news culture The Last of Us HBO: Is the series reaching its limits? Our opinion on episode 5
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Five weeks already of Ellie and Joël’s adventures on the small screen captivating us, and we’re already halfway there. Today it’s time for Episode 5, which got us a little less excited.
Ellie and Joël’s adventure begins again and this time it’s time for the second part in Kansas City! By the way, this is the first time creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann – father of the license – have spent two episodes in the same place. It must be said that the American city that corresponds to the passage to Pittsburgh in the video game is run by a revolutionary group that doesn’t make a point. At their helm is the equally ruthless and charismatic Kathleen (played by Melanie Lynskey).
In the previous part, we learned that she was tirelessly searching for Sam and Henry, the two brothers who were already present at the groundwork. The eldest – Henry – is believed to be linked to the death of someone close to Kathleen. Who is in the middle? Of course Ellie and Joel. At the end of Chapter 4, Sam and Henry point a gun at the two heroes. No choice, they’ll help each other get out of Kansas City safe and sound.
More great ideas
From the start, this Episode 5 takes us back ten days before Ellie and Joël’s “timeline” – from Sam and Henry’s point of view. Again, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann use flashbacks, following the brothers’ adventures through Kansas City… and most importantly, behind the scenes of the revolutionary group led by Kathleen. The opportunity to learn that he rejects the authority of FEDRA, the equivalent of the American Army in The Last of Us (at the origin of the control of the quarantine zones). A neat idea that avoids putting all the thieves in the same bag. Because yes, depending on the location and procedure, post-apotherapy can take several forms. The same goes for the characters. Kahtleen, who poses as a no-half-measure leader, is motivated by the loss of her brother. Henry, on the other hand, who wanted to save his Sam from leukemia, sentenced a man described as “very good” to death.
Despite a more classic post-apo outcome, this fifth chapter brings new nuance to the transformation of societies after the passage of Cordyceps, and that’s welcome! On the sidelines of Pedro Pascal (Joël) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie), the character of Melanie Lynskey keeps blasting the screen; Kevonn Woodard (Sam) | Lamar Johnson (Henry) delivers an absolutely fair performance. There is also nothing to say about the final action scene, both in terms of tension and staging.
Conclusion already known
On the other hand, the ending, where a certain very tragic scene takes place, will not surprise the fans of the video game (except for a detail related to the relationship between Ellie | Sam). No problem: the whole thing is well done and still requires so much courage… But for us players, who already know what’s going to happen, the impact is inevitably smaller. It’s kind of a shame. Until now, The show The Last of Us had always known how to navigate mischievously between its novelties and the obligatory scenes, find a way to surprise those who know the universe. In our opinion, it’s a little less the case at the end of this episode. Also the scientific aspect of the virus, a good idea developed in the first two chapters, is no longer relevant. HBO, keep this in mind for the future!
