The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 "Feel Her Love" REVIEW

Summary

This video analysis compares the portrayal of Ellie in *The Last of Us* game and its TV adaptation, focusing on the emotional maturity of Ellie in the show. The speaker argues that while both versions of Ellie seek justice for Joel's death, the show presents a more emotionally mature character who processes her feelings more thoroughly. This makes her less inclined to react with immediate violence compared to the game's rawer, more vengeful version. The discussion explores how subtle changes in the show’s narrative affect the emotional depth of the characters and their actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discusses the emotional maturity of Ellie in the TV show adaptation of *The Last of Us*, comparing it to her portrayal in the game.
• 😀 Ellie in the TV show is portrayed as more emotionally mature and capable of processing her feelings compared to her game counterpart, who is driven by unresolved anger.
• 😀 The show gives Ellie more time to process her relationship with Joel, which results in her character being more reflective and less impulsive.
• 😀 The emotional arc in the show is more about seeking justice rather than revenge, whereas in the game, Ellie’s actions are primarily motivated by pure anger and the desire for revenge.
• 😀 The speaker feels that the show’s version of Ellie would be less likely to immediately resort to violence, unlike the game where Ellie’s character is more raw and vengeful.
• 😀 There is a distinction between Ellie’s emotional response in the game, which feels more unprocessed and chaotic, and in the show, where Ellie seems to come to terms with the situation more effectively.
• 😀 The speaker believes the emotional beats in the show don’t land as clearly as in the game, making the emotional journey less intense.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges that both versions of Ellie would want to go after Abby, but the TV show’s Ellie seems to approach the situation more thoughtfully and less impulsively.
• 😀 The show’s portrayal of Ellie is more nuanced, and the audience is given more time to understand the motivations behind Abby's actions, allowing for more empathy.
• 😀 The emotional conflict between seeking justice versus revenge is explored more deeply in the show, making the characters’ emotional arcs more complex and less black-and-white.

Q & A

How does the speaker describe the emotional maturity of Ellie in the TV show compared to the game?

The speaker describes the Ellie in the TV show as more emotionally mature than in the game. They suggest that in the show, Ellie is able to process her feelings and understand the complexities of her relationship with Joel, making her motivations feel more thought-out and less driven by raw emotion compared to the game version.

What is the main distinction between Ellie’s motivations for seeking revenge in the game and the show?

In the game, Ellie’s desire for revenge is fueled by unresolved anger and emotions, as she acts impulsively based on a mix of grief, anger, and hatred for those who wronged Joel. In contrast, the show’s Ellie is portrayed as having more time to process these emotions and understand that she’s seeking justice rather than blind revenge.

How does the speaker feel about the emotional beats in the TV show compared to the game?

The speaker feels that the emotional beats in the show are not as clearly or cleanly presented as they are in the game. They believe that the TV show has altered the emotional arcs slightly, leading to a less impactful portrayal of Ellie’s internal struggle and motivations.

What is the speaker’s critique regarding the pacing of Ellie’s emotional journey in the TV show?

The speaker critiques the pacing of Ellie’s emotional journey in the show, noting that the show gives her more opportunities to process her emotions. While this adds nuance, the speaker believes that it makes her decision to act violently toward Abby feel less urgent and more deliberate, as opposed to the more instinctive and raw response in the game.

What role does Abby’s backstory play in shaping the audience's understanding of Ellie’s actions in the TV show?

In the TV show, the audience is given more background on Abby and her reasons for killing Joel. This additional context allows viewers to understand Ellie’s feelings of hatred toward Abby, but also offers the opportunity to process the situation more logically, making Ellie’s emotional response less impulsive and more grounded in justice.

How does the speaker view the character development of Ellie in the show compared to the game?

The speaker views the development of Ellie in the show as more emotionally complex and processed, with a more nuanced approach to her actions. They believe that while both versions of Ellie are motivated to confront Abby, the show’s version feels less reactive and more thoughtful, as she has had more time to reflect on her feelings.

Why does the speaker mention that Ellie in the game feels more like a 'raw nerve'?

The speaker refers to Ellie in the game as a 'raw nerve' because her emotional responses to Joel’s death and her pursuit of revenge are more impulsive and driven by unresolved anger. In contrast, the show’s version of Ellie has had more time to process her emotions and is not as quick to react with violent anger.

What does the speaker mean by ‘justice versus revenge’ in relation to Ellie’s actions?

The speaker distinguishes between Ellie seeking revenge and Ellie seeking justice. In the show, Ellie is portrayed as understanding that her actions are about seeking justice for Joel’s death rather than simply acting out of vengeful anger. This distinction emphasizes her emotional growth and more thoughtful approach compared to her actions in the game.

How does the speaker feel about the subtle differences in the emotional arc between the show and the game?

The speaker feels that the subtle differences in the emotional arc between the show and the game affect how the emotional beats land. While they understand the intent behind the changes, they feel the TV show version of Ellie’s arc doesn't deliver the emotional impact as clearly as in the game, where Ellie’s emotions are more raw and unresolved.

What final thoughts does the speaker leave the audience with regarding the episode of the TV show?

The speaker concludes by expressing that they are interested in hearing the audience's thoughts on the episode but ultimately hopes that viewers find the series engaging and thought-provoking. They sign off with the phrase 'live long and prosper,' signaling their final thoughts in a lighthearted manner.