TV: The Last of Us (HBO)

[Pink Mist]

well you should come up with a better term, I wouldn't call video games like the last of us cartoons. it just really isn't one at all.
would you consider all cgi in movie's cartoons?

I'm not calling video games cartoons, I'm saying that the character of Bill acts like he's from a cartoon in that he's an over the top caricature.

It's not an usual term, I think you just don't understand it. Its not about the medium (video games, CGI etc) its about how the character behaves

 

[Arthur Morgan]

As someone who loves the game, I think this is an achievement in deviation. The games version of Bill is essentially a cautionary tale for Joel of who he could be if he pushes everyone out. Old, cold, alone, and hated by the ones he cares about.

The shows version of Bill is the story of who Joel could be if he lets those in who love him, and allows himself to love them back.

Joel essentially gets the same lesson, but it’s done in a much more optimistic and beautiful way than the game.



I really don’t understand the people who say this episode was a waste of time. I’m becoming increasingly aware that some viewers just don’t have any media literacy whatsoever.

If Joel and Ellie had just shown up and they were dead, it would have been stupid to hand over a car and a shit ton of supplies on a silver platter. This episode gives those possessions meaning and context, and we can understand that they have been earned because Joel is the only person other than Frank that Bill trusted in 20 years. Probably ever.

More than that, Bill may have died, but Joel got to see that he died happy. Bill, of all people, after Joel told him that raiders would kill him and Frank in the middle of the night, got to live a far happier life than Joel did for 20 years. That letter is a big part of Joel’s motivation going forwards, knowing that you have to live for something like Bill did. Joel isn’t living, he’s just surviving.

There’s some beautiful irony that the doomsday prepper is the one who allowed himself to be vulnerable for a chance at happiness and Joel won’t do that.

You make some good points in here but I bolded the part I liked the most. I think I still like how things work out in the game more. was great tv, wasnt ready for a romance, and I didnt feel much for the characters in the end but it was good tv

I didnt really care much for Frank. his character was fine and he did a really good job acting but his death didn't feel like a huge loss to me

I'm not calling video games cartoons, I'm saying that the character of Bill acts like he's from a cartoon in that he's an over the top caricature.

It's not an usual term, I think you just don't understand it. Its not about the medium (video games, CGI etc) its about how the character behaves

I dunno man, go into isolation for an extended period of time and see how you act. what part exactly? like you do realize The Last Of Us video game was acted out just like any TV Show/Movie right?

 

[King Makar19]

Can you talk about tge fame in video game...

Ffs not every1 remember it or has played it.

The show is doing very great for me and whoever I know is watching.
They loved ep.3. I loved it. So sad and beautiful. Amazing stuff.


Cannot wsit to see next chapter in the adventure

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Can you talk about tge fame in video game...

Ffs not every1 remember it or has played it.

The show is doing very great for me and whoever I know is watching.
They loved ep.3. I loved it. So sad and beautiful. Amazing stuff.


Cannot wsit to see next chapter in the adventure

I believe I spoiler blurred all spoilers of the game/show. and this area should be fine to talk about the game as well since it's where all the material is coming from. people are always going to compare it to the main source. seems odd to not be able to speak about it.

episode 1 and 2 were like almost spot on with slight changes, episode 3 was great but it skipped some moments that could have been pretty awesome on TV. thats really the only disappointing part that we wont get to see it. I mean episode 1 and 2 had parts that are word for word from the game.

 

[kook10]

I saw it mentioned somewhere that the original cut for ep3 was two hours long. It's too bad they couldn't put that out, at least yet. I imagine that might satisfy some of the folks who wanted to complained that the character development was glossed over.

It almost certainly is because the production labor contracts are tied to the 1 hour format. Once the first run window is over maybe they can put out the whole thing.

 

[sdf]

Ivan Provorov will not rate it high

 

[HanSolo]

This idea that an episode of television needs to substantially advance the plot and can't take an hour to tell a self contained story to world build, tell backstory, and develop themes is so annoying. A good story isn't defined by what happened at major plot point/event A, b, c, d, E, f, g, h, etc. up to the finale. It's about the journey.

