Kate M (Awilix)

While this series gained immense hype from all of its marketing and promotion, I actually ended up disliking it. Being an avid fan of the games, I simply just think they did not capture the magic and humanity of them at all. Now, I am not saying that it is a bad show. It's fine. But if you're looking for a story between Joel and Ellie, just play the game. The actors were good, they played their respective roles well, but they didn't manage to capture the essence of what Joel and Ellie's relationship was before. It meant nothing to me while watching the show. Throughout the game, I was constantly enthralled with the two and their chemistry, and the show just fails to deliver on that. In addition to that, there were some changes I disliked. While I am fully supportive of the show not being a direct copy of the game and exploring new things, ruining aspects of the game is not my favorite. For example, Tess. In the game, Tess was a certified badass. She did a lot for the other characters, bringing out both the monster and humanity in them (as is the point of the narrative). However, in the show, she was shallow and one-dimensional, and her death was widely unsatisfying. Again, as I said, making changes is welcome and necessary, but when the changes do no justice to the original story, there is no point. However, the show as an image and the cinematography must also be taken into account. While I disliked the story and portrayal of the characters, it is undoubtedly a well-produced show. The sets are beautiful and the character and infected designs are some of the best on television right now. They ~did~ manage to capture the magic and novelty of places like Jackson, showing just how contrasting it is to the world of kill-or-be-killed the world outside is living in. So, while the narrative was not one I enjoyed, it cannot be said that the adaptation was not gorgeous. Additionally, Gustavo Santaolalla was incredible as always. Bringing the games' musician in for the show was a genius move. He delivered as he always does, and the soundtrack reflects as such. So, while I personally did not enjoy the Last of Us TV adaptation, I admire its beauty and attempt at recreating the magic the game brought. I believe the actors did wonderfully and the production is incredible, but it just does not feel like The Last of Us to me.