The Last of Us: The Show!

[Chindie]

Good first episode. Expanding on the game but being truthful to it (perhaps too truthful). But still, good. Pedro Pascal is a great presence and does the Joel part in his sleep. Ellie needs to develop a bit more, which will come with having more screen time.

 

But yeah, good start.

[DeciderVT]

Will this spoil Part 2 for me? Haven't gotten around to playing that yet.

[Waggo]

55 minutes ago, cassidy said:

 

Still want more of 2003 and society breaking down at the start of the  outbreak tbh. 

 

No one ever does that bit proper or well or for long enough. 

 

Totally this. 

 

'Fear The Walking Dead' was meant to be that show, but they bottled it as well.

 

[Popo]

Goddamn it Tommy. 
 

(Yea, this was kinda perfect, wasn’t it?)

[AlexM]

I felt like I was re-experiencing the game.

[Vespa Alex]

Watching this with a non gamer, and the intro sequence had *exactly* the same effect as it did when I first played it. 

[Strafe]

33 minutes ago, DeciderVT said:

Will this spoil Part 2 for me? Haven't gotten around to playing that yet.

Episode 1 won’t, at least. I believe that the season is supposed to cover the events of the first game (plus more that they created for the show) so I think you’ll be ok.

I couldn’t say for sure, though.

[NecroMorrius]

2 hours ago, Stevie said:

The only criticism I have is the last few seconds when they go through the broken fence. As the camera pans, you see a fungus zombie standing on the roof, screaming. I watched it on a ultra wide monitor, and it looks really bad. Like, PlayStation 3 bad.

How does it look on a proper tv?

I’ve watched this about ten times and I can’t see it. Can you put me out of my misery?

[Harsin]

thought episode 1 was really good.
 

Apparently episode 2 is a major dip in quality though, with a 20 minute sequence of Pedro Pascal pushing a crate up to a wall so they can climb over it.

[NecroMorrius]

2 minutes ago, Moz said:

I’ve watched this about ten times and I can’t see it. Can you put me out of my misery?

Wait I can see it. Looks like a very tiny clicker. 
 

 

[FishyFish]

2 minutes ago, Moz said:

I’ve watched this about ten times and I can’t see it. Can you put me out of my misery?

In the last scene of the programme.

 

Spoiler

As the trio walk into the ruins with the toppled skyscrapers lit by lightning, it’s on the roof of one of the foreground buildings on the left of the scene.

 

[Stevie]

5 minutes ago, Moz said:

Wait I can see it. Looks like a very tiny clicker. 
 

 

 

Right. What do you think of the animation and overall look of it? Looks like game footage to me. Like, it doesn't belong 

 

[Dapple]

8 minutes ago, Stevie said:

 

Right. What do you think of the animation and overall look of it? Looks like game footage to me. Like, it doesn't belong 

 

It's a tiny figure - so small that it was missed despite repeat viewings - that's on screen for a couple of seconds. I'm not convinced it deserves that much scrutiny.

 

On the subject of the inconsequential - I liked that the end credits were perfectly in time with the music.

[Stevie]

1 minute ago, Dapple said:

It's a tiny figure - so small that it was missed despite repeat viewings - that's on screen for a couple of seconds. I'm not convinced it deserves that much scrutiny.

 

Like I’ve said, it’s the only criticism I have. The episode was class, so I was kinda surprised when I saw it. I noticed it right away because the awkward animation draws your attention. 

[cassidy]

@Stevie watching the last few moments of episode 1

 

 

[Stevie]

I can’t help myself 

[Nosejam]

Shit Joel. This was a great start.
 

I just rewatched the end as I didn’t notice the clicker. It moved just like a clicker does when reacting to sound (thunder), looked good to me!

[Pob]

6 minutes ago, cassidy said:

@Stevie watching the last few moments of episode 1

 

 

I noticed a frame drop in that scene too. Playing on a PS5 as well. 

[peeveen]

Just watched this. Really enjoyed it. The talk show intro was very reminiscent of the Emma Thomson intro in I Am Legend. I've never played the games, so don't have a mental list of iconic scenes to tick off. Finally, a benefit to being an xbox-only gamer!

