Very rarely does a television series live up to the Internet hype. The Last of Us is a brilliant exception. The first couple episodes are a little slow, setting the background - and the stakes - for the two main characters. Then, episode three hits you like a freight train. This is where you realize the show is so much more than a Walking Dead clone. This show has a heart.
I know I'm late to the party on this one, but I needed to express how powerful this series is. When I write, I try to develop believable characters with genuine relationships. The Last of Us makes me want to be a better writer. The bond that forms between Joel and Ellie over the course of the series is desperate and funny and heartfelt all at once.
I never reveal spoilers when I write reviews, so it's hard to talk about a couple things that bothered me without giving things away. They weren't enough to take away from the quality and beauty of the show at any rate. I read that there will be a second season, and I can't wait to see where it goes.
Give all the awards to Bella Ramsey. Hers was one of the best performances I've ever seen. If you haven't watched the series, fix that right now. It's on HBO Max.