This had minor plot advancement in that a very important plot point, Joel getting transportation in a world where working vehicles are scarce, was resolved in that Joel now has the means to travel quicker to save his brother and deliver Ellie to her destination. This is prefaced with a self contained story that has thematic impact on Joel and Ellie's personal journey while building out the world of the apocalypse by showing how two survivors managed to live a somewhat normal if isolated life together and died in their old age.

I don't agree that everyone had to like the episode. If a person doesn't like an episode because it doesn't substantially advance the plot forward, that's a result of the medium feeling a necessity to have gripping advancing plots to keep audiences interested and audiences expecting nothing less from the art they consume. If a person doesn't like an episode of adapated media because they changed a character too much, well, that's personal tolerance for creative liberties that ironically clashes with those who complain about adaptations being "shot for shot". And if a person doesn't like it because they can't handle watching a same sex relationship, that's a personal matter.

But to say the episode is *bad* for any of these reasons, particularly to argue that there was no point or plot advancement demonstrates poor media literacy. If the show had shown 50 minutes of Frank working a disappointing desk job before the apocalypse, then I'd argue that yes it's a story not worth telling. Bill and Frank's story has thematic resonance for the whole story of the show, direct background with the scope of the apocalypse itself as well as serving more on the main character and his underground smuggling network, and it does keep the plot moving along by opening up new possibilities for the leads as survivors trying to trek across the dangerous country. The fact that the episode told a moving love story is a nice bonus but it's secondary to the themes and subject matter it lays foundation for going forward. If the argument is that Bill is supposed to present a cynical cautionary tale, that may work just fine for the game, but the audience knows well enough how cynical and paranoid Joel is. You don't need Bill to reinforce it and just postpone the inevitable developing father-daughter feelings for Ellie.

 

[kihei]

Don't know the game at all and couldn't care really. But this is starting out as a potentially great series.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

So I finally saw and I have to say Episode 1 and 2 were awesome I loved them, I'm not solid on Bella Rsmsay as Ellie but overall they were great.

Episode 3 sucks. It does, and before anybody says it, because I know it's coming so let's address it now, It's not because Bill and Frank are gay, I'm VERY familiar with the source material I knew that going in.

In fact the one change they did make that I like is that Frank did not hang himself because that's what was supposed to happen and for my own reasons I'm glad they changed that.

That being said that wasn't Bill, Bill is a badass.

We didn't get Bill's badass entrance

We didn't get Joel hanging upside-down shooting the infected which I wanted to see.

That's supposed to be the first appearance of the bloater, we didn't get the bloater.

We didn't get the letter from Frank to Bill saying how much Frank hated Bill's guts, that's not a huge deal but it is what that letter is supposed.

Also Bill is not supposed to die but he's a minor character so that's not a huge deal.

But not getting Bill's badass entrance, not getting the bloater, and not getting Joel hanging upside-down shooting the infected those are key moments and we didn't get ANY of them.

 

[TD Charlie]

Never played the video game so i have no idea how anything ties into the original material

Episode 3 is a freaking beauty. That is all

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Never played the video game so i have no idea how anything ties into the original material

Episode 3 is a freaking beauty. That is all

The fact that you didn't play the game is why you think that, I have no doubt had you played it You'd have a different opinion

 

[TD Charlie]

The fact that you didn't play the game is why you think that, I have no doubt had you played it You'd have a different opinion

Very possible. It’s a beautiful story on its own. I like to think that having next to no knowledge of the video game story allows me an unbiased opinion.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

The fact that you didn't play the game is why you think that, I have no doubt had you played it You'd have a different opinion

I did in fact play the games....I loved that episode.

 

[Bocephus86]

The fact that you didn't play the game is why you think that, I have no doubt had you played it You'd have a different opinion

I played the game and thought Episode three was outstanding. It's a much better way to move the story but it wouldnt' have worked in a video game format.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I played the game and thought Episode three was outstanding. It's a much better way to move the story but it wouldnt' have worked in a video game format.

I still think it would have been better If we had seen the bloater, or gotten Joel hanging upside-down shooting the infected those are key moments and those would have been awesome ESPECIALLY with HBO doing it.

 

[Bocephus86]

I still think it would have been better If we had seen the bloater, or gotten Joel hanging upside-down shooting the infected those are key moments and those would have been awesome ESPECIALLY with HBO doing it.

To each their own.

I thought the character arch for Bill as an allegory to Joel was a great move. They can recreate those scenes later, if they want, and show watchers will be able to experience both that arch and those scenes you mention.

