The Last of Us (TV Series) Infected (2023) User Reviews

Amazing tension!!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 23 January 2023]

This was another amazing episode just like the first one! Once again it manages to capture the vibe and atmosphere of the game! There were multiple scenes where i got the same feeling as if i were playing the game! They really did a great job of making it intrigueing just to have the characters explore!

Once again the actors are amazing! They have some great chemistry and interactions that makes it very enjoyable to see them on screen!

This episode also had some great intense moments where i think i holded my breath a couple of times! The design of the infected is also solid! I like how the show also tells us more about the disease!

From a non-gamer ep. 2

[GomezAddams666 · 9/10 · 23 January 2023]

As I have stated before, I am not a gamer, so I don't know much about the lore.

What I do know is that so far this series has great storytelling, there isn't much we haven't seen in the vast pantheon of post-apocalyptic dystopian zombie stories, but somehow this one manages to stand out.

The second episodes manages to be aesthetically bleak, but incredibly suspenseful and exciting, and the creature design for this series is what nightmares are made of.

So many people have said that Bella Ramsey was poorly cast as Ellie, and although I don't know the Ellie from the games, Ramsey's sassy and sardonic sense of humor makes for great television, and gives some levity to an otherwise depressing, yet action packed story.

The Last of Us, you have my attention.

I hope Christine Hakim reads this some day

[Dacies19 · 10/10 · 24 January 2023]

The first 8 minutes of this episode is so well acted that it is hard to put into words...

Christine Hakim so deftly conveys everything she is going through from the impossible to the end of the world in 8 minutes. She do so deftly and subtly that should be praised. So well done...

I hope to see more of her in other work...

As for the rest of the episode it was superb. Very suspenseful and Starting to make me care about the world and the people who inhabit it...

I am so glad they are including lore from before the world collapsed. I have always enjoyed that part in this genre of media. I feel like so many skip it.

Great episode

[851222 · 9/10 · 24 January 2023]

Greetings from Lithuania.

Second episode of TLOU called "Infected" was a great fallow up the first episode. It was way slower but more intense. But knowing the story of the game very well, i wasn't surprised.

The star of this episode was in my opinion set design. Everything looks real taken directly out of video game. Yet in another medium it looks way more realistic. Everything can be clearly seen in small and big details - it's a fenomenal looking job.

Acting, writing were very solid. I really like that they expanding upon cause of epidemic in a first place. Opening of the episode was superb.

All in all, great episode. Slower, smaller but way more intense then the first one. Can't wait for the next episode.

Blown away by this!

[lukesyboi · 10/10 · 24 January 2023]

Huge fan of the games but this is a non bias review.

I can't remember any tv show or movie where Iv literally wished the week away for the next episode! This is exactly what we need right now! Pure and absolute perfection! I always said the game played out like a movie and was worried at first when they decided to make a tv show. But my god gave they delivered!

This episode puts the put in the exact terrified place that the games do while playing alone in the dark! The creatures and effects are perfect! The acting is flawless! I want to fall asleep now and wake up for the next episode!!

Please keep this up guys!!

Unbelievable... In a very good way.

[Scar38 · 10/10 · 24 January 2023]

What an amazing episode, it was full of tension and had me on the edge of my seat, and once again it was much like the game.

The acting from all involved was brilliant, someone on twitter posted a comparison of some scenes with Joel and Ellie and they were almost identical, Bella Ramsey sounds so much like Ellie, and if I wasn't watching it I'd think it really was Ellie. Wow!!!

Another thing that I'm very impressed with is the clips at the start of every episode, the first one was strange and a bit real, but this one was chilling and makes me think about the problems we have with disease in the world.

I can't wait for the next episode, I just hope they can keep up the good work and make every episode as good as the last.

My only complaint is that I have to wait a full week to see the next episode.

"Oops"

[TheBabayaga · 8/10 · 23 January 2023]

The Last of Us episode two titled Infected, is a tense and compelling follow-up to last week's harrowing prologue and once again proves very similar to events of the original game (with many fun Easter eggs), despite some significant changes to the lore of the infected and the spread of the disease.

Unlike the game, in which letters and newspaper clippings only allude to the origins of the Cordyceps outbreak, we instead get a chilling and fascinating flashback to 2003 Jakarta where a justifiably nervous mycologist inspects a victim of Patient Zero. The end of civilisation we learn, began in Indonesia.

Fast-forward again to 2023 as we follow Joel, Tess and Ellie on their way to the rendezvous on the outskirts of post-apocalyptic Boston. With strong I Am Legend vibes, the details of this alternate decaying world are meticulous, the settings impressive and undoubtedly expensive - AMC would have had The Walking Dead spend an entire season here to justify the budget HBO has at its disposal. The clickers come alive in hideously realised glory.

