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HBO has once again proven its mastery of the prestige television genre with Mare of Easttown, a riveting and nuanced series that transcends the familiar tropes of the small-town murder mystery. Fans of the network's previous small-screen masterworks, such as Sharp Objects and Big Little Lies, shall find themselves within familiar territory.

As this labyrinthine tale unfurls, each episode ascends to new heights, captivating the viewer in its intricate web of intrigue until the ending's staggering revelations.

Brad Ingelsby's script, a deft mix of the familiar and the innovative, refining a well-trodden premise-a murder investigation in a tight-knit community-into a sublime concoction of character study, whodunnit, and poignant exploration of weighty themes. He avoids the pitfalls of sensationalism and cliché, instead creating a richly textured portrait of a place and its people that feels authentic and compelling.

Kate Winslet shines as Mare Sheehan, a flawed but formidable detective who must confront her demons as she investigates a series of crimes that shake her community to its core. Winslet delivers a masterclass performance as 'Mare', skilfully bringing the character to life with exceptional finesse. The supporting cast, including Jean Smart and Evan Peters, come together as a seamless blend of talent, with no hint of inconsistency in their performances.

Every element, each character, feels startlingly real: the inhabitants of this skilfully crafted world are living, breathing souls rather than merely devices in service of the plot, a rare feat in this overcrowded television landscape. In the realm of whodunnits, 'Mare of Easttown' emerges as something special, transcending the banal trappings that so often beleaguer its contemporaries, a cut above the rest, an experience that warrants a watch for any fan of high-quality television. So, dear reader, prepare to be captivated.

Rating: 8.1/10 (Great)

Brace yourselves, dear viewers, for this episode will undoubtedly spark heated debates among fans. Some will love it, while others will loathe it-much like the game itself.

The Last of Us ends with a masterful coup de grâce, cementing this adaptation's place in the pantheon of prestige television.

It is sombre and dark yet replete with emotions that run deep. Joel, at long last, becomes a man of action. Whether his actions are morally defensible, however, is a subject of endless debate.

Staying true to the game, this episode does not falter in its execution, boasting a master-stroke opening that sets the stage for a gripping narrative to unfold. The strategic use of a flashback adds layers of complexity to already richly-wrought characters, serving as a catalyst for some of the most poignant dialogue between Joel and Ellie to date-dialogue sure to leave the audience teary-eyed.

The action is far from glorified, leaving viewers in a state of visceral shock and awe. The last couple of episodes have served to do some fantastic work for Joel, and this episode is the proverbial cherry on top, truly a beautiful and profound culmination of his character arc. Indeed, the show is a thing of beauty, but beauty that is shrouded in darkness.

Were a flaw to be ascribed, it would be that of brevity. At a mere 40 minutes, the finale feels curtailed. The absence of the Cordyceps is understandable, given the laser-focused narrative, though it marks a deviation from the source material.

By turns harrowing and humane, towering and intimate, this finale buries its hooks deeply in the viewer, capping off a brilliant maiden season. Love it or loathe it, impassioned discourse will assuredly abound in the wake of this uncompromising conclusion to the first chapter of The Last of Us.

Rating: 8.5/10 (Great)

Ahem, I'm no expert on human anatomy, but that doesn't seem like the optimal point of injection, Ellie 👀

After the rather disappointing seventh episode, I was delightfully taken aback by this episode. Ellie is finally given a chance to shine, facing formidable foes and making tough decisions while simultaneously exhibiting her bravery, resourcefulness, and vulnerability, which had me empathizing with her more than ever before.

I can't help but wonder how much more impactful this episode could have been if it weren't for the detour the series took in the previous episode. The show had been building up momentum, and the previous flashback episode was an unfortunate roadblock that broke the spell.

Ali Abbasi's inaugural foray as a director on this show was a satisfying visual rendition; I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with the season finale. Hopefully, he delivers!

The standout performance, however, belongs to Scott Shepherd, whose portrayal of David was downright diabolical and unhinged, keeping me on the edge of my seat, wondering what malevolent machinations he had up his sleeve.

On the other hand, I'm still not completely sold on Joel's portrayal in the show. He seems too vanilla and uninspiring for my taste.

"When We Are in Need" had its moments, but there were some serious fumbles. Personally, I find the game's take on this chapter to be far superior to what we were served up on the show. Alas, my frustration stems from the writers' obsession with telegraphing everything, a criticism I voiced in the last episode and, lo and behold, remains my chief complaint this time around. This habit diminishes the impact of certain scenes and hampers the audience's engagement.

Nevertheless, this episode was a satisfying precursor to the upcoming season finale, which has me brimming with expectations. With just one episode remaining this season, the interminable wait for season two will surely be gruelling.

Rating: When We Are in Need: 7.5/10 (Good, Slightly Flawed)