As always, episode seven leaves us with plenty to discuss, so let’s get into it.
just NOTE, THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOTH THE SHOW AND THE GAME SERIES IT IS BASED ON.
yo READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
Episode seven is bookended by Joel and Ellie in the present day.
As Ellie turns to go, we are then transported back to weeks before Joel and Ellie first met.
Another student (Bethany) bumps into Ellie and pinches her Walkman before goading her about her missing friend.
He then tells Ellie she has two paths to choose from.
The second is where she swallows her pride, follows the rules and becomes a FEDRA officer.
“There’s a leader in you, and one day it could be your turn.
So which way?”
In response, Ellie begrudgingly says she will comply with FEDRA and returns to her room.
The rest of this episode stays largely faithful to its DLC source material.
It turns out, Riley has joined the Fireflies and won’t be returning to the FEDRA school.
Riley scoffs at this and takes Ellie inside the building.
However, at this time she told Tess that she was alone.
Riley gives Ellie No Pun Intended: Volume Too by Will Livingston.
It is all very reminiscent of those teenage days of skipping school and hanging out with your crush.
In the game, Riley brings Ellie to an old arcade centre with rows upon rows of machines.
In the game, the machine itself does not work.
After all, despite the fun and games, this is still The Last of Us.
As in the game, Riley agrees to stay and the two share their first kiss.
It is a beautiful moment, again reminiscent of those first teenage loves.
Sadly, this beautiful moment is broken all too soon by the arrival of an infected.
Of course, as we all know now, this does not happen to Ellie as she is immune.
This is different from the DLC.
With the contents from this kit, she then stitches up Joel.
Both the show and the game left me with tears in my eyes.
As always, a few honourable mentions from episode seven.
The second thing to mention is the set dressing.
Lastly, I appreciated the way Ellie had to shake her torch to get it to work.
I hope I am wrong and the pacing remains strong for the rest of the series.
I guess time will tell.
Chat again next week!
