Is The Last of Us the darkest TV show ever? Fans are left shocked at devastating ending to episode five of post-apocalyptic thriller and tell creators ‘you’ll be hearing from my lawyers to pay for my therapy’
- Fans tell of their heartbreak at the latest installment of the fungi-focused horror
- SPOILERS: Read the MailOnline review of the action-packed fifth episode, here
Heartbroken fans of The Last of Us TV show say they have been left traumatised by the devastating ending of the latest chapter in the post-apocalyptic thriller.
The episode – the fifth in the HBO adaptation of the critically-acclaimed computer game saga – follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they scramble to escape Kansas City.
Both are already being hunted by a murderous rebel army, led by its blood-thirsty leader ‘Kathleen’ (Melanie Lynskey).
The latest installment of the fungi-focused horror – entitled ‘Endure and Survive’ – introduces viewers to Henry (Lamar Johnson) and his eight-year-old deaf brother, Sam (Keivonn Woodard), who were shown at the end of the fourth episode ambushing Ellie and Joel with pistols.
And while many viewers who have already played the game knew how the emotional roller-coaster would play out, it still didn’t prepare even the most hardened lovers of the franchise from what was about to happen.
Fans have been left devastated by the latest episode of The Last of Us, which aired two days earlier than usual
The episode, entitled ‘Endure and Survive’ introduced fans to Henry (Lamar Johnson, right) and his deaf brother, Sam (Keivonn Woodard left)
The show followed Ellie and Joel, played by Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, as they scrambled to escape Kansas City
Scores took to social media after the show aired to share their thoughts, with one viewer saying: ‘Every time I watch the last of us I think “surely it can only go up from here” and then the most traumatic thing I’ve ever seen happens.’
READ MORE: See what we thought about THAT ending of harrowing fifth episode of The Last of Us
Another heartbroken fan added: ‘Just watched the latest the Last of Us [episode] and why’d they make the Henry and Sam situation more heartbreaking than it already is?’
One particularly scene had viewers reaching for the tissue box, with some even saying they will never be able to recover from seeing it.
‘This show ruins lives,’ said one fan, while another added: ‘HBO, you’ll be hearing from my lawyers to pay for my therapy.’
Others have even started to jokingly question why they are continuing to watch the critically-acclaimed show, following several heartbreaking conclusions to recent storylines.
‘Watchers and players of The Last of Us: Is this a self-harming activity? Just a few episodes and I’m so heartbroken.’
Lauren Mahaffy tweeted she had been ‘so excited’ for the latest episode – which was screen two days earlier due to the cover of the American Super Bowl on Sunday.
But after watching the fifth chapter, Lauren said: ‘Now I’m tramatised and heartbroken.’
But despite all the heartbreak in this week’s episode, fans and critics alike have praised it, with the chapter having scored 92 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Alan Sepinwall, of Rolling Stone, said: ‘This is just a masterful episode… It takes all the dominoes that were set up last week and knocks them over, one by one, in devastating fashion. ‘
The Guardian added: ‘After a quiet couple of weeks, something big was inevitably on the horizon … but who knew it would be that big? This excellent episode upped the ante with flames, explosions and tragedy.’
Fans also praised the young stars of the show for their performances, with newcomer Keivonn Woodard portrayal of Sam leaving a lasting impression.
‘It’s hard to believe this was Keivonn Woodard’s first acting role he did such a phenomenal job. imagine THIS being your first experience and how much fun he probably had,’ said one person on Twitter.
Others championed the acting of former Game of Thrones star Bella Ramsey, 19, for her portrayal of 14-year-old Ellie.
Fans also praised the young stars of the show for their performances, with newcomer Keivonn Woodard (pictured as Sam)
Former Game of Thrones star Bella Ramsey, 19, was also celebrated by her co-star for her mature performance in the latest episode
Jeffrey Pierce, who plays Perry (pictured), said Bella should prepare a mantlepiece as ‘all the awards are coming your way’
Last of Us co-star Jeffrey Pierce, who plays Perry, wrote: ‘@BellaRamsey If you don’t yet own a mantelpiece, invest in one. All the awards are coming your way. Stunning, understated, raging, brilliant work from one of the most grounded, kind, down-to-earth, human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.’
The young actor was left blushing by the praise from Pierce, saying: ‘Jeffrey I don’t know what to do with this generosity… I am not good at this. Thank you. You’re amazing.’
Friday’s installment came after the third episode was celebrated as ‘one of the greatest television episodes ever’ by emotional fans.
Entitled Long Long Time – it introduced two new characters, Bill, played by Nick Offerman, and Frank, played by Murray Bartlett, whose ‘achingly beautiful’ love story and ultimate deaths moved fans to tears.
Iconic: The Last of Us episode 3 has been branded ‘one of the greatest television episodes ever’ by emotional fans for its ‘beautiful depiction’ of the gay romance between Bill, played by Nick Offerman, and Frank, played by Murray Bartlett,
Romance: The new episode – entitled Long Long Time – introduced Billand Frank, played by Murray Bartlett, whose ‘achingly beautiful’ love story and ultimate deaths moved fans to tears
The zombie outbreak sees closeted doomsday prepper Bill take in traveler Frank, with the pair falling in love and remaining together for all their lives – with fans lauding Bill’s romantic line: ‘I’m old. I’m satisfied. And you were my purpose.’
Viewers took to social media to praise the show for depicting a gay romance through a positive lens, with one writing: ‘The last of us created one of the most beautiful depictions of love and devotion and growing old together i can’t stop thinking about it it was perfection
Another wrote: ‘I have never felt more shock and unpreparedness than going into the last of us episode 3 thinking I’m about to see some spooky mushroom zombies and father pedro and instead witnessing the most reverently romantic representation of gay love I have ever seen.
Love story: The zombie outbreak sees closeted doomsday prepper Bill take in traveler Frank, with the pair falling in love and remaining together for all their lives – with fans lauding Bill’s romantic line: ‘I’m old. I’m satisfied. And you were my purpose’
Hush director Mike Flanagan penned: ‘Tonight’s episode of #TheLastOfUsHBO is one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen.’
Another typed: ‘The Last of Us episode 3 will probably go down in history as one of the greatest episodes of television ever made. Holy s**t.’
Referencing a Black Mirror episode which depicted a lesbian romance, another wrote: ‘Didn’t know the last of us had a f*****g San Junipero episode I’m wrecked.’
Another wrote: ‘One of the best episodes of television I’ve ever watched. Absolute Masterpiece.
One wrote: ‘Tonight’s episode of The Last of Us was truly one of the most beautiful episodes of tv I have ever seen.
‘I can’t overstate how amazing episode 3 of The Last of Us was. I won’t say anything about it, just that I really like this show so far.’
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