The following review contains spoilers for Episode 4 of The Last of Us.

After last week’s incredible episode, The Last of Us had a high benchmark to meet with Episode 4, and it succeeded by focusing on the core of the story, Joel and Ellie. The narrative focused on the two main characters, with the episode offering fans a chance to get to know them better as they developed a bond. As the duo make their way to Wyoming to find Joel’s brother Tommy, Ellie reveals her sense of humor, Joel becomes more protective, and they come across other people who don’t have the best intentions.

While Episode 3 of The Last of Us featured an off-beat love story, which led to new viewership records for the HBO series, this week’s episode raises the emotional stakes by bringing the focus back to Joel and Ellie. While viewers were in awe of Bill and Frank’s bond, many fans were keen to see where the protagonists had reached, in both their journey and their connection.

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This shorter 45-minute episode keeps the pace quick in developing the story further. Viewers get a look at both Joel and Ellie’s individual personalities, which is crucial to know as they get closer to the end. The episode is still relatively action-free, but there are moments that will have fans rooting for Joel’s survival. The main aspect of this episode that needs to be appreciated is Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal’s impressive performances, which beautifully bring the camaraderie between the two main characters to life.

The Last of Us Episode 4 Joel and Ellie

The first half of the episode focuses on the two characters on their own. The pace is slower than the action-packed first episode of The Last of Us, but it retains the fact that this is a character-driven show and isn’t only about killing a bunch of zombies. As Ellie admires her gun in the washroom, viewers are reminded of this young girl’s past. She has grown up in a state of war, living inside four walls, which when crossed, brings one in contact with a world that is close to destruction. That opening scene is a moment of character development for Ellie, as she is now experiencing the world and learning of its true state, rather than just attending classes at a FEDRA-operated school. Her personal journey is almost like commentary on the real world where youngsters go from a sheltered environment of school or college into the real world of employment and survival.

The duo’s road trip reminds viewers of just how good The Last of Us looks. The abandoned homes, overgrown shrubs, long-forgotten neighborhoods, bridges cluttered with debris, and deserted amusement parks possess a stark contrast to the world that viewers are used to seeing. The cinematography continues to be commendable, as the ghost towns unfold in front of Joel and Ellie. In between this dull, lifeless world, Ellie’s “punny” jokes make both Joel and the viewers smile. For a moment, it becomes easy to forget that the two are trying to catch a break in the middle of the forest, potentially surrounded by raiders, when Ellie asks Joel “why did the scarecrow get an award?” While Joel is expected to get angry at this childishness, he responds, “because he was outstanding in his field.” This scene is just the beginning of the bond that the two are expected to share over the course of the series.

The Last of Us Episode 4 Road trip

The pace picks up when the duo arrives in Kansas City and is ambushed by hunters, which leads to the first action sequence in the episode. This thrilling scene consists of some fantastic camera work, as Joel tries to drive and escape the surprise attack. When their car crashes, and Joel has to fight off some of the hunters, it is a nail-biting moment, which includes some very real fight choreography. Viewers are reminded that this isn’t a glamorous plot, with the hero displaying his fighting skills and taking down every enemy in sight. In fact, it is Joel’s survival skills that are beautifully portrayed in this moment, as he tries to fight off one of the hunters who has him pinned down to the ground.

The moment when Ellie pulls out the gun from her backpack and shoots one of the hunters is massive character development for both protagonists. Up until this point, she has put on a brave face and asked Joel for a gun several times. But, when the time comes to take someone’s life, it becomes clear that Ellie isn’t ready or hardened enough to go through with it. Her hesitation reminds viewers that she is still just a young girl who isn’t prepared for the horrors that this world has to offer. This scene also jump starts her bond with Joel, as he suddenly becomes an overprotective guardian figure. In this moment, viewers know that Ellie and Joel’s unbreakable bond has been cemented. Not only is he indebted to her for saving his life, but he is also appalled that someone who is as old as his daughter had to take such a gruesome step.

The Last of Us Episode 4 Ellie's gun

Another important aspect in this scene is Ellie’s victim. The individual she shoots turns out to be a young man himself, who pleads for his life. He tells Ellie his name, talks about his mother, and cries over the fact that he “doesn’t know what to do.” This raises the question of whether he, and his friends, are truly bad people. As the world around them crumbles, humans will seemingly do anything to survive, including killing others for their food and rations. Is this a comment on their moral compass, or the lack thereof? Or is it just survival instincts that urge them to be on top of the food chain?

This episode breaks down the walls between Ellie and Joel, all while expanding the world that they live in piece by piece. It is definitely important in building the overarching story, and works brilliantly in showing viewers the world through the eyes of the protagonists. As the duo tries to move forward, they find themselves trapped in the middle of a siege, which is led by a new character named Kathleen. As they crouch around and find hiding spots, the camerawork is once again tremendous, and adds to the suspense in the plot. And the cliffhanger at the end will make fans want more. It seems like this episode has set the pace and tone for what’s to come in the remainder of the season, and things will only get more stressful from hereon. At least viewers know that no matter what happens, Joel and Ellie will stick together.

The Last of Us is streaming on HBO Max.

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