Rising HBO show "The Last of Us" reached millions of viewers during its premiere and is still growing at five episodes in. The internet, and myself, are enjoying the memes and not-so-patiently waiting for each Sunday at 9 p.m. to watch the newest episode.
What is TLOU?
"The Last of Us" is now both a television show and a video game. Focusing on characters Joel and Ellie, the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world of not-zombies created by the very mushroomcore cordyceps virus. Joel takes on the duty of protecting and delivering Ellie to a group known as "The Fireflies."
Closeness to the Game
The video game was released in the middle of 2013, which might've changed the context of how scenes play out. However, numerous scenes from the show are exact to the video game. If memory serves me correctly, the television show replicates the gameplay to a T for the first two episodes. This definitely made me feel nostalgic. Contrary to controversy, all of the LGBTQIA+ characters in the show so far were also queer in the game ten years ago. The cinematography is also breathtakingly similar.
Deviating from the Game
Not everything sticks to the game, and for the better. The television show decides to make characters like brothers Henry and Sam, as well as partners Bill and Frank, more human and known by the audience. They have more screen time, and the third episode even shows as an action sequence from the perspectives of Bill and Frank. Joel is shown not just in the present-time of the game, but also during the near-start of the apocalypse. I genuinely cried at the end of the third episode, and I now believe in love again. I watched it three times in a row. Not once did I think that either of the characters should've been introduced as they were in the video game. Episode five made me clutch at my chest, hold my breath, and reflect on my family dynamics. Deviant writing wins this round.
The Last of My Words
The first half of the debut season for "The Last of Us" has earned a 10/10 rating from me.
