‘Appointment viewing’
Even in a bloated field of high quality TV, this stood out as appointment viewing. The central premise, established right from the opening shots of the scientists, is brilliant and terrifying, but the centre of the success of this series was in the casting of Pedro Pascal [Joel] and Bella Ramsay [Ellie].
Another secret to the show’s success was the bravery to take their time with the storytelling. Episode three barely featured the main cast and yet was perhaps the best single episode of TV any of us will see this year. Just try and avoid ageing gamers like me spoiling it for you through tear-filled eyes as we mumble something about giraffes. Tim, 49, project manager (and still occasional gamer), Nottingham
‘The acting is superb’
Video games adaptations have a bad reputation for being fragmented and never understanding the core message of the story, but The Last of Us has surely changed that. My husband played the game when it first came out and like everyone else at the time, he realised very quickly this was one of the greatest stories about humanity. The acting is superb with a talented cast, not limited to just the main actors but also the supporting cast featured in every episode.
The shooting locations were also a very familiar sight to me, as Calgary, Canada is where I spent a chunk of my school holidays visiting my uncle. My uncle also loved complaining to me via Skype, about the crew shooting down the street from his house which would drive me nuts as he had no idea that The Mandalorian himself [Pedro Pascal] was in such close proximity to him! Pearl, 32, masters student, Australia
‘Humans are the most terrifying monsters’
Gut-wrenching, but not in the literal way you would expect from the apocalypse. Humans truly are the most terrifying monsters. Not as far-fetched as I once thought: after the pandemic, a lot more seems possible. The government control and splinter groups seem realistic and unsurprising these days. Joel is instantly likable thanks to Pedro Pascal’s amazing acting but Ellie [Bella Ramsay] is the true breakout star. She starts off unlikable and brash but becomes fiercely powerful and a strong character all on her own. Samantha, 38, teacher, Scotland
‘Not as good as the reviews made it out to be’
“In all honesty I didn’t think it was as good as the reviews made it out to be. I think the main issue was condensing the long run-time of the game down to something like eight hours – and that’s not to mention the time spent in-game exploring the environment. I did warm to Bella Ramsey – I thought she nailed Ellie’s fragile inner core of vulnerability that’s cloaked in this veneer of drive and defiance.
Ultimately, I’m not sure if the TLOU TV show added anything to the experience. For me, the success of the narrative fundamentally lives and dies on the success of the interactive element – watching the show reduced us to passive onlookers and personally, I felt, robbed us of any ability to truly engage.” Ash, 43, media studies teacher, Oxford
‘More infected!’
“There are certain aspects of the show I wasn’t a fan of. I felt there wasn’t enough time spent showing Ellie and Joel bonding – in the game a lot of this happens during the gameplay elements, which of course they couldn’t do, so I think having a couple of extra episodes with maybe some original content as Joel and Ellie travelled would have really helped.
I’d like more infected! I know, I know – it’s a show about humans and relationships etc. But it’s also supposed to be about infected; the whole reason for the journey! Plus they absolutely nailed them in every scene they were in, so I have no reason to doubt they could do more with them.” Jamie, 31, works in data compliance, Scotland
‘It didn’t shy away from issues’
It was incredible. Not only from a post-apocalyptic show perspective but not shying away from other issues like the rising of religious groups and showing how far people would go to help the people they love most. Episodes three and seven were both amazing, with the former giving something that diverts from most other LGBTQ+ couples that are shown on screen, and the latter showcasing young love and pining in a way that so many people can relate to.
As a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it was a love letter to all. I’m looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Joel and Ellie progresses, and if Joel ever tells Ellie what really happened in the hospital. Mollie, student, Leicester
‘I was shocked at the barbarity of the ending’
“Events in the series differed from those in the game ... Episode three, for example. Personally, I thought they were perfectly acceptable additions/variations. You watch the series for the story and not endless battles with the infected/raiders etc. I loved the back story to Ellie’s immunity. I was, however, shocked at the barbarity of the story’s ending. The murder of the surgeon somehow seemed even crueller than any of the wanton killings in earlier episodes. Perhaps killing medical staff seems particularly taboo. I remain conflicted. Bearing in mind the possibilities of a vaccine as a result of Ellie’s death, I don’t know whether, if I were in Joel’s shoes, I would have rescued her from the surgeon’s table. I hope the next series is as gritty and as uncompromising as the first.” Stanley, semi-retired accountant, Winchester
‘Entirely selfish but also beautiful’
“Having played the game, I remember the impact the ending had (especially as you had to control Joel doing what he did at the end to get to Ellie). Joel decides to save Ellie to restore his own humanity rather than save humanity at large. It’s entirely selfish but it’s also beautiful and shows what lengths a parent would go to protect their child. While I thought the show covered that well, personally this won’t ever have the impact the game did.” Jack, 32, software developer, Oxford
