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[Toots]

Grown man, probably in his 30s or 40s talking like a high school football jock from an 80s film lmao

Some of you guys are looking *way* worse out of this than Bella Ramsey does.

Nobody's paying them to act tho...
It is quite tiresome to read people taking the exagerated banter you can have in a VIDEOGAME FORUM at face value.
I'd rather read a 80's football jock than a 2025 npc in the context of a VIDEOGAME FORUM.
We are here to entertain ourselves, not decide the fate of the free world.

Stop whiteknighting this outrageously hideous nepo baby, and ignore those whose words are too much for you to bear.

And before you tell me im a 40 yo man here's a pic of me at the LOU premiere (my uncle works at naughty dogs, since he was fired from nintendo)

Spoiler

Look at this ugly mug and tell me you did not chuckled at her down syndrome makeup skills

 

[Zimmy68]

How about this one then?

She makes valid points about women being less replaceable than men in that setting.

I loved her theory...
You can be a jerk and attractive or ugly but super nice.
You can't be a jerk/unlikable and ugly.

 

[Toons]

The 21 year old actress is playing a 19 year old... The horror!!!

Itd be one thing for me If she was playing, like, idk a character known for being an alluring figure in the media. Like I wouldn't cast her as Bayonetta.

But for this character sex appeal is like the last thing that should be on anyone's mind. I dont even find the game model particularly attractive, i don't even look at it that way. The character is pretty far removed from all of that for some to consider it to be an essential part of the casting process is silly to me

 

[viveks86]

Unless I'm misremembering the order of events in the game, this promo photo suggests season 2's story takes us farther than I expected.

Isn't that location whereEllie and Dina shack up in the back part of the game after the events of Ellie and Abby's first confrontation? Or do I have the order wrong. If so, the cliffhanger season 2 ends on is almost assuredly when Ellie sets out for Santa Barbara?

Or is this just Jackson? It could be Jackson, and at a grave site for Joel and others who died, but the snow wouldn't melt that fast. But the terrain looks exactly like the house where Ellie and Dina shack up.

It's a graveyard and Dina is behind on horseback. They probably leave Jackson post-winter in the show.

 

[John Bilbo]

Like I wouldn't cast her as Bayonetta.

It's in the pipeline.

 

[DragoonKain]

My guess on the basic layout of the rest of season 2:

Episode 3 = Ellie, Dina figuring out what they're gonna do. Ellie and Tommy conversation. Tommy leaves. Joel teaches Ellie guitar flashback while she's grieving.

Episode 4 = Check in on Abby, introduce Isaac, check back in with Ellie, probably a slower episode.

Episode 5 = Ellie and Dina leave Jackson and start their journey

Episode 6 = Museum episode, Ellie and Dina arrive at the theater

Episode 7 = Ellie and Abby showdown. Tommy loses an eye. It ends with you not knowing if Tommy lives or dies and Ellie beaten and battered.

Could have the order of some of those things wrong in the game, haven't played since 2020.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

 

[Just_one]

who is this?

another entitled moron....people seriously need to grow the fuck up

 

[consoul]

My wife, who never played the games hates Abby and isn't sure she will keep watching the show after tonight's episode.

Same here. My wife rage quit the series as soon as the episode ended. She just said "you're watching the rest of this on your own" and stormed off. I don't think she will have changed her mind when next week's episode drops.

 

[VulcanRaven]

Spoilers:

 

[Nocty]

Same here. My wife rage quit the series as soon as the episode ended. She just said "you're watching the rest of this on your own" and stormed off. I don't think she will have changed her mind when next week's episode drops.

My father inlaw is also watching the show and he absolutely loved where it went. He has no idea the shows even based on a videogame, just thought it was another walking dead clone and hes really into it now.

 

[rofif]

 

[Woggleman]

My mother was in shock but wants to see where this is going. My wife knew where it was headed.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Too accurate

They'd also have Joel use "Come by the cabin later for your chores, bratty little stepdaughter" line as well.

 

[viveks86]

Same here. My wife rage quit the series as soon as the episode ended. She just said "you're watching the rest of this on your own" and stormed off. I don't think she will have changed her mind when next week's episode drops.

It's all part of the process! Or not. Lol.

My guess on the basic layout of the rest of season 2:

Episode 3 = Ellie, Dina figuring out what they're gonna do. Ellie and Tommy conversation. Tommy leaves. Joel teaches Ellie guitar flashback while she's grieving.

