Anonymous wrote:The flashback wasn’t important enough to carry an entire episode. That episode was probably 25 minutes too long.

Agreed. But this is the first episode I haven't fully enjoyed.

I'm still wondering what happened to Ellie's parents - who were they, how long did she live with them before they died, who rescued her, etc. We haven't gotten any of those details.

She is a very annoying character.

Anonymous wrote: You'd think someone who was born and raised in an apocalypse would be mature, but she was terrible.

That's the magic of 14 year olds. They can be amazingly mature one minute and astonishingly immature the next. They can seamlessly flip flop between 8 and 28 in a blink of an eye. In addition, Ellie **has never lived in a normal world**.

I liked learning Ellie's backstory. That said - I am primarily watching the show for Pedro Pascal. I like it - don't love it. I'll keep watching - is there only one more episode?

Last episode was disappointing

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This last episode was very dull. I have enjoyed all the others.

+1

This.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand why people are finding it boring. You just want more action in your television viewing. That's fine, but this show is doing something else.

The most recent episode was a good example, in my opinion. It's true, essentially nothing happened in the episode. Most of it was a flashback to something we already knew had occurred (Ellie went to a mall with a friend, encountered an infected, and killed someone) and there was basically no progress on the present storyline with Joel. Part of me felt frustrated by that, too, because Pedro Pascal is my favorite thing about the show and it was hard to go without his presence for an entire episode.

But I still enjoyed the episode and really appreciate what they are doing. First off, I think knowing what would happen in the mall with Riley was an interesting way to build suspense and anticipation. The entire time they are in the mall, you are waiting for an infected to appear. It's a pretty classic horror trope applied to a zombie story where it doesn't get used as much (much more frequently used in stories about serial killers, for instance). This kept my attention even as it also felt kind of like torture because, again, I knew something bad was going to happen.

I also found the unfolding of Ellie's and Riley's relationship to be interesting, and it offered more nuanced insight into Ellie's character that I think was valuable and will pay off in the future. This was the first time we got to see her interacting with a peer, as opposed to just adults. I think Bella Ramsey does a great job of portraying Ellie's adolescent discomfort with herself (which I feel as a viewer and it adds to that kind of tortured experience of watching the episode). I liked watching Ellie and Riley engage in a lot of posturing with each other, but still seeing bits of vulnerability peer through. I also found it interesting to contemplate their relationship with the culture represented by the mall -- what would it be like to be born into that world, but surrounded by evidence of more vibrant, safer, exciting culture (also, it should be noted, shallower and perhaps less meaningful). It was thought provoking and I like television that is thought provoking in that way.

If I have complaints about the episode, they are about the somewhat weak plotting/explanations of the Fireflies activities and Riley's participation with them. I didn't find the reveal that Fireflies had okayed Riley inviting Ellie to the mall as shocking because I didn't understand it, really. I still don't quite get what Riley's role in the Fireflies is, or really what the Fireflies are doing (in Boston or elsewhere) really. This felt like mushy writing to me and could have been better.

This show reminds me a lot of other sci-fi/fantasy shows that will bounce between action-packed episodes that drive the plot very quickly, and quieter, talk-heavy episodes that are mostly about character and relationship development, or allow the show to explore some of it's themes in new ways. Battlestar Galactica, X-Files, that kind of show. It also has some DNA in common with Chernobyl, which was Craig Mazin's last show, though TLoU has a broader scope (a global disaster instead of a site-specific one) and a narrower focus (two main characters instead of a more ensemble cast). I think some people watching are expecting something like Game of Thrones (super action-packed, gory, and sexy) and this show is not that. It's something else, which I think is worth watching.

They are trying to liberate the QZ, refusing military oppression. They are as old as FEDRA.

Yes but it's not clear how. By blowing things up? By killing FEDRA personnel, many of whom appear to have been given little to no choice in their involvement? And how does that tie into what is happening out west? I feel like I know very little about the Fireflies given the central role they play in the plot. I get that if you played the game, you might not need this background, but I do and the last episode would have been a good opportunity to explain some things and they didn't really take it.

