(episode review) - The Last of Us: Season 2 - Episode 7

 

 

So the trick is to try and not think about the games, how the story plays out and what happens next, but at the same time, you cannot help but think about the games, how the story plays out and what happens next. If I am going to be real honest with you, and that is, although I blitzed through both games within the last 9 months, I can just about remember everything that happens apart from the main story plot points AND what happens, which makes it a little difficult to discuss without going into spoilers. You see, it is a game, so the story being told has a lot of game elements to engage the player. One thing I will say before I go any further is, I heard there are talks of a season 4 after season 3, and I am not entirely sure how they plan to get to 4 seasons, but now we are on Abby, we are in for a major ride.

You see this episode was a very slow one and if I am honest, although it kept me intrigued and the set pieces were pretty much identical to the game, the street outside the theatre, the stadium at the end, and some of the streets Jesse and Ellie were walking down looked like they were ripped from the game, I was more bored trying to figure out where they were going to end it and what happens next because a lot of what happened in this episode does not happen or happens slightly differently in the game. The capturing and being hung is new for Ellie, and if I am honest, was pointless, but maybe it pays off later on. This show has gone for more character moments, which makes sense because Ellie is on a quest, and not only is she alone the majority of the time, but she is on a murdering spree. It's a game, so yeah. But that scene with the pregnant lady plays out a little differently, but they do die, and that is where the cycle continues. I kill yours, you will kill mine, I will kill yours again, it is just a cycle, but Abby's story may actually take up the entirety of season 3, I'd assume, and season 4 will be picking up years later because you juggle between the two characters in the game. This episode was good for the character moments. That big wave does take you out, and Abby at the end coming in having found Jesse, Tommy and Ellie is exactly the same, but like I said, we all side with Joel, Ellie, Jesse, Tommy and the people of Jackson, but as we saw the war starting, I am assuming by the end of season 3 we may see that war and they might even get us to change how we feel about the characters.

One thing I do wanna see, hopefully but not likely, is how much of a psycho Ellie has become when she gets into a fight. Trying not to spoil anything, but those proximity mines you create in the game and the way she moves is simply terrifying. I wonder how long we have to wait now.

(episode review) - The Last of Us: Season 2 - Episode 6

 

It has been around 50 years since Computer/video games have been in existence. In fact, it's actually 70 years, but the rise of Arcade games was in the 1970's and it is fair to say that they have come a really long way since the boing boing tennis of ping pong and the pew pew of space invaders. It has only been two weeks since the last video game trailer was released for Grand Theft Auto 6, where technology has changed over the last 70 years, which in turn, has also changed the maturity level for games has also changed. There are levels to it, but The Last of Us is a different type of mature game from GTA. The Last of Us is cinematic, it is deeply rooted in the cycles of violence, and in this case, the show is also touching on generational trauma. This episode squeezed a tear out of me, and I will tell you why.

This episode is unlike the game, as the game has flashbacks throughout it and at different points in the game, rather than how it is presented here, each year on Ellie's birthday. As it is a game, there are certain parts we go through, such as the museum, and everything in the museum is like-for-like in the game. It looks exactly the same. You get to see the Tyrannosaurus Rex and climb it, as well as the space rocket moment, etc. And the moment on the porch is shot-for-shot and almost word-for-word with a few improvements or alterations. The prologue with the dad and the scenes with Eugene are not in the game, as these serve the purpose of showing us, the audience, Joel's patterns and cycles of lies, his generational trauma, along with the latter showing us the lengths one could go to protect what they feel is their own. That porch scene was heartbreaking, and Pedro Pascal did an amazing job, acting and barely being verbal and answering Ellie's questions. The game is more verbal, but for me, this was more heartbreaking and real. It was more of a tear-jerker than in the game for me. I am likely to break this down a bit more after the finale has aired, but this episode was touching and very well done. I am wondering where they will go with the finale, because having played the game, there is a lot of ground towards cover, so where will they draw the line?

(episode review) - Star Wars: Andor: Season 2 - Episode 10-12

 

I am not sure how to see these 3 episodes, other than 3 separate finales, or one big finale? However, whatever it is, and however you see it, this has been the greatest series from the Star Wars franchise. Each of these three final episodes tied up loose ends, although there were maybe a handful left hanging. These 3 episodes were spectacular.


