It’s Monday once again, and as has become the tradition since the launch of The Last of Us Season 2, we’re here to discuss the latest episode—Episode 3. This installment is 58 minutes long and was directed by Peter Hoar, who also helmed Episode 3 of the first season, capturing the poignant and original story of Bill and Frank. This choice is deliberate, especially after the intense events of Episode 2. It’s a necessary moment to pause, reflect, and absorb the impact. For me, Episode 3 is about mourning, introspection, and contemplation. What does one do after what has happened? How do we cope after Jackson’s intrusion and Joel’s death? Those familiar with the video game know it’s time for vengeance, heading towards Seattle. However, expect narrative and timeline adjustments compared to the game.
Following the intense action of Episode 2, one of the highest-rated episodes on TV history per IMDb (9.5/10), Episode 3 offers a slower, more subdued yet equally engaging pace. It also introduces the Scars, known as the Seraphites in French, a religious group recognizable by their scarred mouths, referred to as the “angel’s smile.” The Scars aim to create a better world post-pandemic through medieval methods. We’ll delve into that soon.
GRIEF AND BATTLE
Initially, let’s discuss the opening five minutes of this episode, which takes its time processing Episode 2’s events. We see a pull-back shot revealing a pile of Cordyceps-infected corpses outside Jackson’s fortifications at night. The red hue evokes imagery from battles in Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. This is intentional, as Episode 2 garnered comparisons to Game of Thrones’ notable battles, both directed by Mark Mylord. What stands out is the lack of dialogue in these first scenes, underlining the mourning process. The imagery of Tommy by Joel’s body in a makeshift morgue is moving, as is the focus on Joel’s blood-stained watch, linking him to his daughter Sarah, with Tommy’s heartfelt request to convey his love to her. These scenes add depth to Joel’s death—an emotional layer not present in the game—and highlights Bella Ramsey’s exceptional performance, regardless of critics who focus only on her appearance.
TOMMY & DINA: THE NEXT BIG THING?
Moreover, Episode 3 empowers Tommy’s role profoundly, an enhancement from the video game. Gabriel Luna’s portrayal brings a nuanced strength, suggesting he could succeed Joel as a central figure. Dina’s character also gains prominence, with Isabela Merced delivering a standout performance, indicating her potential as a major actor. The series creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, aim to solidify Dina and Joel’s relationship, merely hinted at in the game. While Dina assists Ellie in gameplay, her narrative involvement needs firm grounding for the series, adding coherency and emotional drive to their Seattle journey.
This is more than a simple adaptation tweak; it broadens Dina’s psychology, often understated in Part II of The Last of Us. Sharing Ellie’s trauma, Dina’s actions stem from personal struggles, not just love or loyalty. Episode 3 highlights this as she motivates Ellie to keep her around, especially when she reveals her pregnancy.
SCAR TISSUE
Episode 3 introduces the Seraphites, the Scars, appearing earlier than in the game due to the series’ faster narrative pace. Some game fans might have lamented changes like Eugene’s hideout sequence, but Mazin and Druckmann are unifying these elements efficiently. In the game, Eugene’s lair carried significant moments of intimacy, a foundation needed in the series for Ellie and Dina’s path forward. The tent scene recreates their familiar kiss dialogue, with future episodes adapting tattoo details and love scenes separately.
Reintroducing the Scars, the episode showcases their chilling whistles, reminiscent of stress signals in the game. Here, they transform from hunters to hunted, as another faction, the Wolves, led by the formidable Isaac (portrayed by Jeffrey Wright), enters. Like Marlene’s role continuation, Isaac transitions flawlessly from game to screen. His stern demeanor will be evident in the forthcoming episode.
Episode 3 masterfully expands the plot, enhances character depth, introduces fresh faces, and paves the path for vengeance and the emergence of Manny, played by Danny Ramirez. Notably, last week Manny, not Jordan, endured Ellie’s wrath in Joel’s tortured scene, indicating a character sacrifice for narrative depth. These deliberate changes strengthen the series, ensuring concise and impactful storytelling within its seven-episode framework, maintaining audience engagement. Unlike some, like those who dropped ‘Daredevil Born Again’ with nine episodes, this adaptation is tailored for television, rather than direct game translation.
