The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 8 Review: When We Are in Need
The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 8, “When We Are in Need,” takes us on a wild ride as Ellie encounters the biggest threat to her so far.
The introduction of Silver Lake is exactly what we needed at this time in the series. Ellie’s capture and confrontation with David has a sinister veneer that is perfect for bringing out that violent spark that the series has consistently planted in the back of the audience’s mind.
Scott Shepherd delivers a brilliant performance opposite Bella Ramsey. In contrast to Kathleen in Kansas City, David’s got a deeper and darker hold on the town.
It’s not hard to see that under the “everything will be okay because God will provide” exterior. The moment that David says that it’s too cold to bury Alec’s body, the idea that cannibalism was a factor in this community felt like it didn’t even need to be revealed.
At this point, it feels like we’ve seen enough post-apocalyptic stories where food is scarce and the only source of food is their dead that it doesn’t feel that shocking. (Read: Yes, I am thinking of “The Dark Year” in The 100.) It feels like a survival tactic that a few people are bearing.
What is more interesting, is how Ellie has to save herself from David.
While it makes sense for the plot to require Ellie to defend herself and hold out for Joel, the decision to take it a step forward and make her the one who takes out multiple people. It’s one of the first times, we see how dangerous Ellie can be.
There is no denying that David’s intentions are vile, and as they are slowly peeled back there are very few ways that this can end. David reads, pretty early on, as a character that wasn’t just a preacher but a cult figure. He plays it off like it isn’t his choice, but deep down we can see how seedy he is, and from Ellie’s interactions with him, we can tell she senses it too.
The interaction between them while Ellie is in the cage is rooted in manipulation and it’s so satisfying when Ellie snaps his fingers back and bests him in the steakhouse.
The moment that she wanders out and Joel finds her is the moment that the episode needed to conclude. I’ve been reading a lot about stress cycles lately and how it’s important when you’re in a flight or fight response that there’s a moment where you feel safe so that the cycle can end.
As much as Ellie and Joel may be on the run they have to have moments of safety in order to form their bond and the moment that Joel calls Ellie “baby girl” shows us exactly how close they’ve become and how much they value each other.
“When We Are in Need” is a solid penultimate episode that brings us really close to a threat that could actually separate Ellie and Joel. While this episode has a happy ending it also shows us how high the stakes are now that they’re bonded.
What did you think of this episode of The Last of Us? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Last of Us airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO and HBO Max.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.