"It makes cordyceps think that she's cordyceps, that's why she's immune" -Marlene, referencing Ellie's immunity

In the show, Marlene says that the cordyceps has been with Ellie since birth and it makes the infected with Cordyceps think that she's one of them.. and if she's been immune since birth, and her immunity means she's able to trick the infected into thinking she's one of them, then my question is basically this: why did the infected attack her while she was in the mall with Riley, and why did Sam attack her after he turned if the infected think that she's infected?

Not sure if this has been explained in the show and I missed it or what, but I'm genuinely curious about this. Looking forward to seeing your guys' answers as this is the only thing I'm struggling with as far as the show goes, I'm hoping this is easily explained or that I missed something.

As shown in the image here, the people of Jackson are cautious about outsiders. So it would look actually quite silly if they follow through with how Joel and Tommy make the mistake of trusting a stranger like Abby which leads to her luring them to the lodge where she murders Joel.

How would you change season 1 to make it a Hollywood movie?

I would probably have 2 movies, each 2.5 hours. I would cut the story from episodes 4 and 5 to shorten the time. I would cut most of episode 7. I would also reluctantly cut episode 3 as it does not fit the narrative of the movie. Oh, and more infected.

They plan to expand story of the second game into multiple seasons. If it does come to that and they even do the same treatment with a potential third game, that would probably make the show last 10 years.

I never thought he had the sheer physicality. Joel in the game was an absolute beast. And in the series they broadly tried to portray him like that - while they did show his hearing and anxiety issues, it was frequently told (rgather than shown) that he was a physically ferocious guy.

Pedro can play a dangerous guy alright - check out Oberyn - but he wasn't quite the brutal bulldozer of a guy that I think Joel was supposed to be.

Joel is realistically a frail old man, and he’s not a badass killing machine like in the game. But they actually do manage to bring that mechanic to life just for his hospital rampage to save Ellie from getting dissected, going one-man army in the process.

I feel like it needs the gritty theme song to go with it however I still think they’ll keep the original theme song from season one for familiarity reasons. What does everybody else think? I’d LOVE the theme to change for the second season

what are we thinking about a possible january release date? i think it might happen. the guy who leaked the catherine o'hara casting, jeffrey wright reprising his role and a 7 episode season said it's coming out in march/april (i think it's the same guy) that's why i'm not 100% sure but there's really not much programming left for the hbo sunday night slot after the penguin and dune prophecy and considering they usually start teasing new shows/seasons like at least 4-6 months in advance, i think it's highly unlikely they'll start the promotional period now for a show coming out in january. i think it might be coming out right after dune prophecy, maybe jan 5 or jan 12 (i'm new here, i quite literally joined this subreddit to talk about this specific thing)

UPDATE: i just looked up the white lotus s2 on youtube and it was released on oct 6 and the show came out on oct 22 so it is highly possible they'll start promoting s3 only days in advance. considering this i'm now almost certain twl s3 will release in january and then tlou right after it in march. dream's over

Taking his attention from the soon to be dead raiders, got him shot.

Also all the cars in episode 2 were like 2010 + I imagine 2003 and older cars would have been expensive and harder to find which I understand.

Im on my maybe 5th rewatch and these things bother me.

https://youtu.be/n9JgMQOkm_0?si=HEV8TVCwy1YfSTub

I've started rewatching TWD season 1 and it is noticeable how similar of roles these characters play in their respective stories. Both are there to get the main character (characters) through a location fairly early in their journeys and to show the main characters just how difficult the journey is going to be and then they are both quickly out of the story. Morgan and Duane are a symbolism of Rick's desire to get back to his family and specifically Carl so he can protect him. Henry and Sam are there to symbolize Joel's growing protective nature over Ellie.

Does make me wonder a bit if the idea for Henry and Sam was based off of Morgan and Duane.

Several years ago while TLOU was in Calgary I stumbled onto the downtown filming sites. Here is one of many that were captured. Have a beautiful day ☀️.

It seems like the writing but mostly structure is very 'modern', and I don't say that in a good sense. It seems like most episodes are only linked together by the journey, but IIRC, 4 of the episodes had identical plot; We meet a new character that 'should' have stayed on for much longer/made the story more meaningful/impactful ends up dying at the end of the episode. There of course is an impact on the characters development, and I can't deny that, especially when you see the bond between Joel and Ellie developing, which is nice to see, but it feels very 'forgetul' and far too predictable.

When Joel's daughter died, I was shocked in a positive way that they can build up a character and start liking the character, only for them to get taken out quickly and unpredictably, which is what I was missing in TV shows after GOT went to shit.

I have zero clue what will happen in the next season, very minimal build up and a poor cliffhanger. I loved the acting of the actors, but the writing is a little disappointing.