Anonymous wrote:This last episode was very dull. I have enjoyed all the others.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Soooo boring. Again.

Why are reviewers saying this is like the greatest TV ever? It's just a bunch of loud fan bois who scream about this show the loudest and who try to drown out criticism.

This show is a 6-7 out of 10 at best. There's just way, wayyyy too much filler and long periods where nothing substantial happens. People who watch the show weekly probably have decent enough intermissions between episodes to forget how boring this show is, but watch when all episodes are finally available and you can binge the season back to back. It will be brutal going for 2-3+ hour stretches where almost nothing happens.

I watched 1-6 as a binge show and it was great.

I guess it depends whether you watch for pure plot advancement or you are ok with taking the show as it comes and taking time to explore all of the post apocalyptic scenarios. To me that is what is interesting, to see different ways people are living 20 years later. I’m not dying to see what happens with Ellie

Anonymous wrote:I understand why people are finding it boring. You just want more action in your television viewing. That's fine, but this show is doing something else.

The most recent episode was a good example, in my opinion. It's true, essentially nothing happened in the episode. Most of it was a flashback to something we already knew had occurred (Ellie went to a mall with a friend, encountered an infected, and killed someone) and there was basically no progress on the present storyline with Joel. Part of me felt frustrated by that, too, because Pedro Pascal is my favorite thing about the show and it was hard to go without his presence for an entire episode.

But I still enjoyed the episode and really appreciate what they are doing. First off, I think knowing what would happen in the mall with Riley was an interesting way to build suspense and anticipation. The entire time they are in the mall, you are waiting for an infected to appear. It's a pretty classic horror trope applied to a zombie story where it doesn't get used as much (much more frequently used in stories about serial killers, for instance). This kept my attention even as it also felt kind of like torture because, again, I knew something bad was going to happen.

I also found the unfolding of Ellie's and Riley's relationship to be interesting, and it offered more nuanced insight into Ellie's character that I think was valuable and will pay off in the future. This was the first time we got to see her interacting with a peer, as opposed to just adults. I think Bella Ramsey does a great job of portraying Ellie's adolescent discomfort with herself (which I feel as a viewer and it adds to that kind of tortured experience of watching the episode). I liked watching Ellie and Riley engage in a lot of posturing with each other, but still seeing bits of vulnerability peer through. I also found it interesting to contemplate their relationship with the culture represented by the mall -- what would it be like to be born into that world, but surrounded by evidence of more vibrant, safer, exciting culture (also, it should be noted, shallower and perhaps less meaningful). It was thought provoking and I like television that is thought provoking in that way.

If I have complaints about the episode, they are about the somewhat weak plotting/explanations of the Fireflies activities and Riley's participation with them. I didn't find the reveal that Fireflies had okayed Riley inviting Ellie to the mall as shocking because I didn't understand it, really. I still don't quite get what Riley's role in the Fireflies is, or really what the Fireflies are doing (in Boston or elsewhere) really. This felt like mushy writing to me and could have been better.

This show reminds me a lot of other sci-fi/fantasy shows that will bounce between action-packed episodes that drive the plot very quickly, and quieter, talk-heavy episodes that are mostly about character and relationship development, or allow the show to explore some of it's themes in new ways. Battlestar Galactica, X-Files, that kind of show. It also has some DNA in common with Chernobyl, which was Craig Mazin's last show, though TLoU has a broader scope (a global disaster instead of a site-specific one) and a narrower focus (two main characters instead of a more ensemble cast). I think some people watching are expecting something like Game of Thrones (super action-packed, gory, and sexy) and this show is not that. It's something else, which I think is worth watching.

They are trying to liberate the QZ, refusing military oppression. They are as old as FEDRA.

I understand why people are finding it boring. You just want more action in your television viewing. That's fine, but this show is doing something else.

The most recent episode was a good example, in my opinion. It's true, essentially nothing happened in the episode. Most of it was a flashback to something we already knew had occurred (Ellie went to a mall with a friend, encountered an infected, and killed someone) and there was basically no progress on the present storyline with Joel. Part of me felt frustrated by that, too, because Pedro Pascal is my favorite thing about the show and it was hard to go without his presence for an entire episode.

