Endure and Survive
Introduction
In Episode 5 of The Last of Us, the story takes us back to Kansas City during the outbreak. Chaos and rioting erupt as the military intervenes to restore order. Amidst the turmoil, Henry and Sam, two survivors, attempt to navigate the dangerous landscape and stay alive.
Kathleen’s Control
With the fall of FEDRA, Kathleen emerges as a powerful figure, asserting authority over the townsfolk. She proclaims herself the de facto dictator and demands Henry’s presence. However, his whereabouts remain a mystery until a fellow survivor reveals that he is meeting an informant in a safe area, which happens to be the attic seen in the previous episode.
Survival Struggles
As days pass, supplies dwindle, and tensions rise within the group. Henry and Sam ration their gear, but Sam’s fear grows. To comfort him, Henry encourages Sam to express his emotions through drawing on the walls. Meanwhile, Perry suggests waiting and regrouping, but Kathleen dismisses his suggestions, opting to take immediate action and dispose of bodies without trial.
The Unexpected Encounter
After ten days without food and their informant gone, Henry and Sam decide to embark on a journey on foot. However, gunshots from a department store catch their attention. They spot Joel amidst the commotion and change their plans. Meeting Joel and Ellie at an apartment complex, Henry proposes a mutual alliance for survival.
A Risky Escape Plan
The group, now consisting of Henry, Sam, Joel, and Ellie, formulates a plan to escape the dangerous city of Kansas. Kathleen controls all highways, making escape challenging. Moreover, the infected have been forced underground for the past 15 years. Undeterred, Henry and Sam opt to navigate the underground tunnels, despite the uncertain nature of their plan. Joel remains skeptical.
The Maintenance Tunnels
Descending into the maintenance tunnels, the group discovers an underground community that sought refuge after the outbreak. During their exploration, Joel and Ellie bond over old comic books. Ellie and Henry suggest taking a break to play, and Joel allows them to do so. It is during this time that Henry reveals the truth about Sam’s illness and his desperate quest for medicine held by FEDRA, ultimately leading to his brother’s death.
Kathleen’s Unhinged Nature
Kathleen, exhibiting increasingly unstable behavior, retreats to her childhood room after committing heinous acts, including the murder of the city’s doctor. Determined to seek justice and revenge, despite her brother’s advice against it, Kathleen spirals further into madness.
A Deadly Confrontation
As the group successfully navigates the tunnels and reaches the other side, they encounter a sniper in a nearby building. Joel takes action, attempting to outmaneuver the sniper by approaching from behind. Inside the building, he discovers an old man in collaboration with Kathleen. However, Kathleen and her group arrive, and with Henry unable to reason with her, Ellie takes aim as commanded by Henry.
An Unexpected Turn
Before Ellie can shoot, the ground collapses, unleashing a horde of infected. As chaos ensues, a massive infected creature known as a bloater annihilates Kathleen’s group, while Perry sacrifices himself to buy them a few seconds. Kathleen meets a similar fate. Ellie saves two infected individuals, allowing the group to escape.
A Bittersweet Farewell
After the skirmish, the four survivors find temporary refuge away from the carnage. Joel encourages Henry and Sam to join them on their journey to Wyoming. However, a devastating revelation emerges—Sam is infected. With his condition deteriorating rapidly, Henry is forced to make a heart-wrenching decision. He shoots Sam, unable to cope with the grief, and unable to go on, turns the gun on himself.
The Impact of Loss
As Joel buries Henry and Sam, Ellie leaves a heartfelt message for Sam on his whiteboard, expressing her apologies. The episode concludes with a sense of somberness, capturing the emotional toll of loss and the harsh realities of survival.
Episode Review
Highlights and Emotional Impact
The story of Henry and Sam resonates deeply in Episode 5 of The Last of Us. Their tragic fate amidst the action-packed chapters leaves a somber and bittersweet impression. The silence that follows, with winter approaching, is expertly portrayed in both the game and the TV adaptation, capturing the audience’s hearts.
A Flawed Leadership
However, the portrayal of Kathleen’s group presents some shortcomings. Weak leadership, as experienced in survival situations and the military, can lead to the downfall of an entire group and incite mutiny. Kathleen’s erratic and unhinged behavior, including her unexplained disappearance, seems inconsistent with her role.
An Engaging Narrative
Despite its flaws, the Henry and Sam storyline remains a remarkable aspect of this episode, effectively capturing the hearts of newcomers to the series and delivering an emotional punch even to seasoned players of the game. Episode 5 stands as the pinnacle of the entire series, raising hopes for the remaining episodes to maintain this level of excellence.
Episode Rating
The episode receives a well-deserved and exceptional rating for its compelling storytelling, emotional depth, and impactful moments that resonate with the audience.