Edit: I'd also add those two things aren't really key moments to the story.

 

[King Makar19]

Played the game.. this was PERFECT TV.

IT IS A TV show not a f***ING Video Game.
Stop comparing the material-source or whatever. IT IS NOT the same thing and the TARGET of AUDIENCE is different.

we have I don't know many episodes to see some zombie shooting anyway. If you wanna see action and shit story...Marvel and Disney plus has 60606 shit series or movies for you.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

I played the game and thought Episode three was outstanding. It's a much better way to move the story but it wouldnt' have worked in a video game format.

Would have made for unique quick time event scenes

 

[Osprey]

I don't agree that everyone had to like the episode. If a person doesn't like an episode because it doesn't substantially advance the plot forward, that's a result of the medium feeling a necessity to have gripping advancing plots to keep audiences interested and audiences expecting nothing less from the art they consume. If a person doesn't like an episode of adapated media because they changed a character too much, well, that's personal tolerance for creative liberties that ironically clashes with those who complain about adaptations being "shot for shot". And if a person doesn't like it because they can't handle watching a same sex relationship, that's a personal matter.

But to say the episode is *bad* for any of these reasons, particularly to argue that there was no point or plot advancement demonstrates poor media literacy.

The poster that you're alluding to didn't say that the episode was "bad." He said that he "didn't care for this ep," which is the same as saying that he disliked it.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Played the game.. this was PERFECT TV.

IT IS A TV show not a f***ING Video Game.
Stop comparing the material-source or whatever. IT IS NOT the same thing and the TARGET of AUDIENCE is different.

we have I don't know many episodes to see some zombie shooting anyway. If you wanna see action and shit story...Marvel and Disney plus has 60606 shit series or movies for you.

if its following the games story I highly doubt its going to be shit. there's no issue with episode 3, it really was a good episode. it may have been slow but not once I checked the time or thought this is dragging on, but imo it kind of was disappointing we didnt get to see any of the moments that happen in the game at that part.
I do think the action scenes in that area of the game could translate to TV very well, I was pretty excited to see those parts. Ill take what we got but feels like they moved on a little too quickly

 

[GKJ]

Ivan Provorov will not rate it high

He might not want to watch the rest of the series then.

 

[King Makar19]

if its following the games story I highly doubt its going to be shit. there's no issue with episode 3, it really was a good episode. it may have been slow but not once I checked the time or thought this is dragging on, but imo it kind of was disappointing we didnt get to see any of the moments that happen in the game at that part.
I do think the action scenes in that area of the game could translate to TV very well, I was pretty excited to see those parts. Ill take what we got but feels like they moved on a little too quickly

I understand the expectation and deception

I have 0 and treat the show as is own antity. So mine are different.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

I understand the expectation and deception

I have 0 and treat the show as is own antity. So mine are different.

well now my expectations have shifted a little I know how there will or can be major differences. Episode 1 and 2 were almost identical to the game, slllllight changes but nothing really big. even the change is episode 3 isnt crazy just some awesome moments were skipped that I think people that have never played the game would have loved. there's no reason why we couldnt have gotten a little of it however its not a deal breaker. Im still excited for the next episode and wonder if its going to follow the same path now for where they are heading right now atleast

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

To each their own.

I thought the character arch for Bill as an allegory to Joel was a great move. They can recreate those scenes later, if they want, and show watchers will be able to experience both that arch and those scenes you mention.

Edit: I'd also add those two things aren't really key moments to the story.

Wowzers.

Not sure if I should be throwing pity your way for not being able to enjoy a great human story between two people, or be terrified that you interpret the happenings in the episode as laughable.

The problem with this, is that The Last of us is not about great human stories, It's gritty and dark and doing whatever it takes to survive.

It's about a man that's lost everything, which you should have picked up on about 25 minutes in after the solider turned Sarah guts into spaghetti.

That scene, Sarah death, THAT is what the last of us is about, It's not about romance It's about loss and redemption

 

[HanSolo]

The poster that you're alluding to didn't say that the episode was "bad." He said that he "didn't care for this ep," which is the same as saying that he disliked it.

I'm not alluding to anyone in particular. I read more opinions on the episode than just whoever you're referring to, including people who say the episode was flat out bad or sucked.