The Last of Us: The Show!

[Kevvy Metal]

Boggles the mind that someone could come away from those 4 episodes with a negative take. 

[Stevie]

I also think the pacing is off. There’s just something about it that’s wrong.

[SpagMasterSwift]

It feels like a different show each episode, rather than a coherent whole so far for me, especially the world which this week looks completely different to the second episode. Also the deliberately obtuse choices they are making to disarm the viewer feel a bit jarring.

Spoiler

Melanie Lynskey is bat shit crazy casting for that role, its so crazy there has to be an awesome payoff on the cards...

 

[IR354Lifeqhybot]

Vzzbxx

[Fry Crayola]

I think Episode 3's focus on two other characters intensifies that feeling. It's not something I'll be judging the show on until the run has ended, but I can see the discontinuities.

[makkuwata]

56 minutes ago, SpagMasterSwift said:

It feels like a different show each episode, rather than a coherent whole so far for me, especially the world which this week looks completely different to the second episode. Also the deliberately obtuse choices they are making to disarm the viewer feel a bit jarring.

  Reveal hidden contents

Melanie Lynskey is bat shit crazy casting for that role, its so crazy there has to be an awesome payoff on the cards...

 

I’ll be truly amazed if I look back at the inclusion of her character fondly.

 

If they manage to pull off that magic trick this show is worth the hype.

[catinthehat]

2 hours ago, Uncle Nasty said:

The encounters are boring, whether it's the clickers, runners or fireflys, even the environmental discovery is dull. I don't feel any sense of dread, fear, excitement or fun during any of it. The characters are unlikeable and generic - stoic sensible dad and bratty kid. Ellie is annoying as fuck.

 

It takes itself so seriously but there's no payoff. The characters make stupid decisions that are never explained. The gamey elements are clumsy and too obvious.

 

Needs to get a lot better quickly.

 

Dude, you've wasted 5 hours of your life on this already.  Just stop watching.  It's not going to get a lot better quickly.  This is it, and it's clearly not for you.

 

[Thor]

14 hours ago, Darren said:

I presume “send Ellie through a hole in the wall to open the door from the other side” is something that happens every five minutes in the game like it did here?

Eeehh, not as much as you'd think. But it's been a while since I played the game. I think God of War using "BOY!" for that was more regular.

 

[El Geet]

I think maybe expectations have been a bit too high for this. I mean TLOU was amazing story telling for a video game. It’s not like the story was brand new and had never been done before. It’s not like TLOU invented zombies. 
 

It’s been said a few times in this thread but there’s a reason why diverging from the game is likely to provide a better TV show experience. This is actually proving to be the case when you think that the best episode so far is a complete departure. In the end this will live or die almost 100% off the back of PP’s and BR’s performances unless they do significantly more diverging. 
 

I’m enjoying the time I’m spending with this.  It’s hardly rubbish by any measure. 

[SM47]

1 hour ago, catinthehat said:

 

Dude, you've wasted 5 hours of your life on this already.  Just stop watching.  It's not going to get a lot better quickly.  This is it, and it's clearly not for you.

 

 

Why, because he doesn't like it? People are allowed to not like stuff. Watching something you don't enjoy isn't necessarily time wasted, criticism of art exists and the world is a better place for it. I personally really enjoy reading different people's varying takes of tv shows on rllmuk. 

[catinthehat]

1 minute ago, SM47 said:

 

Why, because he doesn't like it? People are allowed to not like stuff. Watching something you don't enjoy isn't necessarily time wasted, criticism of art exists and the world is a better place for it. I personally really enjoy reading different people's varying takes of tv shows on rllmuk. 

 

True.  I just can't comprehend watching 15 hours of a TV show, after not enjoying the first 5 hours.  I'd rather spend the time doing something I enjoy.

 

[SM47]

Watching bad shit just to dunk on it is one of the great joys of life. Second only to watching bad shit with people who like it just to dunk on it. Seeing their little faces contorted with rage. No Auntie Hilda, Happy Valley is absolute fucking dogshit. 

[Uncle Nasty]

19 minutes ago, catinthehat said:

 

True.  I just can't comprehend watching 15 hours of a TV show, after not enjoying the first 5 hours.  I'd rather spend the time doing something I enjoy.

