TV Show Review: The Last of Us (HBO) Episode 4 – Heartwarming Breath

After the true heartbreak of episode three, things are much more normal in this week’s episode of HBO’s The Last of Us. This is an episode with a lot of references to the game, and a few distractions set up that we’re getting used to. But at the center of it all we have Joel and Ellie, who are finally stepping it up once in a while.

While the latest episode, titled ‘Please Hold On To My Hand’, isn’t as dramatic or even as memorable as the last episode, it has a lot of great subtle moments between the two leads that keep things interesting. In our review of the first episode, we said we weren’t sold on Ellie’s portrayal of Ramsay, but it feels like the actress has gotten more comfortable in the role as time has gone on. Ramsay’s performance here is a delicately balanced mish-mash of humor, angst and shock, and we reckon it will go a long way to win over those who were initially unsure about his casting.

While Pascal has consistently impressed with his more dead-pan take on Joel Miller, these two characters really come to life. And episode director, Jeremy Webb, isn’t afraid to include quieter moments. While the cutscenes in the game were fantastic, a lot of our love for these characters was born from the time we traveled with them through cities, countryside, and rough neighborhoods. It’s nice to see those mundane gameplay moments being revisited in the TV show, as the two bickering and even laughing together in the form of an infamous pan book finally makes its appearance.

In truth, we could have watched twice the length of the episode for Joel and Ellie to get to know each other, and one of the biggest sins of episode four is being too short. Checking in as one of the shortest episodes ever, we found ourselves screaming at the screen as the credits rolled over us. The excellent pacing coupled with the aforementioned character moments and short bursts of violence will ensure that this episode goes by in a flash. It will definitely leave you excited for next week, as for the first time we have a story set-up that doesn’t completely culminate in a single episode.

This is because, of course, we are seeing some expansion of the story from the game that constantly works to flesh out this world. And while we won’t go into details here, we’re very excited to see how it all pans out. If you’re looking for some twisted speculation, head over to this Push scare youtube channelWhere we get into all the details.

After a handful of episodes, Please Hold On To My Hand slows down its pace to focus on smaller character moments. Fans of the series and the games will find themselves laughing at the cute interactions, which feel completely earned in the moment. But of course, this is The Last of Us, so you still have explosions of violence, and we especially love seeing Ellie react to it all. While it may not be as impactful as other episodes, this week gave us a breather, one still filled with death and danger, but also a modicum of hope. It’s the yin and yang of The Last of Us, and it’s heart-warming to see those moments of light amidst the darkness.

To find out when you can tune in for the next episode, click us Where to watch our TV show In addition to the guide, our Full cast list Provides more details about actors and characters. And of course, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.