bunkaroo

Yeah that’s my thought too. You can’t really do that story anywhere else. I think if it had been intermingled with Joel/Ellie stuff it might have felt better to me from a pacing perspective.

And I’ll just confirm here - I have zero issue with the content. The story of Bill and Frank could have been a great standalone film. It kind of is already!

ViewAskewbian

I did like how it mirrored Joel and Ellie, though:

Joel/Bill dealing with loss, hesitant to take on a relationship, becomes bonded and that relationship strengthens him ultimately becoming one where both need one another to persevere.

Also, how Bill, when he thought he was going to die from the gunshot, telling Frank to seek out Joel because Joel will take care of him. It's a nice nod of Bill recognizes Joel's humanity that will go on to his ability to look after Ellie.

This past of Bill's letter especially:

"I used to hate the world and I was happy when everyone died. But I was wrong. Because there was one person worth saving. That's what I did: I saved him. And I protected him. That's why men like you and me are here: We have a job to do. And God help any motherfuckers who stand in our way."

I feel, in the moment where Joel stepped outside, this was the moment where he lets go of his hesitation and realizes, yeah, he has that job to do. When he confronts Ellie again it is more about establishing groundrules for their relationship and survival.

Bill and Frank where the catalyst to that.

So, yeah, a much better trajectory then Bill and Frank having a falling out over remaining secluded and Frank ultimately trying to escape, being infected and as he did so and then hanging himself.

ViewAskewbian

Interesting veer off from the game in the most recent episodes with the introduction of two new characters (though one is the actor who voiced Tommy in the game). I like that they are not sticking exactly to the game so people who know it so well are surprised by some of the changes while they are still being faithful to the source material.

Though some of the direct nabs from the game were great:
-the Hank Williams tune
-Ellies joke book
-the dialogue over the adult magazine
-the jump cut from Ellie saying she's not even sleepy to being passed out in the seat

ViewAskewbian

The one thing I will say about the new character Kathleen, I do see a bit of a parallel to Abby's character/motivation. It seems, at least from the last episode's dialogue, that her brother was killed in a horrible way and she is seeking revenge on those who killed him. Kathleen is also an important member of a revolution group. Of course, that's very similar to Abby's story in Last of Us Part 2.

Abob Teff

I posted this in spoilers in one of the main threads ... but I'm disappointed they haven't made the KC people the cannibals. Missed opportunity for a KC barbeque joke ...

I was thinking Kathleen was going to be the leader of the Seraphites ... but then I realized that's the next game.

TomOpus

One of the bbq specialties here are burnt ends but that joke might fall flat elsewhere.

MrX

I read yesterday after the end of last weeks episode people were googling "Does Joel die?" to find out what happens and they found on what happens to him in Part 2

Deftones

ViewAskewbian

Ha! Though, granted, I wondered the same thing in the game. If I recall correctly, the injury happens when he falls onto something sticking out of machinery or the ground. It then cuts to the rabbit in the snow (with not so great results for the rabbit) and Ellie on her own for a little bit. The game doesn't clue you in that Joel is still alive at first.

Frankly, I liked how the injury happened in the game better than the show.

MrX

I thought this was kind of funny, one of the nurses in the OR was played by Laura Bailey who was the voice of Abby in the second game.

deadlax

i finally watched the entire season and I thought it was well acted but ultimately did not translate the game experience/story to the screen very well. the vignettes of joel and ellie making their way across the u.s. was a weak story and felt kind of like a freak of the week type experience. i guess it just feels different when you are playing it. i did love the two standalone episodes exploring relationships i thought bella ramsey was pretty good as ellie but pedro pascal was okay at best as joel.

i'd give it a 6.5/10.

I am also so over everything being shot at night.

MrX

They just started shooting season about a month ago so I guess they're not going to drag out Joel's story to keep Pascal on the show.

X - Formerly Twitter

Deftones

Pretty big spoiler there......might want to hide that and provide context outside of the spoiler..

MrX

That's why I posted it in the spoiler thread.

Deftones

Fair point.

DJariya

The report that Pascal wrapped season 2 was inaccurate. HBO confirmed to IGN he still has more filming left.

OldBoy

Without reading thread, why not one thread on each? I’ve seen Part 1, but not. 2, nor have I played yet.

story

The thread may have some context clues as to why.