 

 

Dunno why you're singling me out, but if you read my posts about episodes one and three you'd find that I enjoyed them. Episodes two and four not so much.

 

And if it does go to complete shit I'll hate watch it because I've got fuck all better to do.

 

Can we continue now?

[Uncle Nasty]

11 minutes ago, SM47 said:

Watching bad shit just to dunk on it is one of the great joys of life. Second only to watching bad shit with people who like it just to dunk on it. Seeing their little faces contorted with rage. No Auntie Hilda, Happy Valley is absolute fucking dogshit. 

 

Let's be honest. A 2/10 is a lot more exciting and interesting than an 8/10.

 

I remember a review in the NME of Lenny Kravitz's Rock 'n Roll Is Dead which was just one line: "Yes because talentless bastards like you have killed it". Mate of mine had that framed in his loo.

[catinthehat]

56 minutes ago, Uncle Nasty said:

Can we continue now?

 

You may.

 

[Davros sock drawer]

5 hours ago, Uncle Nasty said:

The encounters are boring, whether it's the clickers, runners or fireflys, even the environmental discovery is dull. I don't feel any sense of dread, fear, excitement or fun during any of it. The characters are unlikeable and generic - stoic sensible dad and bratty kid. Ellie is annoying as fuck.

 

 

Wow. I know opinions vary and all that, but I thought the scene with the clicker in episode 2 when Ellie can't stifle her sharp intake of breath was genuinely terrifying.

 

The actor playing Ellie is brilliant in GoT and she's brilliant in this.

 

[Garibaldi]

First time it's felt like changes to the game were missteps rather than the shrewd decisions they've been thusfar.

 

Spoiler

I don't think humanising the raiders was a good idea. Rather than being the most ruthless arseholes who've survived the downfall of a QZ, they just seem like a load of empty, aimless people being manipulated by a leader with a grudge. More complex, sure, but that isn't always better as it just robs them of any sense of threat. The scene where they gather to mourn their dead then drive off in vehicles graffitied with bullshit bravado was probably intended to show the contrast of what they are vs what they're trying to be, but that didn't make it any less jarring.

 

Still, there were some nice character moments between Joel and Ellie, but so far it was definitely the weakest episode for me.

[Pob]

Spoiler

Yeah, I am loving the show but it did lose me a bit when it cut to their perspective. I was super-tense in that first half, knowing what was coming. Especially because some things have been changed in the adaptation so I had no idea when they were going to get jumped. I loved the scene in the woods where Joel stands guard all night and was clenching my buttocks when they hit the roadblock into Kansas City and got out of the truck. The shootout was really good, especially how it ended, but yeah it tailed off a bit afterwards with some perfunctory dialogue and characterisation for the new people.

 

[Popo]

Amusing tidbit from the podcast:

 

Spoiler

The actor who plays Perry, the slightly Andrew Lincoln-looking guy who is apparently Kathleen's lieutenant, does the voice for none other than our very own Tommy in the games. 

[Gotters]

This feels a bit like the Amazon Lord of the Rings thread in that the audience is quite split, often on the basis of game players or not in this case.

 

I've never touched the game so any references or callbacks go right over my head, other than noticing a general gamey feel to some of the camerawork and mechanics like 'go thru that hole in the wall and unblock the door'

 

So it also feels a high quality show in terms of the look but I'm not that engaged with it yet, totally get the comments it feels like 4 eps of a different show so far. I think the actual look of the world and cities is incredible, the merging of CGI and real cityscapes in particular is most impressive. 

 

I came to the conclusion with LotR that it just wasn't for me, nowhere near that yet with this but I'm not hooked or that interested, it's failing the do you pick phone up test so far.

[Fry Crayola]

Some of the blame for that has to go to short attention spans and dopamine cravings, mind you.

[Dirty Harry Potter]

1 hour ago, Garibaldi said:

First time it's felt like changes to the game were missteps rather than the shrewd decisions they've been thusfar.

 

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I don't think humanising the raiders was a good idea. Rather than being the most ruthless arseholes who've survived the downfall of a QZ, they just seem like a load of empty, aimless people being manipulated by a leader with a grudge. More complex, sure, but that isn't always better as it just robs them of any sense of threat. The scene where they gather to mourn their dead then drive off in vehicles graffitied with bullshit bravado was probably intended to show the contrast of what they are vs what they're trying to be, but that didn't make it any less jarring.