[Opinionated Ham Scarecrow]

Ahh man, that was amazing. That's all I have to say

[jonamok]

The talk show prologue was the best bit in it. Whoever upthread wanted to see those characters come back, errr it was 1968 so Hannah’s character would likely be 100 in 2023. 🙂

 

Thought PP was superb. Insta-Joel basically. Ramsey needs more screen time, as she didn’t quite convince yet. Tess worked for me though.

[scoobysi]

Been looking forward to this for ages, it didn’t disappoint, great start.

 

Must resist buying Part 1!

 

[Rorschach]

Ellie seems a little kind of wierded out in this, which I guess makes sense. Being in military school is probably the closest thing the Boston QZ has to a normal upbringing, but it's still not that normal.

 

Merle Dandridge was terrific, perfect blend of intimidation and charisma.

 

Spoiler

I guess it's a shame we likely won't see her again for 7 episodes now...

 

The horror in this is a bit different to the game, more focus on the build up of tension more than the actual release. It's very effective at toying with the audience, particularly given they know those who've played the game are expecting certain moments. I didn't really get shocked by anything though (aside from one thing, see spoiler), I wonder if that would be different if I didn't know the story. It's basically like there's two ways to watch this and they're trying to cater to both audiences, and succeeding as far as I can tell. I would like it to be scarier though. Plenty of time yet.

 

Spoiler

The plane! Great fake out just before that when they didn't get t-boned.

[DarhkFox]

Yeah really enjoyed that! Sure, i kinda knew what was going to happen but they added in enough stuff to make it interesting even if you do know the story.

 

Great start.

[choddo]

48 minutes ago, peeveen said:

I've never played the games

 

 

You must. I don’t play many games these days but this is mandatory.

Loved that episode. Really great adaptation.

[Number 28]

Enjoyed that. The alterations are interesting. If I remember right, in the game 

Spoiler

Joel and Tommy were estranged after falling out years ago over the Fireflies and their differing priorities. They only meet up again because Joel is desperate and wants to offload Ellie. In this, Joel starts off trying to get a car battery to reach his brother who he wants to save? He begins as a smuggler of guns in the game but he's more of a drug dealer here, maybe meant to be more sympathetic? Joel already beating people to death, mind. 

 

Also, as beautiful as that fungi person glued to the wall was, shouldn't there be spores and gas masks? I guess they're saving those for later. 

 

A 130yo John Hannah attached to life support will appear in season eight, when they've long exhausted the source material, and turn out to be the main villain. "A genocidal maniac? I just gave nature a little helping hand..."

[Fry Crayola]

32 minutes ago, Number 28 said:

 

  Hide contents

 

Also, as beautiful as that fungi person glued to the wall was, shouldn't there be spores and gas masks? I guess they're saving those for later. 

 

 

Oh, my sweet summer-autumn-winter-spring child.

 

Spoiler

No spores, it's all tendrils now. 

 

[Nicky]

can we have a NO GAME TALK for this thread please? not everyone's played the game, and theres shit being banded about already.

[Capwn]

So, ignore the virus/setting etc. The core of LOU has always been about that central relationship. That’s what makes it stand out, understandably they don’t quite get there with episode 1. 
 

Am really curious how those that know nothing about the games make of it. I mean based off this episode, I wouldn’t blame them for thinking ‘oh no another walking dead’.

 

Thankfully I think the hype/acclaim/word of mouth will be enough to get people to stick with it for another episode or two which is when I would imagine the banter/relationship truly begins.

[Mystacon]

12 minutes ago, Capwn said:

So, ignore the virus/setting etc. The core of LOU has always been about that central relationship. That’s what makes it stand out, understandably they don’t quite get there with episode 1. 
 

Am really curious how those that know nothing about the games make of it. I mean based off this episode, I wouldn’t blame them for thinking ‘oh no another walking dead’.

 

Thankfully I think the hype/acclaim/word of mouth will be enough to get people to stick with it for another episode or two which is when I would imagine the banter truly begins.

My wife (who has never played a video game in her life) thought it was great. At least she did after I stopped constantly saying “That was just like the game” or “Ooo, that was different from the game”.