Day One

I am giving this a 4 star because of the action scenes, production, scenario, no one can deny how amazing they created the atmosphere of the game, and everyone who is working on it, deserves many awards. I also want to say I have never played the game, and I loved season 1, watched it more than twice waiting for season 2. Unfortunately I think my journey stops here, because there is a serious problem when the two main characters this season (Dina and Ellie) start to be portrayed awfully. Did they forget they are in an apocalyptic environment surrounded by not only monsters who can infect and kill you but also by crazy organizations formed by the most cruel human beings? I don't think is the actresses fault, it is really the script, the two characters and their lines, as well as their relationship, all completely superficial, out of place. When they are together it really seems like an awful teenage soap opera. In fact this two are 19, they can hardly be seen as teenagers, they are adults, but they behave like they are 12. One of my favorite episodes of season 1, is the one Ellie is playing around with her crush/friend at the mall. Nothing seems superficial in this episode, you can see the connection between the characters and you can see even though they are teenagers and want to be together they never forget what is going on around them, and their responsibilities. Ellie seems a lot more mature then than now. I got to the point I cannot take Ellie serious anymore, most of the times it seems like she forgot about Joe, and the trauma she had experienced, or that she is on a journey for revenge. Well if this is the main story and I am not buying it, it is time for me to move on and find a better serie to watch. I'll keep the good memory of an epic first season.

This series is slowly losing its grip. Once a exciting survival adventure with a duo that created a sparkling "father/daughter" chemistry have now turned into a teenage girls drama.

I don't think Bella Ramsey as Ellie, can carry this series by herself and it's getting more and more obvious each episode. Her acting is not diverse enough and it's not believable enough. It has become quite clear that we needed a Joel to balance things out.

I haven't played the games so my view on things are not colored by how the games was, but I think it really is time for this series to step up if they are going to keep the audience. They need to compensate from the loss of one of the main core characters, otherwise this will just be a waste of time.

Lover of the game here. Let me start this off by saying that I'm not allergic to changes, matter of fact, I loved most that occurred in the first season, but these have all been for the worse, and I can't force myself to enjoy the show anymore.

There is a very fine line, and the show shines when it ADDS to the story (like Isaac's background), not takes away from it. All of these changes so far have been completely needless and even worse, they've sucked out all of the tension, sense of urgency, danger and all of the atmosphere that devs of Naughty Dog crafted so masterfully. Matter of fact, atmosphere is a HUGE part of the game and without it, a lot of story beats just fall flat. And it is ironic that one of the biggest criticisms for the game is the pacing, but the pacing of the TV show is incredibly worse and makes the game look even better.

What baffles me even more is that Neil Druckmann is involved. I haven't seen a writer as out of touch with his work as this but here we are. And I say this as someone who has him as one of my favourite writers. And before any one cries "hE iS nOt a CreDitEd wRitEr uNtiL ePiSodE 6", mate, if you don't think he had any say in the scripting process pre-episode 6, then you are delusional.

Had you asked me a year ago what TV show I think would sweep the Emmy's, I would've said TLOU, simply because Part 2 is one of my favourite stories in gaming. But if you asked me this now - I'd tell you that all 3 of Severance, Andor and The Pitt will comfortably share its awards.

Oh and let me quickly touch on Bella Ramsey. Thought she was excellent last season, but she is simply not up to par for the role now. The script and particularly the childish dialogue isn't doing her any favours, but the holes in her acting are glaring.

The show is essentially the "CW PG-13" version of the game and honestly, I feel bad for the TV only audience who won't know any better.

I won't get into spoilers but seriously there should have been someone, anyone in the writers room to say something along of the lines of « hm, that sequence of events at the end between the two female characters feels forced and out of nowhere, shouldn't we rethink this? »

It makes no sense to the viewer so why couldn't the writers pick it up??

You know there's a problem when as a viewer I'm more interested in Jeffrey Wright's character and I roll my eyes at the main characters' actions.

C'mon writers, do better than this teen drama drivel.

My 6 rating is solely based on the action sequences that were outstanding, the character building of the two female characters, not so much.

It was understandable that Episode 3 of S2 was a bit unexciting and uneventful as it followed the incredible, action-packed, emotional Episode 2, an episode that changed the course and dynamic of the show. Some time to regroup and refocus was needed and Episode 3 provided that.

Breath caught I expected Episode 4 to push ahead with plot development and action and show us where the show is heading. There is a great, protracted action scene that is edge-of-your-seat stuff. It also highlights the shows origins as a game as it feels like it could be straight out of a video game.

There's also an introduction to a character who is clearly going to play a major part in the show going forward. The fact that he's played by a known actor (Jeffrey Wright) gives it away.

Unfortunately, however, that's the extent of the highlights of Ep 4. Much of the rest of the episode is spent on the dynamic between Ellie and Dina and while this is not necessarily a bad thing, it just feels clumsy, contrived and boring.

This was always the problem with writing Joel out of the plot: Ellie isn't interesting and engaging enough to carry the show on her own and that's now coming home to roost. As long as Ellie remains the main character the show will always be a shadow of its former self.