The Last of Us – Episode 8 Review: So, you’ve just watched episode 8 of The Last of Us, huh? Well, let me tell you, this one was a rollercoaster of emotions. I mean, we’re talking excitement, fear, sadness, happiness, and even tears. And if you didn’t cry, then you’re probably not human. Sorry, not sorry.
So, let’s get into it. At the start of the episode, Joel is still clinging onto life by a thread. Meanwhile, Ellie decides to venture out into the snowy woods to hunt for food, because why not? And boy, does she hit the jackpot by shooting a deer. But before she can claim her prize, two dudes from a nearby town stumble upon the deer and take it away from her. Rude, right?
Now, these guys are part of a cult, and their leader is David. He’s one of those “do as I say, not as I do” types who’s abusive and violent towards the people in his town. Nice guy, right? Not. But Ellie needs that deer to trade for some penicillin to save Joel’s life, so she agrees to make a deal with the devil. And boy, does that deal take her down a dark and twisted road.
The tension in this episode is off the charts. It’s so good that I texted my friend immediately after watching it to make sure we could watch it together. You know that friend, the one you need to experience things with so you can talk about them later? Yeah, that one. And let me tell you, it’s a good thing I get early access to these episodes, because I need time to process and rewatch them before Sunday.
So, back to the episode. It turns out that David and his merry band of cannibals are serving human flesh to their unsuspecting town. And they don’t even realize it! I mean, all it takes is one look at the meat on their plate to realize something is seriously wrong. But hey, at least they’re good on their word and give Ellie the penicillin she needs. Silver lining, I guess?
But wait, there’s more. These cannibals are after someone who was with a young girl. And who do you think that young girl is? Yep, you guessed it, Ellie. And they’re using her as bait to get to Joel. Not cool, guys. Not cool.
Now, we finally get to see Pedro Pascal as Joel in action, and let me tell you, it’s a sight to behold. When he realizes that Ellie has been abducted, he goes on a rampage. I mean, this man is not playing around. He will torture you, threaten you, and shove a knife into your kneecap if he has to. And honestly, I’m here for it. We love a protective dad figure.
But while all this is going on, Ellie is trapped in a cage, being tormented by David. And let me just say, this guy gives me the creeps. He’s trying to turn her into his right-hand girl, and she’s having none of it. She fights back with everything she’s got, and it’s one of the most compelling moments in the episode. Bella Ramsay absolutely kills it in this scene, and it’s no wonder why Ellie is such a beloved character.
In the end, Ellie gets her revenge, escapes with Joel, and everything goes back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be in a world overrun by zombies and cannibals. But seriously, this episode was so good, it almost felt like we were playing the game. Maybe a little too good, if you know what I mean.
Let’s talk about Ellie. She’s such a badass, isn’t she? I mean, the way she handled herself in that cage with David was impressive. She didn’t let him break her, and that’s why she’s such a great character. She’s strong-willed and won’t back down from a fight, even if it means she has to get her hands dirty. And boy, did she get her hands dirty in this episode.
Speaking of getting dirty, let’s talk about the cannibals. Yeah, you read that right. Cannibals. In case you missed it, this town that Ellie stumbles upon is full of people who are eating other people. And they don’t even realize it. That’s some messed up stuff right there. And the way they try to pass off human flesh as venison? Nah, man. Not cool.
But let’s not forget about Joel. Pedro Pascal is killing it as Joel. No pun intended. When he finds out that Ellie has been abducted, he goes full-on Rambo. He’s not messing around. And that’s what I love about him. He cares about Ellie like she’s his own daughter, and he’ll do anything to protect her.
Overall, this episode was one of the best so far. It captured the essence of the game perfectly, and it had me feeling all sorts of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at my TV. And I loved every minute of it. If you’re not watching The Last of Us, you’re missing out on some seriously good TV. And if you’re not playing the game, you’re missing out on one of the best gaming experiences out there. So, what are you waiting for? Get on it!
