Infected

I LOVE these additions with the Scientists at the beginning of the first episode and the Professor from Jakarta in the 2nd. We finally get a more rounded idea of what all this is and where it came from. In the game I was beyond confused. Saying that, I actually love that much of the show is a live action recreation. I mean that's just what I want. I don't want Transformers (Bay) that don't look like the cartoon. I don't want your ' 'unique vision' of what a Halo is for a tv show, and I don't want unnecessary diversity in a Slavic folklore story like the Witcher. Just recreate the darn game into a tv show. That's it! And for the first time ever, they actually do it in the Last of Us, and you see the results.

Coming off of the first episode, I was worried about this show. Of course, it was good, but I think it really fell apart after the time jump, ending up a little slow paced and not all that interesting. But, surprisingly, right out of the gate in this episode, all of the pacing issues are gone. And it stays throughout the episode. It's still somewhat slow, but it's consistently engaging and very well paced, full of great character moments, a fantastic action scene and some absolutely breathtaking visuals. It's just solid TV. Well written, atmospheric, visceral, and most importantly, entertaining. I'm very excited about the direction this show is going.

The first 8 minutes of this episode is so well acted that it is hard to put into words...

Christine Hakim so deftly conveys everything she is going through from the impossible to the end of the world in 8 minutes. She do so deftly and subtly that should be praised. So well done...

I hope to see more of her in other work...

As for the rest of the episode it was superb. Very suspenseful and Starting to make me care about the world and the people who inhabit it...

I am so glad they are including lore from before the world collapsed. I have always enjoyed that part in this genre of media. I feel like so many skip it.

Such a really good episode. Stayed remarkably close to the game. Actors all did a phenomenal job. They are really becoming the characters. I'm glad to see the producers went all out and gave this show the budget required to make the details and beauty of the game come to life. I really just wish they'd drop all the episodes at once so we could binge watch it.

I wish the show would show more of the interactions with human elements of the game. Without the fear of being attacked by humans it does seem like it drags on a little bit. However i think the are absolutely crushing it, the clickers are spot on and the added element of how the fungus interacts with its own internal internet is a great added detail.

Infected shows the terrifying horror and fear that the Cordyceps and it's victims bring with them, in more ways than one, continuing to strike a strong balance between originality and fidelity with a episode that pushes the narrative forward whilst continuing to build the world and characters that live in it.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are both perfect once again, their rapport is already shining through and hints at the emotional connection that will follow. Bella in particular really comes into to her own in this episode, removing any doubts and confirming that she was an inspired casting choice.

However this is absolutely Anna Torv's episode, giving Tess the confidence, humanity and depth expected of her character and actually enhancing a few of her emotional moments compared to the corresponding scenes from the game.

Neil Druckmann's direction is superb, he transitions from one medium to another just as well as the game itself with an episode rich in tension and atmosphere with some visually stunning moments. The CG and overall production values continue to impress and translate the iconic locations from the game with insane detail.