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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 449 | The Last of Us (HBO) Review Discussion and Spoilercast (Season 2, Episode 3) (Video)
🕑 Added 2025-04-29 00:59:52 +0000 UTCFor your viewing pleasure.
Comments
Chris
The thing that makes TLOU part 2 a masterpiece is the way the narrative leverages the strength of the medium. It’s the environmental storytelling, and most importantly it’s the ego melding that occurs between the player and the character you play as. Actions are justified, criticism feels more personal, and the player feels a more intense connection to the character. And, part of that is perspective, and specifically how it’s typically more limited. And so when it comes to TV and film, I think it’s very in the spirit of the technical aspects of the narrative to lean into the strengths of that medium: it’s the opportunity to cut to different groups, get different perspectives. I think the thing a TV adaptation was always going to struggle with is just the ability to generate an immensely visceral, emotional reaction to Joel’s death. At best, it could be a Ned Stark moment—impactful, crazy, but incapable of reaching those same heights. But this time you don’t have to be Ellie—you are watching her. I like seeing how they take advantage of TVs strengths to broaden the overall story—in that sense, changes don’t feel like they are overwriting the narrative, but it feels like expansion in ways a game can’t (just as the game does things the TV show can’t).
YaBoyStevieJay
Once again, you people have 0 idea what a 12 year old looks like.
The Great Santini
Haven't started S2 yet but MAN that thumbnail makes Ellie and Dina look like freaking 12 year olds. Terrible casting.
The Great Santini
That image is on you.
Alec Barcelos
I couldn’t even finish this episode. These changes are just so strange. Maybe I’ll pick it up again but the show has lost all steam for me
Rio_Yeti_
Ron L. Hubbard got me.
Rio_Yeti_
"...the delight of encountering these weird, whistling groups", made me think of a band of gay dudes hanging around the woods in assless chaps, hitting on men who wander into their territory. Lol!
Mark Davis
Trupanion?
Mark Davis
Sorry to hear about your dog, I hope she’s all better soon. Do you mind if I ask which pet insurance you use? I have Nationwide and I’m not happy with it.
Shaun Wilkinson
This show just keeps getting better. It’s amazing how much better season 2 is compared to season 1. I’m not listening to this podcast because it’s just too complainy for my taste. Peace!
Joe B
Dustin thinking Seth has a bad leg from Joel pushing him down is hysterical
Joe B
If the changes were all making the story better, i would agree. But there not. They have zero way to make Tommy have the same drive for revenge as Ellie. Now the end is completely different. Dina will understand her drive to never stop until getting revenge and likely not leave when she returns and Tommy wont have the drive to guilt trip her and make her feel truly alone. They can tell the story different and Colin acknowledged that, but it doesnt mean were getting a better than the source adaptation.
Gerard Quinn
Starting to think Colin can’t see the forest for the trees with this show. Maybe too close to the source material? Wish someone on the panel would actually listen to the HBO companion podcast with Neil, Troy and Craig. They literally break down every change they made and why. Which are the answers it seems like Colin is looking for.
MiikeD
I understand when a story is interpreted for a different medium and different writers and directors have a go at the source material, there will be changes. But Neil Druckman is creating this too.
Clitorus
There has been a clear philosophy shift this season. In season one, Neil said something like "if a change is the same or worse than the game, we wont make that change," and you could feel it. I wouldn't necessarily say that every change was better, but I could see an argument being made for each of them. This season however, there is so much being jumbled around that it can't possibly be the same philosophy. I'm enjoying the show, just curious why it changed.
Deemac
Of course she's lying about it, they wouldn't have made such a thing of her being asked about this in the show, if they weren't gonna come back to it later and show it in a flashback. That's the thing, for viewers who haven't played the game, they've no idea we'll see some flashbacks of Joel, so it will have more impact when we do. The show isn't catered for gamers, many seem to be missing that point. We need to see how the whole story is shown before declaring all these changes make no sense imo
TheHOOfan1
IMO they are ruining the story with these changes
NotSam Blake R
Ellie better be lying about not talking to Joel on the porch. It’s one of the best scenes in the game. If they get rid of that this show sucks
Kazden Risk
Did NOT like this episode … eager to hear the discussion here. Let’s go!
