The Last of Us, already had two hurdles, to overcome when announced, could it break the seemingly impossible task of translating a loved Video game into a good show or movie? Secondly ,do we really need another post-apocalyptic drama , in the wake of ‘The Walking Dead’ Yet, in the hands of both the game’s creator, Neil Druckmann, and Chernobyl’s showrunner, Craig Mazin it seems the answer is a resounding yes. The feature length 90 minute episode does well in describing the set up : When a parasitic fungal plague, takes over the planet, we follow how what is left of humanity picks up the pieces, as it manages the pandemic under an effective government marshall law. Perhaps a scenario more believable now post Covid 19, than when the game was first published in 2013. We follow two main characters Joel and Ellie. Joel is a survivor of the outbreak, that we are witness to, as we see at the episode start, as the grim events unfold. We then pick up 20 years later. Now , working as a runner for the black market, Joel agrees to escort a 14-year-old Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey ,of Games of Thrones fame, who maybe is key to the remaining population’s survival. It may seem an over familiar premise, but both are well written and,both actor give great performances, in a script that takes care in detailing events that inform their actions, which is a key part in this episode. Pascal (Pedro Pascal-who seems to have nailed the corner in Father figures and young kid saviours#The Mandalorian Season 3 #StarWars)is great, as the wounded Joel, and an lends a huge amount of humanity to the main character.Bella too gives a solid performance. What is the best trick of this Episode is the careful balancing act , between respecting the source material and playing to the strengths that made it a popular property in the first place, which is a rare thing indeed. Check out out our Film & TV Review Podcasts fortnightly With Reviews and chat with Actors and Directors from the world of film and TV!