But I still enjoyed the episode and really appreciate what they are doing. First off, I think knowing what would happen in the mall with Riley was an interesting way to build suspense and anticipation. The entire time they are in the mall, you are waiting for an infected to appear. It's a pretty classic horror trope applied to a zombie story where it doesn't get used as much (much more frequently used in stories about serial killers, for instance). This kept my attention even as it also felt kind of like torture because, again, I knew something bad was going to happen.

I also found the unfolding of Ellie's and Riley's relationship to be interesting, and it offered more nuanced insight into Ellie's character that I think was valuable and will pay off in the future. This was the first time we got to see her interacting with a peer, as opposed to just adults. I think Bella Ramsey does a great job of portraying Ellie's adolescent discomfort with herself (which I feel as a viewer and it adds to that kind of tortured experience of watching the episode). I liked watching Ellie and Riley engage in a lot of posturing with each other, but still seeing bits of vulnerability peer through. I also found it interesting to contemplate their relationship with the culture represented by the mall -- what would it be like to be born into that world, but surrounded by evidence of more vibrant, safer, exciting culture (also, it should be noted, shallower and perhaps less meaningful). It was thought provoking and I like television that is thought provoking in that way.

If I have complaints about the episode, they are about the somewhat weak plotting/explanations of the Fireflies activities and Riley's participation with them. I didn't find the reveal that Fireflies had okayed Riley inviting Ellie to the mall as shocking because I didn't understand it, really. I still don't quite get what Riley's role in the Fireflies is, or really what the Fireflies are doing (in Boston or elsewhere) really. This felt like mushy writing to me and could have been better.

This show reminds me a lot of other sci-fi/fantasy shows that will bounce between action-packed episodes that drive the plot very quickly, and quieter, talk-heavy episodes that are mostly about character and relationship development, or allow the show to explore some of it's themes in new ways. Battlestar Galactica, X-Files, that kind of show. It also has some DNA in common with Chernobyl, which was Craig Mazin's last show, though TLoU has a broader scope (a global disaster instead of a site-specific one) and a narrower focus (two main characters instead of a more ensemble cast). I think some people watching are expecting something like Game of Thrones (super action-packed, gory, and sexy) and this show is not that. It's something else, which I think is worth watching.

I liked episodes 1-6. All have been good, with 3 and 5 the strongest. This most recent episode 7 was way too long and easily the weakest episode.

That’s ok though. It’s still a great show.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Soooo boring. Again.

Why are reviewers saying this is like the greatest TV ever? It's just a bunch of loud fan bois who scream about this show the loudest and who try to drown out criticism.

This show is a 6-7 out of 10 at best. There's just way, wayyyy too much filler and long periods where nothing substantial happens. People who watch the show weekly probably have decent enough intermissions between episodes to forget how boring this show is, but watch when all episodes are finally available and you can binge the season back to back. It will be brutal going for 2-3+ hour stretches where almost nothing happens.

Why are you watching it then? A 6/10 is still a good show that I'll watch. I think many shows that I watch and comment about are 5-8/10. Only Lost is 10/10.

Because I've already committed to half the season. After 4 episodes, I already spent 4 hours, so despite the fact that like 3 or 4 episodes thus far are quite boring, I'm too invested to not complete the season. Yes, if I had 20/20 hindsight this would definitely be a show I'd never need to start watching in the first place.

This last episode was very dull. I have enjoyed all the others.

Anonymous wrote:Soooo boring. Again.

Why are reviewers saying this is like the greatest TV ever? It's just a bunch of loud fan bois who scream about this show the loudest and who try to drown out criticism.

This show is a 6-7 out of 10 at best. There's just way, wayyyy too much filler and long periods where nothing substantial happens. People who watch the show weekly probably have decent enough intermissions between episodes to forget how boring this show is, but watch when all episodes are finally available and you can binge the season back to back. It will be brutal going for 2-3+ hour stretches where almost nothing happens.

Why are you watching it then? A 6/10 is still a good show that I'll watch. I think many shows that I watch and comment about are 5-8/10. Only Lost is 10/10.