Let’s discuss The Last of Us episode eight

eurogamer.net:

We are nearing the end of The Last of Us' first season.

After last week's episode further established Ellie's motivations, episode eight — «When We Are In Need» — brings us back to the present day, and Joel and Ellie's ongoing plight to find the Fireflies.

This episode stays remarkably faithful to its source material while continuing to put a spotlight on character development, and as always leaves plenty to discuss. Without further ado, let's crack on.

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOTH THE SHOW AND THE GAME SERIES IT IS BASED ON. PLEASE READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

Episode eight begins showing the snow covered landscapes of America, while a character we have not met before reads Revelation 21 to a group of survivors. This is David, the main antagonist of the game's Winter chapter, who holds the same role here.

David leads a group of survivors, doing what they can in this post-cordyceps world. While in the game there is an implication David and this group are devout Christians, in the show it is very much a clear cut theme. In fact, David in the show reminds me of Far Cry 5's Joseph Seed: a megalomaniac and a preacher, clearly unhinged with his devoutness.

Not that we see this side of David at first. When we first meet him, he comes across as a caring and well meaning leader.

It transpires that David's Bible reading is part of a wake of sorts, where the group is mourning one of their own. A young girl sits with her mother throughout the reading, and when she cries out David stops and acknowledges her. He comforts her.

However, when she asks when they can bury her father, David tells her the ground is too cold and they will have to wait until spring. If you have played the game, you will have noticed the lie