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The Last of Us (2023): Feel Her Love - S02E04 - RECAP

Review by @skiptvads · 402d · of The Last of Us

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I would say I'm about 75% well from elbow injury and today I'm starting to write again, had to take almost a week off from the keyboard or at least typing for prolong times, making a single article sometimes takes me a bit over 1hr and that's constant typing and mouse moving, although I'm a right hander and fked up arm is my left, still lots of typing so I'm behind in some content but still good content like the most recent episode of The Last of Us, Season 2 Episode 5 it totally delivered one of those unforgettable TV moments that'll stick with us, its that moment when this new kind of say "intelligent" infected trapped Dina with no where to go and in the last second is saved by Jesse, what a fkn moment. This week's episode kicked things into high gear with that terrifying opening scene at the hospital too, another scene similar to how Episode 4 started, setting up the perfect backdrop for what would become one of the most intense episodes yet. The way they introduced those airborne spores was absolutely genius, making the cordyceps threat even more terrifying than before like they weren't already scary enough with those stalkers and clickers running around, and as I mention above my favorite scene was that final one at basement with Ellie and Nora, pure freaking gold, showing us the Ellie we have been waiting to see, the one consumed by revenge and willing to do whatever it takes to find Abby, I'm still waiting for the moment she becomes the infected Queen although this is just me speculating.
Rottentomatoes Rating
Source The episode started with this crazy intense conversation between Hanrahan and Elise Park about why she had to kill some of her own team members, including her son Leon. That moment when Hanrahan said "I'm sorry about your son" really hit because you see her smoking and under lots of stress like when you take one of those decisions you cant come back from. Revealing that Elise made the ultimate sacrifice to save everyone else from the airborne spores in the hospital basement. Then we jumped to Ellie and Dina at the theater and honestly their relationship seemed a bit more balanced this time, less about the romance and more about the mission which was refreshing to see after all that lovey dovey stuff from previous episode, they were still cute together but it wasn't overwhelming the revenge plot anymore, Ellie even picked up a guitar and started playing "Future Days" but stopped when the memories of Joel became too painful, showing us that beneath all the flirting and jokes she's still deeply wounded and focused on finding Abby, the way Bella Ramsey portrayed that moment of grief was subtle but powerful, giving us a glimpse of the pain she's carrying around, I bet no one would think during GOT that Bella would do the main character on such great series. Source Source The warehouse scene with the stalkers was absolutely terrifying, this series is becoming really intense and if I had the time would even give it a try to the game. The scenes at the warehouse were something straight outta a horror movie with the type of infected way smarter than the regular runners or clickers we've seen before, using strategy and stealth to corner Ellie and Dina and just when you thought they were completely screwed Jesse showed up out of nowhere with that shotgun like a total badass, although he is not a bad ass. Some might say it was too convenient but when the infected started to open the cage the only thing that came to mind is Ellie saying or doing something to communicate with them because I truly never saw Jesse saving them, so I didn't even care how convinient it was.

The revelation that Tommy was also in Seattle looking for them added another layer to the story because it makes it almost impossible how they track them down for so long although in movies and books its been said that back in the day this was normal tracking for people so why not. Then came that brutal Saraphite scene in the park, may be I fast forward too much but its RECAP. Ellie, Dina and Jesse escape from the warehouse after the WLF chase them down until they got to a park full of Seraphite, at fist I though "INFECTED" but those whistles were creepy as hell and watching them gut that WLF soldier while chanting "Feel her love" showed just how messed up this cult really is, no wonder the WLF soldiers avoid going into the park. When Dena got hit with that arrow, I though it had some venom as she seem to faint, especially knowing she's pregnant and it created the perfect opportunity for Ellie to go solo into the hospital once she saw its name in the distance, Ellie really goes rogue on this episode.

Source Source The hospital sequence was hands down the best part of the episode but I also said that about the warehouse so I guess both were great, Ellie confronting Nora was exactly what I've been waiting for once she got her hands on a WLF specially those who where there when Joel was killed, showing us the rage and determination that hass been driving her since Joel's death. When Nora escaped and ended up in the basement with all those spores it was like watching two different horror movies collide in the best possible way. The visual of Leon and the other infected merged with the walls still breathing and pumping out spores was nightmare fuel and Ellie walking through it all completely unaffected was such a badass moment that reminded me of her immunity, it would not be strange if somehow she use the hospital vents to spread spores and get everyone including Abby infected. That final confrontation where Nora realizes Ellie is immune and Ellie admits she knows about Abby's father being the doctor Joel killed was perfect, it answered questions while raising new ones about exactly when and how Ellie learned the truth, still to be reveal. The way the episode ended with that flashback of Joel saying "Hey kiddo" has me beyond excited for next week's flashback episode, which looks like it'll finally show us what happened between Joel and Ellie before his death.
Looking back at this episode, it really feels like the season is hitting its stride now with the pacing much better than previous episodes, with just the right balance of character moments, action sequences and horror elements. The introduction of airborne spores adds a whole new level of danger to the world because I can only imagine where else are we going to see this type of say weapon like , and seeing Ellie completely lose herself when beating Nora with that pipe showed us just how far she's willing to go for revenge. It was a perfect parallel to Abby beating Joel with the golf club, highlighting how the cycle of violence continues and transforms everyone involved. The red tinted lighting in the basement scene created this hellish atmosphere that perfectly matched Ellie's mental state and the way the episode cut from her violence to that sweet flashback with Joel was brilliant storytelling, a true WTF just happen moment. I'm absolutely pumped for next week's episode, which looks like it will probably be entirely flashbacks with Joel and Ellie, probably showing us their museum trip and maybe even the moment when Ellie learned the truth about what happened at the hospital. If it's anything like this episode, especially that basement scene with the spores, we are in for another incredible hour of television and honestly this season is really proving that The Last of Us isn't just a great video game adaptation even though there is for sure parts of it that has been modified to fit the different audience that is Tv.

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