When We Are in Need

I only have one complaint about the episode and it's a very minor one I'll drop at the end, but other than that I wish nothing to change about this episode. First, Winter in the game, then the show.

The Winter segment of the game is possibly the most well written and designed gaming content ever made. A few years ago I bought and read a bunch of screenwriting books to learn all the elements of a well written movie/book. This segment checked all of those boxes. The well developed villians, crisis of belief, good pacing, and all the other bells and whistles.

This. Episode. Kept. ALL of it.

Everything the game got right was kept and the additions enhanced the base story. The issue I've had with the previous episodes is most of the changes try to force you to care about temporary characters that didn't exist in the game or were completely inconsequential. Here, the additional dialogue and characters were still focused on one point: the darkest moment in Ellie's life to this point. Kathleen's character was pointless because she could hace been removed and little would change. The girl in the settlement was the one to break the facade of a post apocalyptic utopia.

I hope the creators look at the success this episode alone is pulling and keep that model. Still pleasantly surprised with the results so far.

When We Are in Need is the darkest and most disturbing episode of the season, a very faithful adaptation of the corresponding part of the game and a haunting reminder of what the apocalypse will do to people that shows the infected aren't even close to being the worst monsters in this world.

This is the most faithful episode of the season, barely deviating from the game and only briefly enhancing the backstory of David's community (which works) with the rest being shot for shot and line for line. However by invoking the memory of the game it invites comparison to the source and obviously some of the scenes aren't as strong as the original but are still great here.

Bella Ramsey has always been really good at showing Ellie's warmth but here she really shines because of the horror and pain she convincingly portrays. Scott Shepherd is superb as David, his kindness is so off-putting and when he does show his true nature it's so horrifying to witness.

Ali Abbassi's direction is excellent, knowing when to show you the disturbing imagery and when to leave it your imagination. The episode also covers a lot of plot in less than an hour so it's a testament to the pacing that it doesn't feel rushed and knows exactly when to end.

Ellie(Bella Ramsey) is flawless. The acting over all is on other level. The episode is epic and Ellie does the job. Adrenaline roller coaster ride. The loyality and feelings in this episode would really hit hard down to the core of your bones. Do not miss out this gym if you are really want to see something which makes you stick to the screen with your eyes wide open. The vibes of a freezing frosting weather and hunt for a survival would get you there after watching this episode. I never thought it would be as good as the Game itself. But I gotta accept I was wrong and it does the job. Awesummm.

Bella Ramsey did an amazing job in this episode! Don't get me wrong they were amazing in other episodes as well, but in here? PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCE.

I think making the leader a priest/preacher was an amazing choice, and this is coming from someone who's always been orthodox. It shows that he took advantage of people who actually believed in god and used their beliefs to his own advantage. I mean if anything he had god complex himself lmao. Not making the leader just cannibal and making him "religious" added depth to the whole episode, made you feel bad for his followers and so on. I don't get why people are offended by it, I mean it's obvious that he's not actually a believer.

With that being said, great episode, I'm just a little worried about how they're gonna fit all the important parts in the last episode.

So many emotions. It starts slower like the previous episodes, but once again, it ramps up towards the end. The tension is through the roof; the last 20 minutes won't let you rest for a second. It's brutal, highly emotional, and an interesting depiction of human morality. What would you do to survive?

Joel and Ellie's relationship has developed; they actually care for each other now. This episode is deeply moving at times. When the end credits rolled, I could feel my eyes watering. It's a beautiful story about human connections, but it's set in a terrible and scary world. Sometimes it's not the infected who are the scariest.

Both leads are just phenomenal. No one doubted Pascal (rightfully so), but many were skeptical about Bella Ramsey playing Ellie, but come on! She is outstanding! If the previous episodes did not sell you on her performance, this definitely will. She's showing every emotion in the book, and she is so convincing. Her performance is touching and the final scene moved me deeply.