The Last of Us: Episode 5: Endure and Survive
“Endure and Survive,” The Last of Us‘ fifth episode, released Friday, February 10 (a couple days early because February 12 was Super Bowl Sunday). This episode goes into the story of Henry and Sam Burrell, the iconic brothers fighting for their lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
*This review contains HEAVY spoilers*
Through the Tunnels
We last left the Burrells holding Ellie and Joel at gunpoint. The beginning of “Endure and Survive” backtracks to 10 days or so ago, where the brothers are hiding in an attic, away from Kathleen and the FEDRA-resistance group. The two have a tight relationship. With Henry in his mid-twenties and Sam being only eight (a few years younger than Sam in the video game), the two rely on each other for survival. Henry has to be twice on guard for Sam not only because of his young age, but because Sam is also Deaf. The two communicate through American Sign Language and an erasable sketchpad, both of which are used heavily throughout the episode. The silence of their languages adds an even greater immersion of tension to the terrifying world.
After a week in the attic, the brothers run out of food and are forced to find new shelter. This leads them to discovering Ellie and Joel. Henry makes it clear that he and Sam do not want to hurt anyone; instead, they need help escaping the city. With some convincing from Ellie, Joel reluctantly decides to team up with the brothers. The four make a plan to travel through the maintenance tunnels, where Henry is almost positive no infected reside.
Fortunately, Henry is correct. The crew is safe from infected and discover an underground community, where families lived free from infected, FEDRA and enemies alike. They hide out in what appears to be a schoolroom; Joel and Henry sit down to talk while Ellie and Sam bond over their love for the Savage Starlight comic series.
While the journey to this scene contrasts from the game, its identical set design and intimate dialogue sums up a large part of the Last of Us is all about. More than a shooting game, it is a deep study of humanity. Humans are shaped through their experiences and that shapes their behavior and decisions. With the help of good writing and acting, these characters feel and are real.
The realness of these characters is a large reason for The Last of Us’ success. The writers in both the game and series are not asking for us to forgive Kathleen or any other characters, including Joel, who enact tremendous pain and suffering on others. They are not providing an excuse for their actions. Rather, The Last of Us illustrates that humanity is complex and not a binary of black and white or right and wrong. In times of desperation, people will do what they can to survive even if they know it to be very, very wrong.
In both the game and show, Sam asks if the infected are still people underneath the disease. An answer is never provided and we are left to ponder this horror of an existence alone.
Endure and Survive the Bloater
The tunnels spit the group of four out into a desolate neighborhood in the dead of night. They feel a rare sense of security before a sniper shoots them back into reality. Leaving Henry to watch the kids, Joel makes his way to the sniper, shoots him down and clears a path for the rest. Suddenly, Kathleen and her crew of tanks roar through the streets. Joel shoots down one of the tank, which crashes into a house and blows up. But Kathleen’s army is strong, and this attack is nothing compared to what else she has up her sleeve.
The crew of four are, in a word, fucked.
When Henry finally decides to show himself, begging for Kathleen to let the kids go, he is interrupted. The destroyed tank sinks into a large hole in the ground. Everyone is silent, shocked by what they’ve witness, unprepared for the monstrous hoard of infected that cascade out the hole.
Now Kathleen and her army have an enemy greater than our protagonists. Everyone fights off the infected with their guns and machines, but no one can take down the bloater, a behemoth and one of the final stages of infection. The creature is ruthless as it rips people’s heads off and deflects bullets like flies.
Despite all the odds being stacked against them, Ellie and the Burrells somehow manage to escape. They rest for the night in a little motel. When morning comes, Sam is no longer himself. He was bitten during their encounter with the infected, and has transformed overnight. He attacks Ellie. Henry is forced to shoot his brother and, succumbing to grief and shock, himself.
The Verdict
Joel and Ellie are once again on their own. Before returning on their journey west, they bury the brothers beside each other and Ellie places Sam’s sketchpad with the note “I’m sorry” on his grave. They now make their way to Tommy’s.
“Endure and Survive” is, by far, the strongest episode in this impressive series. If one needed to sum up The Last of Us in its entirety, episode five could do the job. It has all the moments of action, sincerity, comedy, hardcore action and intense tragedy. All of these elements are included while pacing the story and . All the actors in this episode stand out, but Lamar Johnson and Keivonn Montreal Woodard truly shine. Their performances of these iconic brothers brought Henry and Sam to life and, despite how short their stay, will be dearly missed.
(5 / 5)
We can anticipate to catch up with Tommy 20 years after the events in episode one. We can expect perhaps another slower episode like episode 4. This is a rather slow part in the game (minus the various shootout fights). However, this show is great at throwing a few curveballs, so we’ll just have to wait for Sunday, February 19.
Until then, make sure you check out the other shows and games we’re watching and playing at HauntedMTL.
