The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Please Hold My Hand

When you’ve a present that kills the supporting characters off so shortly, it is not straightforward to kind an attachment to the folks drafted to interchange them.

On The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 4, Joel and Ellie’s seek for Tommy finds them on the highway once more, and whereas I might watch their dynamic for days, the remainder of the TV universe round them is starting to fall a bit flat.

Maybe we have been spoiled by the spectacular runtimes of the primary three episodes, however “Please Hold My Hand” clocking in at 45 minutes and ending on a cliffhanger felt extra like a tactic to maintain the newest crop of supporting gamers round for an additional episode.

Joel and Ellie’s bond continues to strengthen by the episode, and the trauma they endure on the highway is bonding them collectively.

After what occurred to Tess, Joel advised himself there was a cause for Ellie’s existence, however within the automotive, he made it clear he was extra involved about handing her over to his brother as a result of he’ll be higher at discovering the Fireflies. 

We’ve heard loads about Tommy, and I hope Joel reunites along with his brother in some unspecified time in the future.

When you reside in this type of universe, hope is the one factor that retains folks going.

Despite having a protracted and storied previous with Tommy, Joel desires to search out him once more.

However, primarily based on his conversations with Ellie alone, it is evident that their relationship is fraught.

We know from The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 1 that Tommy would not make one of the best selections and has his brother assist him out of the stickiest of conditions.

Did Joel get to some extent along with his brother by which he could not assist him anymore?

I’ve to think about Joel’s persona modified after Sarah’s loss of life, so perhaps his not serving to his brother any longer drove that wedge between them.

It’s additionally clear the siblings have completely different beliefs. In this universe, Tommy labored with the Fireflies.

We know that group is adamant about restoring order to the world, however after spending 20 years within the virus-ravaged world, Joel would not imagine reversing the results of Cordyceps is feasible.

Truthfully, Joel misplaced all hope, and it is not a lot of a shock. I’d love some flashbacks or an episode centered on the speedy aftermath of Sarah’s loss of life as a result of all we all know is that Joel and Tess did some unhealthy issues in the course of the 20-year time leap.

Beyond that, it is laborious to get a lot of a learn on their relationship.

The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 3 was a masterclass in telling a narrative that spans years, so it could be good to get an data dump like that.

Then once more, the arc of the video games is being advised over a extra prolonged interval right here, and there have to be some adjustments from the supply materials within the adaptation course of.

Joel and Ellie’s crash was ripped straight out of the supply materials, and it was dealt with fantastically.

The sequence does a superb job of exhibiting two very completely different viewpoints on a topic, and what we noticed right here is that Ellie is extra trusting than Joel.

That’s to be anticipated when you’ve somebody like Joel, who has develop into hardened because of the new world order, versus Ellie, who has spent most of her life in locations protected from the perils of the skin world.

Ellie hiding Bill’s gun was a transfer that will both assist or hinder her friendship with Joel.

Joel had set guidelines about what was acceptable on the highway, and part of him struggled with the notion of a child with a gun.

After what occurred to Sarah, it is smart that he would need to maintain Ellie away from any firearms or weapons that might hurt her if not dealt with appropriately.

He was confirmed incorrect when Ellie used the gun to save lots of his life, however that state of affairs was a shot at nighttime.

It helped Joel understand that Ellie is extra maturer than he offers her credit score for, and we bought some nice scenes of him exhibiting Ellie the way to use the gun for security.

Ellie began to appreciate that Joel’s listening to is not nearly as good because it was in 2023, and whereas Joel would not need to admit something’s incorrect, the ultimate scene with him sleeping via Henry and Sam’s arrival reiterated as a lot.

We heard a lot about Henry all through the episode, because of Kathleen talking about him.

Melanie Lynskey was chilling because the chief of a bunch of hunters. Kathleen’s motivations are easy: She’s been shedding folks left, proper, and heart and is able to struggle again.

The broader difficulty with a personality like Kathleen is that no redeeming qualities exist. Her group has a stoic look on their faces as they push on with their mission, which is a surefire trace they will not be sticking round for any size of time.

Kathleen is an unique character crafted for the present, so perhaps I’ll be shocked, however for now, she’s too chilly to get a learn on.

“Please Hold My Hand” was a a lot slower-paced episode of the sequence, which is unlucky after the depth of the primary three episodes.

What are your ideas on the addition of Kathleen?

Do you suppose the episode ended method too quickly?

Hit the feedback under.

The Last of Us continues Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Edit Delete