This is a very high quality production in several ways, really cool. I generally love seeing people dissect tiny movie details that the average viewer would never consider, this video scratches that itch nicely.
First off, I want to say this is a great video!! I love how the seasons are used in TLOU, and as a major literature nerd I think it’s so great when creators use the figurative tools at their disposal to add to the meaning of a story or narrative. One thing I wanted to add about the winter season that a lot of male players don't pick up on. David wasn't just cannibalizing people, but also sexually abûsing little girls as well, hence his interest in Ellie and his initial hesitance to kill her, in spite of her killing some of his men. I personally think this is the most important element to Ellie's loss of innocence. The arc begins with Ellie killing a deer, a classic symbol for the loss of innocence; but it also speaks to her understanding that sometimes people must kill out of necessity. She doesn't just kill it, she respects and honors it too. To immediately juxtapose that with a rapist - and act that, just as much as cannibalism, has no reason or justification beyond human evil - is ultimately what drives her over the edge. She knew at this point some people would even kill unnecessarily, but thw revelation that this kind of evil existed before the apocalypse (David being a teacher and likely preying on underage girls and alluding to having multiple victims during his reign) was likely completely devastating to her. at least before this, it was somewhat "justified" by the apocalypse, but tbe complete loss of her agency and even reveling in his attempted sexual assault in the diner before she kills him causes her to snap in a mixture of rage and devastation. The trauma carries over into the spring arc, where she begins incredibly listless and distant from Joel, still unable to forget almost being violated in the most intimate way. It also speaks to Joel's increasing panic, as he overhears David's men discussing his fixation with little girls and knows that the imminent threat of death isn't the only thing Ellie can be traumatized by. But overall, great video!! I love all your insights and am glad people are still looking at this series, because it has so much to analyze!!
I've thought about the end of TLOU a lot since the show started and how the season finale will go. And it's made me continue to wonder how many of the "Joel is the villain" takes originated from people who don't have a child (or potentially have ever lost a child). I used to be on the side of it being gray morality. Until my wife and I had a daughter in 2021. Now, I look back while watching the show and from a purely emotional point of view, I find myself leaning into forgiving Joel for the end of the game. Just thinking about the idea having to give up my daughter for literally anybody else on this planet makes my stomach turn, and I can't imagine the things (within my abilities) I would do to keep her safe. I'm actually kind of getting myself worked up typing this haha
This is a very high quality production in several ways, really cool. I generally love seeing people dissect tiny movie details that the average viewer would never consider, this video scratches that itch nicely.
Currently doing my second play through of tlous pt 2 , I am also enjoying the tv show , it’s been a good year for the tlous
Love your essays. Commenting for hopefully greater visibility. ❤
this video was very informative and entertaining ☺️
First off, I want to say this is a great video!! I love how the seasons are used in TLOU, and as a major literature nerd I think it’s so great when creators use the figurative tools at their disposal to add to the meaning of a story or narrative.
One thing I wanted to add about the winter season that a lot of male players don't pick up on. David wasn't just cannibalizing people, but also sexually abûsing little girls as well, hence his interest in Ellie and his initial hesitance to kill her, in spite of her killing some of his men.
I personally think this is the most important element to Ellie's loss of innocence. The arc begins with Ellie killing a deer, a classic symbol for the loss of innocence; but it also speaks to her understanding that sometimes people must kill out of necessity. She doesn't just kill it, she respects and honors it too. To immediately juxtapose that with a rapist - and act that, just as much as cannibalism, has no reason or justification beyond human evil - is ultimately what drives her over the edge.
She knew at this point some people would even kill unnecessarily, but thw revelation that this kind of evil existed before the apocalypse (David being a teacher and likely preying on underage girls and alluding to having multiple victims during his reign) was likely completely devastating to her. at least before this, it was somewhat "justified" by the apocalypse, but tbe complete loss of her agency and even reveling in his attempted sexual assault in the diner before she kills him causes her to snap in a mixture of rage and devastation. The trauma carries over into the spring arc, where she begins incredibly listless and distant from Joel, still unable to forget almost being violated in the most intimate way. It also speaks to Joel's increasing panic, as he overhears David's men discussing his fixation with little girls and knows that the imminent threat of death isn't the only thing Ellie can be traumatized by.
But overall, great video!! I love all your insights and am glad people are still looking at this series, because it has so much to analyze!!
Thank you for watching and for adding such a well-thought-out comment! Extra insight is always welcome :)
I've thought about the end of TLOU a lot since the show started and how the season finale will go. And it's made me continue to wonder how many of the "Joel is the villain" takes originated from people who don't have a child (or potentially have ever lost a child). I used to be on the side of it being gray morality. Until my wife and I had a daughter in 2021.
Now, I look back while watching the show and from a purely emotional point of view, I find myself leaning into forgiving Joel for the end of the game. Just thinking about the idea having to give up my daughter for literally anybody else on this planet makes my stomach turn, and I can't imagine the things (within my abilities) I would do to keep her safe.
I'm actually kind of getting myself worked up typing this haha
Your take is appreciated! Thanks for watching our stuff :)
remember me when you get famous
Your commentary and editing is very good. The poorly acted surfer guy feels out of place with the rest of the video.