Sacred Symbols+, Episode 270 | The Last of Us (HBO) Review Discussion and Spoilercast (Season 1, Episode 6)

Very late, but after listening to the latest Sacred with the almonds, just wanted to say that I thought the same thing about the aboriginal lady ever since seeing her in the trailer. Sure, it could be inclusivity, and you probably don’t want to not choose someone just because they’re obese if they’re otherwise perfect for the role they had in mind. But within the context of the show and its world, and without explanation, I do agree it comes off as strange and unrealistic unless they have had some sort of crazy stash or supply within that area. I guess it leads to some interesting questions and theories for fans to play with though; there are some viable theories above. So my guess is maybe they felt uncomfortable to explicitly address her weight making sense within the context of the world of the show, as it could be potentially offensive to the actress and not worth the risk. All things considered, they maybe found it relatively unnecessary and unimportant to do so and left it up to us, especially considering how small the role is. There is some aura of mystery about that couple as it is already IMO. Edit: breaking wall of text into paragraphs, clarity in one sentence.

Dylan Neves

I shared the same sentiments about the pacing of the growth of Joel and Ellie’s relationship back in in episode 3. Spending so much focus on these other characters is impacting how a new viewer will see the way this story unfolds, at least in my opinion. I also have a major issue early in this episode with the way Joel says he trusts Marlene that they could develop a Vaccine and it would work. I feel this fundamentally changes the dilemma Joel faces at the end of the game and his reasoning behind his decision. In the game, Joel has seen nothing of any substance from the fireflies. Empty promises, ongoing war with FEDRA, being on the run the whole game. This plays into his decision making along the way because he’s got to be thinking to himself, “why should I trust these fireflies that this long shot of a cure is going to work.” This entire aspect is now taken away from this show because apparently he trusts that it will work based on his respect for Marlene.

Derek Williams

About the women’s weight, remember the buffalo that were outside of Kansas City, wild animals have become abundant

start a infection

Interesting.

Colin Moriarty

I do. =)

Colin Moriarty

Yeah, that's an interesting theory that I share.

Colin Moriarty

It could be, but it just seems so weird for a show like this. There are no other 'obese' people anywhere in the show, it makes no sense.

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. We're thrilled to have him around more.

Colin Moriarty

That would be fun.

Colin Moriarty

Ah, I see.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. =)

Colin Moriarty

Interesting. =)

Colin Moriarty

The best person they could cast for the role of someone living in the woods for 50+ years was an obese woman? I cannot be the only person who saw that an thought, "this makes no sense." You see obese people anywhere else in the show?

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. =)

Colin Moriarty

I took it that the dog smells the fungal bloom, while the scanner detects the presence of cordyceps in the blood. This is kind of cool and makes sense to me.

Greg Hommel

Graham Green’s wife is Marilyn from “Northern Exposure” if anyone remembers that. Great show.

Nikitas Gagas

I see the scene with the dog is supposed to be a bluff, Joel called it. The dog maybe can’t smell the infection in this scenario at all, it’s just a trick to get infected people to react in that situation.

Walker Duriez

Cmon guys... can we just stop the charade and admit that the woman being obese is clearly an inclusivity hire? I hate to be "that guy" but sometimes it's so blatantly obvious that it's not ignorable. I'm not upset about it or wringing my hands here, but i mean, look who we are dealing with here: The Last of Us - which has always been inclusive from the get go and i like that... But there is absolutely no possible way for a person who has been living in solitude eating game and veggies and non processed foods for TWENTY YEARS to be that obese. There is no thyriod problem explanation here, it's simple thermodynamics. I loved the actress and loved the scene... but i don't think it makes us monsters to point out the obvious.

Jason

These spoilercasts have become essential at this point. I didn't notice Dina at all.

Aladin_Run

Great point Colin about Joel seeing the life that he could have with Ellie in Jackson that we don't see in the game. It makes Joel's end game decision more forgivable to me.

Mark Horner

I really enjoy Dagan being on more Last Stand Content. He always brings a very relaxing vibe when he's on. As far as the episode is concerned, I want to sing the praises of Gabriel Luna. He didn't really leave much of an impression on me from episode 1. This episode, however, I felt he really took hold of the character and made it his own. I really felt the brotherly bond and history between him and Joel. It's also very nice to see them getting very talented directors for the episodes like Jasmila Žbanić, who directed one of the best movies of 2020.

Brannon H

I just hope Joel & Ellie run into that couple again someday. Maybe even move them to Jackson or trade with them. Super cute.

NeO JD

We do see Ellie use this door in the cutscene where she returns to Joel after her first meeting with David.

MJ SKA BOI

Late to the party. Just wanted to comment on something you mentioned. You said you were curious how Ellie gets Joel into the basement of that house in Winter. The basement of the house is also a garage. There is a garage door you can open as Joel when he wakes up in the basement, but the camera is positioned towards the stairs when you take control of him, so players typically go up the stairs to leave the house.

MJ SKA BOI

Fun fact! Ohio has so many city’s named after middle eastern countries because Ohio has one of the highest percentages of Muslim immigrants, in fact my graduating class in high school was about 80% Palestinian! Very cool people! Great food

Captain Bon Clay

Colin's take on that lady's obesity is just hilarious. You're thinking to deep into it man. Most likely she's the best actress that auditioned for that role.

Asique Alam

Once again a banger of an episode and podcast. Also love the callback to episode 1 about the dog knowing the old woman was sick before anyone else. Also Ellie looking up at the moon while Joel is under looking up at her was EXCELLENT blocking in the scene. Damn man

A Hind D

Well, the obese lady is why I feel like there's gotta be more to it.

Colin Moriarty

She loves it.

Colin Moriarty

I suppose.

Colin Moriarty

I know I recognize that guy from stuff.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your support.

Colin Moriarty

I didn’t jive with this episode at all. The most important moments in the story were rushed. The bedroom arguement felt abrupt and unearned. Joel’s injury felt anti-climactic. The obese Native lady is another example of the writers not giving a fuck about mantaining realism. This was easily the weakest episode so far.

Micah’s favourite section of the game is the part between the start menu and the end credits 😅Super interesting to have communism to be the way forward in a world like this, especially with making the infected a collective hive mind.

Cai

While i agreed with Colin initially about the connection between Joel and Ellie being less strong, I’m now moving away from that. I think it’s just a symptom of the show being episodic compared to how most of us played the game in LONG 4+ hour sections. Would be interesting to see how the relationship hold up when binging the show!

Cai

For the average viewer they are doing it great with their relationship and people I’ve talked to are completely in on it, and for the rest of us we have the extra context from the game. Plus I think in this horrible world you would warm up to a new person who seems to care way quicker than we would. She fully trusts Joel and he is relating protecting Ellie to protecting Sarah so he warms up quicker as well.

Tyler Floyd

To be fair Kathleen wasn’t even close to being as large as this woman. You could be overweight in that town, but being huge in the middle of nowhere sticks out more to me.

Tyler Floyd

They burned it because it was the lesser of two evils. They had to act quickly before it got in to the water supply. They were kinda in between a rock and a hard place.

Bogey Zero

I love how Colin mentions the Indian lady being fat but Kathleen. No problem 🤣

Devlin England

Very good episode. Enjoyed the relaxed pace and loved the small town. My favourite part was meeting the native American couple. The dude was nominated for an Oscar but lost to Joe Pesci!!

Dog Soup

Hyped for this to arrive at my feed. Such a great series. Before even listening I’d like to say thanks for all your work and in particular with this series. I hope all of you are well. Cheers.

Manuel Nascimento