This ep was basically a little preview of a LOT of things we don't see or experience until part 2. Incredible setup

Another sensational episode. Pedro Pascal's acting in this episode evoked a wide range of emotions. Tears were streaming down my face during THAT scene with Tommy, Pedro absolutely nailed that scene. It was so great to see Joel's vulnerability on display. This episode was exceptionally well-written. His trauma and his fear of failing Ellie leading to him pleading with Tommy to take her off his hands was so incredibly heartwrenching to see. Both Pedro and Bella acted their socks off, the emotion displayed on screen felt incredibly authentic. Gabriel Luna was so incredible as Tommy as well

Joel: you have no idea what loss is. Ellie: oooh... you really want to go there?

I love how they've humanized Joel more for show purposes. In the game he comes off a little bit more closed off.. Especially to Tommy.. and Tommy sort of figures out why Joel wants to give Ellie over by seeing how he is acting and caring for her. Its interesting seeing this more open Joel on the show that openly admits he is scared of losing her. And Pedro is doing such a good job. Especially in that scene where he thinks he sees his daughter for a moment.. Just his facial acting makes it feel so heavy. AND BELLA!! I can't even say enough good things about her acting. When Tommy walks in.. you can literally see her face drop .. because she was hoping it was going to be Joel. Ah. So good. Different from the game in many ways.. but such a welcome change. They are making the characters their own.. but they STILL feel like Joel And Ellie from the game too in many ways. Love it. A+ from me.

Pedro has added so many more layers to Joel I just know everything is going to hurt so so much more.

“We wanted the player to lose hope,” Neil Druckmann describing the scene in the game where Joel gets impaled.

Joel: made it in 5 days. Ellie: 5 easy days. ....that's like saying "it's quiet today" in an ER.

This was SUCH an exciting episode because (no spoilers) there are changes, easter eggs, and introductions that don't happen until the second game. So to see them now is awesome because they're establishing it all beautifully.

14:10 the movie they are watching is the classic film The Goodbye Girl with Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason. The female lead is a single mom who is scared to love again because all of her boyfriends leave her and her young daughter. Over the course of the film she and her daughter grow emotionally attached to her male roommate turned boyfriend. Later in the movie, he has to say Goodbye to them for a short time.

It's funny you think that "maybe the fireflies got infected" when Joel and Ellie are looking into the science facility, because in the game, you find voice recorders from the doctor who was experimenting on the monkeys, and the monkeys were infected, though not hostile. The Doctor attempts to let the monkeys free since they're all leaving and gets bit in the process, which causes him to stay behind and unalive himself.

11:43 Tommy displaying the highest emotional intelligence out of everyone though

Gabriel Luna is fantastic as Tommy, he really sounds and feels like the Tommy in the game.

I love the scene with Joel being open and honest with Tommy. Moments like that, especially from male characters, make me such a happy person. I grew up watching my dad's collection of DVDs and Blu-Rays for entertainment, and a lot of his library is action, fantasy, or sci-fi and much of it from the 80s and early 90s, so a huge portion of the movies I've seen feature male protagonists that are the ultimate tough guy types. They don't cry or get scared or have emotions. They just kill tons of people and look cool doing it. I love characters like TV series Joel (I feel like video game Joel is more like that ultimate tough guy type). Pedro's Joel can have moments of doubt or worry and can be open and vulnerable talking to his brother and it doesn't make him any less cool, tough, or bad ass. Too bad society didn't wise up to toxic masculinity earlier. The men in my family have a huge problem with it.

You weren't far off on speculating about the lab and experiments. In the game they were experimenting on the monkeys and one of the doctors gets bit by one, which you find out by finding a tape recorder.

Did you speak that man's death into existence? 😆

"i'm failin' in my sleep"........i'm not crying you're cr....