Movies n TV
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), a Film Review
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) is a horror comedy directed by Halina Reijn. This R-rated horror film stars Amandla Stenberg and Maria Bakalova.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) is a horror comedy directed by Halina Reijn. This R-rated horror film stars Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Pete Davidson, Lee Pace, and Conner O’Malley. The film is currently available on fuboTV, Netflix, Hoopla, and Showtime.
Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) brings her girlfriend (Maria Bakalova as Bee) to her friend’s hurricane party. Lasting resentment and toxic relationships infest the group, leaving Bee to witness increasingly uncomfortable situations. Soon after, bodies start dropping.
What I Like about Bodies
The chemistry between these toxic friends gives me anxiety. If toxic friendships aren’t a universal experience, toxic traits certainly make themselves apparent in any friend group, and this film maximizes this experience. It’s not revolutionary, but effective and uncomfortable.
Several subtle clues hint at the relationships of these friends, building up as the story progresses and chaos ensues. I love these moments, though the film doesn’t seem confident that the viewer picks up these clues. This decision hinders execution, an unfortunate point for later.
While the performances are strong throughout, Amandla Stenberg and Maria Bakalova remain the main characters and receive the most opportunities to perform. However, almost every character has a moment, or several, and lives up to those moments once given.
The twist seems obvious, but that doesn’t hinder the viewing experience. While not the biggest fan of the execution, I enjoy the spiraling chaos it creates.
The opening scene shows the two leads making out for viewer engagement. However, I think the contract toward the end gives this scene added context and plot relevance beyond simply sex appeal. While it is unavoidable that so well, many films will go no further. So, added relevance deserves a nod.
Far from the bloodiest film out there, but it doesn’t hesitate to bleed its cast. It uses this blood and limited gore to add weight to the deaths as opposed to haunting or nauseating its audience.
Tropes, Triggers, and Considerations
As previously hinted, toxic relationships remain key points in the plot. Falling in line with this are points of spousal abuse (physically and mentally) that should remain a consideration.
Idiocy to push the plot along certainly plays a role in the plot. In this case, I consider it a feature. However, it’s still a required taste for viewer consideration.
Addiction and recovery drive several characters. I’ll avoid pointing to them so as not to give away plot details. However, usage and relapse deserve a mention in this section.
If any of these are deal breakers, give this film a skip.
What I Dislike, or Food for Thought, about Bodies
Bodies shifts between a mindless and clever horror comedy, never comfortably sticking to one or the other. It pulls off elements of both with expertise, but the tugging and pulling of these different elements limits the execution of either. Because of the above friction, Halina Reijin gives us all the clues to piece everything together and still tells us. Pick an audience and trust them.
As a horror comedy, this film leans on the humor over the horror. The unraveling of characters certainly earns respect but expect a comedy for a better experience. It’s not a particularly scary film, and it doesn’t try to occupy that space.
Final Thoughts
Bodies Bodies Bodies spirals into a chaotic horror comedy, banking on the toxic chemistry of its cast to deliver both. The film never makes a strong stance in either claiming a mindless or clever horror comedy, shifting between both at the expense of the whole. It remains a bumpy but engaging viewing experience, nonetheless.
(3 / 5)
Episode four of Amazon Prime’s Fallout was a great one for character development. It was also great because one of my personal favorite actors was involved.
Let’s discuss.
The story
This episode’s story revolved largely around Lucy and The Ghoul. He’s still dragging her about on a rope, but we aren’t sure why. While she can track the Head, she certainly hasn’t shared that information with the Ghoul.
What he wants her for soon becomes clear, when he barters her for vials of the medication that keeps him from losing himself to the ghoul illness.
At first, Lucy thinks this is a step up. She’s taken by a robot surgeon named Snip Snip to get a new thumb. Since, you know, The Ghoul shot her thumb off.
However, after stitching a new thumb on, Snip Snip takes her to his masters. Who then say they want him to cut her up for her organs.
Lucy manages to escape and even frees the other people trapped by these organ brokers. In doing so, she comes into the possession of many, many of those vials that The Ghoul needs so desperately.
Meanwhile, Norm is starting to suspect that all is not what it should be in Vault 33. While the rest of the vault is preparing to elect a new overseer, he takes Chet and sneaks off to Vault 32. There, they find some horrific sights. Long dead bodies, next to messages scrawled in blood. There are especially bodies around the door that leads to Vault 31, where someone has written We Know What’s in There on the wall.
Of course, we don’t know what’s in there. But I’m sure we’re going to find out.
Norm continues to dig, checking for information on the old Overseer’s computer. And he finds that the door to Vault 32 was opened by a Pip-Boy. To be specific, it was a Pip-Boy owned by Norm and Lucy’s mother.
I’m sure that won’t be relevant later.