Episode 10
The spy within the ISB, Lonnie, contacts Luthen to speak with him urgently, as he believes he has been burned, and it will not take long for the empire to find him.  The information he carries regarding the  Empire's new "energy weapon" is of extremely high importance, so he seeks safe passage/security from Luthen. Passing this information onto Kleya, Luthen is confronted by Dedra, but it is all to late, Mon got her speech out, and everything Luthen has been doing has triggered a chain reaction touching many different people around the galaxy. The flashback details the meeting and connection that both Kleya and Luthen had, so Kleya decides to continue with the plans and aids Luthen whilst still providing the important information to the rebel cause.

Episode 2
Having found out that there is a leak, Director Krennic interrogates Dedra for the information, but for all her work for the Empire and the leaking of top secret information make her come across as a rebel spy. Kleya manages to send word to Cassian, only for the Empire to track Kleya back to Corossant where Cassian, goes against protocols to rescue Kleya before it is too late and the Empire capture her.

Episode 3
This is the last episode and story plot point before Rogue One, so a lot of the time I kept thinking, "What happens to this character and that character". How does the Rebel Alliance get the information they need? I've seen Rogue One a handful of times, so I was trying to peace everything together for the lead up to Rogue One. We start off with the very paranoid Saw Gurrera having a conversation with Mon Mothma that understandably does not go over well due to their opposing views on how the rebellion is won. Saw is now placed on Jedha, paranoid, but still making a difference, which has caught the attention of the Empire. Cassian fights for Luthen's intel to be heard by the board, but struggles with this due to Luthen's methods which has rub the board up the wrong way, especially Bail Organa. Cassian travels to Tivik, and Bix is seen looking at a beautiful sunset in the fields.


These last 3 episodes were incredible. We had an entire episode with Andor's name even being mentioned, and the episode was great! These last three episodes were a nice tidy bow to bring us into Rogue One, and I absolutely loved it. I think what this show has done well is detail the atrocities the Empire was carrying out, and we were only concentrating on these groups of people. Such a great 3 episodes. That slow build-up was definitely worth it. If you have not jumped onto this show, please do, it may feel like a slog, but the pay off is very worth it. I'm going to re-watch Rogue One now.

(episode review) - Star Wars: Andor: Season 2 - Episode 7-9

 

It is the back and forth between the rebels and the empire. Not even one-upping one another, but trying to outsmart or go against a system that has its grip on the entire galaxy, to most, if not everyone, you feel you can only comply. They are monitoring everything and everyone.  Nobody is free of this grip, hence the rebellion and Luthen, Cassian, Bix, Kleya, Mon Mothma, Saw Gurrera, they are all fighting, and these three episodes show you exactly how sinister the empire is and how any little thing can help. I look at these three episodes as the penultimate episode before the finale, before it all kicks off. Andor, although some may not like its slow pacing, as it brings you character work and spywork done like no other in the franchise, and it is done very well.


Episode 7

On Yavin and trying to recover from a war wound, Bix tells Cassian of a person who might be able to assist him with his injury, but upon meeting that person, that person presented themselves as a Force Healer, something Cassian does not believe in, but after a conversation between Bix and the healer, Bix is given the rebellion, Cassian and her role in it, some food for thought. The empire enacts the plan to clamp down on Ghorman while Wilman advises Cassian of the whereabouts of Dedra. Cryil receives some conflicting information.

Episode 8

While the Empire's plan takes place under the watchful eye of Dedra, Cyril realises the part he and Dedra have played in their company and becomes conflicted, until he is blinded by his motivations.

Wilman provided Cassian with accurate information, but that information led him to witness the might of the empire and what they are willing to do. Cassian is also confronted by an unexpected and unknown adversary. The Ghorman people stand strong, but it is a little too late, and the KX units are released.

Episode 9

Realising Mon Mothma is on her own, she tries to convince Bail Organa to leave with her, but he states his people are not ready. Luthen warns Mon Mothma about Bail and the people around him as well as the speech she wants to deliver. Mon Mothma delivers her speech, openly making herself the target. Cassian confronts Luthen, which leads to the rescue of Mon, but Bix makes a decision.