Episode 4 = Check in on Abby, introduce Isaac, check back in with Ellie, probably a slower episode.

Episode 5 = Ellie and Dina leave Jackson and start their journey

Episode 6 = Museum episode, Ellie and Dina arrive at the theater

Episode 7 = Ellie and Abby showdown. Tommy loses an eye. It ends with you not knowing if Tommy lives or dies and Ellie beaten and battered.

Could have the order of some of those things wrong in the game, haven't played since 2020.

I would guess the same. Though the actual showdown would be next season. Reviews say it leaves on an unresolved cliffhanger and makes the season feel incomplete. So overall, they are likely following the game beat for beat.

 

[Insane Metal]

"Get that lesbian"?? But she's the lesbian, not Abby, what the fuck

 

[MSduderino]

Stop whiteknighting this outrageously hideous nepo baby

Bella Ramsey: not a nepo baby.

 

[DeepEnigma]

"Get that lesbian"?? But she's the lesbian, not Abby, what the fuck

 

[Insane Metal]

I hadn't finished the video... lmao.

"Now I'm straight!"

 

[Jaybe]

Seems like some people are going to treat S2E2 as the series finale and drop the show given the star and only likeable main character is now gone. At least with the game, if you disliked the narrative and characters, you already paid for it, and could salvage the experience as the gameplay was still great. But TV viewers watching a show, it's easy for them to just to bounce off it.

 

[Jimmy_liv]

It's not just HBO audiences. Main/important characters have been killed in media since we've had media.

The response to joel dying in the game is one of the only times I've ever seen a response like this and what's even funnier is that a good percentage of those people complaining have never played either of the games.

You just have a maturity problem with a lot of gamers and nerds in general. I can list like 100 movies or tv shows where a main character or the main character dies and no one lost their minds over it.

Correct. Gamers are the most toxic community there is.

 

[Toots]

Bella Ramsey: not a nepo baby.

Spoiler

Just kidding i know she's not Gordon's daughter. I read her father was an investment banker or something that more or less paid her way into acting... Anyway she did not ask for it or anything sure, but it's more fun to exagerate things on a videogame forum.
I understand how annoying it can be to have people crap on the thing you like in a space specifically designed to talk about that very thing, so i'll stop disrupting the thread, even tho it is very fun to mock anything druckman related

 

[hemo memo]

Spoiler

Just kidding i know she's not Gordon's daughter. I read her father was an investment banker or something that more or less paid her way into acting... Anyway she did not ask for it or anything sure, but it's more fun to exagerate things on a videogame forum.
I understand how annoying it can be to have people crap on the thing you like in a space specifically designed to talk about that very thing, so i'll stop disrupting the thread, even tho it is very fun to mock anything druckman related

I don't blame her. I blame the casting director.

 

[Great Auk]

Itd be one thing for me If she was playing, like, idk a character known for being an alluring figure in the media. Like I wouldn't cast her as Bayonetta.

But for this character sex appeal is like the last thing that should be on anyone's mind. I dont even find the game model particularly attractive, i don't even look at it that way. The character is pretty far removed from all of that for some to consider it to be an essential part of the casting process is silly to me

I agree about not having sex appeal, I don't think any character really has sex appeal in this game. My problem with Bella is that she doesn't look like a woman, she looks like a kid.

Ironically in season 2 Abby is pretty cute and Dina is hot. But Bella continues to look like a little kid lol it just looks silly.

 

[MSduderino]

They messed up in the casting and writing changing of Pedro Pascal as much as Bella Ramsey IMO. They made Joel too likable and Ellie (and Abby it seems) too unlikable. Joel being so likable made him less of a controversial character, he was pretty much everyone's favorite to the point that he was more hero than anti-hero even. I'm still going to watch because I'm curious but I could see my interest dropping off on Sunday.

 

[DeepEnigma]

They messed up in the casting and writing changing of Pedro Pascal as much as Bella Ramsey IMO. They made Joel too likable and Ellie (and Abby it seems) too unlikable. Joel being so likable made him less of a controversial character, he was pretty much everyone's favorite to the point that he was more hero than anti-hero even. I'm still going to watch because I'm curious but I could see my interest dropping off on Sunday.

That's literally how I and many others felt about Joel after the first game. Why do you think the gaming sphere totally melted down on nuclear levels when they 86'ed him in the second game?

 

[MSduderino]

That's literally how I and many others felt about Joel after the first game. Why do you think the gaming sphere totally melted down on nuclear levels when they 86'ed him in the second game?

