pretty good. Of all the zombie apocalypse movies and series' I've seen, this is probably the best one. If zombie apocalypses aren't your cup of tea, these might change your mind or they might not.

But episode 3. Hooooooly [censored]. Everybody owes it to themselves to watch episode 3, even if you have no intention of ever watching the first two episodes. Episode 3 is going to win every award in existence.

Have a box of tissues at the ready.

 

[JBS]

Episode 3 was very interesting... not at all what I expected. Everything from Caymus wine to grinder sparked flame throwing electrified fences.

I gotta say that I just want to keep watching this series.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Episode 4 followed the game almost exactly, albeit with a bit more character development of the hunters.

Episode 5 had some interesting choices; they hit all the same key notes from that section of the game, but they used some very different narrative routes to get there.

Spoiler: Mild Episode 5 spoilers

The clicker in the car with Ellie was played by a 9-year-old gymnast, who used her flexibility to delightfully creepy effect in that brief appearance.

 

[gymgal]

I just realized tonight that HBO max has extra clips of behind the scenes interviews for each episode. Very neat to hear their development thoughts - how they could be true to the game's storyline but entertaining as a show.

Loved episode 5. The casting of a Deaf actor and that whole story line surrounding it was awesome, though tear jerking in the end.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Wow, Episode 8 was.... intense.

That section of the game was pretty brutal too, but there were some aspects that were just subtext in the game but which were much more spelled out in the show. They should have left some of that as subtext, imo.

Spoiler: episode 8 spoiler

That said, the interrogation scene was very well-executed. That scene was powerful and brutal in the game, and Pedro Pascal absolutely nailed it for the show.

 

[moogacat]

That episode was brutal, and very well done. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are incredible.

Mild spoiler ahead (tried to word it non-spoilery but you can probably get it):

Spoiler

Was the food issue spelled out as clearly in the game? I got it right away from hints, and was a little surprised they made it so explicit later. I thought part of the fun, so to speak, was the ambiguity.