Also keep in mind there’s no such thing as new music past 2003, so their concept of oldies versus new is quite different. With nothing new coming out for 20 years, people have to go backward for anything “new”.
Agreed. This was awesome, start to finish. Had to have a little dram of whisky afterwards. Had no Lagavulin, but a nice Kilchoman will do in a pinch.
Nick Offerman on the couch trying to not sob and failing broke me. This 52 year old was sobbing eight along with him, so real and raw. Great acting.
As for the show I’m digging it. Loved the game and actually just completed a play of the 1st one to be very familiar with the details so I could get all the refs. etc.
So far they are knocking it out of the park IMO. Like and understand all the changes so far. This episode in the game was heavy gameplay mostly with a major skill test in the middle. Turning all to that into this ep. was very clever and all basically from a letter you can but don’t have to find. Nice to see it giving some of you a reason to stay in.
Also this isn’t just the usual zombie story, as in either a gore fest or a the humans are real monsters or a bit of both. This has all of that but it’s not about that. Won’t go into it an anymore as don’t want to spoil anything even on a thematic level.
The letter at the end was a bit on the nose but they’ve earned a on the nose moment or two. Hope they can keep it up and nail the landing.
This episode played out very differently compared to the equivalent section of the game. Per the request above, I won’t go into detail.
I will say, though, that (a) the way this was adapted, the choices they made in diverging from the source material, it’s all very, very smart, leaving behind the limitations of game mechanics and leaning hard into the strengths of television storytelling, and (b) absent any comparisons to the game, this is simply a magnificent and shatteringly powerful episode of television. Utterly brilliant. Not a single misstep.
Really looking forward to see what else this adaptation has in store. Like I said above, the first two eps are a solid B, but this was A-plus from start to finish. If most of the rest of the eps go back to solid B but we get occasional interludes as great as this, we’re looking at a good season of TV.
The voice actor for Tess in the game just passed at only 45. Cancer got her.
In a more plot oriented moment, the story Joel tells about how the spores initially spread suggests that his not getting the birthday cake in the first episode probably saved his life.
And both of them refusing the cookies from the neighbor.
Also being out of pancake mix.
And skipping the biscuits.
I think the old lady was eating cream of wheat as well.
I’m impressed with the amount of world building the show has given us in just 3 episodes. It’s hard not to compare to the Walking Dead but I remember TWD being practically a mystery box show at first where you didn’t know anything.
We now know: how the whole thing got started, how the government reacted, that most infected don’t live that long (but some get a lot worse), and that rural areas are actually pretty safe.
I don’t think I’ve been so moved by an episode of television since Black Mirror’s San Junipero (coincidentally, also a gay romance). Nick Offerman is such a wonderful actor, and his performance was both tremendously powerful and profoundly nuanced. I’m unfamiliar with Murray Bartlett, but he was superb as well. The whole thing was an astonishing piece of work.
E3 was the best episode of anything I’ve seen in ages. I keep bursting into tears when I think about it too much. I’m not a big zombie fan except for the dark comedy horror versions (Shaun of the Dead, iZombie) but I started watching for Pedro and Nick and what a good choice that was.
…not sure if you are still monitoring the thread, but episode 3 diverges from the “Walking Dead” formula quite substantially.
A few people have compared it to the impact that the episode “The Constant” had in the TV show Lost, or as mentioned the Black Mirror episode San Junipero, or “The Book of Nora” from the Leftovers. Transcendental, meditative television. It was VERY good IMHO.
Agree!
I was on the fence about continuing to watch, but I think they’ve got me now. What a great hour of TV.
Watching it now and holy cow…this show is pretty incredible.
I hope it just has a short run and then ends without going on forever. This reminds me of what I always thought a show like Walking Dead could be. Don’t run it into the ground!
It is worth noting that the book World War Z was quite good. The movie did almost nothing like the book did and is entirely forgettable.
I think they are doing three seasons. Season 1 is the first game and season 2 & 3 are the second game.
Murray Bartlett played the manager in season 1 of White Lotus. Alrhough I didn’t like the show I do recognize he did a good job. Even though all he did was go from a mustache to a full beard I took a moment to recognize him because of how differently he acted. Not the least of which having a very good American accent instead of his native Australian.
The show is remarkably well cast and directed. So far, I cannot think of an actor in this show who hasn’t turned out a top-notch job.
As mentioned above by another poster (or two), Offerman and Bartlett (Bill and Frank) got my eyes watering.
Very good episode.
Well, you guys have convinced me. I’m going to give it a go. There’s no football this Sunday, so maybe I’ll binge watch 5 or 6 episodes.