I totally understand. He is less likable and more controversial and rugged in the games, but I suppose that's a matter of taste. It was a weird choice to make him even more likable in the show and while making Ellie and Abby easier to dislike for the show.

 

[viveks86]

I totally understand. He is less likable and more controversial and rugged in the games, but I suppose that's a matter of taste. It was a weird choice to make him even more likable in the show and while making Ellie and Abby easier to dislike for the show.

I think this is a case of liking whatever we consumed first. I wouldn't be surprised if people who watched the show first and then played the game would say the opposite.

Watched one of the reaction videos where 4 kids who never played the game were screaming, angry and/or crying while watching the golf scene and the one guy who played the game was stone faced throughout with his arms crossed. He looks at everyone and says "but Manny didn't spit on him! That was in the game and that's what affected me the most. They softened them all up!"

The rest couldn't care less and just ignored him. And then he goes again, "but in the game…"

 

[MSduderino]

"but Manny didn't spit on him! That was in the game and that's what affected me the most. They softened them all up!"

But they didn't soften ALL the characters up. Abby is more ruthless and less identifiable in the show. Her whole crew doubts her and is uncomfortable during the scene, whereas in the game they supported her more and wanted more revenge than she did. Ellie is also harder edged than in the game, which I think most people don't like. Ellie and Abby in the show aren't sympathetic characters at all, but that's the driving force of TLOU2 the game (while obviously not being everyone's cup of tea). I'm not sure the show continuing is going to be ANYONE's cup of tea.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I think this is a case of liking whatever we consumed first. I wouldn't be surprised if people who watched the show first and then played the game would say the opposite.

Watched one of the reaction videos where 4 kids who never played the game were screaming, angry and/or crying while watching the golf scene and the one guy who played the game was stone faced throughout with his arms crossed. He looks at everyone and says "but Manny didn't spit on him! That was in the game and that's what affected me the most. They softened them all up!"

The rest couldn't care less and just ignored him. And then he goes again, "but in the game…"

I'll tell you what though. I think how they did his death scene in the show was more harrowing. The way they had Abby stare at Ellie as she did the death blow through his spinal chord.

It also helped, that was some of the best prosthetics on film where it looked nearly discernable from a real life killing.

 

[MSduderino]

I've heard it described like killing a puppy, and I can see that. Joel is clearly a good man and druckmann asking "does he deserve to die?" is a stupid question, especially when good things he did (saving Ellie and Abby) lead directly to his death.

 

[viveks86]

where it looked nearly discernable from a real life killing.

That… that sounds like you know what it would be like…

I'm not sure the show continuing is going to be ANYONE's cup of tea.

Depends on how the character's change over the season, given all this trauma. Hopefully they don't stay one-note

 

[DeepEnigma]

That… that sounds like you know what it would be like…

 

[VulcanRaven]

 

[Nankatsu]

Just watched episode 2. While I think the episode was good overall, way better than I was expecting actually, how the fuck did they managed to fumble Joel's death scene like that?

A fucking stick in the neck? Really?

 

[Woggleman]

The golf club to the head in the game was more effective.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Just watched episode 2. While I think the episode was good overall, way better than I was expecting actually, how the fuck did they managed to fumble Joel's death scene like that?

A fucking stick in the neck? Really?

I think it shocked me more than the game, just on how much more believable and personal it felt.

Like putting down a suffering animal. It was calm and methodical, versus pure rage.

 

[To.Puria]

Ellie from the game was somehow classy.

This Bella… I've tried from the beginning of the show,


but it doesn' t bring for me …

too rough.

Good episode though.

 

[VulcanRaven]

I'm suprised they used real flame throwers:

 

[jorgejjvr]

All the non gamers being shocked at Joel's death and me out here with popcorn cheering for Abby lol

 

[DrFigs]

I thought they added too much. Did we need a big battle scene? It's a fucking videogame adaptation, why are we adding more boss fights and explosions. The game already had enough of that. It makes the world feel less threatening imo when the main characters can dispatch hundreds of zombies like this without serious losses.

The game already nailed the story. Why are they adding these unnecessary changes to Abby's scenes that are for the worse imo. Did we need to hear a James Bond villain-style monologue from her?

But i will say that seeing some of the reactions online, i guess for people who haven't played the game, that it was still effective. I personally did not like the last episode.

