Just finished the finale. I would give it a 7 out of 10. I thought casting was great. Thought Bella Ramsey was fine. My issue with the show is that it felt too safe. Never played the game but I know it's beloved, and I get the sense the show creators wanted to take care not to upset the game's fandom. Just think they could have done more. As it is, it's slightly watered down Station Eleven with mushroom zombies scattered in.
*** THE LAST OF US *** (Non-Gamer Thread)
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Last: 1 yr ago by jokershady
One thing that helps with dark post apocalyptic shows like this is to take an edible or a few tokes, pour a hefty cocktail, nestle up on the couch at the specific temp you want to program your thermostat to, and be thankful you have all the comfort in the world and are not there. Get a blankie, turn the fan on, maybe hang a foot out every now and then if you're feeling frisky…and enjoy!
Checking in one last time, after however many weeks it's been, only to say that while this thread remained one of the worst in the history of the entertainment board (which is saying something), and while I admittedly lost a bit of interest in the show itself the last few episodes, that was one of the best season finales ever. I kept wondering where all of this was going, and the fact that it was leading to *that* specific decision Joel had to make, which I never saw coming, was just incredible. There are few greater anticipations in movies or series like this than when a character is faced with having to make a no-win decision like that. It's so visceral, and draws you in, because all you're thinking is what would *I* do in that situation (as opposed to, "Of course I would do the good thing in this very obvious good/bad situation.").
It wasn't enough to simply protect Ellie. From a thematic standpoint, Joel had to *prove* his love, in the most gut-wrenching fashion, and it was just so heartbreaking to watch. Now there's a secret kept from Ellie, which makes their relationship so much richer/complex, and I can't wait for season two to see how it plays out.
It wasn't enough to simply protect Ellie. From a thematic standpoint, Joel had to *prove* his love, in the most gut-wrenching fashion, and it was just so heartbreaking to watch. Now there's a secret kept from Ellie, which makes their relationship so much richer/complex, and I can't wait for season two to see how it plays out.
All that said, I definitely should have seen this coming. Craig Mazin (the showrunner) has a great podcast episode from a few years ago where he basically gives a masterclass on writing a screenplay, and I learned more from that single episode than just about any book I've read on the subject. I took detailed notes, I just went back and found them, and here's exactly what I wrote down, word-for-word, for the climax…
Which is exactly what Mazin does with Joel. Designs a moment to test Joel's newfound belief in love. Then temps him with a relapse, i.e. a life again without Ellie. In other words, Joel is given the choice to go back to who he was before, the Ellie-less version of himself he was comfortable with when we first met him. But instead, Joel chooses/proves his love - his new belief - by accepting the theme through action (mowing down the Fireflies and rescuing Ellie). Textbook character development from the guy who literally wrote the textbook, practicing exactly what he preaches. Dude is so damn smart, and so damn good. And the fact that Joel's decision carries so much weight going into season two makes it all the better.
Quote:
The protagonist has to prove himself. Defining moment. His or her worst fear. His or her greatest challenge. It will resolve the story and the protagonist's life. Design a moment that is going to test the protagonist's belief in the theme. The protagonist has to prove his or her new belief. This is where the protagonist literally embodies the point of that idea with everything they have.
Tempt the protagonist with a relapse. Torture the protagonist one more time. Hold that safety blanket up and say, go ahead and go back to the beginning. I'm giving you that thing you wanted on page 15. To return to your old life. But the protagonist has to reject that temptation that you designed. Acceptance of theme through action. The protagonist has to act. Give them the opportunity. Has to act in accordance with the theme. Rejects the stasis.
Which is exactly what Mazin does with Joel. Designs a moment to test Joel's newfound belief in love. Then temps him with a relapse, i.e. a life again without Ellie. In other words, Joel is given the choice to go back to who he was before, the Ellie-less version of himself he was comfortable with when we first met him. But instead, Joel chooses/proves his love - his new belief - by accepting the theme through action (mowing down the Fireflies and rescuing Ellie). Textbook character development from the guy who literally wrote the textbook, practicing exactly what he preaches. Dude is so damn smart, and so damn good. And the fact that Joel's decision carries so much weight going into season two makes it all the better.
Of course. My guess is that's one of the main reasons Mazin fell in love with/wanted to adapt the game, though. He saw game recognizing game, so to speak.