This is arguably Tess' episode. I really enjoyed the chemistry and the motherly dynamic she gets to share with Ellie (who I will say is a little too abrasive for my liking currently) as well as her contrast with Joel. The writers however, once again squander the opportunity to develop Tess' backstory and make her something more than a narrative third wheel. Her infection and "that kiss", whilst gnarly and shocking, does nothing overall to enhance the emotional impact of her later heroic death, especially when we compare her demise to Sarah or even Tess in the original game; and that's because we don't get enough time with her like we do in the game. "Oops" indeed.

This is still a very good episode, but it did feel rushed overall and should've been longer. I'm now very slightly concerned this season is only 9 episodes when it was originally conceived as 10.

They copied the best parts and very lightly added the right stuff

[johnnybravoctk · 9/10 · 25 January 2023]

I LOVE these additions with the Scientists at the beginning of the first episode and the Professor from Jakarta in the 2nd. We finally get a more rounded idea of what all this is and where it came from. In the game I was beyond confused. Saying that, I actually love that much of the show is a live action recreation. I mean that's just what I want. I don't want Transformers (Bay) that don't look like the cartoon. I don't want your ' 'unique vision' of what a Halo is for a tv show, and I don't want unnecessary diversity in a Slavic folklore story like the Witcher. Just recreate the darn game into a tv show. That's it! And for the first time ever, they actually do it in the Last of Us, and you see the results.

Another strong episode from this show.

[Abby_Normal-27696 · 9/10 · 23 January 2023]

Such a really good episode. Stayed remarkably close to the game. Actors all did a phenomenal job. They are really becoming the characters. I'm glad to see the producers went all out and gave this show the budget required to make the details and beauty of the game come to life. I really just wish they'd drop all the episodes at once so we could binge watch it.

I wish the show would show more of the interactions with human elements of the game. Without the fear of being attacked by humans it does seem like it drags on a little bit. However i think the are absolutely crushing it, the clickers are spot on and the added element of how the fungus interacts with its own internal internet is a great added detail.

What I love. What I didn't.

[Pimilli · 9/10 · 24 January 2023]

Firstly there isn't much I disliked about this show and this episode.

I'll get the minus out of the way. Why on EARTH was that girl making so much noise in the lobby of that waterlogged building? You're fully aware there are creatures that can hear you and attack you and so what you do is slam on a bell at reception. Is she mentally ill? Nobody stops. Nobody says anything. This is a writing thing because no human with a fully functioning brain would do this. That's the only minus.

I do tend to prefer the beginning of the outbreak scenes and storytelling as it's a well crafted and unhurried build up.

The woman in Jakarta was wonderful. In a network show she would have been a young gorgeous man or woman with great teeth and bouncy hair. Thank God this isn't a network show. This is a middle aged woman speaking entirely in Indonesian. The camera stays on her as the revelation hits her. She tells them to bomb everyone including her as she knows the end is near. The beginning of the outbreak is the most compelling for me as after the outbreak we've mostly seen this dystopia before: hungry dirty and desperate people, fighting off formerly human creatures that attack them, they forage across the land, people die. Still the future is tense. Can't wait for next episode.

Very solid

[jamescrean-49859 · 9/10 · 29 January 2023]

Coming off of the first episode, I was worried about this show. Of course, it was good, but I think it really fell apart after the time jump, ending up a little slow paced and not all that interesting. But, surprisingly, right out of the gate in this episode, all of the pacing issues are gone. And it stays throughout the episode. It's still somewhat slow, but it's consistently engaging and very well paced, full of great character moments, a fantastic action scene and some absolutely breathtaking visuals. It's just solid TV. Well written, atmospheric, visceral, and most importantly, entertaining. I'm very excited about the direction this show is going.

Still good, but...

[dheogar · 7/10 · 25 January 2023]

Despite a incredible opening, this second episode falls short compared to the series debut.

There still are a lot of things to like in here, but a lot to dislike as well. The efforts the show's script makes to be more like a traditional zombie story really takes away what originally made The Last of Us so special, and creates a verossimilitude problem for the spread of the infection as people need to be bitten to contract the disease, what would made the global pandemic move way slower than just a couple days.

Also, in this second episode, much of the cinematic quality of the first one is lost, replaced with a much more television aesthetics that is less impressive in comparison.

Let's see what the future holds on store for us.

SideQuest Better Than Main Game

[mykl_tour · 5/10 · 31 January 2023]

3 eps in and there is a definite thread... all the flash back stories are far more interesting than the main plot.

The opener of this episode in Indonesia was wonderfully done.

Then the whole show collapses into tedium when it returns to the main plot. This miracle cure girls has to be the most annoying character imaginable with no redeeming features.