Every episode has been a stepping stone to great storytelling, episode by episode. Strangely enough, I feel the weekly three-episode release has done the same thing and as this is the penultimate "episode" (well, set of episodes before the finale), I will definitely say that these three episodes were great and in some places, tragic and brutal.

(episode review) - The Last of Us: Season 2 - Episode 4

 

 

Last week, after THAT episode, was a quieter and calmer episode. We get an introduction to the Sarafites, aka Scars, Ellie and Dana go out looking for Abbie, and they finally get to Seattle, like the game. But just like the game, Seattle comes with its own problems as we see in this episode when both Ellie and Dana get to the Television studio (like the game), then get to the abandoned subway station and the Wolves and clickers are in there (like the game) and as intense as that escape is, the game is so much more intense as it goes on for longer. You are going through and covering more distance underground while being chased by hundreds of infected. Plus, the game does not tell you where to go, you just have to run. It is like the snow scene where Abbey is saved by Joel, in the game, that moment is longer and so much more intense. You finally get to the theatre like the game, but things do play out differently in the game.

Something I am not sure they will do as the game plays out differently narratively, is have Joel's brother out and about as well as Jessie. Jessie should appear in the next episode, but it really does depend on how they play out Abbey's story because both Abby and Ellie's story does crossover, so it will be interesting to see how they do this. Another great episode.

(episode review) - The Last of Us: Season 2 - Episode 3

 

After the events of the last episode, this episode was bound to be slower and quieter to let the previous episode breathe a little, and to let the outcome sit with us a little. I mean, although the same thing happens in the game, it does not take away from how devastating the scene was. The difference between the game and the show (and purely because it is a game and storytelling is very linear), the scene at the lodge does not occur while Jackson is being attacked. With that said, there are other similarities and differences in the show in comparison to the game, and this show looks like it is going to flesh out some of the characters and groups a little better than in the game.


Injured and traumatised, Ellie is stuck in the infirmary for 3 months and is eventually released. Before she is released, Gail tries to probe Ellie for an answer that Joel gave to her. Out for vengeance but trying to put on a brave face, Ellie wants to travel and find Abby, but tries to tell the town to rally behind her at the town hall, but with no surprise, there is a 'No' vote, and Ellie leaves anyway, accompanied by Dina. Meanwhile, a group of people walking through the woods are attacked and their bodies are left in a ditch off the side of the road.

(episode review) - Star Wars: Andor: Season 2 - Episode 4-6

 

Having gone through the entirety of season one on a bit of fast forward (I did not watch in double speed, but at normal speed as a refresher, so I was not 100% focused), forgive me for stating Bix as Cassian's friend when in fact they are lovers or married, even...especially as she refers to him as her husband in the last 3 episodes. I thought she was honestly saying that to get creepy-bag magoo off her back, but seeing them kiss solidified that argument, if there ever was one. Anyway, these next 3 episodes are great. This is Star Wars, political intrigue, spies, and boffins. This is the drama behind the dramas, the fights and space battles. The last 3 episodes stood to show you different rebel factions and how unorganised they are, as well as trying to show you Mon Mothma's plight and all the things that are leading to her becoming the Mon Mothma from A New Hope. But these 3 episodes stand to show us the might of the Empire and the tactics they implore to get what they want to become what they become in Star Wars: Episode 4. Who do you trust when there are spies everywhere?

Episode 4
So we start off with Bix having nightmares due to the ordeal she went through back in season 1, and she is haunted by her actions in the last episode. Syril's mother buys into the Ghorman propaganda and thinks Syril has been demoted, but Syril is approached by Ghorman people, so he decides to be a spy for them. Dedra is still looking for Andor but decides to use Syril to get the upper hand on the Ghorman people. Mon Mothma tries to rally support and get votes while Wilmon is asked to create and teach his bomb making abilities to one of Saw Gurrera people.

Episode 5
The Ghorman spies try to devise a plan to but Luthen calls on Cassian to help with the assist. Kleya, listening in on a conversation about Luthen's counterfeit goods, also realises that the Empire may stumble onto their listening devices. Wilmon teaches his student, only to be shown his efforts were in vain because Saw Gurrera is very paranoid. Syril sides with the Ghorman people, but Cassian realises they are not efficient enough. Bix, trying to rest after her ordeal, gets restless.

