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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and we receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on our recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra and the opinions expressed in this post are the author's own. For more details see our disclosure policy and privacy policy The Last of Us episode four is a curious case. The quality is the same as previous episodes, the writing is just as fun, and the action is just as thrilling. I enjoyed it massively, yet I'm finding myself with very little to say. Now yes, the show is still great. My lack of words should not be taken as an indicator of a dip in quality, just a moment to note that the show may be plateauing. It would be plateauing at a very high level but plateauing nonetheless. Coming off the back of episode three, which was in essence a slow paced romance short film, I expected this episode to go crazy with action and fast paced storytelling but it doesn't. I think it is vital for the next episode to pick up some momentum to avoid making the entire show a slow burn. The source material has a great balance of high intensity action and slow paced character work. The character work has always been the highlight and the show chooses to focus on that aspect for their story. That said, the creators must keep in mind that character only work so well in the game because of the juxtaposition. An action set piece happens, the characters escape or win, and then they take it easy and grow together from the experience. This episode contains one bit of action and it goes by without a true moment to live in it. The character growth between Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) is truly starting to show here and their relationship is well within its budding season. Ellie’s character is tested in this episode and the decisions she makes are not only essential foundations of who she is to become, but who she doesn't want to become. Joel, though Ellie's guardian at this point, is not a good man. It is well documented and implied, even within this episode, that Joel has done many awful things to even innocent people. There are shards of a great man in him and those shards reflect his light often through his actions towards those he loves. But that cannot distract us from remembering that he is a broken person who has done a lot of damage. The second video game, which is highly controversial for this stance, tries to explain this and I think that is key to keep in mind in this episode. Joel is not only Ellie's protector, but also a warning of who she could become, the things she can be capable of if she goes down the same path as Joel. She is supposed to be better, and I think the seeds of that are starting here in the show. Aside from the chaos and torment of their situation and the future themes and meanings of their relationship, they are finally growing quite fond of each other. Ellie tells Joel a few jokes in this episode. Cringey, ugly, Dad-like jokes. At first Joel finds them annoying but by the end he laughs at one and finds them endearing. It's a small bit that carries throughout the episode that isn't integral to the plot in any way, but it's a cute way to see how Ellie softens Joel in a way that nobody has been able to in a long time. This episode focuses more on world building than the last, so we end up following another group of people for a while who directly opposed our main duo in a moment of conflict. This is one of the things that holds this episode back. Though I understand the need to build out this world, especially for the sake of future episodes, I don't find many of these scenes interesting or captivating. They just feel like moments that are happening whilst waiting to get back to Joel and Ellie. At the end of the episode we get teased with two characters who will feature more prominently in the next episode. This episode feels like a lot of setting up, even to the point where the group in the B plot are setting up potential threats for both themselves and our two protagonists. There are set ups and teases within the set ups and teases which make it feel less concise in contrast to the other episodes. I assume the following episodes will pay off and most of this episode will work better within the context of an entire watch rather than a singular episode viewing. Luckily, the next episode is being pushed forward due to the Super Bowl so you don't have long to wait to get some pay off for this episode.
AuthorKritPick has been writing reviews for The Oscar Project since 2022. Check out all his reviews on his main review page. Follow him on YouTube (KritPick Productions) and Twitter (@Kr1tical).
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