The sets, the production is outstanding. It's one of the most puzzling shows on tv.

For this 'fans' who are slamming these episodes with a 10...you really need to expose yourself to better cinema... it's embarrassing to Stan on this show because you are a gamer... And yes.. I titled this critique 'incorrectly' to capture the very audience that game and blanket bomb with 10's.

Save who you can save

[dannylee-78082 · 9/10 · 14 March 2023]

1. Ellie plays piano 2. Joel kills Clickers 3. Tess blows herself up

What a follow up to a great pilot. The episode starts off with further explanation about how this all came to be, starting in Indonesia. It was a bit melodramatic but it definitely introduced some key ideas about how it may have come from a factory and how bombing was necessary.

This episode is centered around the journey of Joel, Tess, and Ellie to make it to the State House. As a resident of Boston, I'm able to appreciate it more but it shouldn't have been much of a journey had everything been not destroyed. There is a constant level of danger and threat that keeps the viewers on edge. We are first introduced to Clickers who make a fascinating clicking noise to do a crude echolocation as they are blind. Although we don't get many close-up looks, the creature design is fantastic. It's grotesque but still kind of moves and feels like a human. The fungus infection in buildings are quite beautiful. Real props to the visual team on this one as the show has continued to bring insane production values. The whole thing also just feels like a very high quality video game. Something about the textures makes it feel that way. It helps me really be immersed into the whole story.

In my notes, I just started writing about how effortlessly cool Tess was and how much I loved the relationship between Joel and her. Only moments after, they kill her off. It gave me GoT vibes in their ruthlessness of killing off beloved character. It's difficult to write a character that becomes so likable quickly but it's even more difficult to let her go. It's only episode 2 and there has been much developments.

Terrifying follow up

[masonsaul · 9/10 · 23 January 2023]

Infected shows the terrifying horror and fear that the Cordyceps and it's victims bring with them, in more ways than one, continuing to strike a strong balance between originality and fidelity with a episode that pushes the narrative forward whilst continuing to build the world and characters that live in it.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are both perfect once again, their rapport is already shining through and hints at the emotional connection that will follow. Bella in particular really comes into to her own in this episode, removing any doubts and confirming that she was an inspired casting choice.

However this is absolutely Anna Torv's episode, giving Tess the confidence, humanity and depth expected of her character and actually enhancing a few of her emotional moments compared to the corresponding scenes from the game.

Neil Druckmann's direction is superb, he transitions from one medium to another just as well as the game itself with an episode rich in tension and atmosphere with some visually stunning moments. The CG and overall production values continue to impress and translate the iconic locations from the game with insane detail.

Infected. Season 1 EP2 review.

[mohammedadallawati · 9/10 · 23 January 2023]

Soundtrack : (8.7/10) Dialogue : (9.2/10) Story : (9.5/10) Cinematography : (9.8/10) Character development : (9.3/10) Conflict : (9.2/10) Excitement : (9.4/10) Reasonableness : (9.6/10) Overall : (9.3/10)

Pros :

• the relationship are a definite highlight and the chemistry between the characters is great.

• CGI is phenomenal, along with great captures that showcase the horrifying situation in the city.

• scenes that further the development in the characters as we see them take action in a difficult situation.

• everything we've seen has been properly explained in a logical way.

• showcase of how different countries react to the pandemic along with more facts to learn about the disease.

• acting is an A-tier from everyone.

• scenes that hold the audience attention showering them with anxiety and tension.

Cons :

• can't think of any.

The Last of Us - S1E2 (2023) It's breathtaking

[claszdsburrogato · 9/10 · 27 January 2023]

Just when you think the first episode was amazing, it comes to this second episode that takes your breath away. This episode is action-packed, however, it's action well done with incredible direction by Neil Druckmann. Many people doubted his ability to direct the series, but in a certain scene (No spoilers) involving infected he makes you extremely tense. What this episode does to you is something incredible, especially in the final scene which is one of the most incredible moments of the series so far. This series is proving to be a flawless production and I hope it stays that way for the next seven episodes of this wonderful series.

non stop tension

[ahmadkhanbananaking · 10/10 · 24 January 2023]

Through your this episode i've never been more scared for the clickers like this. Ever since the tiny tease of them from the last episode i knew this episode had a lot to deliver and did just that. Even though this episode is shorter, the quality is just as good as the first. I'm glad this isn't like the walking dead and i love how they did things differently as compared to the show. Now i hope to see bloaters. This episode felt like i was playing this game for the first time again with the clickers. HBO better keep this show simple and not make spin offs or anything useless. This show by itself will be just enough if it's done correctly.