No offense to you or aTmAg but this is the most aTmAg post I've ever read without it being him. Very informative and interesting though.KidDoc said:I'm a few decades away from treating abdominal trauma but this was very unrealistic. A dirty stick stab would likely perforated the cecum near the appendix there. That would spill poo into the sterile peritoneal cavity resulting in certain death over days. Treatment would require surgery with repair or resection of the pierced bowel, wash out of the peritoneal cavity, day of iv antibiotics and likely a repeat surgery for any intra abdominal abscesses that develop.barbacoa taco said:Yeah, but can't it sometimes take days for a normal person to turn? It could have been later. Or sadly, Riley could have been quickly killed once others learned she was infected.gigemJTH12 said:
- I really wish the episode would have started with Ellie back at the mall. I want to see the scene so bad where her friend switches and she doesn't
I was thinking about this too. How fast-acting is penicillin when it is injected? maybe someone with a medical background can answer. If the wound had sealed up and the penicillin does in fact work quickly, then fight or flight response can at least kind of explain how Joel went superhuman in that moment.Quote:
Joel going from death bed to fighting them off isnt that unrealistic. 1) hes in fight or flight 2) he has survived 20 years of a zombie apocalypse. At this point he is built different. Those two, combined with his clear love for Ellie, would turn anyone into a superhuman for a little bit
Unless the stab did not get past his muscles which seems highly unlikely and wouldn't have made him that septic.
Great finale. And I for one am actually clinically depressed now that the season has already flown by.
This post just turned it into one of the greatest ever in the history of the entertainment board. Too funny.TCTTS said:
Checking in one last time, after however many weeks it's been, only to say that while this thread remained one of the worst in the history of the entertainment board (which is saying something), and while I admittedly lost a bit of interest in the show itself the last few episodes, that was one of the best season finales ever.
C@LAg said:
if you are a non-game player, at this point you should no longer search out any online info about The Last of Us, even if a discussion about S01.
Many online discussions and the first articles are now starting to appear discuss the ending of S01 in the context of the second game and where things may go since we know the second game is taking up 2 seasons.
if you want to remain unspoiled, however unlikely that is, take this as your warning.
you missed the point of my postboogieman said:gigemJTH12 said:
That was kind of a let down but still good, guess I expected more of a moment that hinted at what their future looks like or what big goal is next
You missed the point of the season.
C@LAg said:
if you are a non-game player, at this point you should no longer search out any online info about The Last of Us, even if a discussion about S01.
Many online discussions and the first articles are now starting to appear discuss the ending of S01 in the context of the second game and where things may go since we know the second game is taking up 2 seasons.
if you want to remain unspoiled, however unlikely that is, take this as your warning.
Just to confirm, it has been announced that there will be two more HBO seasons to cover the second game? Wish they had taken two seasons to cover the first game.
As a gamer, I think it's important to reiterate to do whatever you can to remain unspoiled for season 2.
It was ruined for a lot of us with a major spoiler leak a couple of weeks before the second game was released, which sucked.
It was ruined for a lot of us with a major spoiler leak a couple of weeks before the second game was released, which sucked.
fav13andac1)c said:
As a gamer, I think it's important to reiterate to do whatever you can to remain unspoiled for season 2.
It was ruined for a lot of us with a major spoiler leak a couple of weeks before the second game was released, which sucked.
Thanks for all the spoiler warnings. As long as it's not posted here, I believe I can remain spoiler free.
DallasTeleAg said:
Found that to be a lackluster finale.
Overall, i'd give Season 1 of show an 8/10. There were some great moments in there, and I loved Pedro Pascal as Joel.
Still just don't care for Bella Ramsey in this role. I do not find her likeable, at all. When they said they were going to have to kill her during the operation, I realized i just wouldn't have cared if they had. I knew Joel was going to save her in the most video game moment of the series, but I truly did not care about her peril.
Yeah. I would've totally been fine with him letting her die to save humanity, it's what she would've wanted anyways.
Joel walks away to his sheep ranch. The end.
Apologies if I've missed this and please flag if this would be considered spoiler territory, but did this finale follow the way the first game ended? i.e. did S01 exhaust the first game's storyline/content? I've seen it referenced that S02 & S03 will be based on the second game, so just curious if the book is officially closed on the first game or if there is any meat left on that bone.
Yes. Season 1 (show) and Part 1 (game) are complete.beagle2009 said:
Apologies if I've missed this and please flag if this would be considered spoiler territory, but did this finale follow the way the first game ended? i.e. did S01 exhaust the first game's storyline/content? I've seen it referenced that S02 & S03 will be based on the second game, so just curious if the book is officially closed on the first game or if there is any meat left on that bone.
RIP ATMHockey
Zombie Jon Snow said:Kansas CityRobert C. Christian said:
Was thinking back on it. Was St. Louis the last time Joel and Ellie saw a zombie? At least that we were shown.
Thanks. I keep getting these too mixed up because I wanted to make a Vacation joke about St. Louis (KC) not changing much since the Griswolds visited.
But still fairly interesting that in the "current" timeline that was the last interaction between Joel/Ellie and the infected.
