The Last of Us (HBO) Episode 8 - Streamlining Hollows Out Iconic Moments | Push Square

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In the penultimate episode of The Last of Us TV show, we're beginning to see whether HBO's ambitious adaptation can hold a light to the PlayStation classic. Through its faithful recreations and daring diversions, The Last of Us is in the pay-off stages of its slow-burn post-apocalypse, and we're not entirely sure if it's working out.

After last week's flashback episode, we're thrust back to an injured Joel and a panicking Ellie who desperately tries to keep her protector alive. However, an encounter with a new survivor group led by the ominous David may decide the fate of this father/daughter duo.

Before we get into our issues with this latest episode, here's what we did like. While by no means has HBO's take on this series been all sunshine and rainbows, episode eight is a great reminder of just how brutal this world can be. And we're not talking about its violent tendencies — although more on that later. No, we're talking about a world that makes survival tough, one that calls into question whether it's worth going on. Seeing the red noses and worn faces among David's deflated congregation showed a new cold and barren side to this post-apocalypse, one that feels grounded and real.

On the surface, and likely to newcomers to the series, it's a great, pulpy apocalyptic narrative filled with disturbing realities and brutal spats of violence. We suspect that, for those that have been let down by the lack of violence on display in HBO's adaptation, this latest episode will appease that appetite for blood somewhat.

Without Ellie's brutal guardian, there's a level of anxiety building throughout the episode. That knife's edge tension is delicately balanced thanks to the performances on display from Ramsey's Ellie, Scott