I am relieved, in a way, how many people reacting to this episode are concerned for Joel and recognize a possible panic or anxiety attack (some have called it one, some have called it the other, some have asked which it was) but most don't distinguish between the anxiety/panic attack situation vs the possible physical condition. Joel is 56, and he's had nothing we'd consider "modern medical checkups" in most if not all of the last 20 years. Being someone who has a mild form of PTSD, has experienced anxiety attacks, has a malformed heart structure, and a history of heart problems in my family on both sides, this kind of sticks out to me. Few seconds later thank you for catching the "still" in "still gross" 6:25-6:30 "River of Death... There has to be something else going on." "River of Death" is a name Ellie gave the river. after the old couple in the cabin made statements of "don't ever cross this river" "If your brother is west of the river, he's gone" Like teenagers and kids do. It was never said by anyone other than her. You're not the first person I've seen get hung up on that. 10:45-10:50 Maria: "Who's been cutting your hair?" Ellie: "Uhh.. World class salons." Ep.1 Joel: "Where'd you get the money for this?" Sarah: "Drugs, I sell hardcore drugs." Seeing the parallel, or am I imagining? Although having had days to let it roll around in the back of my mind... I think Ellie handled the "conversation with Maria" well. But she could have popped off at her with "I'm not following him, I am the package he needs to get safely to its destination, I don't get there he's screwed. You want to help me? You want to protect me? You want to save me? Give us backup. Otherwise shut your f-ing face." [Honestly I wouldn't have been surprised if that was her response. They've a real firecracker in this character] 12:01-12:11 There are 2 very major points in these few seconds. 1. Joel is telling it to Tommy, all of it comes out. 2. Tommy is hearing his _brother_ say "I saw her get bit with my own eyes" (If *anyone* else said this, or if Joel said "she was bitten, I didn't see it" the levels of impact on Tommy would've been greatly reduced.) While at 14:22-14:24 Yes, Ellie knew that Joel lost his daughter, probably with no details, Joel doesn't know she knows, he's never shared that with her, and Ellie knows that he doesn't know of her awareness of it. You questioned why would Ellie ever say that "I don't see what Tommy was so worried about." Then your editing self calls you out for the "it could've been worse" right before the attack that leaves out Joel bleeding out.

Ellie was very very well trained by this point in the game, just fyi. A true young Joel

The cinematography in this episode was sensational and all those years of repressing those emotions are finally starting to get to Joel and transmitted to us, the viewers was phenomenal. Another great reaction, looking forward to the next episode.

In the first episode, they explain that Joel is on an Atkins diet, which can help blood pressure. He isn't on it now and 20 years has pass, his heart is giving out.

What an episode. Amazing acting throughout the whole episode

It's funny how you're overly suspicious of everyone, even Joel's own brother. It's not a bad thing.

Gotta love Graham Greene...😂

I have to be honest the university part is way better in the game Way more brutal even for the fireflies And the dialogue from Joel and Ellie is way better to

Another Queen level reaction luv!!

Add on top of the ending: Ellie saying in the previous episode her biggest fear is ending up alone

The ending definitely caught me off guard 😢

INFP !!!! respect

I love the fact Ellie chose Joel so quick when his own brother chose himself over his brother and I no it’s more in-depth than that but we all know inside of Joel he felt like his brother abandoned him to die out there while he lived a cushy life but Ellie chose him. So friggin sweet.

I need that floaty microphone

Next time you're in Jackson, WY make sure you check out this place Sean's Deli. Their "Bigot Sandwiches" are delicious.

Joel and Tommy are both into black chicks ✊🏾 Happy black history month 😂

Pedro's acting of Joel is great. Makes Joel seem like a very realistic character. Ellie on the other hand just doesnt seem realistic at all, i dont know if its how its written of how the character is acted but nothing about Ellie seems realistic in the situation. Unless of course Ellie is a psychopath then it would make sense, there has been a couple of scenes that point in that direction.

Why everybody don’t trust Tommy. Joel literally rode to Wyoming to save his brother. 12:23 but y’all don’t trust him with his brother secret I don’t get it

Lol I swear she stresses herself out in anticipation before the show even throws anything at her

10:35 🤣🤣🤣

Beautiful reaction!🌸🌿🌺🌱

This show has ruined you emotionally.... You were so traumatized throughout the entire episode with every jump scare. 😂😂😂 You're one of the best to watch react because you're so genuine.

RIP Joel

This episode was packed with emotional shit, my god!

The town looks just how it did in the video game very good stuff. I didn't know tommy had jungle fever lol I do too.

I never played the game(watched walk-throughs) but I've been curious lol I know it's stupid but since Ellie's body fights the infection would she infect someone by biting them???✌️

This show. Every. Episode. Really? Now what?!

Whatever actress plays Abby in season 2… pray for her plz😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

Hello Nia

Shes me, I just cannot trust this town yet. The Bill is much stronger than the Frank in me 😅😅😆😆

I'm sorry that i enjoy you crying every episode but SAMEEE

👏🏻🇧🇷

Joel just a goat taking care a child that not actually his daughter n carrying her across the country to lit!!! BTW i didn't see the six ep but pla yed the game so ik what gonna happened before it happened for the non gamers tho. Season 2 gonna be crazy tho ngl.

Native humor is the best lol. we dont take anything serious

And First😌

R.I.P Joel Miller

If ol girl S2 is going to be 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈👭👭👭👭❤️❤️❤️❤️

Then why are you watching it? ...millennials.

Mia u have gained a life long sub from me🫶🏿🫶🏿. Love the Naruto series tooo

New Subbie God bless you N Your family I Wish you All the best Love that Thumbnail Tho You Looking Hella Beautiful Nice Ass Cheeks Bones Happy New year To You Enjoy your night as well Have a Marvelous Week Too Stay Bless N Be Safe Always😇