Episode 6
Cassian gets angry with Luthen over his unexpected visit to see Bix. Cinta returns for the job with Vel and the Ghorman people whilst Syril watches on. Director Krenic arrives whilst Kleya does what she can to remove the listening device before the Empire finds it. Mon Mothma makes a decision. Bix seeks revenge.

These three episodes were a lot better than the last three. As each year goes by, we are given a part of the story that shows us the dynamics between the characters, the setups, the task and/or problem and how they are going to overcome them. In these three episodes, it is the empire that is pulling the strings, having the upper hand. It was mentioned by Cassian, "this is what the empire does" and he is not wrong, so these people are going to learn the hard way. The buildup to the double heist was great. It will be interesting to know what has changed in a year.

(episode review) - Star Wars: Andor: Season 2 - Episode 1-3

I did not write a series review for the first season of Andor, likely because I was caught up on everything else going on, but I did watch the show and really enjoyed it. In short, Andor is about a man named Cassian Andor who, through oppression, joins a faction of Rebels to fight against the evil Empire. In a bit more detail, Cassian is hunted for the murder of two imperial troopers by two passionate and eager imperial officers determined to track him down, but when he meets a man named Luthen, he decides to work with him and his team of Rebels to take down an empire garrison to hopefully help ignite the passion of other Rebel forces across the galaxy with the funding of Mon Mothma in whom the Empire is monitoring.

The first season is excellent. There are some amazing moments with great characters, but the show is slow-paced and very political. It is spies and double-crossing. There are gunfights and space battles. A lot will say, THIS IS STAR WARS. For me, well, I guess I would agree. It is not what I grew up on, but it is, dialled down and heavily fleshed out. Star Wars is not just laser swords, blasters and explosions; it is politics, it is spies, it is good vs evil. So now that the second season is out, released 3 episodes at a time covering the span of 4 years before the events of Rogue One, the first 3 episodes were good.


Episode 1
Having now joined a Rebel faction under Luthen, Cassian is a spy working within the Empire as a test pilot. His plan to steal a Tie-Fighter goes horribly wrong when the Tie-Fighter he steals is a new prototype, and he lands on a planet to meet his contact, only to find a bunch of Rebels who do not trust him. Meanwhile, across the galaxy, Bix and Brasso try to keep a low profile while they wait for Cassian. Director Krenic has a meeting with other imperial officers to spearhead an anti-Ghorman whispering campaign to obtain their minerals. The three-day wedding celebrations have started for Mon Mothma's daughter, but she has an unexpected guest arrive.

Episode 2
Luthen's assistant Kleya has trouble trying to get hold of Bix, having not heard from Cassian. Held captive, Cassian tries his best to rally his captors together, as they struggle to work together whilst being strapped for food. Syril tries to instil confidence in a new recruit to be like him. The imperials visit the area, Bix and Brasso are held up as they continue to carry out immigration audits. Mon Mothma's husband shows his jealous side, and her beneficiary starts to get cold feet about the cause and his involvement in it.

Episode 3
Bix and Brasso realise they may not be safe as the imperials are closing in, and one officer approaches Bix in an aggressively violent manner. Mon Mothma has a misunderstanding with her daughter and realises she is on her own. Syril and Dedra have dinner with Syril's mother. Kleya is able to speak with Cassian.

These were 3 great episodes. Slow, building character and developing a story which is going to be around the Ghorman people, it would seem. Set 4 years before the Battle of Yavin, these 3 episodes are designed to show us how the Empire are trying to resource minerals for their Death Star project, where Mon Mothma is with the cause financially, how unorganised the Rebels are and how it will never be safe for Cassian, Bix and Brasso. The third episode had some dark scenes and imagery, but I cannot help but love the realism of the characters. Someone of a high rank will definitely abuse their power. And the last shot of Cassian was so upsetting. Let's see how far they go with the excellence of this show.