 

[Great Auk]

I thought they added too much. Did we need a big battle scene? It's a fucking videogame adaptation, why are we adding more boss fights and explosions. The game already had enough of that. It makes the world feel less threatening imo when the main characters can dispatch hundreds of zombies like this without serious losses.

The game already nailed the story. Why are they adding these unnecessary changes to Abby's scenes that are for the worse imo. Did we need to hear a James Bond villain-style monologue from her?

But i will say that seeing some of the reactions online, i guess for people who haven't played the game, that it was still effective. I personally did not like the last episode.

It was better than the first one, the first episode was a boring slog.

 

[ComputerBlue]

Good episode, I'm liking this season quite a bit so far, more than the first, not that the first was bad.

 

[Dusktildawn48]

Enjoyed the redemption of Seth.

 

[DragoonKain]

As is clear from my posts in this thread I enjoy the show and have enjoyed this season so far. I thought episode 2 was phenomenal. I thought tonight's episode was terrible and a total disservice to TLOU2. I'll pop back in, in a bit to explain why more in depth.

 

[Hugare]

Enjoyed the redemption of Seth.

Wasnt their intention

They painted Seth as the "bad choice" that Ellie shouldnt choose, and the other guy as the "right choice". Yet again treating viewers as monkeys, but yeah.

Worst episode so far, imo. Ellie making jokes at this point in the story ... Nah.

Seraphites children being killed to make viewers hate WLF even more ...

Tommy staying at Jackson. Ellie and Dina still not making out. 3 months time jump.

So many terrible decisions.

 

[DragoonKain]

Ok, wtf TLOU writers. This is how you handled the aftermath of Joel's death in the show?

In the game it was so visceral and sobering. Tonight they fast forward a few months and the birds are chirping everyone's smiling and in a good mood, and the only reflection scenes we have on Joel's death is Ellie crying at his jacket and Tommy's 30 seconds sitting by his corpse? Absolute travesty. Not even a flashback with Joel and Ellie to drive it home either.

In the game Tommy pays Ellie a visit to speak. They're both devastated and angry. Totally ripped that scene out of the episode which was an awful decision, but had to happen because of the time jump. That scene in the game was so vital because it allowed Ellie and Tommy to grieve together with the loss but also show the juxtaposition between how both of them handle grief. Tommy is more measured and Ellie is more spontaneous. And Ellie was so upset in the game when Tommy was like nah I can't leave. In the show they totally changed the context of the conversation. It was outside in the daylight, Dina was there. Then they add this town hall meeting aspect to it, which felt so out of place.

And in the end Tommy doesn't even leave? First of all, he better. It's a crucial part of the game to have him there. I have a feeling they're saving that reveal for when Ellie and Abby have the first showdown and Tommy will come out of nowhere to save Ellie and get fucked up. which I think would be incredibly lame. I was hoping Tommy leaves because in the game with a kid that scene would have been so powerful. But instead it just wasn't there. It better be in episode 4.

And the trip to Seattle took like 10 minutes. Now I see what the negative reviews were talking about. For the first time this season, we have a major pacing issue. Tonight it was all over the place. Months time jump and then getting to Seattle in 10 minutes of an episode. Like wtf. And not one infected encounter either.

So many awful decisions in adapting this episode to TV. The time jump being the worst of them. It robbed us of the opportunity to see the aftermath of losing one of the great characters and how everyone reacted to it. And instead we got nothing. A quick Ellie scene, an even quicker Tommy scene and that was it. Honestly, it was so disrespectful to the character and source material, this could ruin the entire season for me I thought it was so egregious. They better rebound from this in a big way. Because a ripple effect of this decision is it makes Ellie's revenge quest feel much less meaningful because she left not coming straight off the anger and devastation.

I just hated the episode. Flat out. I think they absolutely botched it and have no idea why they made the choices they did.

 

[DForce]

Good episode, but I'm not a fan of the changes.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Ok, wtf TLOU writers. This is how you handled the aftermath of Joel's death in the show?

Going to disagree with a lot of your points here.

In the game it was so visceral and sobering. Tonight they fast forward a few months and the birds are chirping everyone's smiling and in a good mood, and the only reflection scenes we have on Joel's death is Ellie crying at his jacket and Tommy's 30 seconds sitting by his corpse? Absolute travesty. Not even a flashback with Joel and Ellie to drive it home either.

TV is a different medium than a game, but I think you're misremembering how long they sit on Jackson after the events. I also think you're discounting scenes here that happen like Ellie waking up in the hospital or her obvious drive to get out of the hospital as quickly as possible. As well as the scene between Ellie and Tommy before they take things to a vote.