That is almost a beat for beat recreation of the game. Loved it. In case anyone wanted to see the video game version it's kinda cool (just don't read any of the comments in the video lol):
SPOILER WARNING: DO NOT READ THE SUGGESTED VIDEO TITLES AT THE END
Edit: The audio cuts out for like 45 seconds for some reason but it comes back
SPOILER WARNING: DO NOT READ THE SUGGESTED VIDEO TITLES AT THE END
Edit: The audio cuts out for like 45 seconds for some reason but it comes back
Not only that but WHY ARE THEY DOING "BRAIN SURGERY"? Why were they keeping her alive for this when their intent was to harvest her brain???Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
I would take a stab they wanted to do this without the oversight of FEDRA and they have loyal scientists out westcombat wombat said:Not only that but WHY ARE THEY DOING "BRAIN SURGERY"? Why were they keeping her alive for this when their intent was to harvest her brain???Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
i mean, when the world is screwed and its survival mode, everything stopped in 2003, so no advancements in medicine, no nothing, you're probably thinking that this is the best course of action...combat wombat said:Not only that but WHY ARE THEY DOING "BRAIN SURGERY"? Why were they keeping her alive for this when their intent was to harvest her brain???Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
so i kinda get it
M.C. Swag said:
That is almost a beat for beat recreation of the game. Loved it. In case anyone wanted to see the video game version it's kinda cool (just don't read any of the comments in the video lol):
Edit: The audio cuts out for like 45 seconds for some reason but it comes back
Awesome video, but there's a major spoiler at the end when it shows other related videos to click on. (I don't care, just warning people!)
Freaking youtube. Good catch. I didn't even look at the suggested video thumbnails but i'll edit my post.Counterpoint said:M.C. Swag said:
That is almost a beat for beat recreation of the game. Loved it. In case anyone wanted to see the video game version it's kinda cool (just don't read any of the comments in the video lol):
Edit: The audio cuts out for like 45 seconds for some reason but it comes back
Awesome video, but there's a major spoiler at the end when it shows other related videos to click on. (I don't care, just warning people!)
johnnyblaze36 said:No offense to you or aTmAg but this is the most aTmAg post I've ever read without it being him. Very informative and interesting though.KidDoc said:I'm a few decades away from treating abdominal trauma but this was very unrealistic. A dirty stick stab would likely perforated the cecum near the appendix there. That would spill poo into the sterile peritoneal cavity resulting in certain death over days. Treatment would require surgery with repair or resection of the pierced bowel, wash out of the peritoneal cavity, day of iv antibiotics and likely a repeat surgery for any intra abdominal abscesses that develop.barbacoa taco said:Yeah, but can't it sometimes take days for a normal person to turn? It could have been later. Or sadly, Riley could have been quickly killed once others learned she was infected.gigemJTH12 said:
- I really wish the episode would have started with Ellie back at the mall. I want to see the scene so bad where her friend switches and she doesn't
I was thinking about this too. How fast-acting is penicillin when it is injected? maybe someone with a medical background can answer. If the wound had sealed up and the penicillin does in fact work quickly, then fight or flight response can at least kind of explain how Joel went superhuman in that moment.Quote:
Joel going from death bed to fighting them off isnt that unrealistic. 1) hes in fight or flight 2) he has survived 20 years of a zombie apocalypse. At this point he is built different. Those two, combined with his clear love for Ellie, would turn anyone into a superhuman for a little bit
Unless the stab did not get past his muscles which seems highly unlikely and wouldn't have made him that septic.
Great finale. And I for one am actually clinically depressed now that the season has already flown by.
aTmAg and "informative posts" does not compute.
Definitely looking forward to Season 2, but man, this season sure flew by.
Will season 2 be the last one? In other words, is the games narrative over? Sounds like season 1 covered the entirety of the first game. Is there a third game in production?
Will season 2 be the last one? In other words, is the games narrative over? Sounds like season 1 covered the entirety of the first game. Is there a third game in production?
CNN is an enemy of the state and should be treated as such.
The showrunners have projected 2 seasons for the second game; it is much longer than the first. There's been rumblings about the third game being in production, but we're probably on the conservative end 3-4 years away, and I believe they've also stated they will not make any season beyond what the games cover.BenFiasco14 said:
Definitely looking forward to Season 2, but man, this season sure flew by.
Will season 2 be the last one? In other words, is the games narrative over? Sounds like season 1 covered the entirety of the first game. Is there a third game in production?
This bugged me too. Why did they immediately go for the lethal option? Not even gonna try to exhaust other options first? Draw her blood or something? Especially since they aren't even sure if removing her brain is going to yield positive results?Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
For that reason I'm solidly on team Joel for this. Watching him execute the doctor in cold blood like that was satisfying. But of course, I wonder how things will fare for them going forward and if Ellie's immunity will ever be put to good use.
