The Last of Us – Infected

The second episode of The Final of Us opens with a flashback to a health care provider investigating one of many first recognized instances of the cordyceps virus. It supplies background into the origins of the virus and how briskly it takes maintain however in relation to post-apocalyptic media, my curiosity has by no means actually laid within the origins of how the world ended or modified. I am way more within the exploration of a post-apocalyptic world and the way characters dwell after such a life-changing occasion. 

We decide up again with Joel, Ellie and Tess as they start their journey. Among the finest issues to this point is how they stability little adjustments to the story to make it extra appropriate for the tv medium with little callbacks to the sport with equivalent dialogue that proves each a loyalty to and a love for the supply materials which is refreshing to say the least. 

They’ve additionally modified the best way the cordyceps an infection acts. Within the recreation, there are areas coated in spores that may transmit the virus however within the present they’ve modified it to fungal tendrils that join the contaminated like a hive thoughts. It is a cool idea – step on a vein and contaminated someplace else will wake and know the place you’re. It permits for a extra visible interpretation on the virus that does not require the actors to be sporting fuel masks in half their scenes. 

We additionally get out first Clicker encounter within the present. They by no means actually scared me within the video games – I personally hate the Stalkers extra – however right here, there’s a actual Quiet Place vibe in that they need to be as silent as attainable and it actually amps up the horror facet. The Clickers have a fantastic design too, each in audio and visuals and what within the video games is a straightforward stealth space the place you may fairly sneak by fully fantastic turns into a complete lot extra tense and terrifying. 

Tess’ demise scene was simply as impactful and pivotal to Joel’s character because it was within the recreation solely this time the risk is a horde of contaminated as a substitute of FEDRA troopers. Earlier than Joel and Ellie run, she tells him to avoid wasting who he can save, a parting line that’s positive to affect a few of his selections later within the present. 

There have been a number of little moments all through the episode the place Joel protected Ellie and bonded together with her, together with the well-known scene from the sport after they’re standing on the rooftop looking on the Capitol Constructing. Pascal and Ramsey are doing a fantastic job of embellishing on and deepening the character dynamic and chemistry and I am wanting ahead to seeing the way it develops as their bond begins to develop and develop past the preliminary matter of being pressured into one another’s lives.

What did you consider the second episode? Unhappy to lose Tess so quickly? Pontificate within the feedback beneath!