Virtually every TV show, film, game etc. that finds itself included on some form of ‘best of’ list over the last decade seems to define its narrative worth by how seriously it presents itself (an oversimplification, I know). This is DRAMA, after all, and so virtually every detail of the character’s existence must be TRAGIC in some form or another in order to teach the viewer an important lesson, and blah blah blah.
However, every now and then you get a perfect little encapsulation of how the addition of levity, humour, frustration, and human fallibility represent a far more impactful, fully-rounded, relatable and accurate sense of character, than a purely dour and self-important character piece ever could.
I won’t disparage anyone’s take on this episode. For those of you hoping for a plot-driven show, I can certainly understand how the subtle narrative curves of this episode seemed to suggest that ‘nothing’ happened.
For those of you desperate for a 1:1 facsimile of the game, I can understand your disappointment, though I am curious why, if you want an exact recreation of the game, you wouldn’t simply boot it up on your console.
And, for those of you who weren’t quite sure what to expect from the episode, but found yourself intrigued and enticed by its depiction of flawed, fragile, yet richly constructed characters, then I’m glad you enjoyed the ride!
Whatever the case, I guess there is no ‘right way’ to respond to episodes like this, no matter how much people online might scream and fight to try to convince you that their way of thinking is the only way.
Some of us will find, in this show, characters who act as avatars for our own desires; others will find very little to which they can cling; and others will find themselves actively repelled by what is presented on-screen. I think the key to good media, in any form, is that it allows for such a diversity of thought, and a confluence of discussion and perspectives. I think it’s clear, from this thread and many others like it, that this interpretation of The Last of Us has achieved this and is, therefore, a success in the sense that it has encouraged a discourse.
Aside from this, the idea of a post-apocalyptic ‘dinner party’ makes me very happy.
TLDR - me like this show. Zombies are scary, but humans are even…SCARIER!?
Comments 1
Re: TV Show Review: The Last Of Us (HBO) Episode 3 - Television At Its Finest
Virtually every TV show, film, game etc. that finds itself included on some form of ‘best of’ list over the last decade seems to define its narrative worth by how seriously it presents itself (an oversimplification, I know). This is DRAMA, after all, and so virtually every detail of the character’s existence must be TRAGIC in some form or another in order to teach the viewer an important lesson, and blah blah blah.
However, every now and then you get a perfect little encapsulation of how the addition of levity, humour, frustration, and human fallibility represent a far more impactful, fully-rounded, relatable and accurate sense of character, than a purely dour and self-important character piece ever could.
I won’t disparage anyone’s take on this episode. For those of you hoping for a plot-driven show, I can certainly understand how the subtle narrative curves of this episode seemed to suggest that ‘nothing’ happened.
For those of you desperate for a 1:1 facsimile of the game, I can understand your disappointment, though I am curious why, if you want an exact recreation of the game, you wouldn’t simply boot it up on your console.
And, for those of you who weren’t quite sure what to expect from the episode, but found yourself intrigued and enticed by its depiction of flawed, fragile, yet richly constructed characters, then I’m glad you enjoyed the ride!
Whatever the case, I guess there is no ‘right way’ to respond to episodes like this, no matter how much people online might scream and fight to try to convince you that their way of thinking is the only way.
Some of us will find, in this show, characters who act as avatars for our own desires; others will find very little to which they can cling; and others will find themselves actively repelled by what is presented on-screen. I think the key to good media, in any form, is that it allows for such a diversity of thought, and a confluence of discussion and perspectives. I think it’s clear, from this thread and many others like it, that this interpretation of The Last of Us has achieved this and is, therefore, a success in the sense that it has encouraged a discourse.
Aside from this, the idea of a post-apocalyptic ‘dinner party’ makes me very happy.
TLDR - me like this show. Zombies are scary, but humans are even…SCARIER!?