In the game Tommy pays Ellie a visit to speak. They're both devastated and angry. Totally ripped that scene out of the episode which was an awful decision, but had to happen because of the time jump. That scene in the game was so vital because it allowed Ellie and Tommy to grieve together with the loss but also show the juxtaposition between how both of them handle grief. Tommy is more measured and Ellie is more spontaneous. And Ellie was so upset in the game when Tommy was like nah I can't leave. In the show they totally changed the context of the conversation. It was outside in the daylight, Dina was there. Then they add this town hall meeting aspect to it, which felt so out of place.

They retooled the scene, but it's still in this episode and almost word for word... So again, think you're misremembering. The town hall scene is actually way more realistic. Why would these two girls try to leave on their own rather than get help. In fact they try to get help in the game too, but Maria says no. Here instead of putting that all on Maria, it's the majority of the council. It'll be interesting if they show that Jesse and Tommy were 2 of the 3 that said yes, but Maria almost certainly was a no.

And in the end Tommy doesn't even leave? First of all, he better. It's a crucial part of the game to have him there. I have a feeling they're saving that reveal for when Ellie and Abby have the first showdown and Tommy will come out of nowhere to save Ellie and get fucked up. which I think would be incredibly lame. I was hoping Tommy leaves because in the game with a kid that scene would have been so powerful. But instead it just wasn't there. It better be in episode 4.

As soon as they gave Tommy a kid, you knew him leaving was going to be different. I don't think it makes much of a difference whether he leaves first or second. Him leaving second actually makes more sense because he has to weigh both Ellie and taking care of his own kid here. The dust up between him and Maria is probably going to be heavier here.

And the trip to Seattle took like 10 minutes. Now I see what the negative reviews were talking about. For the first time this season, we have a major pacing issue. Tonight it was all over the place. Months time jump and then getting to Seattle in 10 minutes of an episode. Like wtf. And not one infected encounter either.

This is a misnomer. The trip to Seattle in the game also takes no time. You open on Seattle Day 1....

So many awful decisions in adapting this episode to TV. The time jump being the worst of them. It robbed us of the opportunity to see the aftermath of losing one of the great characters and how everyone reacted to it. And instead we got nothing. A quick Ellie scene, an even quicker Tommy scene and that was it. Honestly, it was so disrespectful to the character and source material, this could ruin the entire season for me I thought it was so egregious. They better rebound from this in a big way. Because a ripple effect of this decision is it makes Ellie's revenge quest feel much less meaningful because she left not coming straight off the anger and devastation.

I just hated the episode. Flat out. I think they absolutely botched it and have no idea why they made the choices they did.

I think you're misremembering the game a bit and getting upset about changes being bigger than they are.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Wasnt their intention

They painted Seth as the "bad choice" that Ellie shouldnt choose, and the other guy as the "right choice". Yet again treating viewers as monkeys, but yeah.

That's entirely your interpretation of it. There were no good or bad choices here. Seth is absolutely redeemed with the handshake with Ellie. He's wrong about the WLF returning, but he isn't wrong about the town making the wrong choices for the wrong reasons.

Worst episode so far, imo. Ellie making jokes at this point in the story ... Nah.

I agree, not sure it was time for them to have levity, but it has been 3 months and you're not just going to be silent for weeks on end. They're trying to recreate some of the feeling from Joel and Ellie's journey in the first season.

Seraphites children being killed to make viewers hate WLF even more ...

It's funny, some people are pushing this idea that the changes have been made so we don't hate the WLF but here you are saying the changes are made so that we hate the WLF. The WLF kills seraphite children in the game... it's no difference here.

Tommy staying at Jackson. Ellie and Dina still not making out. 3 months time jump.

So many terrible decisions.

See above for my comments on Tommy staying in Jackson. He'll follow after Ellie and it'll have more meaning than him trying to go before Ellie knowing Ellie was still going to go... which never really made sense. If he was going to do that it would have made more sense for him to go with Dina and Ellie.

Every time they have an episode featuring LGBT love it gets review bombed. They're aware of this and they're picking and choosing how to explore Dina and Ellie's relationship. Kind of just the reality of where they are with this. Probably a big reason why they changed it from Dina and Ellie on patrol to Dina and Joel and Jesse and Ellie. If you think I'm wrong please go look at episode 3 in season 1, episode 7 I believe and season 2 episode 1...