The Last of Us: Season 1 Episode 1 Review: 2/5 “A Convenient First Episode”
-For the Uncensored!
The wait is over. On Sunday, January 15th, 2023, Episode 1 of the Last of Us premiered on HBO and HBOMax. And to say the least, it was good so far. What makes Last of Us, the series, finally realized is that a game can be adapted into a series, but with the Last of Us, proves that momentum, over a ten year time, has shown that a balanced game can be given some final details that the game didn’t do. But to me, the convenient plotlines are a gripe for a hardcore fan like myself.
The series does do a few good things right. It does look and feel like I was watching the game unfold. Only there’s one big flaw in the show that does make me hold back from loving the show entirely. Pedro Pascal. An actor who I have only liked on two occasions. But for me, Joel Miller, is a character that helps unknown actors become house hold names. And so far, Pedro Pascal, is showing good effort in portraying Joel, but Pascal, to me, is a skin of Joel, and not Joel himself. He’s not bad, or good, but serviceable.
Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, is also serviceable, as she does a good job, but again, everyone does a good job, acting, enough to give the original source material the respect it deserves. So, for that it wins, a bit.
Merle Dandridge as Marlene, leader of the terrorist group, The Fireflies, is the only character returning from the original game, in order to bring the weight and depth she gave to the original character. What makes Dandridge important is that in her screen performance gives the same personality that I felt when seeing her in the original cut scenes.
The original composer, Gustavo Santaolella returns, but is merely given the theme song credit only. A shame, but the original soundtrack is beautiful as it is haunting. His talents don’t seem to be used so much in the 1st episode so far. A shame really.
The one plot line that is unforgivable is letting Joel and Tessa off the hook for killing Robert. In the original scene, Joel and Tessa, whose guns and pills are stolen from Robert, who sells them to the fireflies. The scene is violent, but also shows how Joel and Tessa joined with Marlene, because Tessa wanted to “see those guns” and Joel himself, is trying hard to ignore Ellie, in order not to get emotionally involved. But over time, is won over by Ellie’s resilience, and makes the journey across America to find the cure for the Cordyceps virus. Joel is also trying to find Tommy, as in the original game, only goes to Tommy on Marlene’s behest.
(Note: This is the scene that was removed, taking away Joel and Tessa’s survivor mentality from the series. While this is the part 1 remake, it does show that Naughty Dogg and HBO wanted to make concessions)
In the series, this motivation is removed from Joel and Tessa, as they don’t kill Robert, as he is trying to sell the battery to Marlene, and is killed for selling a dead battery. Which Marlene and Joel are looking for.
For me, concessions will not be given in order to praise the series. Episode 1 removes Joel and Tessa’s violent side in order to make them more commercially appealing. Maybe this was done with Druckman’s blessing, but it does remove Joel’s viciousness. It’s hard for me to praise a series so far, but this is one minor complaint, coming from a long time fan. The acting is serviceable but not a close to perfection the original game, gave.
Pros:
o Great Art Direction
o Merle Dandridge returning as Marlene delivers a strong yet subtle performance.
Cons:
o Pedro Pascal is serviceable, but will never be the ideal Joel Miller
o A too convenient plot for television viewers
o Gustavo Santaoella returns as composer, but is only listed for the original theme, and not as series composer.
Final Analysis: 2/5
-Louis Bruno is the author of more than 20 books, including, The Michael Project, The Michael Project: Book 2: The Lost Children of Eve, Thy Kingdom Come, The Disintegrating Bloodline Part 2: Chaos, The Data Chase, The Disintegrating Bloodline part 3: Solvè, The Disintegrating Bloodline (and the original text re-released in 2019), Apocalypse Soldier, The Data Chase, Selection: The First Book of the Life and Death Saga, and Blinking Eyes: The Second Book of the Life and Death Saga, Hierarchy of Dwindling Sheep, The City of Sand, The God of Curiosity, To the Moon and Back, The Villain Lives and The Villain Lives: The Divided Pinpoint, Come Home, Young One, City of Sand: Book 1: The Holy Terror, and The Voices Are Alive. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Phoenix. His books can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lulu. He can be found on Gab, https://gab.com/thereallouistbruno, Minds https://www.minds.com/lbruno8063/. Instagram @lbrruno8063 and @louisbrunoofficialbook. Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouisBr88881650. He has written for the Intellectual Conservative and Ephemere. His newest book, The City of Sand: Book 2: Jerusalem Ignited, will be out soon.