First off, I never played the game, and in fact, have never even seen scenes from the game. When I heard they were making a show based off of a dystopian game, I had to read about what the game was even about. So I went into this first episode completely unbiased. The first half of the first episode was absolutely stellar. There was barely any lag time before things started happening. The first half showed the infection spreading and the world falling apart very quickly. In this first half we meet Joel, Sarah and Tommy.....for those who have watched it or played the game you know what happens at the end of the first half so I won't go into detail. The second half is 20 years later as we catch up with Joel. The second half does slow down so it can start setting up the storyline of what is to come. I can't compare the games characters versus the show characters, but I think Pedro Pascal and Anna Torv are great. Even the brief amount of screen time for Nico Parker (as Sarah) is great. Where I have a problem, and hence the loss of a star, is the character of Ellie as well as the actress playing her. I personally think she is a bad actor and has a very whiny demeanor and face. I don't like the casting so far for her, but will hold my full judgment until the end. I know people are very protective of the game, and those that love the game, will probably throw shade at every comparison. (Trust me.... I did it with The Witcher which kept me from truly enjoying the show!) Everyone should go into this first episode with an open mind, knowing it will get slow at times because it's a drama before it's all about action. So far, stellar concept, stellar cinematography and great acting (except for the Ellie actress!) This is a great start and one of the best first episodes of a show I have seen in a long time.
Review of When You're Lost in the Darkness
