Episode 8 of HBO’s The Last of Us is undoubtedly the series’ most disturbing entry, showing how low humans can go to ensure their survival. Bella Ramsey’s Ellie faces a new and unhinged adversary in the form of Scott Shepherd’s David in the latest episode.
SPOILER WARNING
Ellie tries to find food and medicines for injured Joel. She manages to shoot a deer. However, a couple of men capture that wounded deer. Soon, Ellie encounters those men and warns them to stay away from the dead creature. One of those men introduces himself as David, a preacher and leader of a group of human survivors residing inside a Colorado resort. He reveals to her that the man who injured Joel belonged to his group. After feeling threatened, Ellie steals the medicines and runs away.
Upon reaching Joel, Ellie starts treating his injured wound. The next day, David starts searching for Ellie with the help of his men. They capture Ellie and cage her inside their resort. David tries to manipulate her into joining his cult. However, Ellie discovers that David is a cannibalistic paedophile after seeing a bloody ear on the floor. The latter reveals his true intention with Ellie and admits to giving human meat to his group members to keep them alive.
Ellie kills James, one of David’s followers, and tries to escape from the godforsaken resort. However, David somehow captures her again, intending to rape her. But Ellie overpowers him and starts stabbing him repeatedly. Soon, she reunites with Joel, and they walk away.
Episode 8 proves that you do not need an infected to create a horrifying atmosphere if you have humans capable of plunging into new depths of barbarism. Scott Shepherd’s bone-chilling take on David is enough to shake viewers to their cores. He was nothing except a sick and twisted man with a disturbing fetish for small children. We do not know what caused him to lose his damn mind. But it is clear that he has turned into a monster and lost all of his humanity.
The latest episode gives Ramsey another chance to showcase her acting abilities. And she gives her all. Her brutal and breathtaking performance in the episode’s final moments makes Episode 8 a worthy addition to the HBO series. Additionally, we get a heartwarming moment of Joel and Ellie embracing each other. Yes, they finally hug! Fans of the show waited a long time to see that happen. Feelings of anger soon transform into tenderness in this scene. And the way Joel calls her “baby girl” reminds us of his daughter’s tragic demise.
Episode 9, titled “Look for the Light”, will serve as the series’ final entry.
HBO’s The Last of Us Episode 8 is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Stay tuned for more updates.