You can evoke something without taking someone out of the story. For example the truck scene in episode one is just as video gamey but that only occurred to me after.
Just hurts suspension of disbelief for me a bit. It’s not egregious like a health bar popping up or something, but when they did slow-mo for the big guy I paused and though “oh, this is a boss fight.”
So, are we going to get more than one episode that doesn’t end in crushing sadness, or no?
Bella Ramsey is killing it. I thought her GoT character was kinda niche and wasn’t sure if she was actually good in it, but she’s been very effective.
We got to see baby Shimmer! And also Dina!
I thought it was cool to see Elaine Miles (Marilyn from Northern Exposure) and Graham Green (Kicking Bird from Dances With Wolves) pretty much playing themselves. Fine actors both!
They both seemed vaguely familiar (especially her voice) but it didn’t click at the time. Seems pretty obvious now that you mention it. 
Video games tend to have a certain structure and specific mechanics. Stuff like the “superhero landing” or secret identities let you know you are watching a comic book film.
To use an extreme example in games, the movie Doom (based on the game) where a character suddenly shifts to first person shooter view. Not that you can’t do this effectively in a movie. Hardcore Harry is entirely shot as if in FPS game mode. Scenes like Joel shooting bad guys from a sniper’s perch (protect Elle as long as you can!) or the sudden appearance of a giant “boss” monster are common game mechanics.
IMHO, it is more jarring than say, a comic book movie, because video games are played in the first person while you are behind the fourth wall in those other mediums. IOW, you suddenly go from “watching” Joel to “being” Joel.
I think the series has done a great job. Even if you never knew the video game existed this series has worked great so far.
I have seen a few video-gamey moments but I put that down to a little fan service which seems obligatory to me.
I really liked this most recent episode but I wasn’t really sold on Joel and his brother. Seemed a little thin. Mostly it was a great job all-around though…again. Ramsey is doing an excellent job.
I know, right? That was what I was saying last night, ,how nice it was to hear Marilyn’s voice again.
The gun was way over there. Yes I gave them soup. It’s cold out. She has good stillness.
They were both great but especially her. She just exudes this…Zen (dunno what to call it but she has it and it is great).
I do want to see Joel stop at a workbench though as he does in the game. Just for giggles.
I wasn’t sure it was her until she started talking. Then it was, “Oh god, she’s going to be laconic, isn’t she?”
Her abilities far exceed her years. She has chops that take many others decades of work to get down. Her economy of emotion is something I’d compare to a comedian who has mastered economy of words. No fat, all substance. Nothing wasted.
I’m just glad they moved on quickly and I hope they don’t come back, because that would not end well for them and I am not sure I can handle that.
I’m pretty sure they’re back next week according to IMDb.
Ahem, you’re getting your early Simpsons snow plow rivalry business names confused. Linda Ronstadt sung a tv jingle for the Plow King, not Mr Plow.
“El rey de las barredoras no es macho, es solamente un borracho 
”
You are indeed correct. Mr. Plow is a loser and I heard he is a boozer.
That’s what I said!, only I said it in the original spanish. (everybody knows that the mexican dubbing of The Simpsons is the one truly divinely inspired version)