My wife is also upset and swears she won't watch anymore. I wonder what the audience drop-off is going to be like.
I've got a half a dozen friends who were watching the show, but have never played the game. Every single one has sworn off the show after that episode.
I've got a half a dozen friends who were watching the show, but have never played the game. Every single one has sworn off the show after that episode.
That's silly. I loved the character too, but I'm still interested in what happens next. I'm guessing Ellie is gonna go beast mode and kill all of those motherf'ers in horrific ways. That should be fun to watch.
I think the problem is two fold: Ellie isn’t that compelling of a character and you’re really given more reasons to dislike her than like her through the first two episodes of this season, and Bella Ramsey is a far weaker actor than most anyone on the show and especially Pedro Pascal, which was manageable when you had Pascal, and is kind of unfathomable if you don’t.
Apparently the Abby actress was once considered for the role of Ellie. Would have been a significantly better choice, imo.
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That's silly. I loved the character too, but I'm still interested in what happens next. I'm guessing Ellie is gonna go beast mode and kill all of those motherf'ers in horrific ways. That should be fun to watch.
Two of them said that they realized they are "just sick of that kind of brutal violence", after GoT and Walking Dead.
I thought it was going to be a swerve given what has been in the trailers, but it sounds like Joel is done.
I'm not sure the show has built enough to go on without the Joel/Ellie dynamic. That is literally the entire basis and appeal right now.
Regarding Pepsi's take, it is a little too bad Kaitlyn Dever aged out of the role because she was actually the first actor I thought about for Ellie. However, I think Bella Ramsay is way more capable than people give her credit for and I feel she's done a good job.
I'll keep watching for now, but I'm pretty disappointed that Joel is gone this quickly.
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
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Is it bad that I was mainly shocked that Abby didn't miss those swings? And then she went office space fax machine bare knuckling it? Frankly I'm surprised that her punches would hurt, let alone do damage given the size of her.
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Last edited by TrentCrimmIndependent; 04-22-2025 at 09:59 AM.
IMO, what happens to Joel is important, driving the narrative. Otherwise we have just another zombie show going around in circles.
What I've liked is that each episode in this series is significant and pushes the plot forward in some way.
While many of us probably wanted to spend more time letting that relationship cook, this is a way better alternative to how TWD meandered and just filled time with the bulk of its episodes.
So, when Joel already knew they were going to kill him slow, and the dumb #### got down close enough to him to stroke his hair, why didn't he grab her for a choke hold or thumbs in the eyes or something? Worst that could happen would be other guy shooting him, better than a slow death... but better case scenario he maybe uses her as a human shield? It seemed dumb to me that he just did nothing while she was so close to him.
So, when Joel already knew they were going to kill him slow, and the dumb #### got down close enough to him to stroke his hair, why didn't he grab her for a choke hold or thumbs in the eyes or something? Worst that could happen would be other guy shooting him, better than a slow death... but better case scenario he maybe uses her as a human shield? It seemed dumb to me that he just did nothing while she was so close to him.
Dina was just injected to sleep next to him and he had said earlier in the episode (or ep 1) that she's more of daughter to him right now than Ellie. He wasn't just thinking of himself.
I don't hate Bella Ramsey as much as some do, though I agree it will be tough for her to carry the show. If they were were finishing the series this season I think it would be fine but doing another full season will be tough. I don't remember there being enough story in the second game to stretch it to 2 full seasons.
It'll be interesting how much Joel is still in the show. Plenty of opportunities for flashbacks still, especially given the time jump that occurred between seasons.
I loved when Abby was trying to give her big badass revenge speech, and Joel just interrupts her and goes "shut the f*** up and get it over with." That's good stuff.
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I loved when Abby was trying to give her big badass revenge speech, and Joel just interrupts her and goes "shut the f*** up and get it over with." That's good stuff.
I burst out laughing at that too, did not expect that hahaha
I think the problem is two fold: Ellie isn’t that compelling of a character and you’re really given more reasons to dislike her than like her through the first two episodes of this season, and Bella Ramsey is a far weaker actor than most anyone on the show and especially Pedro Pascal, which was manageable when you had Pascal, and is kind of unfathomable if you don’t.
Apparently the Abby actress was once considered for the role of Ellie. Would have been a significantly better choice, imo.
You're right about how the dynamic works better with Ellie playing second fiddle to Pedro/Joel, but I think the bulk of people not liking the idea of Ramsay taking that over now isn't cause she can't act well (I think she has) but more that she doesn't fit the profile of your typical female protagonist. I think it challenges people's expectations compared to other media because she isn't like Abby's actress, who has the looks/presence of that typical female protagonist.
I like that Bella's Ellie is more of a prickly tomboy as opposed to what people are usually fed. And now she has more reason to embrace that rough side. But we'll see how she carries things moving forward.
Even when they were carrying Joel's body back behind the horse, I was thinking that he must survive this somehow....I guess not. I'd played the first game but not the second one. Had no idea this was coming.