Did anyone else feel this way? I have not played the games, which is why I thought it might be interesting to see from the pespective of someone who isn't aware of what's gonna happen later (potentially) but also who is coming in just to 'review' the TV show on it's own. I am interested to check out the game because I've heard it is one of, if not the best in the genre.

Do we ever hear anything about her dad? Notes etc? I know Marlene knew her mom for her whole life (E9 of the show) but we never hear anything about her dad from what I remember. Anyone know of any lore?

In the final episode, after the hospital, Joel and Ellie are both walking in the forest towards Jackson.

During that scene, I couldn’t help but think Joel was being so weird with the stuff he was saying to Ellie, even she looked so uncomfortable with him.

« Sarah and I used to take hikes »

« She would’ve liked you »

« Not to say you two were the same, definitely different kids »

« She was taller »

« She was girly »

« She had a killer smile, NOT SAYING THAT YOU DONT » (?????)

I felt so bad for Ellie, Joel kept comparing Sarah to her, like she’s some LESSER version of his dead daughter…kinda like he was thinking « Sarah was the best ! …But you’re okay too ! »

it’s so sad and fucked up for Ellie to be used like this ?

Let’s just think about Ellie’s pov at this moment, maybe she feels that she never had a relationship with Joel that existed on its own, maybe she thinks she’s just been a substitute to Sarah for this whole journey.

Does he only see Ellie as a replacement for Sarah?

Is his « love » for Ellie genuine?

It was still a really emotional moment overall but the use of this track kinda completely knocked me out of the experience due to the fact I’ve heard it in so many other contexts before. The fact it has been used multiple times before makes sense because it is a gorgeous, devastating song.

For me that track absolutely belongs to Arrival and hearing it during the episode only served to make me think of that rather than the scene itself. I feel an original scoring would have been better served in this context, but I am also aware this could entirely be a me issue and no else feels the same way - maybe if I had never seen Arrival and saw this episode first then it would be vice versa or something like that.

If she didn't die.. would Tess have let Ellie go through with the surgery? Or would she have sided with Joel?

I am in the middle of watching Episode 8 right now and i'm just wondering something. The girl from the village who's father died is names Hannah right? I don't know if I just misheard the Preacher guy or not but to me it sounded like Hannah.

Is she supposed to be Abby from the games? I haven't played the games myself since I don't have a playstation or Computer that could run it. But I do know that Joel killed Abby's father and she wants revenge for that. So is this girl in the series meant to be Abby from the games? Or just a random girl?

I'm re watching the show.. and really watching for details and little idiosyncrasies in the actors and in the Endure and Survive episode.... Can we take a moment and appreciate Henry and Sam actors Lamar and Kevionn? They were so amazing. For a kid, Sam just made my heart hurt so much at the end of the episode. And when Henry is telling Joel about him killing Kathleen's brother, the sadness in his eyes gets me everytime.. like did my brother deserve to live over her brother?? Where did they find these actors 😩 I'm so sad that they didn't make it. I know the showrunners discussed Henry surviving with them but ultimately went with killing him off. It made for a great episode but man, I would love to see more of those two actors.

My question is who were the actresses nominated for the role of Ellie before Bella Ramsey
This question is not a provocation, I have no problem with Bella Ramsey.

I'm just asking out of curiosity

Question for people who have watched the show and has played The Game

I have a question for people who have seen the show and have played the game: did you enjoy the show? What did you like; what did you not like; what Changes (if you have any) would you personally make/ what criticisms (if any big or small) do you have of the show? Do you have anything that you think the game did better or anything the show did better Ect?

Like for example in the game with Joel and Ellie first 1:1 (the your watch is broken convo) they come off more annoyed with each other where in the show they give off more angry line readings, I prefer they more “they’re annoyed with each other line readings” and after Tess died Ellie tries to offer sympathy to Joel in the game where in the show Ellie being standoffish with Joel and being a jerk. Stuff like that.

What was your fav Ellie moment that shows what a good actor Bella Ramsey is? I love their portrayal of Ellie.. I think the acting in this series was amazing. My favorite moments for Ellie was how she let out a cry when Henry shot himself... then again with the fucking finger. Like, Bella really knows how to make us feel what Ellie is feeling.. oh and I really loved her dancing with Riley. Like you can tell just by the way she dances, what she's thinking in the moment. It's insane how the showrunners direct these actors and just bring out the best in them in every single small moment that makes this show amazing. I've listened to the official HBO series podcast for every episode and the amount of attention they pour into every detail is amazing. Like, every infliction, body movement was thought out. I think this was def one of my fav shows and Craig Mazin is an incredible director.