Now, on to cryogenically freeze myself until S2 is released.
barbacoa taco said:
Now, on to cryogenically freeze myself until S2 is released.
I just exited my House of the Dragon cryofreeze. I assume season two is about to start?
KidDoc said:
I'm a few decades away from treating abdominal trauma but this was very unrealistic. A dirty stick stab would likely perforated the cecum near the appendix there. That would spill poo into the sterile peritoneal cavity resulting in certain death over days. Treatment would require surgery with repair or resection of the pierced bowel, wash out of the peritoneal cavity, day of iv antibiotics and likely a repeat surgery for any intra abdominal abscesses that develop.
Unless the stab did not get past his muscles which seems highly unlikely and wouldn't have made him that septic.
As someone who, earlier this year, was wheeled into surgery with a burst appendix and serious inflammation in the cecum and other areas, I unfortunately understood and experienced almost every sentence of this.
Still recovering after a month, and Joel shouldn't have been able to do what he did, but hey, it's a fictional zombie movie! Enjoyed every part of it. Actually felt sympathy for a fictional character in that he didn't seem to have any strong morphine like painkillers around.
Also, lets say it works and they've got a vaccine so if you get bit you don't turn. That's great except there a LOT of zombies that will literally tear your head off, vaccine is going to do **** all for that.barbacoa taco said:This bugged me too. Why did they immediately go for the lethal option? Not even gonna try to exhaust other options first? Draw her blood or something? Especially since they aren't even sure if removing her brain is going to yield positive results?Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
For that reason I'm solidly on team Joel for this. Watching him execute the doctor in cold blood like that was satisfying. But of course, I wonder how things will fare for them going forward and if Ellie's immunity will ever be put to good use.
Now, on to cryogenically freeze myself until S2 is released.
Also, how do you distribute said vaccine? There's no media to alert the population at large, no CVS on every corner waiting to administer it, no infrastructure at all. Finally lets say you tackle those items, how are you going to mass produce it?
Joel was right to do what he did.
It would probably take years, but a vaccine would turn the tide eventually.Prosperdick said:Also, lets say it works and they've got a vaccine so if you get bit you don't turn. That's great except there a LOT of zombies that will literally tear your head off, vaccine is going to do **** all for that.barbacoa taco said:This bugged me too. Why did they immediately go for the lethal option? Not even gonna try to exhaust other options first? Draw her blood or something? Especially since they aren't even sure if removing her brain is going to yield positive results?Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
For that reason I'm solidly on team Joel for this. Watching him execute the doctor in cold blood like that was satisfying. But of course, I wonder how things will fare for them going forward and if Ellie's immunity will ever be put to good use.
Now, on to cryogenically freeze myself until S2 is released.
Also, how do you distribute said vaccine? There's no media to alert the population at large, no CVS on every corner waiting to administer it, no infrastructure at all. Finally lets say you tackle those items, how are you going to mass produce it?
Joel was right to do what he did.
If you could administer it on a mass scale...so how does that happen in this dystopian landscape? That's my point. Marlene said herself she barely made it to the hospital alive...so they get a batch of vaccine, how do they plan on getting out safely? These are the questions Joel should have been asking on why they wanted to kill Ellie for just a chance at a cure.double aught said:It would probably take years, but a vaccine would turn the tide eventually.Prosperdick said:Also, lets say it works and they've got a vaccine so if you get bit you don't turn. That's great except there a LOT of zombies that will literally tear your head off, vaccine is going to do **** all for that.barbacoa taco said:This bugged me too. Why did they immediately go for the lethal option? Not even gonna try to exhaust other options first? Draw her blood or something? Especially since they aren't even sure if removing her brain is going to yield positive results?Trident 88 said:
My only two complaints about the last episode - 1. significant and 2. unimportant
1. It seemed like the doctor skipped all the prelim tests/trials and went right to brain surgery as the only possible option for a cure. At least allude to him having done everything he could to avoid it. It wouldn't have added much time to the episode.
2. When Joel shot the woman firefly in the parking garage, the pistol should have been hidden beneath Ellie's hospital gown. Show this when he shoots her the first time.
For that reason I'm solidly on team Joel for this. Watching him execute the doctor in cold blood like that was satisfying. But of course, I wonder how things will fare for them going forward and if Ellie's immunity will ever be put to good use.
Now, on to cryogenically freeze myself until S2 is released.
Also, how do you distribute said vaccine? There's no media to alert the population at large, no CVS on every corner waiting to administer it, no infrastructure at all. Finally lets say you tackle those items, how are you going to mass produce it?
Joel was right to do what he did.
Also how deeply sad would it be for mankind if they DID get a cure and the first batch gets overrun by a zombie hoard and it's destroyed. Talk about a kick in the junk.
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