 

Still, there were some nice character moments between Joel and Ellie, but so far it was definitely the weakest episode for me.

 100% this.

 

I really like this section of the game precisely because of the fact these guys were a violent, primal force who were going to torture, murder or rape you. They were a mysterious, and that made that whole section all the more tense. The humans were actually worse than the infected.

 

Spoiler

And the women leading them is completely miscast. I can't believe anyone would follow her in these desperate times - she just comes across as weak and indecisive the opposite of what you need. And part of me feels this is foreshadowing what happens laster on by the time we get ti the second game.

 

[Majora]

14 minutes ago, Dirty Harry Potter said:

 

  Hide contents

And the women leading them is completely miscast. I can't believe anyone would follow her in these desperate times - she just comes across as weak and indecisive the opposite of what you need. And part of me feels this is foreshadowing what happens laster on by the time we get ti the second game.

 

 

I'm giving the show the benefit of the doubt that the next episode will explain exactly why she is the leader and why everyone is following her commands when she doesn't appear at all to be the type of person you would turn to or particularly respect in this situation. 

 

If they don't justify it then it does feel like a proper casting misfire, but all of the other casting has been so spot-on that I find it hard to believe they would have got her so wrong. There must be a reason why they cast someone who doesn't give off that kind of hardened leader vibe.

[El Geet]

1 hour ago, Majora said:

 

I'm giving the show the benefit of the doubt that the next episode will explain exactly why she is the leader and why everyone is following her commands when she doesn't appear at all to be the type of person you would turn to or particularly respect in this situation. 

 

If they don't justify it then it does feel like a proper casting misfire, but all of the other casting has been so spot-on that I find it hard to believe they would have got her so wrong. There must be a reason why they cast someone who doesn't give off that kind of hardened leader vibe.

FWIW they say in the podcast that they expect the viewer to be asking themselves that very question.  They clearly feel they will satisfy the question. 

[Down by Law]

Melanie Lynskey is fantastic in "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" playing a character who gets pushed around until she finally snaps with dramatically escalating consequences. Based on that performance I can see why they would cast her in this sort of role. I'm sure she will have time to shine in Episode 5. Is 70 minutes so plenty of time to breath.

Spoiler

and that's gotta be the Bloater under the concrete, surely?

 

[Ry]

3 hours ago, Gotters said:

This feels a bit like the Amazon Lord of the Rings thread in that the audience is quite split, often on the basis of game players or not in this case.

 

I've never touched the game so any references or callbacks go right over my head, other than noticing a general gamey feel to some of the camerawork and mechanics like 'go thru that hole in the wall and unblock the door'

 

So it also feels a high quality show in terms of the look but I'm not that engaged with it yet, totally get the comments it feels like 4 eps of a different show so far. I think the actual look of the world and cities is incredible, the merging of CGI and real cityscapes in particular is most impressive. 

 

I came to the conclusion with LotR that it just wasn't for me, nowhere near that yet with this but I'm not hooked or that interested, it's failing the do you pick phone up test so far.

 

I don't think the audience was that split, LOTR was utter shite. This is good. 

[makkuwata]

[Gotters]

15 minutes ago, Ry said:

 

I don't think the audience was that split, LOTR was utter shite. This is good. 

Think the jury’s out for some on your second claim

[mexos]

The quality jumps in this have been pretty wild. I’d give the first 2 episodes barely 2/10, 3 jumps to an outstanding 10 and this was solid but unspectacular 6. Perfectly watchable, if a bit of a filler episode.

Joel as a character is far more interesting once he starts to care for Ellie so I hope to is starts to come through in the coming episodes. 
 

Are they really going to get through all of the first game’s story in one season? Doesn’t feel like it so far. 

[McFly]

Wasn't really impressed with ep4. Seemed all a bit obvious. Also I didn't buy that woman in Chicago ( I think) being in charge at all, but i think i recognise her from something else which didnt help, but still couldnt see her as a leader unlike Tess, or the Boston insurgent lady who gave Ellie to Joel and Tess, whom easily could have been in command. There seemed to be loads of pointless swearing too, from Ellie in particular.