Those of us who have played the game all knew what was coming. When nothing happened last week, there was a collective breath of relief… followed by another deep breath before the plunge.
The previous episode documented how the town of Jackson has evolved, and where Joel, Ellie, and Tommy stand following the first season. It also introduced the character of Abby, a vengeful former Firefly, who has already proven instrumental in the current course of the season.
“Through the Valley” follows up last week’s lingering plot threads, notably Abby’s descent on Jackson, and the fungal tendrils discovered in an old water pipe during construction in the town. The first season deviated from the game by introducing a “hive mind” system that connects Cordyceps-infected people within a certain distance, which comes into play for the first time since S1E2. And what an effect. After a relatively reserved season premiere, this episode fires on all cylinders with the assault on Jackson, which is a show-exclusive event. What is really smart, however, about the inclusion of the attack sequence, is that it provides context for the presence of the Infected that were featured in the game’s opening hours.
The episode also features fantastic performances, as usual, but for the first time in a while, Bella Ramsey seems to take to the sidelines this episode, allowing co-stars Gabriel Luna, Young Mazino, and Kaitlyn Dever to control much of the action as Tommy, Jesse, and Abby, respectively. The character of Tommy benefits from additional focus, as he takes up a supporting role in the games and the previous season, and while Mazino doesn’t have much in the way of screen time, Ellie and Jesse engage in very entertaining banter ripped straight from the game. The standout for some and the controversy for others is Dever’s work as Abby, who has had a different introduction than she did in the game. In that original version, her motives in the opening hours are unknown to the player, making her actions later on more shocking, but in the show Abby’s motives are explained almost immediately. Dever’s performance lacks the subtlety and mystery present in the game, but makes the character compelling in a different way, turning the character into a person who is just now discovering the extent of violence she is able to commit.
(Again. Spoilers).
If anything, everyone who has played the games has been wondering how the execution of Joel would play out. While it is a pivotal moment for the story, it generated an incredible amount of backlash toward the developers, but they make no changes to the overall effect, if anything only making it more devastating emotionally. The reveals of Abby’s goals in the last episode help to rationalize her actions, in a way, and immediately create a moral dilemma that isn’t established until midway through the game. The framing of Joel as a villain doesn’t detract from what is a suspenseful, emotional, and downright brutal sequence that sets itself apart from the scene in the game (watch them side-by-side, you’ll see). And what is one of the most satisfying parts is that Joel’s death doesn’t play a Walking Dead-esque cliffhanger; once it is over, the viewer is finally left with a moment to breathe as an aftermath plays out, which makes this devastating event feel less cynical.
“Through the Valley” seems to be HBO’s response to the criticisms of the first season, with an increased focus on Infected and (quality) action scenes, but it’s artistic value through its cinematography, practical effects, production design, and performances make for a truly thrilling and harrowing episode.
