So Pedro Pascal really is “daddy”, isn’t he? hahaha!
Recently the world was introduced to Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us storyline in a brand new medium – television! Based off the hit 2013 action-adventure video game of the same name, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann and their team are killing it so far with this epic adaption of the post-apocalypse that introduces fungal zombies to the mix.
We see the day of the outbreak with a glimpse of the world before it’s thrown into madness, and then see the world twenty years later in 2023. Smuggler Joel (played by DADDY Pedro Pascal) must help get Ellie (played by the darling Bella Ramsey) to the fireflies as she holds the key to the world’s future survival. But at what cost will this journey have on our pair or those who come in their sights?
Well, if you’d played the game then you probably already have a guess. But let me tell you, this is one of the best adaptions I’ve seen for a video game because it knows when to stay shot for shot in some areas…and completely defy expectations in others. I won’t throw spoilers here but my personal take on the show is one where I can’t help but cry every single episode. And it may just be from a single moment or line…to an entire episode just breaking my heart.
Like the Legend of Vox Machina, I’ve been watching this series with my bestie and she has been focusing on my reactions a lot to gauge what sort of ride she can expect per episode. I won’t spoil things for her but I will let her know if she needs to grab the tissues. We have full discussions afterwards about the show, where we think it’s going (or how I think it aligns with the game), etc. It’s been great to experience this alongside someone who has no idea what to expect and to see them laugh, cry, gasp at the insaneness that we’re watching. Definitely helps make it all more enjoyable overall.
One thing I really want to highlight in this story is the performances of the actors and how I don’t think they’ve missed a single beat in those they’ve got on for the show. Not only that but the diversity is insane, the use of ASL and highlighting handicaps and illnesses, the way they don’t shy from the LGBTQ+ storylines. And ya’ll – the first time I heard the clicker sound during the show – I screamed. The sound still haunts me from the games and having them captor the horrors of the zombies so well in television – I’m loving it!
We still have some episodes to go. But I highly recommend you check out Last of Us on HBOMax. If you’re a fan of the game especially, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed 🙂 and I swear Bella is Ashley Johnson incarnate hahaha.
*~Mae's Corner~* 