Photo: HBO/ The Last of Us
The eighth episode of The Last of Us TV series, "When We Are in Need," continues from where the previous episode left off, with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) nursing Joel (Pedro Pascal) back to health. The duo is barely surviving in the suburbs of Colorado, where they encounter a monster even more terrifying than the infected. The episode adapts the game's Lakeside Resort chapter and remains faithful to the source material, though it fleshes out the characters.
The episode's biggest addition is the appearance of actor Troy Baker, who voiced Joel in the video game, as James, a side character from the first game. In the show, James is given a more prominent role and more lines. However, David (Scott Shepherd), the creepy cannibal leader, remains the main antagonist and is far more nuanced in the series than in the game. The episode delves into David's backstory, including his past in Pittsburgh and his path to becoming a preacher. Additionally, the show adds religious overtones that are not present in the game.
David's relationship with Ellie and his larger group's struggle to feed themselves through the harsh winter are also explored in the episode. The show makes it easy to sympathize with David's people, but the antagonist remains an absolute monster. Ellie and David's interactions play out similarly to the game, but the show gives David a longer monologue when he brings Ellie a plate of food. He tries to butter her up, relate to her "violent heart," and recruit her to co-lead his people.
Ellie's trigger finger is further taxed when she draws the men away from her and Joel's suburban hideout. The hunting scene and her team-up with David are downplayed in the show, and Ellie's hunting ability is significantly reduced. In the game, she skewers a rabbit with a well-placed arrow like its second nature, but in the episode, she falls face-first in the snow when she excitedly tries to chase the same prey.
The episode reduces the kill count, but it still includes a lengthy action scene where Ellie fights off plenty of baddies while on horseback, even after her horse is shot. Joel also gets plenty of target practice as he brutally tortures the two men who attacked him.
The episode ends with David's brutal demise, and Ellie and Joel are on their way to Utah. "When We Are in Need" successfully adapts the Lakeside Resort chapter, adding new dimensions to the characters and making it easy to sympathize with David's people. The show remains faithful to the game while adding its own spin to the story. The episode sets the stage for the series finale, leaving fans anxiously awaiting the conclusion of Ellie and Joel's journey.