Loved the premiere. I didn’t really have any issues with the changes from the games, they all made since for the most part. Sarah’s death hit so hard in this episode, probably even more for me than in the game. The actress/writing did a really great job of getting us to care for her leading up to that scene.
I read the actress for his daughter is Thandie Newton’s daughter and it made so much sense because I thought she looked familiar haha
I would guess they will at some point next episode leading up to Bill’s town in episode 3. Edit: the next episode is titled “Infected” so I’d definitely think we will be getting an explanation on them lol
So bizarre to me. I remember there being some negative response over it's brutality, but "woke-ness??" Wild.
Yea, I don't know where it would have fit in episode 1, but I could imagine as a new viewer that was the biggest head scratcher (though probably not all that confusing). After some more thinking, I think it was as good a pilot as it could be. It felt paced well, true to the game, and got into the meat of the story pretty quickly. A few small things I didn't like though. I know I am going to love this, but I'm going to try to also be honest when I see things that I don't enjoy, no matter how small. - Too on the nose with Joel beating the guard. I don't think we needed the cut to the beginning with Sara. Trust your viewer! - I never had any issues with Bella being Ellie, and I think she was extremely good, but a few lines that were direct from game to show were delivered in a different tone that threw me off. Just like the game, Ellie was a small part of the opening so we'll get plenty more to form an opinion from and I think she'll nail it, but there is a an adjustment factor (at least for me). - I felt it was a little contrived with Tess being right next to the firefly explosion, and the whole thing with Robert was backwards from the game and also felt a bit too 'neat'. Though in the game it was also pretty contrived too with Marlene showing up wounded just after Joel and Tess had got there. - The trailer for the rest of the season was extremely spoilerish (but it's also hard to know because my brain is filling in the gaps that people haven't seen the show would have but still, I felt it showed way too much and Neil and Craig have also said a lot that's venturing into too much information). - I do like the change with Joel being in contact with Tommy, but it will potentially impact their backstory and later dialogue, but it definitely gives more believable television motivation for what's to come. If it improves or detracts their relationship and that part of the story, will be decided later. The biggest change: Marlene knowing Ellie from birth, but Ellie not knowing Marlene, is going to be an interesting new wrinkle. I am going to assume some sort of hereditary immunity that Marlene knew about? I think that will annoy people as the concept of Ellie having children to pass on the cure was brought up before and people got mad and called it a sexist / overtrod theme. I can't imagine another reason that in the show Marlene protected her and had an eye on her since birth. Maybe her mother gave birth while infected and they had evidence that it would be passed on but in Ellie it wasn't? I don't know what's really going on there, but it seems clear to me that Ellie's immunity was known about well before she was bitten 3 weeks ago.
That shot of the grandma in the background starting to move strangely in her chair and open her mouth was creepy af
I'm going in for a second viewing tonight. They did a fantastic job building up a sense of dread. It gave off similar vibes to the opening of Dawn of the Dead (04).
They nailed the premiere. It's so great to hear Gustavo Santaolalla's music in this. That acoustic guitar always gets me. I LOVED this shot of Ellie watching Joel beat that guard. It's sort of creepy/haunting and sets up her dynamic with Joel in an interesting way.
This was fantastic. So true to the game, while expanding well and telling the story. The scenes that were mirror'ed to the game were great, and took me back to playing it. The whole town scene was awesome, and casting was great. Loved what they did with Sara, and her death was heartbreaking obvs. The grandma\s infection taking over in the background was an amazing addition, creepy enough and tragic at the same time.
Fuckkkkkkkk. Ok show, you hit me in the feels. I'm absolutely floored at it all, they nailed it. Couldn't be any happier with how it turned out. And dude sounds JUST LIKE TOMMY AHHHHHHHHHH