What worked
The more I see of this season, the more I like Lucy. She is growing and evolving as a person, just like Wilzig told her she would have to do. She is becoming harder. But her kindness and values haven’t changed yet. She is still a good person. I love that.
I also love the dark, creepy storyline with Norm. I love how serious he is, especially when compared to the rest of his community. I especially love that, even as emotionally disturbed he is by what he’s learning, he seems passionate. And from what we’ve seen of this character, this is possibly the first thing he’s felt passionate about his entire life. I am impressed with the writing and acting that have allowed us to see his lack of passion with minimal focus. He is a fun, well-written character.
Finally, I’d like to shine the spotlight on Matt Berry. He is a delightful actor known for What We Do in the Shadows and IT Crowd. And he is playing the remarkably funny role of Snip Snip, the robot surgeon. His voice lends an extra level of humor to an already funny premise. This was another example of the great casting we’ve seen so far on Fallout.
In the end, this was a great episode from all points. It was fun, heartfelt, and dark. In short, I have no notes. I’m only excited to see what happens in the next episode.
(4 / 5)
The finale of American Horror Story Delicate aired last night. And if you were watching along with us on Threads, then you already know that it didn’t live up to any of my expectations.
Let’s discuss.
The story
We begin with Anna being ushered off stage and into an ambulance. Dex is there because Siobhan called him.
Once in the ambulance, though, the blood starts to spill. And it’s not just Anna’s. She soon finds herself in the clutches of the coven, giving birth in the most anxiety-inducing place possible. And when the baby is born, he’s taken away at once.
Because that’s the agreement that Anna made, without fully realizing what she was agreeing to.
If Anna’s going to get her baby back, she’s going to have to make another sacrifice. She is going to have to join the coven herself. Is she strong enough to do it? Is she strong enough to raise a monster?
What worked
This episode did have some fun elements. As a practicing witch myself, I appreciate the addition of Hestia in a positive light. Especially when this season was so focused on motherhood, womanhood, and sisterhood, Hestia was a lovely goddess to include.
For those who don’t know, Hestia is a goddess of the home and hearth, but not a maternal goddess. She was, in fact, a virgin goddess. So Adeline’s devotion to her made sense in a real-world witchcraft way. Adeline was supposed to be a symbol of female love and support. Including Hestia in this made that crystal clear.
This was made most clear with the behavior of Siobhan. She was a perfect example of a toxic person who uses sisterhood to use and manipulate others. This can be seen clearly in the flashback that begins this episode. We see Siobhan show kindness to Anna, who she wants to use while being cruel to the woman who shared her story at the start of the meeting. For Siobhan, kindness is a currency she spends to get something. And that is clear.
What didn’t work
Sadly, those two elements weren’t enough to save this episode. My first concern is that this ending had more holes in it than Swiss cheese.
This wasn’t just a matter of having questions left after the ending. These were elements that we should have seen and just didn’t. Why were the witches diluting and working with blood near the end of the episode? Why didn’t Dex Senior get what was coming to him? What the hell was with those pointed green heels? My largest question, however, is this.
Did Anna imagine all of this? Did any of it happen? We don’t know. Consider the ending. I don’t want to spoil too much of this, so I’ll only point out Anna’s gown. It’s bloody in one scene and newly clean the next. This is only the example I can share without spoiling the ending. But we have no proof that any of these things happened to her.
While it’s fine to leave some questions up to the viewer, there were too many here. Rather than feeling mysterious, it just felt incomplete. And seeing as how this episode was much shorter than a standard one, this could have easily been corrected.
I would also like to hold some space for how this season ruined the good message of the book Delicate Condition. This novel was bloody, gory, and disturbing. But it also had a beautiful message about sisterhood, and women supporting women through motherhood, career choices, and life in general. There is so much pure, sisterly love in that book.
This is entirely missing from this season. It’s often turned on its head, with women betraying each other for their own selfish desires. And honestly, I hated that.
Finally, this season finale is another example of an ending ruining a good season. AHS Delicate wasn’t without its charm. Some episodes were great fun. There were elements that I truly enjoyed as a horror fan, a witch and a woman. But this ending just soured everything good about the season. It spoiled all of the enjoyment I had. Much like Sabrina, Dexter, and the podcast Dolores Roach, the ending ruined everything that came before it.
In the end, this finale was disappointing. It didn’t deliver on its promises, it did a disservice to the source material, and it was poorly executed. This series is more than capable of better. Delicate Condition, the novel, deserved a better interpretation.
However, as a long-time fan, I can honestly say that in twelve years of content, I have genuinely disliked a season and a half of American Horror Story. This one, and the second half of Double Feature. So while AHS Delicate was a disappointment, I am looking forward to season thirteen. In the meantime, I’m going to rewatch Coven and look forward to better stories to come.
(2 / 5)
