Top 10 Things You Missed in The Last of Us Episode 4
The Movies on the Marquee Parallel Joel & Ellie’s Lives
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While the lead duo is driving through Kansas City, they drive past a theater with two appropriately timed 2003 film releases. Moviegoers had the option to see both “Underworld” and “Matchstick Men”. Each film contains parallels to the leads. In “Underworld”, protagonist Selene tries to protect a guy named Michael after he’s bitten by a werewolf. It turns out that he’s a unique case that people either want to slay or use. The plot set up of having an important person who’s bitten being protected by a hardened warrior perfectly describes Ellie and Joel’s dynamic. On the opposite end, “Matchstick Men” revolves around a conman trying to pull off schemes while connecting with a young girl who technically isn’t his daughter. When Joel tries harder to connect to Ellie, he reveals that he has a history of being a conman. We guess the pair can skip the trip to the movies because their lives very much mirror the marquee films.
Joel’s Hearing Loss Was Subtly Hinted at Before
The very observant Ellie was able to pick up on the fact that Joel has experienced hearing loss in his right ear. While we don’t know what made her come to that conclusion, there are a couple of moments in previous episodes that point to this reveal. When Joel is sleeping in his apartment, he sleeps with his left ear up. It’s only when Tess comes in that he feels secure enough to switch sides. Additionally, Joel is surprised by attackers that approached him on his right side multiple times. This subtle running detail may become more important in crucial action scenes and plot points going forward.
“Don’t Look Up” Where You’ve Seen Kathleen’s Actress Before
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In episode 4, we’re introduced to a brand new franchise character named Kathleen. The determined survivor comes off as a brutal leader who is out for revenge no matter what the cost. Before playing this role, actress Melanie Lynskey appeared in the apocalyptic comedy drama “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”. She would later nab an even bigger role in another world ending film that balanced laughs and tears. During “Don’t Look Up”, Lynskey played June, the wife of Leo’s Dr. Mindy. While she didn’t hold anyone at gunpoint in that film, she still didn’t tolerate disrespect. We’re excited and a little scared to see what she’s capable of in a more serious apocalyptic role.
The Episode Highlights an Important Franchise Song
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During Joel and Ellie’s road trip, they get enough downtime to listen to “Alone and Forsaken” by Hank Williams. This scene was inevitable due to the song’s significance across the franchise. One of the very first trailers for “The Last of Us” used the track to underscore glimpses at the story and gameplay mechanics. After intriguing prospective players, the song was played within the first narrative as the duo drove towards Pittsburgh. The track was used once again for one of the full trailers for the show itself. Since the lyrics focus so heavily on mourning things that have been lost, this song is a perfect match for the crumbling world of “The Last of Us”.
Dropping Breadcrumbs About Society’s Downfall
It was fun to get a blink and you’ll miss it glimpse at an Arby’s sign an episode after Bill made a funny and confusing reference to the fast food chain. However, it was far from the only food name drop in the story. While Ellie and Joel are on the highway, they see a sign advertising names like Subway, Ihop and Denny’s. Those three establishments and more could’ve easily spread the cordecyps fungal infection if they cooked their staples with contaminated flour in 2003. If that wasn’t a big enough reminder of how that ingredient ruined the world, the Sara Lee bread truck that blocks Joel and Ellie’s pathway should do the trick. The flour themed vehicle is also indirectly the reason why the duo loses their vehicles and nearly dies. At least the ingredients used to make Joel and Ellie’s chef boyardee meal remained untainted by fungi.
Ellie’s Shot Could’ve Been Deadlier
As soon as it looks like Joel might be strangled by an enemy, Ellie decides to use her stolen gun to save her ally. Although this mirrored a similar scene in the game, there were a couple of major differences. Ellie’s gunshot actually kills the random villain in the source material. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Joel seems frustrated and angry with her. Since Ellie’s shot wasn’t fatal on the show, he finishes the job in live-action. Joel is also much gentler and proceeds to check in on Ellie in the wake of her life-saving actions. This plot change may have been made to make the moment where the young survivor is pushed to take a life hit viewers hard.
Joel & Ellie Met Henry & Sam Under Slightly Different Circumstances
Throughout the episode, the villains do a great job of slowly building up Henry & Sam as resourceful survivors who can stay ahead of an army of enemies. After hearing exciting exposition about them, they silently ambush Joel and Ellie in the middle of the night. This first encounter is a bit more subtle than it is in the source material. Within the game, Joel enters an apartment during the day before he’s suddenly ambushed by Henry. The older survivor actually gets the upper hand before Sam aims a gun in his direction. Despite this rocky introduction, the two duos end up working together to escape the city before tragedy strikes and rips them apart. We’re still holding out hope that the differing introductions might hint that Henry and Sam’s endings will also be altered and they’ll get a happy ending on the show.
Joel Is Closer to Tommy Than He Thinks
One of the most surprising and welcomed additions to the cast this week was the militaristic character Perry. This strict survivor is played by Jeffrey Pierce. Around 10 years before the actor took on this role, he played a little character in the “Last of Us” franchise named Tommy Miller. He was excellent at portraying Joel’s troubled yet well meaning brother in the games. We have a strong feeling that Pierce will not get along with Pascal’s version of the character on the show. Even if their meeting ends up with one of them meeting a brutal fate, we are fully ready for the voice of Tommy to collide with the live-action Joel.