(episode review) - The Last of Us: Season 2 - Episode 2

 

I feel weird. Ultimately, I am conflicted. You see, I always heard about the game 'The Last of Us', a PlayStation game, revered for its gameplay and fantastic story. I want to say I even watched the cinematic on YouTube at some point, but it was so long ago, once I got to the game, I only remembered a fight between two people, but could not remember the other story beats. I started 'The Last of Us' series without playing 'The Last of Us Part 1' game, so everything was new to me. Joel, Ellie, the Fireflies, the world, it was all new to me when watching the show. I had no idea who Tess was or the guy and his brother or the two lovers, Bill and Frank, but it was all captivating. It was a great story being told and laid out to us, but to a brain that did not know what was happening. But last night and since I have now played the two games, part 1 and part and completed them, I honestly do not know how to feel about the execution of THE SCENE, if I already know how it went cinematically via the game. I just do not think it hit me the way Ned Stark did in season 1 of Game of Thrones. 

We pick up with Abby and her gang caught out in a storm, held up at a Lodge. They see the town in the distance they believe Joel to be in. In trying to devise a plan to get Joel, Ellie, and Jesse go out on a morning patrol, only to be caught in the storm and having to seek shelter. Whilst works are being carried out on the pipes, authorised by Joel, the underground network of fungus attract the horde and the people of the town are forced to defend the town from the infected and as Joel is reported missing, Ellie goes after Joel to try and help him only to find him with Abby. This episode was great. It started slowly, but the tension gradually built up until it was chaos. When Abby was caught by herself and the workers disturbed the fungus, is when it all kicked off. The episode was VERY reminiscent of the episode 'Hardhome' in Game of Thrones (look it up - it is so good, well, in my opinion). All the different infected running and attacking, and then we have the rescue, and then the scene at the Lodge. Everything in this episode was executed exceptionally well, although I do feel I should have waited for the show to conclude to be hit with that emotional gut punch, or maybe I am dead inside. Either way, maybe I should not have listened to my friend and played the game first. Going forward, there is going to be some great storytelling. 

(episode review) - Star Wars: Andor: Episode 10

Would you believe that there is a producer in Hollywood who has made billion on billions through a single franchise and could quite possibly be the only producer in history to do so? While that could be a reach on my part, his name is Kevin Feige and he is the man behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I mention Kevin because he has put himself forward and into the position to take an entire franchise on his back, make a plan, pivot where necessary, but execute. The franchise that is Star Wars, does not have that person and over the past 10 years, it has been showing. 

Whilst there has been some great and not so great shows within the franchise of Star Wars, I do feel the people behind this believe too much of their own source but are not brave enough to try something different. That is what Rian Johnson did. And whether you like his take or not, he was willing to push the boundaries and scope. With that said though, if you have not been watching Andor, you are definitely missing out. Andor is where the franchise needs to venture more into.

So far, this show has delivered. A spy thriller show with politics. Great scenarios built with tension throughout. Expanding the universe with more characters, locations, vehicles and so far, not a mention of the word Jedi or a flicker of a lightsabre. You see Star Wars is more than spaceships flying around in dog-fights, laser-fire and lightsabres. Sure, these things are cool, but Star Wars does it not make. The prequels tried to show us that, but the execution was not the best. The sequel trilogy did not touch much on the politics as much, but Star Wars is more than just good vs evil. Star Wars is about politics, governments and empires ruling with an iron fist, oppression and yes, lightsabres. Think of the “WAR” part in the name. Is not all wart about politics? Whether it is in the stars or on the ground? This show is one of a few that is making a difference to the universe that is star wars and this episode (as well as the story so far) has displayed how different this franchise can be and it is excellent.

Such a great episode with Andor trying to get Kino on his side for a prison break. The dialogue. The acting. The music. Everything about this show screams great storytelling leading to where we know it will end up in Rogue One. It will be very interesting to see if there will be any more other characters that we will see later on in the timeline other than the ones we have thus far. I realise this show may not be for everyone and that is fine. Not everyone understands or has the patience for the slow build, the character development, the lack of dog-fights (so far) and lightsabres and that is fine. But this show is far from rubbish, because when you really think about it, you need to think of a ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘House of the Dragon’, or’ Breaking Bad’, ‘Better Call Saul’. These shows for example, were more than just dragons, incest, drug dealing and the big con. These shows were about the characters first and foremost, who they were influenced by (the people around them or their situation), what they had to do to survive and or achieve an end goal, no matter how dirty they got to do so. Maybe this will be better as a binge watch…but that tension!