Forgotten Memories

[Trey_Trebuchet · 9/10 · 1 February 2023]

I thought this was a perfect follow-up to the premiere.

But could you imagine the hate-reviewing and review-bombing this show would have received had it been leaked and people found out about the "kiss" scene? Hurts my head and my heart just thinking about it. I was cool with it. It was weird for sure, but honestly? That whole last scene with Tess hit much harder than it did in the game if you ask me. I would have loved more backstory for Tess and her reputation like in the game, but this was still great. Anna Torv was very good.

Aside from that, the rest of the episode was also super solid. I think the clickers looked and sounded PERFECT. I would argue that they're even scarier here than they were in the original game. The museum sequences gave me the anxiety I felt around them during the game. And the scene with all of them lying down connected was eerie as hell...

All-in-all, another awesome, depressing episode of The Last of Us that feels very in-line with the game but is also a good hour of television on its own. Cannot wait for the rest of this series.

More please !!!

[eoinpgeary · 10/10 · 23 January 2023]

Wow, just wow.

This episode is full of everything I want from the show and it really hits hard.

Firstly we get a look at how the infection started which I really like, lots of shows and movies leave it to the viewer but we learn how it spread and it's so unnerving!

We get the rest of the episode with our trio who still need convincing about Ellie's arm and must make their way to the building to drop off Ellie.

We get a good look at infected in this one, especially CLICKERS !!!! They look absolutely amazing and the fact that it's makeup not CG is so impressive!!! They sound fantastic even their movements freak me out.

We end on a pretty good spot, the game left us with this feeling and now the tv show delivers it so god damn well, it does truly hurt, but that's the world they are in, pain and suffering.

I absolutely loved each minute of this one and I am already looking forward to next week !!!

Christine Hakim Showed Her Acting Prowess!

[nightringer-76840 · 9/10 · 31 January 2023]

Yes, I'm Indonesian.

Christine Hakim is probably the best actor Indonesia currently has. Her acting is internationally known since she was young. In this episode intro, she was so effective. She conveyed and communicated so much through her body language, facial expressions and her eyes. Regardless there's a subtitle, you will understand what she conveyed. Young actors must learn from her. Simple words, spoken in the right tone, using the right facial expressions and well thought body language is more powerful than explosive emoitions. And actually she speaks English, too.

For 20 something todays, you propably never heard of her, but she won numerous of best acting awards almost everytime she played in a movie.

Has the potential to be one of the most overrated series of all time

[gamesxppt · 6/10 · 24 January 2023]

How's this getting +9 ratings on every episode so far is baffling. There's hardly any sense of purpose and the tension is kept to a minimum... Just 3 characters strolling around, which is fine in a videogame where you actually doing something rather than just staring at a screen. In a TV show though you need way more plot threads to keep things interesting. Like a video-game, this feels way too mechanical so far and will only appeal to fans of the video-game that it portrays. Let's see how it unfolds and if they can find a better balance between being faithful to its source material, while adding something to keep viewers engaged.

Long and boring

[WeWatchMovies · 8 February 2023]

Episode 2 now...So much like tWD except for the fungus and weird deadies it is long and boring and no one is likable to me. Even hard to like Tess and I love Anna Torv, everyone is just, I don't know, not acting well? Maybe bad directing or script? I was made to watch both episodes and it's still bleh. I feel like I've seen this too many times, honey please don't make me watch episode 3! Bella Ramsey not a good pick, Pedro is wooden not like Joel at all, Anna Torv was too hardened but good, though I did hate her getting dead. I loved the game, but it also wasn't boring. This is boring...Not sure why it's getting 10s!

Not so enthusiastic anymore

[sonneblumen-46005 · 3/10 · 23 January 2023]

The First Episode was good. This one was not so great. I do not understand why they have to add this explanatory part in Indonesia. Why to simplify everything so much? I didn't need it when a play the game. It did not matter. It just feels like the typical tricks to extend the pot with useless information. And the rest did not have the same tension as in the game. The scene with Tess was so toned down. Also Bella Ramsey is so annoying. She is not the best choice to play Ellie. I'm sorry but the original actress was so much better. I'm starting to realize that this is going to be a bid disappointment.

Shaping up to be the best TV series ever

[jameroncones · 10/10 · 23 January 2023]

Neil knocked episode 2 out of the park. I caught myself in awe of the clickers and setting of this episode. It was crazy seeing that game I love put on the screen and it done so well. Being that this is an adaptation I was worried for the changes they said they were going to make. Come to find out it really does add to the fear and horror the world is already in. I see the characters I loved so much and know so well from the game I played over and over.

It sucks I have to wait a week but if that means the excitement spreads that's all I want.

Neil's directorial debut was great. He captured the game image and put it on screen so well.

This is must watch TV.