It’s been a decade since players were graced with one of the best stories in gaming with The Last of Us, and now, in 2023, fans received the first episode of HBO’s The Last of Us. The live-action series follows closely to the game, so much so that some The Last of Us quotes are taken directly from the video game, and will be instantly recognizable to gamers, and just great quotes for first-time viewers.
Considering that the first episode of HBO’s The Last of Us is over 80 minutes long, it’s no surprise that some great quotes are featured in the debut episode. Everyone from Joel, Ellie, Tess, and Tommy already has a lot to offer and some memorable quotes to start the outbreak.
8 “Billions Of Puppets With Poisoned Minds”
The opening for HBO’s The Last of Us takes audiences back to 1968, as two scientists discuss the biggest threat to humanity via viruses or fungi. One of the scientists is adamant about the dangers of fungi, and how the future of humanity could see its end because of said fungi. It’s a pretty striking way to start the show, opening with a warning of the very cause of the end of the world.
The idea that billions of humans will become puppets, enslaved by a fungus that will keep them from deteriorating with the one objective of spreading is far worse than any zombie outbreak could hope to achieve, and it distances itself enough to begin the show.
7 “Your Watch Is Broken”
Ellie and Joel don’t exactly start on the best of terms. They met with Ellie trying to stab Joel, and Joel threw Ellie into a wall. Nevertheless, they have to work together to get what they want, which makes Ellie’s observation of Joel more striking when she brings up his broken watch.
By mentioning his watch, it shows audiences that Joel has not lost his birthday gift from Sarah, despite her death 20 years ago. It shows his attachment to his daughter, and how despite its lack of use, its sentimentality is perhaps the most important thing.
6 “Drugs. I Sell Hardcore Drugs”
One line taken directly from the video game is a conversation between Joel and Sarah. Sarah tells Joel that the reason she could afford the watch is that she sells drugs, hardcore drugs. It shows the banter and closeness of father and daughter, and how they can joke around together, making the inevitability of fate all the more tragic.
The line is perfectly rendered in the live-action show, in the same scene and almost with the same delivery. It makes Sarah’s character fun, which makes it all the more difficult to lose her later in the episode, especially with how it robs Joel of his humor, stricken by grief.
5 “Somebody Else Will Come Along”
As Tommy drives along the open stretch of road with Joel and Sarah as passengers, they find themselves being waved down by a man, his wife, and their kid. It’s clear that they need help, and a ride into town, but Joel is adamant that they should keep driving. Joel’s sense of survival and self-perseverance is present from the start of the show and shows how he is only out for himself and the ones he loves.
Having Joel ignore the travelers, further shows his character. Joel doesn’t like to take unnecessary risks or unneeded baggage, and thus he has Tommy ignore the desperate and stranded family so that Joel can further protect his own.
4 “We’re Not Sick”
How Pedro Pascal delivers this line as Joel, clutching to his injured and scared daughter, is nothing short of heartbreaking. Joel pleads calmly yet with fear to the soldier who just saved his life from an early infected, but is worried due to the soldier's gun pointing at him and his daughter.
The delivery of this line makes it a great quote for HBO’s The Last of Us episode 1 because of how powerless Joel is against a soldier and his gun. It’s sure to be a line that has repercussions for Joel’s future, and his fear of seeing a man pointing a gun at him and a child.
3 “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, &%*@ You”
Bella Ramsey had the perfect introduction as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us, and her first scene perfectly encapsulates the brash and colorful language of Ellie and her teenage sass. Ellie doesn’t know why she is being held in this room, or what the Fireflies want, but what she does know is how effective she is at cursing.
It’s a funny delivery that perfectly brings Ellie to live-action, with a quote that couldn’t be better. After all, Ellie hates taking orders, especially from captors, and will take any opportunity to swear her head off.
2 “If You Tell Me To Look For The Light Then I’ll Break Your Jaw”
Joel certainly sticks to himself, especially 20 years after the death of his daughter. His lack of interest in the lives of others, or the trouble they could bring is clear, especially when he is approached by a disguised Firefly recruiter. Joel lets the recruiter know his intentions if he continues to try and converse with him.
It further shows Joel’s brute strength and how he is not afraid to get violent if the situation calls for it. The man is reserved, and if someone disrupts that, he is more than happy to break another man’s jaw if he needs to.
1 “What Are They Capable Of?”
Tess and Joel find themselves in a Firefly den, to which they are asked to smuggle Ellie as cargo. Marlene tells Ellie that the two are more than capable, to which Ellie asks, “What are they capable of?” It’s a great tease to show the union between Joel and Tess, and how hard they fight to survive in post-outbreak America.
Ellie has yet to see the power and determination to survive that Joel and Tess have, and she is soon unfamiliar with the worst of the infected. Luckily for her, she has two great protectors to help her get to where she needs to go.
The Last of Us premieres January 15th on HBO.